Watch Me (Alpha Four, Book 3)

Home > Other > Watch Me (Alpha Four, Book 3) > Page 16
Watch Me (Alpha Four, Book 3) Page 16

by Mia Dymond


  Sophie stepped beside her and rubbed her back while Kat leaned over to look at her ankle. “Did you tell Ace?”

  “No, I was waiting for the right moment.”

  “It looks fine,” Kat lifted her gaze and smirked. “Really good, actually.”

  “I’m proud of you, Carley.” Liv lifted her wine glass in a salute. “You stepped out of your comfort zone and came through with flying colors.”

  Sophie sighed and kept rubbing circles on her back. “I’m just sorry it’s so painful.”

  Carley opened her mouth to admit to her friends exactly how much pain invaded her at the present time when a deep, smooth, male voice interrupted.

  “Mind telling me exactly what’s so painful?”

  Carley lifted her gaze from her ankle and onto Ace, braced in the kitchen doorway on one hip with both arms crossed over his chest. Suddenly pain faded into the background. Even wrapped with a beige bandage, his body tempted her. Without encouragement, her tongue left her mouth to swipe her bottom lip.

  “Chaos needs a beer,” Kat said quickly as she flung open the refrigerator door, reached inside for the beverage, slammed the door, and then practically ran from the room.

  Sophie cleared her throat and patted Carley’s back one more time before she, too, headed out of the kitchen. “I’m sure Rebel’s looking for me.”

  “Thunder will send a search party in a matter of minutes.” Liv grinned and followed Sophie.

  Traitors.

  Carley swallowed hard and looked back at Ace.

  “I’m sorry, what was the question?”

  He winced as he pushed himself off one hip and ambled toward her. She briefly entertained the thought of running – he had no chance of catching her in his current condition – but quickly nixed it. It would only be a matter of time before he healed and then she wouldn’t have even half a chance of escaping him. Not that she really wanted to.

  “I asked,” he said as he replaced her hands with his, “what is so painful?”

  “Um, nothing really.”

  “You told me you weren’t hurt.”

  “I’m not.”

  She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth as he very gently lifted her ankle. Almost immediately, the wrinkles on his forehead disappeared and he lifted his gaze to hers.

  “I made a spontaneous decision,” she murmured.

  His lips split into another wet-your-panties smirk. “Yes, you did.”

  She moved her gaze back to her ankle, freshly inked with a black tattoo. The small playing card, complete with a bold cursive A in the upper left and lower right corner, covered only a small area of the skin above her ankle. Amazing how much it hurt.

  He chuckled as he released her foot and then pulled her off the stool and into the circle of his arms. She placed her lips against the base of his throat, grateful to feel the beat of his pulse.

  “There’s something to be said about spontaneity,” he said against the top of her head, “but I’m willing to bet you think twice next time.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  She lifted her head and grinned.

  “Watch me.”

  EPILOGUE

  Barricaded in the safety of his office, Thunder leaned back in his chair, folded his arms behind his head, propped his legs on top of his desk, and crossed his ankles as he welcomed the silence around him. The last few months had been a whirlwind of activity and he, for one, wouldn’t argue with a reprieve. Although business was good, he preferred a little less time in the thick of things.

  And then there were the changes to his team.

  He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. Every single one of his guys was now under the influence of a very potent female cocktail; he was the last man standing. He chuckled at that thought, genuinely happy for each of them; ecstatic that they were the ones under the watchful eye of a woman and not him.

  Although a certain hot-as-a-firecracker blonde had managed to occupy his thoughts quite a bit lately, he hadn’t succumbed to her womanly wiles. He had to admit, Olivia Blackwell had an amazing mind. Equipped with both intelligence and a quick wit, she delivered them with a genuinely honey-thickened technique that dared him something fierce. Damn his sweet tooth.

  Buzzing from his cell phone rudely interrupted his thoughts and sent it dancing across the desk. No rest for the wicked. He quickly captured it beneath his palm and then lifted it to his ear.

  “Raines,” he said into the mouthpiece.

  “Thunder, it’s Liv.”

  Surprised by the soft, feminine voice on the other end of the line, he lowered his feet and leaned forward to brace his elbows on the desk. She probably called to rope him into another community project. Not that he minded helping out, he just didn’t agree with her reasoning that he needed to get out more.

  “My calendar is full.”

  “I’m sure,” she drawled, “but this is important.”

  He lifted an eyebrow at the sudden distinct note of distress in her voice. “Okay, shoot.”

  “Someone’s hacked my database and unfortunately, your profile is at the top of the list.”

  Other books by Mia Dymond:

  Leather, Lace and Rock-N-Roll

  (SEALs, Inc., Book 1)

  www.smashwords.com/books/view/87362

  It is perfectly acceptable to attend a rock concert bare-bottomed with your panties in your pocket. And even more acceptable to flash your "goodies" to get backstage. That's what beautiful, brainy architect, Rachel Newberry learns when she loses a bet to her fearless best friend, Cameron Tremaine. Determined to ditch her annoying habit of being reserved and controlled, she learns that breaking the mold may prove too much to handle.

  Rock-n-Roll icon Jaydon Hawke (Hawke) is ready to settle down, build a home, and start a family. Spoiled and pampered, he's used to getting exactly what he wants, and what he wants now is Rachel. Except, she may not have the same idea. For the first time in his life, he struggles to win a woman's affection.

  Hawke’s carefully orchestrated plans go awry when Rachel's professional reputation is challenged because of their relationship - and the crazed stalker who has sights set on Rachel doesn't help much either. In a desperate attempt to gain her trust, Hawke must break her heart to save her very life.

  Outspoken Angel

  (SEALs, Inc., Book 2)

  www.smashwords.com/books/view/90312

  What do you get when you cross a flamboyant, smart-mouthed interior designer with a disciplined, reserved Navy SEAL?

  A bald, beefy Adonis with exceptional fashion sense.

  Cameron Tremaine lives life to the fullest, successful in business and fiercely independent. She digs in her heels when her best friend, Rachel, assigns the task of protecting her from a stalker to Max, head of security for Rachel's rock star husband. She doesn’t need a bald, bossy bodyguard – thank you very much – especially one oh so delectable as Max.

  Handbags, stilettos, and spa dates – not retired SEAL Max Sterling’s usual m.o. – until Cameron Tremaine. Max is a self-disciplined, no-nonsense ex-Navy SEAL, for Pete’s sake. Under his command, soldiers fall in line and follow orders as expected. Except, Cameron’s no soldier – she challenges his every command and does it with a sweet, syrupy smile.

  Duty bound, Max tolerates her sass and smart mouth until she pushes too far. When someone decides to silence her for good, he learns that bold and brassy go hand in hand.

  Freaky By Nature

  (SEALs, Inc., Book 3)

  www.smashwords.com/books/view/97541

  Former Navy SEAL and private investigator Brett Steele didn't realize there was a politically correct term for stripping until he met Holly London. Initially drawn to her long legs and curvy, toned body, Brett soon learns there is more to the sensual dance instructor than he thought.

  Holly has a colorful secret: psychic ability allows her to read aura through color. Believing she is a freak of nature, Holly avoids personal relationships and ignores her curse, renderi
ng it a nuisance - until the atmosphere warns her she has become the target of a madman. Faced with exposing her secret, Holly must risk trusting Brett in order to stay alive.

  Tightly Wound

  (SEALs, Inc., Book 4)

  www.smashwords.com/books/view/107217

  Claire Steele has spent her whole life dodging shadows. Psychic since birth, she uses her talent to chase the evil lurking in the recesses of her mind.

  For years, Lt. Malcolm "Shadow" Windsor has walked the fragile boundary of friendship, silently waiting for Claire to acknowledge her love for him. An ex-Navy SEAL and expert tracker, he knows patience is the key to her surrender - until sinister forces threaten to eliminate her.

  Caught between love and death, Claire and Shadow must combine both talent and skill to survive.

  The Cat’s Meow

  (SEALs, Inc., Book 5)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/446561

  Tess Michaels, bookkeeper and human calculator, keeps business at The Cathouse clearly profitable - until the numbers begin to fade. When the profit margin drops, she realizes that there is no number more final than zero.

  Matt Brooks, former Army Ranger and newest member of SEALS, Inc., agrees to investigate, immediately intrigued and aroused by Tess’ numerical ability. Her uncanny love of numbers strikes a chord with his own analytical mind and he soon learns that there is a whole lot more to the sexy number-cruncher than he thought.

  Swept into a whirlwind romance, the couple works diligently to discover the cause of the profit loss. Yet when Tess becomes his prime suspect, Matt must do some quick calculations of his own to prove her innocence.

  Never Cry Uncle

  www.smashwords.com/books/view/115187

  Often a dead-end job is so ... dead.

  When Allison Campbell and Lucy Monroe learn their boss is cheating them out of bonus money, they decide blackmail is the perfect revenge - until he ends up dead and they become prime suspects. Fearing the worst but refusing to ask for family assistance, Allison hires Luke Owens, private investigator.

  Working behind the scenes are Allison's uncles (members of the notorious Scarletti family) who discreetly conspire to use the situation to their advantage. With help from Don Antonio Scarletti, now reincarnated as a two hundred pound Rottweiler known as Scar, they launch an elaborate matchmaking scheme.

  Armed with honorable intentions, Luke ultimately finds himself helping the lead detective, chasing Allison, and working for the Scarletti family all at the same time. He finds out firsthand just exactly what paves the road to good intentions.

  Racing the District Attorney to solve the mystery, Allison and Luke must risk both their hearts and their lives to catch the real killer.

  Playing with Fire

  (Primrose, Minnesota, Book 1)

  www.smashwords.com/books/view/123319

  Liberty doesn’t come cheap. In fact, she costs $200 an hour.

  Dr. Liberty Prescott is trained to heal - problem is, she can’t practice what she preaches. Forced to deal with her own weaknesses, she leads a quiet, solitary life, focused on healing her patients.

  Fire Inspector Shane Hartwell fights demons in the dark. Held hostage by both fear and pride, he refuses to give in until he has no other choice. Desperate to end his torture, he seeks Liberty’s help.

  As attraction sparks between them, an arsonist burns out of control and evidence points straight to Liberty. Against his heart’s denial, Shane accuses her until new evidence emerges. Now with his heart in his hands, can he reclaim hers?

  Positively Criminal

  (Primrose, Minnesota, Book 2)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/287558

  Dr. Sabrina Miller is the queen of camouflage, and keeps her closely-guarded secrets locked deep in her heart. Fiercely dedicated to helping others, she refuses to let anyone interfere with her carefully-planned, somewhat out-of-the-ordinary techniques.

  Detective Jake Rawlings knows he holds the golden key to unlock Sabrina’s secrets, even if she claims otherwise – he just has to find a creative way to expose them. Much to his dismay, she outfoxes him every time.

  Yet, when someone other than Jake discovers what she keeps hidden, he must trust both his instincts and her techniques to keep her alive.

  The Rogue Reviewer

  (Primrose, Minnesota, Book 3)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/347860

  Be careful what you wish for - that's what romance novelist Dara Hamilton reminds herself when she finds a corpse in her living room. Never mind that her best friend wants to raise of glass of wine in a toast, the murder may not have been all that accidental. Armed with an arsenal of research, Dara intends to solve the crime.

  Detective Mace Turner always gets his man, even if that man is a beautiful woman. A seasoned homicide investigator with an incredibly touchy stomach, Mace works diligently to assemble the pieces of the puzzle, a task made nearly impossible with Dara’s interference. It is under extreme duress that he finally accepts her input.

  Pummeled by erotic images planted in his mind by Dara's talent, Mace vows to find the person responsible for murder. Little does he know, that person may be right under his nose.

  Tri Me

  (Primrose, Minnesota, Book 4)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/398317

  What happens at Girls Night Out, stays at Girls Night Out - unless someone is murdered.

  Defense attorney Alex Jennings intends to follow the code until her life is threatened by an anonymous caller. Although not keen on asking for help, she knows there is one man in whom she can confide.

  Former Detective Jackson Stewart knows it is in his best interest not to interfere with Ladies Night, but when Alex seeks his help, he has no choice but to man-up and take one for the team. After all, if Alex is concerned, the world may very well be coming to an end.

  When Alex’s threats turn to attempts on her life, Jackson must break through her wall of stubborn independence to keep her alive.

  Kiss My Sass

  (Primrose, Minnesota, Book 5)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/412990

  St. Thomas + Army Ranger = Tropical Boot Camp.

  Tucked in a tropical paradise, sixth grade teacher Marnie Carpenter has no idea how chaotic witnessing a wedding can be – especially with a groomsman obsessed with detail. Never mind he’s easy on the eyes and oh so sexy, he’s also bossy, domineering and entirely too structured for his own good.

  Retired Army Ranger Ryker Adams readily accepts his assignment to attend his teammate's marriage and learns the true meaning of DRAMA when he must call upon his specialty training to secure a certain unruly witness. A drop-dead gorgeous, tiny stick of dynamite wired for destruction, Miss Carpenter proves to be one of the most difficult assignments he’s ever undertaken.

  Challenged at every turn, Ryker does his best to accommodate her independence while keeping her under thumb, an act that proves almost impossible. Yet, while sparks fly between them, the couple dodges both danger …. and desire.

  Tattoo My Heart

  (Heroes of Seaside Point, Book 1)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/155780

  It all began with a sixth shot of Tequila …

  Independent, carefree Annessa Dupree doesn’t realize her talent for attracting trouble until she witnesses a wedding day murder and is forced to run home to hide. Although scared out of her mind, pride keeps her from running to the arms of the one man who will protect her.

  Sheriff Casey McIntyre has loved Annessa since the tender age of twelve, trouble and all – and he has the scars to prove it. Scars that time healed, all except one.

  When Annessa is finally forced to confess the reason behind her abrupt homecoming, Casey must practice extreme discipline to keep from throttling her. Only, when she reveals why she couldn’t confide in him, he can’t blame her. Hell-bent on mending past differences, he must save her life while he earns her trust.

  Cross My Heart
<
br />   (Heroes of Seaside Point, Book 2)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/446552

  Sometimes honesty is a bitter pill to swallow.

  Attempting to escape a minor distraction in her medical career, Dr. Verity Thomas finds that statement to be true when she keeps her past private and her present, secret. Only, her meticulously-planned intentions go horribly wrong when her skeletons escape from the closet and take center stage.

  Paramedic Travis Dupree vows to keep Verity's secrets, determined to crack her resolve in the process. Although he isn’t quite sure of her motives, intuition tells him he is wired to cope with the female psyche. After all, he has raised a pair of mischievous twin girls – he deserves a gold medal for patience.

  When minor distraction becomes a major roadblock, Travis is forced to break his word and the couple must dismember the skeletons bone by bone in order to build a future.

  Steal My Heart

  (Heroes of Seaside Point, Book 3)

  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/446556

  Realtor Alexa Sharpe enjoys a successful career, confident in her people skills until she must negotiate with a certain, sexy fireman. Never mind that the man could practically melt a glacier, he refuses to stop teasing her which makes any sort of agreement impossible. Both irritated and aroused by his cocky and playful attitude, she skillfully dodges his advances.

 

‹ Prev