Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) Page 11

  “They would’ve just thrown it out and it seems like a waste of good money.” Courtney shrugged. “Besides, it looks good on you. Do you have plans for the weekend?”

  “Yeah, I have a date with my elliptical and a good book. Not quite as glamorous as when I hung out at all the clubs, but I no longer have the bankroll for that kind of life.” Lindsey walked around her desk and headed for the bank of elevators to the parking garage. “What about you?”

  “I was hoping you’d agree to go out for a drink with me. You know, blow off the glitter of the work week.” Courtney smirked as she pressed the down button.

  Lindsey snorted. “I don’t know if I’d be good company right now. Still trying to find my equilibrium after returning to the ‘real world’. Nothing feels settled or right, you know?”

  They stepped into the elevator as Courtney nodded. “Yeah, but that’s what I’m here for. Since I know you in both lives, I’m that cornerstone, the keystone, the linchpin. Choose your metaphor.”

  Lindsey laughed as the car dropped smoothly to the garage and opened. “Yeah, okay. Fine. Where did you want to go?”

  “Follow me to Bailey’s?” Courtney clicked her fob and her car chirped a few spaces from Lindsey’s.

  “Yeah. That works. See you there.”

  Lindsey didn’t really want to go out, but it’d be good to reconnect with Courtney. She missed the regular meetings and camaraderie they’d shared while undercover. Somehow she needed to find her feet. She felt like a space alien wandering around trying to find Area 51.

  Courtney had already arrived at the bar when Lindsey stepped through the thick doors. Classic rock and roll music enveloped her as she picked her way to Courtney’s table, ignoring the scent of cigarette smoke. She shoved away memories of her undercover work and sat down.

  “Want a beer?”

  Lindsey shook her head. “Not tonight. Gonna take a raspberry iced tea and call it good.”

  “Aw, you’re no fun.” Courtney mock-pouted and Lindsey swallowed a snarl.

  “You’re right. I’m not fun. I don’t know how to have fun since the last time I went out for a party I had to watch what I said and did, and pretend I enjoyed sexually debasing men.” Lindsey rubbed her forehead. “See? I told you I wouldn’t be good company.”

  “Yeah, I figured, but I had to get you someplace I could talk to you and light a fire under your ass.”

  Lindsey blinked. “What?”

  “Listen, Jarvis. You’ve been on the job now for two years straight and you haven’t had a break from it.” Courtney leveled her with a hard stare, her mouth sealing shut as the waitress brought their drinks. She waited with a gentle smile until the woman drifted away, but her eyes remained hard. “You’ve earned, what, something like a hundred and sixty hours of vacation time? I bet you’re at ‘use-or-lose’ and you’re still here working.” She shook her head and pointed one manicured nail at Lindsey. “Go away. Take a vacation. Go relax. Visit family again. Do something, because you’re a nasty, snarly bitch right now, and that’s fun for no one.”

  “Damn, sugar coat it, why don’t you?”

  “No point.” Courtney fixed her with a stern glare. “You don’t need coddling, you need to figure out who the hell you are. A vacation would do you good. Hell, a stay-cation would improve things.”

  “That’s the problem, isn’t it?” Lindsey inhaled the scent of stale beer and old cigarette smoke. “I don’t know who I am because I’ve been someone else for two years. And now I’m supposed to be Detective Lindsey Jarvis of sex crimes, but she’s so new, I don’t know who that is, either. The only time I kinda knew myself, I was hiding in a safe house with Chief Petty Officer John Andrews.”

  “Then go find him and find yourself while you’re at it.” Courtney punctuated her words with a sharp nod and a swallow of beer.

  “I can’t go find him. He’s a SEAL, remember? Masters of being unseen, unheard, and deadly?” Lindsey snorted. “He could be standing behind you and I’d never know it.”

  Courtney twisted around and scanned the bar. “Is he behind me?”

  Lindsey thumped her shoulder. “Shut up. You know what I mean.”

  “No, I don’t. He’s only been there for three weeks. He’s probably getting up to speed with both his new squad and recovering from the shit he experienced here.” Courtney pointed to the front door of the bar. “You should go out there to Coronado and request his ass, and shag him for real this time.”

  “Damn, you’re crass.” Lindsey grimaced around her iced tea. “We barely know each other. I can’t just show up on his doorstep and say, ‘hi, I know we only had a few days together, but I thought we had a connection and so I decided to invade your space. M’kay?’” She shook her head. “He’s a SEAL and has to be there. I’m a detective with Metro and have to be here.”

  “I’m not suggesting you marry him, Jarvis. I’m saying to go out there, get laid, and take a vacation with someone you know is hot and sexy.” Courtney raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t you ever heard of a fling?”

  “I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and took it back. Jenna Black was all about the casual fling.” Lindsey swallowed some of her tea. “I don’t want something quick and empty, Court. I want the fairytale, or at least the practical application of it.” Courtney tipped her head in inquiry. “You know, a solid relationship based on trust, honesty, affection, and passion. A safe harbor I can retreat to and know I’ve found the clear water.”

  “You want to live on the water?”

  “No, ‘clear water’ means to find a safe place where you have the high ground and the action is over. It’s a Navy thing.”

  “Ahhh.” Courtney nodded and a smug smile curled her lips. “I know where you can find some of that Navy clear water if you’re not too scared to look for it.”

  Lindsey ignored the spike of hope in her gut as she leveled her friend with a flat look. “You’re not going to give up on this, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Court—”

  “Listen, Lindsey. I’ve been your friend for a while now, and I know you’ve pushed yourself to be the best at what you do. Believe me, I’ve been there the whole time.” She laid a hand on Lindsey’s arm and squeezed gently. “But here’s the thing. Everyone needs a break and burnout is right around the corner. You have leave. You have a ton of it. Go take some before you’re too bogged down in cases to make it practical.”

  Courtney smiled and sat back, swigging her beer. “And do me a favor. Go find that SEAL and tell him you love him before you drive us all crazy.”

  “I do not—”

  “Don’t lie to me or yourself, Lindsey.” Courtney held up her hand to forestall her. “I’ve known you long enough to know when someone has gotten under your skin, and Chief Petty Officer Andrews did it with his super secret agent skills.”

  “He’s a SEAL, not CIA.”

  Courtney rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t matter. They have the same sneaky-sneaky skills.”

  Lindsey snorted. “Sneaky-sneaky? Is that a technical term?”

  “Hell, yeah.” Courtney grinned and finished her beer. “Maybe you need to develop a few sneaky skills of your own and go see if smart, handsome, and sneaky is willing to be your clear water.” She sobered. “Please. Do me, you, and him a favor. You deserve the chance at the fairytale you want, Lindsey. But sitting here in the damn desert won’t get you any closer to it. Put in for some vacation.”

  “You’re not my boss anymore, Court.” Lindsey finished her tea and tried to swallow the dread of facing her apartment alone.

  “No, I’m your friend. And I’m telling you to get a life before you implode.” Courtney gave her a sympathetic look as she waved for the bill. “No one needs or deserves it more. Besides, from the outsider’s perspective, I think the chief was pretty sweet on you.”

  Lindsey shook her head as she tossed a ten spot on the table. “How could you tell? He didn’t show anything on his face or body language.”

  “Call
it a gut feeling.” Courtney’s smug smile returned to her face. “You gonna go west, Jarvis?”

  “This isn’t some romantic movie, Court. He’s probably moved on.”

  “So? What’s the worst that can happen? You go out there and find out he’s moved on. Done. Plus you’ll get to see the ocean and some of those other hot SEAL men.” Courtney shrugged. “Think of it this way. Nothing will happen if you don’t go. But something might happen if you do. At least you’ll get some time to recharge.”

  Lindsey couldn’t argue with her friend. She let her gaze rest on the polished brass of the bar fixtures and ran through the scenarios in her head. So what’s it gonna be, Jarvis? Tuck tail and hide, or make your play for the brass ring?

  “I’ll talk to you on Monday, Dabner.”

  “You gonna take leave?”

  “I’ll let you know.” She waved as she headed for the door, her mind churning with possibilities. The question remained as to how John would respond to her just showing up.

  No, the real question is, can I handle it if he turns me down?

  ****

  John dropped his head under the shower spray to wash the salt water, sand, and sweat off his body. While the heat in southern California wasn’t as intense as in Las Vegas, he still counted it warm enough to fry eggs on the hood of his truck. Despite the relative cool compared to the Mojave Desert, he missed Vegas.

  Correction, I miss a woman in Vegas, and the cool little cabin we shared.

  He scrubbed his body down with soap and tried to ignore his thickening cock. She’d been on his mind since he climbed into his truck and headed for the I-15, and she hadn’t left it. He’d visited Coronado, learning the city and its environs, and the scents of fresh flowers and pine had him looking around for Lindsey Jarvis. Each night, he’d hit his rack with the intent to find out her new number or email address, but come morning, he’d thought better of it.

  Bronco didn’t really have time for a woman in his life. Not with a new duty station and a new squad to integrate with. But when he wasn’t focused on the job, his mind strayed to long, dark hair and a warm, sultry voice that still came to him in dreams. God, her voice could make him come with no more than a few words.

  John groaned and fisted his aching shaft, his mind full of Lindsey’s sweet moans and hot mouth. He stroked himself hard and quick, not wanting to take too much time in the shower. He imagined her silken tresses sliding over his thighs as her molten, slick mouth tightened on his flesh. Pleasure and yearning overwhelmed his logical mind and his release exploded from his balls. The intensity of his orgasm couldn’t compare to what he experienced with Lindsey.

  Even the SEAL groupies hadn’t distracted him from the woman in his memories. I bought that damn ring. I should call her. But the old, tired excuses came roaring back and he let the thoughts subside.

  Bronco cleaned himself up and got out of the shower. He had to shake her out of his mind or call her. Except she’d gotten a new phone three weeks ago. John ignored the little voice stating he could call the Las Vegas PD directly. Hell, he could even ask for Detective Dabner if he couldn’t face Jarvis. He groaned in derision as he pulled on his utilities before heading toward the mess hall for chow.

  Bravo squad had just returned from a short training op to help the team and him mesh their skills. They’d finally found their rhythm and trust despite the recent loss of a squad member in Honduras. Bronco had taken the fallen man’s place.

  John finished his meal and headed for the squad’s HQ, his memories full of Lindsey’s smile and her soft breasts against his back as she helped him through his detox. Crossing the threshold, he removed his cover and tucked it under his arm, wishing he could easily do the same to Lindsey.

  Damn, you’re pathetic. Either find her or let her go.

  “Andrews.”

  Bronco’s thoughts shattered as Lieutenant Commander Whittleton’s voice intruded. John shifted direction into the commander’s office.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “You know someone by the name of Detective Lindsey Jarvis?” Whittleton raised his eyebrows.

  “Yes, sir. She was the undercover LEO who I worked with in Vegas, sir. Why?” John tried to ignore his excitement at her name.

  “The front gate called. She’s at the visitor’s center right now asking for you. Did you leave any unfinished business in Vegas, Chief Petty Officer?”

  “No, sir. Detective Dabner said the DA would be calling you, sir, and Jarvis had been moved to the sex-crimes unit. All our official business was cleared up when I left three weeks ago.” But he wanted to revisit the unofficial business.

  “Hmm.” Whittleton eyed him carefully for a few moments. “Go see what she wants, Chief. Just remember Bravo squad is scheduled for another training at oh-four-hundred on Monday.”

  Bronco gaped. “Are you giving me leave for the weekend, Commander?”

  “You got a problem with that, Andrews?”

  “No, sir.” John saluted smartly. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Dismissed.”

  Bronco retreated so fast he damn near bounced off the walls as he headed for the door. What is she doing here? Who the fuck cares? His thoughts ricocheted as much as his heartbeat as he caught transport to the Coronado visitor’s center. He could barely hold a polite conversation with the young civilian driving and caught the muttered, “arrogant jackass” as he got out. Bronco couldn’t care less. Lindsey Jarvis had come to Coronado, and he’d be damned before he wasted words on anyone before he said what he wanted to her.

  John had to stop and inhale deeply a few times before enough calm filtered into his body and expression. He pulled the visitor center doors open and headed toward the information desk as he jerked his cover off his head. A school group huddled around the naval history museum, listening intently to a theatrical petty officer explaining the role of Coronado in World War II, and a few families waited in the recruitment area with their hopefuls. The young men and women looked nervous.

  “Good morning, Chief Petty Officer. Can I help you?” The pretty clerk gave him a wide smile.

  “Yes. I’m John Andrews. I understand I have a visitor?” He tried to keep his gaze fixed on the woman in front of him, but he kept scanning the immediate area through his peripherals.

  “Let me just check. Andrews you said?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Damn, a tremor ran though his body and he swore he bounced from foot to foot. Where the hell was his natural stillness and calm?

  “Yes, here it is.” The young woman’s smile dimmed a little. “A Lindsey Jarvis is here to see you. She said she’d wait in the museum.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He gave her a perfunctory smile as he shifted toward the museum, bypassing the kids oohing and ahhing over the size of the shells launched by some of the destroyers in the fleet.

  The rectangular room held memorabilia from American naval warfare as far back as World War I and old black and white photos showed the variety of ships housed at the Naval base. The utilitarian carpet muffled the sound of voices, or maybe it was his pounding heart as he scanned the room full of display cases.

  “Chief Petty Officer?”

  He knew that contralto voice and his breath caught as he turned toward a case containing the bell musket, its lead ball shot, and a short bayonet recovered from a shipwreck off San Clemente Island. Lindsey stood beside it in a gloriously sexy sundress, fidgeting with the strap of the same purse she’d carried in Las Vegas. She’d pulled her hair up into ponytail that brushed her shoulders each time she turned her head.

  “John?”

  He realized he’d been staring too long and tried to find his voice to respond with some sort of coherency.

  “Detective Jarvis. So nice to see you. What are you doing here in Coronado?”

  Damn, could he sound any more official?

  “I, uhm. Well, I came to see you. See how you’re doing.” She bit her lip and glanced around at the displays, trying to find her footing. She clenched her jaw before she ret
urned her gaze to him. “You look well.”

  “Thanks. I am.” Kinda. “How is the new job going for you?”

  “Good. Better.”

  God, he hated small talk, but in the space of the public visitor’s center, he found it hard to stay anything real. Suck it up, SEAL. The only easy day was yesterday.

  “Look, I don’t mean to intrude on you, Chief. I just wanted to, well, make sure you’re doing okay after everything and…” She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders, which pushed out her chest. John enjoyed the beautiful view. “See if you’d be interested in going out for coffee for real this time.”

  Excitement sparked in his chest and a real smile curled his lips. “That’d be great, Detective.” He held out his hand. “You can call me John.”

  Her smile warmed his heart as she took his hand. “John. I’m Lindsey.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Lindsey. There’s a great coffee shop just off base if you’d like to go.” He hadn’t released her hand yet, and he didn’t want to. Just having her cherry blossom and pine scents around him again settled some of his restlessness.

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  He tugged Lindsey through the foyer and out into the California sunshine. As soon as they stepped outside, only the breeze and the cry of seagulls interrupted his thoughts. He resisted the urge to bounce like a puppy after a ball as they strode into the parking lot in silence. She unlocked the car and he had to remind himself to let her go.

  “Are you sure I’m not taking too much of your time, John?” She bit her bottom lip and he wanted to kiss it back to plumpness.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. My CO just gave me the weekend to take care of any unfinished business with the Las Vegas PD, so I’m all yours, Detective.” More than you know.

  A sultry smile curled her lips and his cock saluted in response. “That sounds great, Chief. I did have a few questions I wanted to ask, and I recall you told me your specialty was interrogation. Maybe you could give me a few pointers.”