Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) Read online

  “You plannin’ on interrogatin’ someone?” He didn’t know why that made his blood pound, but he’d happily endure the increased pulmonary action.

  “Maybe.”

  “Well, in that case, maybe we better go somewhere a little more private.” Preferably some place with a bedroom. “I can’t be givin’ away all my secrets and techniques to just anyone. Do you have a place to stay while you’re in town?”

  “I do.” She raised an eyebrow as he waved to the guards as they passed the gates of the base. “I didn’t know how I’d be received so I made sure I could at least sleep the night before I drove back to Vegas.” She bit her lip again as her smile dissolved. “I didn’t know if you wanted to see me after everything that happened there.”

  John’s first impulse was to wave away her fears, but something told him he’d have better luck with honesty rather than flippancy.

  “All the memories I have of Vegas with you in them are the ones I want to remember.” He inhaled and flipped his heart open a little more. “I’ve been meaning to call you for the last three weeks, but I didn’t have your number, and I didn’t really know if you’d want to hear from me.”

  Lindsey snorted and some of the fire he loved came back. “Jeez, we’re like a couple of twitchy teenagers on a first date. How old are we again?”

  John laughed as the tension around them dissolved. “I’m twenty-seven last I checked. The military keeps pretty good records, so I’m sure it’s right.”

  Lindsey gasped in mock horror. “Oh my goodness! I’m a cougar going for a younger man.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You tellin’ me you’re older than me, ma’am?”

  “Yep.”

  “How much older? Turn here. The coffee shop’s around the corner.”

  “Guess.” Lindsey grinned as they pulled into a spot at the curb.

  “Oh, now, that’s not fair, Lindsey. No gentleman ever tells a woman how old she is.” He stepped out of the car and threw his cover on his head.

  “I promise not to be offended.” She smiled over the roof of her car. “If you guess right, I’ll give you a prize.”

  The bouncing puppy sensation returned. “Can I ask a few questions first before I make my guess?”

  “Sure.” She winked and entered the Navy Bean Coffee Shop. John followed after like a dog on a leash. Hey, I’ve been under her power since I met her. Not a bad place to be in his estimation.

  The rich scents of coffee and tea hit his nose as they stepped up to the counter. He enjoyed the play of sunlight on her hair and skin, and wished the fabric of her dress could be a little more translucent as it swished around her legs. Get your head in the game. He needed to be studying details of her to guess her age correctly. She’s not that much older than me. She had the confidence of someone who’d made it to her thirties, but didn’t wear the air of someone older.

  “I think I’d like a short Jose Mocha.” Lindsey laughed and shook her head. “I love the names of the coffee drinks here.”

  John reveled in her confident joy and smiled along with her. Her beauty had attracted him first, but the fire and intelligence she carried within her made him yearn for the elusive fairytale mate.

  “Are you going to order, Chief Petty Officer?”

  The barista’s question made him jerk his attention back to coffee. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll take a tall Average Joe. Black.”

  “Great. I’ll have those ready in a bit and call you up for them. What name can I put on the order?”

  “Andrews.”

  Lindsey allowed him to direct her to a booth beside the windows and settled herself across the table. “So, are you ready to guess?”

  “No, ma’am, but I am ready to ask a few questions.” Oh yeah, he was ready. Maybe he’d even slip in a few questions of a more personal nature.

  “Shoot, Chief.”

  “Aw, now, see, that’s just askin’ for trouble. I’m an excellent marksman.”

  “Then you should be able to get the information fairly quickly, right?” Lindsey’s grin charmed him. He’d never experienced the playful side of her.

  “All right.” The barista called out his name and he ducked to the counter to grab their drinks. He thanked her while he considered Lindsey’s information a little longer as he returned to the table. “Where did you grow up?”

  “All over. I was an Army brat.”

  “There’s no accounting for taste.”

  “Hey now. I’m hanging out with a Navy guy.” She snorted. “I figure that rounds out the military experience from an Army and Marine family a little more. They’d tell me not to waste time on swabbies.”

  John laughed and raised his coffee. “Touché. How long were you in the Army?”

  “One tour.” She sipped her coffee and grimaced.

  “Not strong or rich enough?”

  Her eyes widened with her grin. “Oh ho, so he does remember a few things.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I have a pretty good memory for details.”

  “Well, just remember that I like my men like I like my coffee.” She winked.

  “Strong and rich?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “And can keep me up all night.”

  Bronco laughed. “I don’t know about the rich part, ma’am, but the other two qualities I’m pretty good at.”

  “Yeah, you are.” Lindsey’s smile became wistful and John’s mind slipped back to the times they’d shared in Vegas. Like how she looked in the morning dressed in nothing but yoga pants and a camisole. Or the glory of her riding him hard in her little black dress.

  Shit, focus on what you’re supposed to be doing. What was that again? Oh, right, guessing her age. Mine field there, son.

  “How long have you been a cop?”

  “Four years, two undercover, two as a rookie detective.” She set the coffee aside and leaned back in her chair, a half smile curling her lips.

  “It took two years to stop being a rookie?” John raised his eyebrows.

  “When you have to learn the undercover ropes from watching rather than doing, yeah, it can take a while. And I’m a slow learner. I didn’t like to screw up because it could mean my life.”

  “A little like the SEALs.” He couldn’t fault her for that. “Any college?”

  “An associate’s degree in management from a community college.” Lindsey eyed him as he sipped his coffee and raised her chin. “How you doing there, Chief? Getting close?”

  “Hey, I’m doin’ recon. You can’t fault a guy for gatherin’ information.”

  She laughed and he enjoyed the sultry sound as it washed over him. Even the other men in the coffee shop turned to look for the source of the entrancing sound. He grinned.

  “So, doin’ some quick and dirty calculations, and taking into account your statement that you’re older than me, which I’m findin’ hard to believe. I’d say you’re twenty-nine, and that’s only because your birthday has already passed this year.”

  “Oh, good one, Chief. Going for the default-answer. Every older woman is twenty-nine, right?” Merriment danced in her eyes as she mock-pouted. “So close! I’m actually thirty.”

  John sifted through the various responses he could give, but only one thing came to mind. “I’m sorry I missed so much of those thirty years. But I’d like to take as much of the next thirty as I can.”

  Lindsey blinked and her laughter softened into something more serious. “What are you saying, John? And don’t sugar-coat it for me. I take it straight and without dressing.”

  He couldn’t stop the smirk curling his lips. “Yeah, that’s what I like about you.” She rolled her eyes, but her smile remained intact. “I know life’s uncertain. SEALs kinda wander around with that as a given. But we also figure on grabbing a good thing when we got it and if you want it straight, here it is.” He met her gaze squarely. “I’d like to spend my free time with you, such that it is, getting to know the woman beneath the disguise in Vegas. I saw glimpses, and damn, you’re sexy. So I’d like to learn more, Corp
oral Jarvis. Find out more than just how you take your coffee and how stunning you look in your little black dress.”

  “Now how did you know my rank in the Army?”

  John grinned. “I did a little digging, Detective. I said I wanted to know you better.”

  Lindsey matched his smile, but her gaze skittered around the coffee shop with wary attention. “I’ll tell you more, John, if you spend the weekend with me.”

  “Done.” He didn’t hesitate. If he had the chance to convince her to stay longer than the weekend, he’d take it.

  She laughed. “That was easy.”

  “I’m a guy. I was born easy.”

  “I thought SEALs say, ‘the only easy day was yesterday.’” Lindsey rose from her side of the booth and grabbed her purse.

  “Yes, ma’am, we do, but it doesn’t always apply to the members of the squad.” He followed her out of the coffee shop into the sunshine, and made a quick decision as he enjoyed the hem of her skirt flirting with her legs. “Have you checked into your hotel yet?”

  She tipped her head, her brow wrinkling. “No, I wanted to be sure I had a chance to see you before I told them how long I’d be staying.”

  “Tell you what, I just remembered a few things I’d like with me for my weekend off base, namely my car and some toiletries, and I’ll meet you at your hotel. Where are you staying?” He had more than toiletries he wanted to grab, but it made a good excuse.

  “The Crow’s Nest Bed & Breakfast on Shoreline Street.” She blushed when he whistled in appreciation. “Hey, it’s my first vacation in years and I decided I deserved a little pampering.”

  “I’ll see what I can do to accommodate you.” He winked as she unlocked her car and they got in. “Just drop me at the visitor’s center and I’ll meet you at the B&B.”

  “You’re not running from me, are you, John?” She raised an eyebrow as they pulled into traffic.

  “No, ma’am.” Far from it. He planned his next engagement. “Just want to make sure I’m prepared for anything.”

  She lost some of her smile. “Is that why you need your truck? So you can bolt at any time?”

  “Lindsey, if I have to ‘bolt at any time’ it will be because that’s the nature of being a SEAL, not because I want to leave you.” He met her gaze steadily. “I wear my electronic leash all the time because they can call at a moment’s notice.” He wished he could say more to reassure her, but his plan depended upon some measure of secrecy.

  “You’re right. I know that, of course. I just didn’t want to lose you before I’d even had a chance to get to know you better.” The look she gave him warmed places in him he didn’t know were cold.

  “You can plan on it, Lindsey. I promise. Here, give me your new number since you got a new phone.” He winked and she laughed. “I’ll call you if anything comes up to change my plans. But as far as I know, my CO gave me the weekend.”

  She gave him the number as they returned to base and when he got out she bit her lip, uncertainty written all over her face. “See you soon?”

  “Yes, ma’am. At the Crow’s Nest.”

  She nodded and pulled away. He watched her until she drove around the corner then sought transport to Bravo Squad’s HQ, his mind already strategizing.

  He’d missed Lindsey so much the first week home, he’d gone to a local jeweler and asked for a simple gold wedding band with the words “lucky charm” inscribed on the inside. But during the second week, he threw the idea of presenting her with the ring out with a reminder that they hadn’t known each other long or well enough for such a gift. He’d almost pawned the ring when he’d given up on ever contacting her just this week. Her arrival on base reenergized his ideas.

  His heart beat a double-time tattoo in his chest as he jumped in his truck and headed for the barracks. Now he had his chance and he’d do everything he could to make sure he never lost her again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lindsey bit her lip for the hundredth time that afternoon and squeezed her cell phone in her hand. No texts or missed calls showed on the screen, even when she’d taken a shower. No news is good news, right? Damn, she shouldn’t have let John out of her car.

  Now she paced back and forth in the homey room of the Crow’s Nest B&B and wondered if she’d gone completely nuts. She’d faced scarier people and places over the years undercover, but waiting for—she checked her watch—twenty-five minutes had stressed her out more than performing in front of Madame LeBeau’s cameras.

  He said he’d call if he had to go to work. Intellectually, she knew SEALs would disappear at the drop of a hat, but facing the reality before she’d even had a chance to see if a relationship would work with him in the real world sank her gut.

  Please let me convince him to give it a shot. Please give me the chance.

  Lindsey didn’t put much stock in prayers, but she’d never met anyone like John Hector Andrews. He embodied her fantasy man and she’d driven all the way to Coronado for the chance to see if the fairytale could come true. Please let me have at least a little time with him.

  All the breath left her body when her phone chirped with an incoming text. She stared at the phone, her heart thundering in her ears as she touched the screen. A blocked number showed a little envelope and her heart sank. Oh, God, he’s turning me down…

  She touched the text icon and waited for the screen to open, her stomach sinking.

  What bungalow number? Bronco

  All her breath whooshed out as she damn near slithered to the floor in relief. He’s here. She settled for sitting on the little loveseat under the window and shakily typing in a new message with her room number. She hit send and dropped her hands to the cushions, closing her eyes. She laughed a little at herself. God, you’re pathetic. But the relief made her giddy and she jumped when he knocked on her door.

  Taking a deep breath, Lindsey couldn’t help the huge grin curling her lips as she opened the door. The view on the front porch consisted of a large bouquet of red and white roses, and one grinning sailor.

  “Wow.”

  “Sorry it took me a little longer than usual. The florist didn’t have a bouquet I liked so I asked her to put one together.” John extended the flowers to Lindsey. “I hope you don’t hate roses.”

  “No, I like them. Especially when they’re not from the grocery store. Those never have any scent left to them.” Lindsey leaned forward to inhale the delicate fragrance curling around her. “Wow, these are extraordinary.”

  John stood there, gaping, and she glanced up at him in inquiry.

  “Holy shit, that’s so sexy.”

  “What is?”

  “You sniffing the roses.” He licked his lips and swallowed hard. “Do it again.”

  Lindsey laughed and inhaled again, slitting her eyes. “Did I do it right?”

  “Yeah. Can I come in?”

  “Absolutely.” Lindsey stood back to let him pass.

  He made it inside so fast the breeze lifted the ends of her hair. He dropped a duffel bag on the floor beside the loveseat before setting the roses on the little kitchenette bar. She enjoyed the roll of his ass under the butt-hugging cargo shorts as he passed and she closed the door before he could get away. Relax, Jarvis. He showed up when he could’ve run. Or been deployed.

  “Thank you for the roses. They’re gorgeous.” She couldn’t resist sniffing them again just to see the arousal darken his golden eyes.

  “God, I love it when you do that.” John swallowed hard as she brushed the blooms with the tips of her fingers. “Do you know why I picked red and white?”

  “They smelled the best?” Lindsey inhaled again, savoring the floral scent.

  “No, I just got lucky with that.” He reached for her hand and held it in both of his, rubbing his thumbs over the back. “Each rose has a meaning and my mom taught me red roses mean affection and fidelity, while white roses mean truth and purity.” He met her gaze and she shivered with his intensity. “You’ve had my affection since I met you and I’d ho
nestly like to spend more time with you. I hope this conveys both.”

  “So this is the SEAL version of semper fidalis?”

  “No, it’s this SEAL’s version of semper fidalis.” He smiled his sexy grin. “I’m glad you showed up here to find me.”

  Lindsey shrugged as her face heated. “I didn’t know if you’d be okay with the idea, but I couldn’t stand just letting it go. Somehow we did this backwards. Sex, then dates, but I wanted to see if it was more than just sex.”

  “Let’s see if it is. I’m game if you are.” John pulled her in close. “I want to see if it works, even if my lifestyle is a tough one for civilians to handle.”

  “So you’re thinking long term?”

  “Shhh.” He nuzzled her hair and squeezed her gently. “Don’t give away the plot just yet. Let’s just take this weekend to learn the real us. I liked the glimpses I saw in Vegas, but the situation was less than ideal.”

  “Okay.” Lindsey pulled back. “So what would you have done if you met me in the typical way?”

  “Typical, for a SEAL?” John snorted and shook his head. “I don’t think my life has much that could be called typical.” He tipped his head with a sultry smirk. “But I want you to be a typical addition.”

  “Oh, yeah? I don’t know how typical I am. Hell, you met me impersonating a psychotic man-hater. That can’t be anywhere near typical.” Lindsey shook her head. “But I meant if you met me in a normal place, like a bar or on the beach, or out in town, how would you have approached me?”

  “You know you’re asking a scary question of a guy, right?”

  “Are you telling me a SEAL is afraid of asking a woman out?”

  John laughed as he stepped back. “Hell, yeah. We can face down an enemy installation outnumbered and outgunned, but exposing such vulnerability as our hearts? I’m more skittish than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

  Lindsey grinned. “So, do you want me to tell you how I’d approach you?”