by Lea Hart
Grady watched her walk away and shrugged. “What the hell?”
Ryan slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s not a bad thing. The shoes Ivy has on probably cost over five hundred dollars. Your girlfriend just saved you a ton of money.”
“I don’t want to save a ton of money.” Turning, he glared at his friend. “Really…five hundred dollars?”
“Yeah.”
Grady started walking down the hall. “Let’s go and talk in my office. Joel will join us later, and we can go out to lunch.”
“Sounds good,” Ryan remarked.
When they were settled, Grady studied him, and he was fairly confident that he was going to ask about Ivy.
“Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Ivy?”
Bingo. “I met her last night at the hotel, and we had a drink together. I was just surprised to see her in the office.”
“It seemed like more than that, but I guess it’s none of my business.”
Ryan leaned back, watched Grady pull out a folder, and hoped like hell that was the last question he was going to get about Ivy.
“This is information about the office, what we do, and the comp plan we would like to offer you,” Grady said, as he pushed the folder across the desk.
Ryan opened the folder and flipped through the papers. He whistled when he read the last page. “Is this number correct?”
“Absolutely. I know it sounds like a lot, but it isn’t crazy. When Max started the company, he wanted to replicate what we did on the Teams in the private sector. He didn’t start the company to get rich off the people he worked with. We are a company that believes in sharing the wealth and investing in the people who join us.”
“Damn. I had no idea. Don’t you want to ask me some questions before you offer me a job?”
“I worked with you, so I don’t need to ask you anything except…when would you like to start?”
“I’ve never interviewed for a job, but I’m pretty sure there has to be more to it than that.”
“Not here. We work with Team guys and people who come from the SOF community, so questions are not always necessary.”
“I’m not sure if I want to settle in Miami. That’s my only reservation.”
“Why don’t you try it for a couple of months and then see how you feel? I live in Pinecrest, and you can stay in my house because it’s empty. I live next door with Sara, so you would have it all to yourself.”
“You’re making an offer that I can’t refuse.”
“Is it working?”
Ryan leaned forward and put out his hand. “It is. Thanks for the opportunity.”
Grady shook Ryan’s hand and grinned. “Leaving the Teams was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Working with Joel and the guys allowed me to make the transition. I hope the same is true for you.”
“Me too,” Ryan replied. “I haven’t enjoyed the last couple of months because I couldn’t imagine finding something that I would love as much as being a SEAL. What you guys have here gives me hope.”
Grady knocked his fist on the desk and grinned. “Let’s hunt up Joel and get something to eat. I have a feeling that you’re going to like it here.”
He hoped like hell Grady was right, because he was ready to get his new life started.
CHAPTER THREE
Sunday
Ryan stood outside Grady’s house with the sun beating down on his head. They had just gotten back from a run, and he was stretching out on the front porch. A sharp whistle caught his attention, and he turned around to see two old ladies dressed in colorful caftans with bright hair staring at him with smiles. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning to you,” The woman with lavender hair responded. “I’m Gladys, and this is Agnes.”
Ryan grabbed his shirt and wiped his face before he took a step closer. “I’m Ryan, and I’ll be staying at Grady’s house for a while.”
The woman with orange hair gave him a flirty smile. “Welcome to our neighborhood. I hope you have plans to walk around bare-chested. We’re always trying to get Grady to do it, but he hardly ever does. We’re old and we like to look at good-looking men as often as we can.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do.” Now he understood why Grady disappeared into his house when they finished their run. Before the conversation could get worse, he heard the front door open next door. Grady walked out with his girlfriend, and Ryan couldn’t have been happier. It wasn’t every day that one got propositioned by a pair of octogenarians.
Sara strolled over and gave the two ladies a disapproving look. “I hope you two are behaving and not accosting our guest.”
Ryan noticed they both immediately plastered innocent expressions on their faces as Sara approached. It seemed he wasn’t the first man to be propositioned by these two. “They were just welcoming me to the neighborhood,” he said with a grin.
“Did they ask you to keep your shirt off?” Grady asked.
“Of course we did,” Gladys replied. “We may not have long to live, and the pleasure of seeing a beautiful man half-naked isn’t that much to ask.”
Sara laughed and then tried to cover it up. “I can’t really argue with you, but I know I should.”
A car approached, and both Gladys and Agnes turned. “That’s our ride. We have bowling today, and then we’re going out to lunch,” Gladys said as she hitched her purse over her shoulder.
“We’re happy to have you here, Ryan, even if you keep yourself covered up,” Agnes commented before she followed her friend to the car.
“Have fun,” Sara called out.
“I didn’t know that senior citizens could be so entertaining,” Ryan said as they watched the ladies depart.
“You have no idea,” Sara replied. “A couple of months ago, we learned how to make a Molotov cocktail. It’s amazing what you can learn on YouTube.”
Before Ryan could ask why they needed a homemade bomb, another car pulled up, and Ivy stepped out. He caught her gaze as she approached, and a crackle of something passed between them. An arc of attraction that was sharp and clear. It was too bad that neither one of them knew what to do about it. It was an uncomfortable truth they were both ignoring…for the time being.
“Hey, you all,” Ivy called out as she approached.
Sara stepped over and embraced her in a hug. “Thank you for taking me out today. I’m in desperate need of your advice, and I’m so happy that you’re willing to spend the day with me shopping.”
Ivy squeezed her back. “Are you kidding me? I’m so happy to have a girls’ day. I’ve been traveling for over six weeks and have spent most of my time with men. Big, alpha, bossy ones. I’m desperate for female company.” Laughing, she held Sara’s hand. “I may just attach myself to you while I’m here.”
“I would love that. My two best friends here are eighty years old, so I’d love to hang out with someone my age.”
“Seems like we’re perfect for one another,” Ivy said, as she swung their hands back and forth.
Grady looked over at Ryan and grinned. “I guess we’re on our own.”
“Let me go grab my purse and then we can go,” Sara said.
“I’ll help,” Grady replied as he followed Sara closely back into the house.
Ryan watched the couple walk into the house. “Ten dollars says it takes them fifteen minutes to come back out.” He slipped his shirt over his head and grinned. “I’ve been in their company for only a couple of days, and I’ve hardly seen them without their hands on each other.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you’re in love,” Ivy said.
“Have you ever been?”
“In love?” Ivy asked.
“Yeah. Have you ever been so head over heels with someone that you lost your mind and good sense?” Why he was asking her, he didn’t know. Scratch that—he did know. He just didn’t want to admit it to himself. The idea of Ivy out of control appealed to him more than he was willing to admit. They both had been acting professi
onal at the office, and he hoped like hell it could end soon. The fact that they were oil and water was less of a problem the more time he spent in her company.
Sighing wistfully, she shook her head. “No. Unfortunately, my good sense has never left me. But I haven’t given up hope. Someday, I hope to lose it spectacularly.”
Ryan let his eyes play over her face and noticed a sadness there that he hadn’t expected to see. She always seemed to be in complete control of her mind and her emotions, so seeing a hint of vulnerability was a surprise. A lot of things about Ivy Bellows were surprising. Not the least of which was his body’s reaction to her. She stood there in a blue sundress that covered all her girl-parts, and he was salivating like she was naked. He would love to see Ivy lose her good sense, and he wanted to be the one who made her do it. She was about to say something, but stopped when Sara and Grady walked over.
“You owe me ten dollars, Ryan; they were only gone ten minutes,” Ivy said.
“I’ll take you out to lunch next week.”
“Why does Ryan owe you money?” Sara asked.
“Just a silly bet,” Ivy responded. “Let’s get out of here and find you something fabulous to wear for your meeting with the mafia. I’ve never shopped for mafia chic, so this is going to be interesting.”
“Have fun, ladies,” Grady called out as the girls walked toward the car.
Sara waved behind her head and didn’t break her stride. “That’s never happened before,” Grady said glumly as he watched them drive away. “She’s usually reluctant to leave.”
“Your charm may be wearing off.”
Swinging around, Grady gave him a dark look, and Ryan snorted. “Don’t give me a death glare because your girlfriend gave you the brush-off.”
“There was no brush-off. She was just excited about going shopping with someone her age.”
“Okay.” Stepping away, Ryan held up his hands. “I’m going to shower. Do you want to grab some lunch later on?”
“Sure. Why not? It’s not like my girlfriend is waiting for me or even remembers my name.”
Ryan shook his head and stepped toward the front door. “Pouting isn’t a good look, man.”
Grady flipped him off and stalked toward his house. Laughing, Ryan walked away and hoped like hell he never said anything remotely close to what Grady just had. If that’s what love did to a guy, he was glad that he’d avoided it.
***
Ryan sat with Grady in a sports bar that was populated with locals. It was comfortable and unpretentious and had great wings and beer. It was a long way from the Ritz-Carlton and he couldn’t have been happier. “So, how long did it take for you to become accustomed to civilian life?”
Grady stared at the TV for a moment and then turned and grimaced. “It took close to a year. I couldn’t get comfortable because I kept waiting for the next mission, the next assignment. Except there wasn’t one. When I talked to Joel and he told me what he had going on, I jumped at it. It was the closest thing to Team life that I could get. I was under his command for a couple of years on Team Two, so I knew he was a solid operator. If I’m being honest…joining SAI saved my sanity. I was about ready to take the contracting job with the CIA, and I’m damn happy that I chose this instead.”
“I’m twitchy as hell,” Ryan said as he looked around the room. “This feels so foreign to me. Being in some hellhole waiting for Tangos to show up would feel a lot more comfortable.”
“That eventually goes away. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but trust me, it does. The normal smells and sounds of civilian life will not always make you feel like crawling out of your skin.”
“I hope to hell that happens sooner as opposed to later,” Ryan replied.
“Tell me about you and Ivy and what’s going on there,” Grady said, as he finished his beer.
“Nothing’s going on.”
“Bullshit.”
Ryan shrugged his shoulders and glanced around the room and then at his friend. “I met her the other night before I came in for the interview. We were staying at the same hotel, and I tried to have a meal with her.”
“Didn’t go well?”
“No. My charm had no effect on her.”
“Yeah, that’s not surprising. Ivy’s a full-grown woman who’s smart as hell. Seems like she wouldn’t settle for anything less than someone’s best effort.”
“Seems so.”
“Are you going to show her your best effort, or are you just going to stare at her all the time and throw thinly veiled insults at her? For the record, no one is fooled.”
“Shit. I can barely breathe when I’m around her. I feel like I’m twelve years old again.” Shaking his head, he laughed. “I’m a retired fucking SEAL and I can barely get out of my own way when she’s around. She’s not even my type.”
“Don’t worry. It only gets worse,” Grady responded with a laugh. “I haven’t had an easy breath since I kissed Sara. I don’t expect to until I have her legally bound to me and pregnant. Even after that, it’s going to be iffy.”
“As far as pep talks, that’s the crappiest one I’ve ever heard.”
Shrugging, Grady laughed. “May not be something that I excel at.”
“You think?” Ryan laughed and signaled to the waitress. He was surprised to discover the heavy feeling that had been sitting on his chest seemed lighter. Maybe just admitting that Ivy had him twisted was enough to lessen the weight. This whole sharing thing that the Navy doc was always talking about might not be total bullshit. Not that he was going too carried away or anything.
They were about to leave when Grady got a text from Sara. Laughing, he showed him a picture of the shoes that the ladies were buying. “Seems like they were successful. Maybe we should run over there and offer to carry their bags.”
“Are you missing your girl, Grady?” Ryan checked his watch and laughed. “It’s been only four hours.”
“Fuck you. Are you coming or not?”
Maybe he needed to do something about the attraction that was simmering between him and Ivy. “I’m coming.”
***
Ivy pulled Sara into La Perla and swept her arm around like a hostess on a game show. “Welcome to paradise. There are no prettier bits of silk and lace on the planet.”
“I want everything in here,” Sara responded as she moved toward one of the racks.
Ivy held up a pale pink camisole and sighed. “I can’t resist.”
“Nor should you,” Sara said, as she held up celadon-green bra and matching thong. “If I wore this, then I would have to remind Grady that he couldn’t rip them off me. I’d have to make sure that he knew the difference between Target undies and these.”
Walking closer, Ivy studied her new friend. “Is that how it is between you two?” Holding up her hand, she shook her head. “Never mind. I can’t believe that I asked something so personal.”
“I’m the one who brought it up.” Sara laughed. “And to answer your question, yes. The way Grady feels about me isn’t pretty and polite. He’s not restrained when he expresses his feelings, and I couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m asking because I see what you two have together, and I would like to have something like that someday. I’ve never had a man show me more than polite and civilized attention. Or at least, anyone I was interested in. I decided last year that I was tired of wasting my time dating people who were less exciting than a dime-store novel. I may end up alone, but it’s better than settling.”
“I noticed you and Sam hit it off at lunch last week. Maybe he’s a candidate.”
Ivy moved her finger over the lace of the camisole and shrugged. “Could be.”
“But?” Sara said.
“But…nothing.” Ivy laughed.
“Oh, my God, you like Ryan. I noticed you two staring at each other when you think no one is looking. Maybe he’s the one for you.”
“Ryan doesn’t know what he wants, and he isn’t even my type.” Throwing her hair over her shoulder, she started going
through the racks.
“Grady wasn’t my type either…until he was.” Before she could say more, her cell phone beeped.
Ivy watched a smile cross her face. It must have been a text from Grady. “Has he hit his limit of separation?”
“Yes, he and Ryan are here, and they want to know where we are. He said they came over to carry our bags. A man who wants to carry your shopping bags is a man who’s interested.”
“Ryan isn’t interested.”
Laughing, Sara shoved the phone back in her bag. “I’m going to meet them out front.”
Ivy grinned and moved toward another rack. “I’d better shop quick, then.” Moving through the racks, she started to pick out a couple of things. There was a periwinkle lace body suit that would be perfect for one of her dresses. Holding it up, she studied it and wondered if the straps would work. A deep voice rumbled over her shoulder. Turning, she stared into Ryan’s deep green eyes. Damn, he was handsome. Doing her best to pretend his presence meant nothing, she smiled. “Are you here to help me pick out some bits of lace?” She figured the best way to get rid of him was to advance. He didn’t seem like a man who understood anything else.
“I like what you have in your hand. Maybe we can go in the back and you can slip it on, and then I’ll give you my opinion.”
“The only man who gets an opinion about what I wear under my clothes is my husband.”
“What if I was your lover?” he purred into her ear.
His deep voice felt like a caress over her skin, and she did everything she could not to react. “Any ol’ boy can be a lover; it takes someone special to become a husband.” Striding away, she moved toward another display. Playing with Ryan wasn’t as much fun as she’d thought it would be. When she advanced, he did the same thing. Her tactic wasn’t working; her stomach was doing somersaults and she felt slightly off balance. She went through a stack of underwear and tried not to hyperventilate. Being in a store like this wasn’t a good idea with Ryan breathing down her neck. His big arm came around her waist as he touched a pair of black silk undies, and she sucked in a gallon of air. Cool, Ivy. Very cool.