“So what you’re finding seems to be pointing just at Errol?”
Nodding, she settled deeper into his embrace. “Yep.”
“You tired of working for now?”
She twisted around and looked at him. “Whatcha thinking?”
His grin turned into a leer. “I can think of one or two things we can do to pass the time until dinner.”
She whirled and threw her leg over his lap, straddling him. With her arms around his neck, she nuzzled his nose and asked, “I realize this is going to be very telling about my past, but is this much sex normal?”
Chuckling, he murmured against her lips, “I have no idea. It’s been forever since I’ve even spent the night with a woman, much less as much time as I’ve had with you.” Leaning back, he held her gaze. “Is it okay?”
For a man as strong and self-assured as Nolan was, it was shocking to see a hint of insecurity in his eyes. Moving in for another kiss, she laughed. “Oh, hell yeah! It’s definitely okay.”
She squeaked as he stood and carried her into the bedroom.
Just like with the breakfast buffet, Nolan watched as Lynn darted around to the different food sections in the huge dinner buffet, and he quickly learned her system. She first went around the entire room and looked at each offering. Then, grabbing a plate, she headed to the food stations she was most interested in. But instead of piling her plate with a lot of food at one time, she only took a tiny portion of lots of different foods. By the time she got back to the table they had been assigned to, her plate was full of a bizarre assortment.
She looked down at his plate and then lifted her wide-eyed gaze to him. “That’s all you’re getting?”
“What do you mean ‘that’s all’? My plate is loaded.”
“Yeah, but loaded with just beef, potatoes, and green beans.”
He pointed to her plate and shook his head. “Hell, woman, your plate is a mess. You got beef, chicken, and seafood. You’ve got at least four kinds of vegetables, including three different kinds of potatoes.” He leaned slightly to the side, peering closer. “Damn, you’ve even got sushi stuffed under there.”
“Just one piece!”
“Yeah, that’s what I mean. You got one piece of everything they offer.”
“That’s why I love buffets. I get to try little dibbles of lots of different things.”
“Well, you certainly succeeded.” He battled a grin as she huffed. She was so easy to tease, and he leaned over to kiss her pout.
The room grew noisier as more people came in, so their conversation was light as they both stuffed themselves. Walking around to the dessert selections, he watched as she performed her same selection process. She scoped out all the desserts, then walked around with a plate and selected tiny portions of lots of different ones. He was getting ready to choose a large piece of cake when it dawned on him that her process had merit. Selecting a smaller piece of cake, he made room for a wedge of pie, and a scoop of ice cream.
As they sat back down at the table, her gaze dropped to his plate and her lips curved. Soon their meal was complete, and they left the buffet. They fell naturally into step with each other, his arm resting on her shoulder and hers around his waist.
“Ready to hit the casino?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know that I want to sit at one of the gaming machines and press a button all night.”
“Then let’s walk around and check things out. Who knows, you might become the blackjack queen.”
They moved through the crowd, and he kept his hand resting on the small of her back, his other arm out slightly to make sure no one bumped into her. Her head was bobbing around as she tried to take in everything she could, not always watching where she was going. He was so used to scanning an area for threats, he found his training to come in handy to make sure she was safe.
The roulette table snagged her attention, and they stopped to watch the betting. She stood with her back against his front, his arms on either side. She tucked under his chin, and it struck him once again how perfectly they fit together.
She twisted her neck and looked up, whispering, “I thought this would be easy from what I’ve seen on TV. Isn’t everybody supposed to put their chip on just a number? It looks like people are putting their chips all over the place!”
Bending slightly, he placed his lips close to her ear. “The table has a lot of different places where you can place a bet. There are outside bets where you can bet on a column, even numbers, odd numbers, reds, or blacks. Since you have a better chance of winning those, the payouts are less. You can also put your chip on a line that would cover six numbers, a corner bet that covers four numbers and to split the corners into two. They have different levels of payouts also. And, of course, the straight-up is the highest payout and that’s when you put it on just one number.”
The roulette wheel spun again, and she watched with rapt attention. The dealer’s hands were a blur as he cleared the board and began counting out the winnings.
She twisted her head and looked up at him again, her eyes wide. “Damn, I can count fast, but that’s amazing! I swear I’d get so confused if I had money going everywhere!”
Laughing, he gave her a squeeze. “’Fraid you wouldn’t have a job here very long. But that’s okay, babe, you just keep doing what you do.”
After a few more minutes, they moved on to the blackjack table. There was a crowd around, and she was unable to see. Eventually, several people in front of them moved on, and she was able to step closer. “I understand this game a little more because Nancy and I used to play blackjack. I know you’re trying to get twenty-one without going over.”
“That’s right. You play against the house, which means the dealer. Do you want to play?”
Giving her head a quick shake, she leaned back against him. “No, I’d be too nervous. But you can if you want.”
He grinned and shifted to an open spot, making sure she stayed right with him. He played several hands, winning a few and losing a few, eventually coming out fifty dollars ahead. Giving up his place, he linked fingers with her and guided her along several other tables.
“Nolan! You won fifty dollars! That is so cool,” she enthused, her eyes bright. “What do you want to do next?”
He barked out a laugh and pulled her tightly to his side. “I think you’ve got the gambling bug.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “Nah, I just got excited seeing you win.”
A server came by and they grabbed a couple of drinks. Deciding to go back to the gaming machines so that she could finish out her casino card, he showed her how to change her bets. Several drinks later, she had won numerous times but eventually spent all of the money on her card. She slid from her chair and he felt her hands on his shoulders as she moved in close. The feel of her pressed next to him sent tingles throughout his body, more distracting than the blinking lights and noise of the casino. He twisted his body, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her to his side. Her grin was wide, and he bent and kissed her, hard and fast. “You about ready to get outta here?”
Her expression was dreamy as she nodded. “Maybe hit the ladies' room first. I’m about to pop from all those drinks! If you want to stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“Tell you what, I’ll go to the coffee bar right over there and wait for you.” He watched as she walked away, weaving and dodging between people. Smiling, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. Abandoning his seat, he walked over to the coffee station where he could keep an eye on the hall leading to the restrooms, anxious to have her in his arms again.
16
Lynn knew it was dangerous to feel such happiness over the last twenty-four hours with Nolan but, even if it was short term, she wondered if down the road there might be a future. Lost in her daydreams, she almost ran into a man as she walked down the hall to the ladies’ room.
“Excuse me!” she said, then realized she was staring at Errol Hightower. “Oh, Mr. Hightower, hello!”
“Mrs. Bell, how nice to see you again.”
Just then the ladies’ room door opened, and a beautiful woman in a black, skin-tight dress stepped out and walked straight to Errol. He linked arms with her and then turned back toward Lynn. Her gaze shot between the two of them, uncertain of how to react.
An almost imperceptible wince crossed his face, but the discomfit was quickly erased. “Mrs. Bell, may I introduce my sister, Carla. Carla, this is one of the couples just married at Cupid’s Chapel.”
“How lovely to meet you,” the other woman said, her voice smooth as silk, belying the bored expression on her face.
Lynn locked her smile firmly in place. With a slight nod, she turned and headed into the ladies’ room, gasping once the door was closed. That was not his sister! Sally had specifically mentioned to Nancy that there were no children or siblings that would be considered beneficiaries if one of them died. Hurrying into the stall, she quickly finished her business and washed her hands. Rushing back out, her mind was in a whirl. She caught a glimpse of them moving through the crowd, Errol’s hand resting low on Carla's back, his fingers drifting over her ass. Sister! Who does he think he’s kidding? Isn’t he afraid of somebody seeing them wondering why his hand is on his sister’s ass?
Torn between getting back to Nolan and following Errol, she decided to follow the couple to see where they were going. She looked toward the direction of the coffee station but was too short to see Nolan. This’ll just take a moment anyway.
Blending into the crowd as she walked, she followed Errol and Carla, stopping at a distance behind them as they accepted drinks from one of the servers. Chatting with another couple, his hand once again rested on Carla’s ass. Having no idea why she thought it might be important, she pulled out her phone and pretended to be texting as she held it up and snapped a picture of them. Maybe Nancy can use this if Sally wants evidence of what else he’s doing besides mishandling the money.
She watched as Carla and the other woman stepped away from the foursome, leaning over one of the gaming tables as they laughed and chatted. Jerking her attention back to Errol, she tried to disappear in the throng of people, hoping to get closer. A wide, tiled column flanked by two potted plants was next to the men and she managed to slip around behind them.
Putting her phone on record, she wondered if they would say anything important.
“… hundred thousand…”
“… made a transfer… account…”
“… came in on time… taken care of…”
With only snippets of their conversation audible it still sounded suspicious, but she knew nothing definitive would come from continuing to sneak around.
Coming out from behind the plant, she looked up in time to see Nolan stalking toward her. His expression was worried until his gaze landed on her and changed to a narrowed eyed glare. “Lynn! Where the hell have you been?”
Not wanting to draw the attention of Errol, she darted through the crowd and rushed over to him. Without giving him an answer, she grabbed his hand and continued toward the exit, attempting to drag him with her. When his feet stayed planted, she jerked back, leaning against his chest. Looking up, she whispered, “Come on! I don’t want him to see me!”
Nolan’s brows lowered and he growled, “What the fuck are you talking about? Don’t want who to see you?”
Still whispering, she pleaded, “Come on. I’ll tell you as soon as we’re out of here.”
Instead of walking, he looked around as though searching for a threat. Jerking on his arm, she brought his attention back to her face. “Please!”
This time he gave in and they battled through the crowd toward the exit. She breathed easier once they were out of the casino.
“Lynn, you’d better start talking. You scared the shit outta me back there when I couldn’t find you.”
“I’m sorry! It’s just that I ran into Errol and a woman when I was going into the ladies’ room. He introduced her as his sister, but she was not his sister!”
He opened his mouth, but she continued talking right over him. “I know it wasn’t his sister because Sally told us there were no children or siblings in case there was a death instead of divorce. But I also know it wasn’t his sister because his hands stayed on her ass!”
At that, his head jerked back, and he stared in incredulity.
Still not giving him a chance to speak, she continued, “When I came out I decided to follow them, and they stopped to talk to another couple. The two women walked away and I hid behind a plant to try to see if I could find out what they were talking about. Oh! I almost forgot that I snapped a picture of his hand on his not-sister’s ass! I thought maybe Nancy could use it. I turned on my phone recording and it sounded like the two men were talking about something important, but I just couldn’t hear enough of their conversation to know. That’s why I was trying to get you to not draw attention to me so that we could get out of there.”
She had not considered what Nolan’s reaction to her activities would be, but her eyes widened as he crossed his arms over his chest and stood to his full height, which meant she had to lean back to hold his gaze. And considering his gaze was more of a glare pinned straight on her, she regretted sharing. She opened her mouth to defend herself when he barked, and she jumped.
“What the hell made you think that was a good idea?” His hand came up in her face, when she started to talk over him again. “Oh, no, babe. You opened this can of worms so you can hear what I have to say. First of all, you never follow after somebody that you think is doing something wrong. You might have an instinct, but you don’t have the skills or the know-how to take care of yourself if the situation turns bad. Second of all, the last thing you want to do is have someone who’s doing something wrong catch you taking pictures or trying to record them. Any of those things put you at risk. Doing all of those things put you at an even greater risk!”
She sucked in her lips, hating that he was so angry at her, and her heart fell. He’s right. She sucked in a deep breath and placed her hands on his crossed arms. His tight muscles bunched underneath her fingertips and she squeezed. “I’m sorry.” Unable to think of anything else to say, she stood and forced her gaze to stay on his face.
His brows lifted as he lowered his chin. Now it was his turn to suck in his breath and let it out slowly. Uncrossing his arms, he snaked his hands around her, drawing her close. With her cheek resting against his heart, she breathed easier.
“I’m sorry, too, Lynn. This was my fault.”
At that, her head snapped back, and she shook her head. “How on earth do you figure that?”
“I should have never let you go to the ladies’ room by yourself—”
“Oh, good grief, Nolan. I’ve been going to the bathroom by myself for years—”
His arms tightened. “Don’t be a smartass!”
“Seriously? You offer a cavalier apology and then accuse me of being a smartass?” Heaving a sigh, she said, “Look, I was wrong. You were right that I took unnecessary chances and that wasn’t smart. I got caught up in the intrigue of seeing him with someone else.”
Nodding, he agreed. “Yes, but in a crowd of people, many who’ve been drinking, a lady alone is a target. Not that you can’t take care of yourself, but I don’t trust others.”
They stood, silently holding each other for another moment. She reveled in the feel of his strength and his heartbeat against her cheek. Finally, pulling back again, she smiled up at him. “Hey, sailor, you want to buy this lady a drink?”
Shaking his head, he grinned. “Come on, beautiful.” They turned in unison and walked to one of the resort bars, finding one that was filled with soft music and few patrons.
Lynn’s head lay on his shoulder and her soft snores indicated she had found sleep easily, but Nolan lay awake, the events of the past two days rolling over and over in his mind. The change in activities at the chapel. Sharing a room at the resort. Discovering how much he enjoyed Lynn’s company. Having the best s
ex of his life. And fuckin’ Errol Hightower.
It’s not too surprising that he’s got a piece on the side… just one more way to cheat on his wife. But to do so in a public place where someone could easily see him. And someone involved with him could see who might be interested. That was the thought that gave him the most heartburn. If Errol is laundering money through the casino, that means someone is helping him. Someone high up. Someone who doesn’t want to go to jail. And Lynn was following Errol, taking his picture, and trying to listen to his conversation. Fuckin’ hell!
Lynn shifted in her sleep, rolling to her other side, and he followed, curling his body around hers. It hit him that there was virtually no twinge in his abdomen. He was amazed at how much better he felt since getting off his parents' couch and doing more than watching TV. The easy hike and swim the previous day had made him tired, but at least he’d been able to do it. And even though her weight was slight, he had picked her up several times with no more than a slight uncomfortableness. I keep healing, there’s no reason I can’t rejoin my team in a few weeks.
That gave him pause, only because of the woman in his arms. This simple mission had become complicated. Feelings had developed for Lynn, but he had no idea what to do with those emotions. Her life is here. My life is wherever they send me. She has a business and clients here and can’t just pack up to move to California, especially when I would so rarely be home.
He squeezed his eyes tightly shut and focused on the soft, naked warmth of her body, the delicate scent of her hair as he nuzzled closely, and the steady beat of her heart that he could feel under his palm. But I won’t always be a SEAL and had already planned on coming back to Tennessee to work with my dad. His eyes flew open, and his heart beat a little faster. Would she wait for me? Would it be fair to ask her to wait on a man who can give her nothing right now other than a pledge to not be involved with anyone else and a promise that he’d do everything he could to stay safe?
Hot SEAL, Undercover Groom (SEALs in Paradise) Page 13