“A few blossoms, but for the most part just buds.”
“We’ll have to come back next year to see them in full bloom. I hear D.C.’s at its prettiest then.”
The importance of what she said stunned him. He’d been prepared for the worst. He crossed the distance between them in an instant. Was that a hint of redness around her eyes? “Tess?”
She moved to lean against him. “It was enough they wanted me. That I was good enough to work for them.”
There was an air of fragility about her he’d never felt before. Something else had happened. But he’d have to wait for her to share it with him when she was ready.
“Mr. Taylor gives me time to expand on stories, do more in depth investigation. I’d have to start all over building trust in order to do that here.”
He cupped the back of her head and held her close. “You can kick journalism west coast butt and show these Easterners up any day, Tess.”
“Yeah, I can.” She leaned back to look up at him. “Thank you for encouraging me to come here. I’d have always wondered.”
“Are you sure, Tess?”
“The move was going to cost us both too much. After all the hype, it just wasn’t worth it.”
He scanned her face for answers.
“I love you, Brett. You mean more to me than any job, any anything. The fact that you were willing to put everything on the line for me…not many men would do it.”
“I love you, Tess. Besides, you’re probably going to have to put up with a lot more—”
She placed a hand over his mouth. “We’re not going to do that. We very nearly did already. We’re just going to love each other as much as we can, and be together as often as we can.”
He was glad to hear it. But something major had happened here, and he still needed to know what it was.
But she sidetracked him. “Do you think we could call and see about an earlier flight? Now that all this is behind me, I’d like to go home.”
Shit! Something really major had gone down. “Sure. Why don’t you call while I’m in the shower, and if there’s something available we can bug out?”
“You won’t mind?”
“No. Of course not. If there isn’t a flight out, we’ll go for a drive.”
“Okay.”
Brett gathered his T-shirt and boxer briefs and stepped into the bathroom. He had a bad feeling about this.
Chapter Twenty-Four
‡
Dread pooled in the pit of Tess’s stomach. Zoe had assured her it was just going to be a spa day, including lunch, a pedicure, manicure, facial, massage, and then drinks and dinner back at her and Hawk’s house, followed by some kind of party. This was beyond her comfort zone. She’d give anything right now to be in the field, interviewing people about their lives. What did that say about her?
In a way she was grateful to have something to focus on besides the D.C. disaster. And since Jay Gordon had not been picked up yet and the construction bid story hadn’t been resolved with an arrest, Brett was still sticking to her like glue. Thank God her friends hadn’t decided to do the club thing for her bachelorette party. She’d have had to pull the plug on that.
“I think it’s time for me to interview Henry Sullivan,” she spoke her thoughts aloud to take her mind off of the spa trip following lunch.
Brett took his eyes off the road to glance briefly in her direction. “The police told you to stay away from him, Tess.”
“No they didn’t. They told me to stay away from Frye.”
“You just can’t help yourself, can you? You want to beard the lion.”
“It’s part of my job.”
Brett shot her a look from beneath his blond brows. “Bullshit. You just want to stir the pot.”
She smiled. “I’m calling him later. It’s time we talked.”
Brett narrowed his blue eyes against the sun’s glare and reached for the dark glasses in his shirt pocket. “Tell me why you dread this bachelorette thing so much?”
She didn’t reply for a moment. “I don’t like the fuss and bother. I get up every day, shower, shampoo, slap on my makeup, and go. Being pampered and primped just isn’t my thing.”
“And?”
“I don’t like strangers touching me.”
Brett frowned. “Does this have anything to do with that guy in college?”
Tess frowned. Had being used by someone who wanted to have an “in” with her father given her trust issues? Probably, but no more than her father’s many missed visitation appointments and forgotten birthdays. “I don’t know. I suppose I’ve always been sort of self-contained because my mother and father were never very demonstrative. What made you think of him?”
“I called the Post before we went to Washington to see if he still worked there.”
Her mouth parted in surprise. She hadn’t given him a thought. “Was Kevin still there?”
“No, he’d moved on to a smaller paper in Oregon.” A smile quirked the corners of his mouth.
Tess laid her hand on Brett’s thigh. “I love that you’re pleased about that on my behalf. That you even remembered to call. But I’ve put that behind me, Brett. I never even thought of him while I was there.”
He covered her hand with his. “You don’t hesitate to be touchy-feely with me.”
“I love you. Of course I don’t. Besides, your family is all about hugging and kissing and showering affection. I’ve learned a thing or two from them. But I still have a phobia about having someone I don’t know lay hands on me.”
“If you’re too uncomfortable tell, Zoe.”
“I think I can get through one afternoon. I’ve been told that a massage is very relaxing.” Since there was no progress to report in either Mary’s death or the Brittain Company construction accident, and with Jay Gordon still on the loose, she needed to relax. “Zoe and the others went to a lot of trouble to arrange this. I’m going to make sure I enjoy it.”
*
From his seat in the waiting area of the spa beauty shop, their second stop after lunch, Brett stretched his legs out and checked his phone for the tenth time, just for something to do. He’d done a lot of waiting during his SEAL career. Waiting to deploy, waiting to go into action, waiting to jump out of a plane. He’d even spent eight hours in a depression in the ground in his ghillie suit during sniper training and hadn’t been nearly this bored.
“I like the sounds women make,” Bowie said from beside him.
Brett raised his brows. “I can tell. The ladies around here think you’re a peppermint stick and it’s the first day of Christmas.”
Bowie laughed. “You’re getting your share of looks and stuff too, but you’re not paying attention.”
“I’m getting married in a week. I’m not fucking it up this close to the wedding.”
“You wouldn’t fuck it up if you’d been married forty years and there was an eighteen-year-old stripper shaking her booty in your face. It isn’t in you.”
“That’s because I’ve found the one, Bowie. Even if I look, nothing there can compare with what I have.”
Bowie nodded. “Tess is gorgeous, and you two work together like a unit. I’m not sure I’ll ever have that. Or if it’s in me to recognize it if I did.”
Brett tucked his phone into his shirt pocket. “You’re not ready yet.”
Bowie’s brows went up.
Brett leaned forward to add, “You know that moment when we’re about to go into action, but we haven’t committed yet?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re stuck in that moment. When you’re ready to commit, you’ll find what you need.”
“I get what you’re saying.” At the sound of the women’s laughter, Bowie looked up. “Until I do, I’ll just enjoy them all.”
Brett was grateful he wasn’t still in that boat. “Brother, when you finally fall, it’s going to be like a tank dropped on your head.”
*
Tess decided she’d dreaded the massage for nothing. That her masseuse
was a woman made it easier for her to relax. The woman rubbed and kneaded every muscle in her body until she felt as loose and limber as cooked pasta. She’d even groaned with pleasure a few times.
Halfway through she got a call and reached for the phone she’d balanced on the edge of the table.
Detective Buckler’s voice came over the line. “We’ve found Jay Gordon.”
“Great!”
“Not so much. He was dead in a hotel room from an apparent drug overdose. We’ve recovered some of the money from the store holdup and a gun. It seems you were right. He was our perp.”
She was relieved she had judged Daniel Delgado correctly, but Jay Gordon’s death tempered her relief. “You’re sure it was an accidental overdose?”
“The crime scene techs are still working the scene, but there’s no sign of a struggle, so we believe it was self-administered. We’ll know more after the autopsy.”
“I’m sorry you had to find him like that.”
“If you’ll submit your interview questions via email, I’ll answer the ones I can so you can get a jump on the story.”
“Thank you, Detective. I appreciate it. I’ll do that ASAP.”
“I figured you would.” There was a small hint of humor in his tone.
Two minutes after she’d hung up from Detective Buckler, Brett called her.
“I have to meet with Captain Jackson on base at four. But Bowie will be here with you. And one of the ladies has arranged for you to be picked up by the limo and taken to Zoe’s house after you’re done.”
“Okay.” She filled Brett in on the news.
“I’m glad things are starting to wind down.”
“Me too.”
“I don’t know what’s happening in that room, but the sounds you were making a few minutes ago were sexy as hell, a real turn-on.”
Tess’s checks heated.
“Maybe you can give me a demonstration later.”
“I hope you’re not letting Bowie listen to this conversation, Brett, because I’ll kill you if he is.”
Brett laughed. “Would I do that?”
“Brett,” she warned.
“He’s not, I promise. Just relax and enjoy your massage. I think they plan to take you out for drinks and then back to the house. I’ll meet you there.”
“Okay.”
*
Brett pulled into Hawk and Zoe’s driveway. Dismissed from his meeting at five, he arrived in plenty of time to help set up. The party at Hawk’s house promised to be the easiest part of the day. They would set the burglar alarm, and he and Hawk could hang out while the ladies were in the living room doing their thing.
Zoe met him at the door and hugged him.
“Is everyone back already?” Brett asked in surprise.
“No, Hawk picked me up a little early so I could get some last-minute things taken care of. He’s running an errand for me and will be right back.” Her smile held a hint of nerves. “I have a lady arriving in about five minutes. Her name is Margaret Todd. I’ll need you to help her unload her cases and bring them into the house. Can you keep an eye out for her on the porch while I freshen my makeup? And could you ask Trish if she could join me in my bedroom for a moment as soon as she gets here?”
“Sure.”
His sister didn’t have to beat him over the head with the hint to make himself scarce. He sat in one of the wicker chairs on the porch and propped his feet on the railing.
A sweet fragrance wafted from the large pots of pink flowers Zoe had put out on small tables there. The parrot lilies, with their woodsy stems and deep green leaves, seemed to thrive in the seventy degree temperature and added some color to the front of the house. The porch provided a windbreak, but Brett zipped his jacket anyway.
Hawk’s house had been comfortable before, but Zoe had added her own special touches. Tess would want to do that to their house if they decided to rent. A little more space would definitely be nice. She could have her own office.
Would an office make up for not getting her dream job? Probably not. He rubbed the tension along the back of his neck. It wouldn’t make up to him for the stall of his promotion. He wanted his own team. He wanted the extra money it represented. But he didn’t want to have to deal with the political shit. He was still chewing on the problem when a green Chrysler minivan pulled into the drive.
A woman of about fifty-five with short brown hair and big earrings got out and waved. “Is this the Yazzie residence?” she asked.
Brett sauntered off the porch. “You have the right place. Are you Mrs. Todd?” Brett asked as he approached her car. The woman reminded him of his first grade teacher.
She grinned. “Yes.” She offered her hand and he shook it briefly.
“My sister said you’d need some help unloading.”
“Yes, I probably will.” She dragged open the van’s side door. “Are you the fiancé of the lady we’re having the party for?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll try and make certain she goes away with some of our best products.”
Products? What the hell was she talking about? “Thank you, ma’am. That would be nice.”
All three of the three-foot tall rolling cases were heavier to lift out of the van than they looked. Brett wheeled one down the sidewalk, then backed it up the two low steps onto the porch and into the house. He left Mrs. Todd rifling through the one he’d unloaded and setting out some kind of display cabinets.
He had the other two unloaded and inside by the time the limo pulled up and Bowie emerged, decked out in black chinos, T-shirt and sports coat. With his sunglasses on he looked like a hit man. Brett rushed up the sidewalk to meet him. Bowie scanned the street before he reached back in to help each of the ladies out of the low-slung car. The fragrances of perfume and the distinctive essence of women accompanied them.
Each woman took a turn hugging Bowie’s neck and kissing his cheek, while they thanked him for his endless entertainment at the spa. They greeted Brett in the same way. Then they wandered down the walk and into the house.
Tess stepped out of the car and Brett smiled. Her red hair gleamed with copper lights and her spaghetti strap top beneath her black jacket bared the smooth, creamy texture of her shoulders. She looked good enough to eat. He might just do that later.
She brushed Bowie’s cheek with a kiss and thanked him, then turned to Brett. “I’ve had a wonderful day. Not at all the bachelorette torture I was expecting.”
“Good. You look rested and revived.”
“The massage was—fantastic.”
He’d heard first-hand how good the massage was. Standing outside the room and hearing her moaning like she was in the throes of passion had been enough. He’d been rock-hard and walking funny by the time he left for his meeting at the base.
“We all enjoyed the entertainment you provided too, Bowie.”
He tucked Tess in close to his body, putting himself between her and any threat, and shifted his attention to Bowie. “Entertainment?”
“Some of the ladies working at the spa thought I was some television star named Daniel Sun something-or-other. They stuffed phone numbers in my pockets and offered me free massages, so I just went with it.”
Brett laughed and shook his head. “Your name will be mud if you run into any of them again.”
“No, bro,” his smile gleamed white. “Daniel Sun something-or-other’s will be. But I do have a date. Unless you need me.”
“No, Hawk—” He broke off as his brother-in-law turned into the drive and parked behind the minivan. “Hawk and I have this covered.”
“I’ll get the limo driver to drop me back at my car. What time do you need him back?”
Brett looked to Tess.
“Ten o’clock,” she said.
“You heard the lady. Thanks, Bowie. I owe you one.” The two gripped hands and shook.
Hawk joined them, a plastic bag of something dangling from one hand and a twenty-four pack of diet soda from the other. Eager to get Tess inside,
Brett left Hawk talking to Bowie and escorted her down the walk and into the house.
The ladies were in the dining room putting out platters of finger foods and pouring drinks. Their banter and laughter filled the house.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Zoe, Tess, Trish, Selena, and Angela wandered into the living room with Mrs. Todd and took a seat.
“Looks like it’s time for us to make ourselves scarce,” Brett said.
“Want a beer?” Hawk asked.
“Yeah, I could use one.”
They settled at the kitchen table. Mrs. Todd’s voice carried from the living room. “Ladies, we’re all women, and we all have a clit, and what I’m about to show you will make you a very, very happy woman.”
The word “clit” seemed to vibrate down the hallway like the feedback from a bad PA system. Brett’s head snapped toward Hawk and the two eyed each other.
Hawk half stood, a frown on his face. Then he shook his head. “I don’t want to know.” He settled back in his chair, but beneath his breath said, “U-uh, don’t want to know.” He raised his beer and took a long swallow.
Five minutes later, Brett went to get another bottle and then sneaked over to the kitchen door. Margaret Todd’s voice carried down the hall. “This model can vibrate and rotate at the same time.”
Female laughter, high-pitched and musical, reached him.
He sensed Hawk behind him, and turned to say something. The look on Hawk’s face would have made him laugh if he hadn’t been certain he had the same expression. “Your sister…” Hawk growled.
“Your wife…” Brett said, pointing a finger.
“Now, ladies,” Margaret continued her pitch. “This model comes in several interesting colors.”
Overcome by curiosity, Brett stepped out into the hall. In full SEAL stealth mode he eased down the hallway, hugging the wall, his steps light, almost silent. The living room opened up before him. Margaret Todd, the woman he’d thought of as grandmotherly, gripped a bright red dildo the size of a club in her fist. Tess was gazing at it with rapt attention. And worse, Zoe, his beautiful, Madonna-like sister, held a blue one and actually caressed the head with her palm.
Building Ties (Military Romantic Suspense) (SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 4) Page 24