Indulgence

by Liz Crowe

  He couldn’t wait to see her beg for it.

  Chapter Twenty

  Armando opened the door to the Hummer, and Gina slid in. The routine of strapping her down was always an invitation to sex, and he chuckled as she sifted fingers through the hair above his ears and then traced his lips with her thumb.

  “So, are we going out to the housewarming, or staying in?” He was fine with either decision.

  “Out. In later.” She kissed him and he worked not to let it escalate. He needed answers to some of his questions about the big biker dude.

  They rode toward Coronado without saying a word. He decided it was time to ask the questions that had been rattling around in his head. And he wondered why she didn’t just volunteer something he could latch onto. Things seemed a little out of kilter.

  “Something you said last week before we went on our training has bothered me a bit, Gina. I’m just wondering, why is this Sam guy so persistent? I mean, for you to carry a gun, is he following you?”

  She nodded her head and looked out the side of her window.

  “This is, like, stalking behavior, Gina.”

  Gina immediately looked to her lap. “I know it is, Armando. But I’ve got it under control. While you were away, I found someone with connections to the police who can help me.”

  “Good.” But he didn’t mean it. He felt she was lying to him again.

  The vehicle whined while they sat in silence. Armando was looking for a parking spot along a narrow street several blocks from the water’s edge. He pulled in, turned off the engine and sat back, staring in front.

  Do I even want to know all about this?

  “I’m not getting the feeling you’re being one hundred percent honest with me, Gina. It’s beginning to bother me.”

  She exhaled. He hoped he would get the truth this time.

  “Can we just table this discussion until later?” she asked.

  He was stunned. “You tell me. You’re not very careful about your own safety, and that has me more than a little worried. Or is there something about this you like?”

  He didn’t want to have to ask her, but he knew he would anyway. “Or are you having a difficult time making up your mind?”

  Her head shot up. “No.” She leaned back and the rear of her head slammed against the headrest. “Fuck it.”

  Armando waved to a couple who walked past the parked Hummer. He was going to wait as long as she needed. He thought perhaps he would finally get the truth from her.

  “He’s being investigated by my company for insurance fraud. I’m ordered to stay close to him. Just that he gets the wrong idea sometimes…”

  “Sometimes? He gets the wrong idea all the time, Gina. The man is a dangerous person, and I know how to recognize the really bad ones. ”

  “No, he’s not. He’s just a little high strung.”

  “You can’t be serious. I know what high strung looks like. He’s more like a bit off his rocker, if you ask me.”

  She thought about it for a minute before answering. “Which is why I don’t want you anywhere near him, or getting involved, Armando. You’ve got to stay away. I’ve got this under control. It’s my job. Please, just let me do my job, okay?”

  He didn’t like it. This wasn’t the truth, but it made some sense.

  “I trust you, Gina. I just don’t trust him.”

  “If you trust me, then everything will be fine. You’ll see. Won’t be long now. The investigation is almost complete. I don’t want to do anything different to alert him, warn him off.”

  “What kind of fraud?”

  “I’m not allowed to say. I’m sure you understand. In your field, you have secrets, too.”

  “Yes, we do. But something about all this just doesn’t add up properly.”

  “Can we just put it to bed for a few hours? Let’s go to the housewarming and forget about this. We’re together. Mia will be there. I’m looking forward to seeing her, and perhaps seeing the two of you more cordial. Promise you’ll try?” She smiled at him, and dang, it was hard to say no to her.

  “I’m always cordial to Mia. She’s the one who has the mouth.”

  “I even agree. But let’s just not stir up anything that doesn’t need to be stirred, okay?”

  They heard music as they approached Cooper and Libby’s new little cottage on Sunset Drive. Happy laughter drifted through the air as young couples arrived behind Armando and Gina. Most the men were members of Armando’s SEAL Team 3 since the party was hosted by Kyle’s wife, realtor Christy Lansdowne.

  Armando was greeted by one of the new guys, redheaded Rory Kennedy, and introduced him to Gina. Rory was scheduled to go on their next deployment. Armando liked him immediately. Single, very shy and uneasy around women, he was the most unlikely SEAL a person could find, Armando thought. That is, until you tried to outswim, outrun or do more reps during PT. The guy was as focused a warrior as Armando had ever seen.

  Armando had learned from Rory that the guy had been orphaned as a baby, had lived in a string of foster care homes, and had burned down half of them while living there. He was quick to point out that no one had ever been injured. He and Armando had the fire thing in common between them. So, while Armando was a sharpshooter/sniper, Rory was always the man he liked to consult regarding the equipment, especially the ammo. The guy had invented some metal jackets that sent their projectiles distances the military swore could not be achieved.

  After making small talk to a senior guy and being introduced to Gina, Rory quickly escaped.

  Gina was watching Cooper and Libby in a very passionate embrace, seemingly oblivious to all the other partygoers.

  “How does he afford a million-dollar home on military pay?” Gina asked.

  “Libby’s dad is loaded,” Armando started. “Her parents sort of bought it for them as a wedding present.”

  “A million dollar house?”

  “More like one point six or seven, I hear. But you know how daddies like to keep their girls happy.”

  Armando saw a frown cross Gina’s face. He guessed her own father hadn’t cultivated the same sort of relationship.

  “Then there’s Rory over here.” Armando pointed in his direction.

  “And?”

  “Turns out his dad was a rich, hedge fund trader who had a night of indiscretion with Rory’s mom, and was married with kids at the time. She refused everything from the man, and eventually disappeared. The rest of her estranged family put Rory up for adoption.”

  “So, they found each other after all this time? Recently?”

  “In a hospital. Were roommates. What are the odds?”

  It was good to hear Gina laugh. Armando introduced her to several Team guys and their wives or girlfriends, but was careful to introduce her as his friend, not girlfriend or significant other. He liked how well she fit in.

  He talked to Kyle and Cooper about the deployment coming up, while Christy and Libby fawned over Gina, taking her aside and asking her questions Armando tried to overhear, but couldn’t. There was way too much giggling going on. At last he had to break away and go rescue her from the wives of two of his best friends.

  “Don’t start filling her head with frog-hog stuff,” he said to the ladies.

  “Armando, she’s very pretty, like you are,” Christy smiled in Gina’s direction. “We think you make a perfect couple.”

  The air just left the room. It was getting hot.

  “Oh, look, he’s blushing,” Libby pointed out.

  Armando scowled and pursed his lips.

  “He’s got a very sensual side, Gina, but then, I’m sure you’ve already found that out,” Christy said as she fingered his nose. Her tight dress followed every delicious curve of her as she grabbed Libby by the arm and the two vixens joined their men…who hadn’t stopped staring in their direction.

  “The wives are gorgeous,” Gina giggled. “Nice too.”

  Armando was still following them with his eyes, nodding to their mates when they successfully tr
aversed the floor. “Most women,” he began, “seem more preoccupied with the men.” He stood close to her, facing her head-on. “But then I wouldn’t want that, would I?”

  “You not the jealous type?”

  “No. I’m confident.”

  “I seem to remember that. One of the many qualities I enjoy about you.”

  They smiled in tandem as a small roar started in the background. Fredo had entered the room. It surprised Armando when Mia came in right behind him. She had a scowl on her face until she spied Gina and then shot right over to them.

  “Oh, thank God. I thought he told me you were gonna be here just to get me to go out with him,” Mia said. Armando winced, holding his hand over his heart.

  “Fredo wouldn’t do that,” he said.

  Mia started to give him a glare and then turned back to Gina. “I was glad to have something else to do tonight.”

  “Surprised Sam let you out of the house.” Gina whispered.

  “Whoa,” Armando interrupted. “Sam, as in the Sam creep who’s stalking you, Gina?”

  Mia drew her eyebrows together and drilled Gina with a stare. “Stalking? Gina, he’s stalking you?”

  “No he’s not. Armando is exaggerating a bit. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  “Where were you this afternoon? I texted you a dozen times.” Mia’s comment was laced with an undertone of fear.

  “Sorry, I was…” Gina stopped, and Armando knew she was unable to go on.

  “She was with me,” Armando admitted. He hoped the look the two girls shared favored him in some way. What women did with their emotions was a huge mystery to him. Unsecure territory for sure.

  He didn’t have to wait long for a reaction. He could tell from the look on their faces, he’d managed to piss off both the ladies in his presence.

  “What?” he said. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “You better behave, my overprotective and testosterone-supercharged SEAL brother. The field is getting a little crowded, or do you like it that way?”

  He didn’t like any of her comment.

  “Not on my watch, Mia,” Armando answered, working to keep from getting angry. “I’m a one-girl guy, but then you know that, don’t you?”

  “Mia,” Gina began, “Your brother and I are just good friends. He’s helping me with the insurance case I’m working on. Nothing to worry about.”

  Armando wasn’t sure whether he disliked the lie or the easy way Gina was able to deliver it. Flawlessly.

  “There you go, Mia. Just friends,” he repeated.

  “Shows you don’t know women very well,” Mia answered.

  She had a point.

  “Enough!” Gina interrupted. “Would you both just leave it alone?”

  Armando could see Mia wanted to spit out something angry, but was at a complete loss for words. Her legendary Latin temper was sputtering in her chest. He noted her irritation, followed by her self-control. And he liked this change in his sister.

  He began to understand what Mia’s issue was. She wanted to be in charge, and things were spinning out of control, and she didn’t like it.

  Could you be sprouting some natural instinct to be decent, Mia? God, he hoped so.

  He could see she was weighing her options. She rolled her shoulder, fisted and un-fisted her fingers, shifting her weight from side to side. She was searching for something to say to Gina. In the end, she gave up and addressed him.

  “Be careful, Armando. Things aren’t what they seem,” Mia continued.

  “I hardly need protection, Mia.”

  “That makes two of us, brother,” she returned. Staring into Gina’s eyes, Mia still addressed him, “You’re a son-of-a-bitch sometimes, Armani, but I don’t want to see you get hurt. That wouldn’t be right. Besides, if I wanted that, all I’d have to do is mention it to Sam. He has a major hard-on for you. Now I can see why.”

  Mia left, slipping into the crowd that closed behind her.

  So if the ex was really the ex, then why was he so over-the-top obsessed with Gina? And what was making his sister jealous of her best friend?

  “More secrets, Gina?” he asked.

  That was such a dumb question.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Gina was worried this would be the last time they could be together. Armando was quiet, pensive. Once they were back in the car, he headed for her home.

  It served her right. Things were all messed up. Sam was a loose cannon. She was running out of lies to tell everyone. If she wasn’t careful, something would get leaked that would blow the lid off the whole operation.

  Maybe it’s best we just end this.

  It wasn’t what she wanted. In a perfect world, he’d be just the right guy for her: handsome, self-assured, attentive to her needs while being private and secretive. She knew she would always be able to count on him if things got really bad. He’d be her safe haven, not that she needed one. He knew about honor, doing the right thing. Maybe she should do the right thing too, and let him go.

  But this wasn’t a perfect world, either. It was time to make a decision. Would it be a career or her heart? One of them was going to take the hit.

  They had driven down her street. Armando slowed the Hummer and carefully studied both sides for parked cars.

  “Everything looks okay. No black motorcycles lurking about. I’ll walk you to the door,” he said. The words felt like a hot spear lodged in her chest.

  Her impulsive side was screaming to be heard. She made the mistake of giving it a little too much attention. “Armando,” she heard herself say. He’d grabbed the door handle and was ready to get out. “Can we just go somewhere and talk? Someplace where there isn’t a bed?”

  The leather seats groaned as he swiveled in her direction. She didn’t dare take her gaze off the parked car straight ahead of her. She could feel the warmth of his eyes melting her all the way down to her knees. Her breathing became slightly ragged and she encouraged ice-cold thoughts and cold-water nerves to regulate her. She needed calm. But her insides wanted to burst into tears or say something she knew she’d regret.

  “So you want ice cream or a drink?” he asked.

  She could smell his lime aftershave. His gentle words sent a vibration down her spine.

  Damn. Walk away, Gina. You know that’s what you’re supposed to do.

  “I think I’d like one of those strawberry margaritas with tons of whipped cream.” She still didn’t look at him, but could see from the corner of her eye he broke out in a huge smile.

  “Very well. She chooses wisely. Again.”

  Why did he have to say that? Was she lost already?

  You can do this, Gina.

  Several swift minutes later they were seated in a booth at Cajun Joe’s. The pink flamingo napkins had been placed on the dark tabletop by deft fingers decorated in hot pink nail polish. Gina didn’t have to look at the waitress to see if she was pretty. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except the feel of the warm thigh that pressed slightly against hers in the booth. He didn’t force himself on her, but damn, he was so freaking hard to ignore.

  “Penny for your thoughts, Gina. You want to tell me what’s going on?” he asked.

  So she looked at him for the first time since they’d left the party. It was the wrong thing to do.

  “I think we both know there is no future in this relationship,” she began. “I’m not saying I don’t enjoy your company, but you and I both know neither one of us really want a serious relationship.”

  He was following the movements of her mouth.

  Damn.

  “I agree. Timing’s all wrong. We’re deploying in four months, anyway.”

  Something inside her screamed, and that was ridiculous.

  “You might have misunderstood things, Gina. A little harmless sex and some fun evenings don’t a long-lasting relationship make. I never said I was out for commitment, or did you misunderstand me?”

  Why was it so freaking awful to her that he was sa
ying the exact things she was going to say? Did he possess the ability to read minds?

  “Right. I was just thinking the same thing. Wanting to clear the air…”

  Their drinks arrived just in time. Hers was ridiculously large, with a huge dollop of whipped cream on the top. Armando’s beer was in a long-necked bottle, local artisan brew. He held his up, and she did the same with her drink, spilling some of it on her hand as they clinked.

  “To a future that isn’t.” His smirk was sexy, except it was honest and very, very sad.

  The sweet strawberry drink gave her a brain freeze.

  “I hate those,” he said. He handed her a glass of water. “Here, drink this.”

  She grabbed it, sliding her fingers across his thumb as she did so. “Thanks.”

  “So you were telling me about our lack of a future. Why am I here, then, Gina?”

  “I just wanted to explain things…”

  He reached over, grabbing the back of her head with his powerful right hand and kissed her, demanding she shut up.

  Of course she should shut up. What was the point of coming here in the first place? A million scenarios drifted through her mind as she felt herself open to him, as his tongue slipped along her lower lip and found hers. His warm breath on her cheek made her nipples knot in pain. Instantly, she felt vacant, needy, and desperate to find a way to be with him.

  When they parted, he studied her carefully, toying with her earlobe between two fingers. He clearly wanted an answer.

  “What is this?” she asked.

  “I think you know,” he said.

  “I’m not sure if coming here was a really good or a bad decision,” she mumbled.

  “Most decisions in life are that way. Hard to tell until the end of the story.” He rubbed his thumb across her lips. “There are a lot of things about you and I that don’t add up. I’m not sure you’re telling me the truth half the time.” He grinned that little stupid lopsided grin that brought out the dimple at the side of his mouth. “But for some strange reason, I don’t seem to care as much as I think I should.”