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“So, Shark is a call name?”
“That’s right.”
“And the rest of you?” They went around the limo, calling out their names.
“Interesting,” she said as the limo turned down a long drive, the ocean sparkling in the distance. Shark looked out the window to see the ambassador’s residence coming into view. They had been told they would be bunking on the property.
Once the car stopped, they filed out, and Shark stood next to her on the slate driveway. The driver opened the trunk and they all started pulling out their bags. Their essential gear had been shipped and was supposed to be stashed somewhere near their bunks.
He eyed her mid-sized, and oversized bags, hooked his own bag over his shoulder by the straps, and grabbed her suitcases. She reached for them, but he said, “I’ve got them.”
She nodded.
“I didn’t get your first name?” Shark asked, his gaze going over her delicate face. Those high cheekbones and almond eyes gave her a sleek catlike quality. Her chestnut hair was piled into a ponytail on the top of her head, but a lot of silky swaths had tumbled back down, giving her that mussed-up, just-out-of-bed look that made him think of her as a sex kitten. She wore a crisp white sleeveless button shirt and a pair of jeans, both looking pricey. Her mouth was lush, exotically full, and covered with a smooth layer of peachy/pink lipstick.
“Madeline, but everyone calls me Maddy.”
“Maddy,” he said softly, rolling it around on his tongue, savoring it. He reached out his hand and she clasped it. He fought the urge to rub his thumb along the soft skin underneath his rough pad. He liked smart, witty women with a sarcastic edge. He suspected she had that tumbling around inside of her. But right now, there was something disturbingly intimate about the look in her eyes, and a heady warmth spread through him as she stood motionless in his grasp. The magic lasted for an electrifying moment.
She broke the spell when she said, “If you follow me, I will show you where to drop my luggage and find your rooms.”
“I have a map your dad drew up in case we got here when he was out. Lead the way, Maddy,” he said.
She turned and he got to admire that sweet ass all over again.
As they approached the residence, he pulled his gaze from her delectable frame to take in the house. He had expected something opulent, but this place was amazing. He caught Twister’s eye as their medic smirked, and he subtly flipped him off. His teammate laughed.
The entrance had carved wooden doors opening to a dramatic stone foyer and central staircase. He grabbed the straps of the bags as Maddy started to climb. She turned right, and he followed her down the hall to the first door on the left. She opened it, revealing a queen-sized platform bed, on a decorative raised riser with a small balcony and a stunning view of the blue-green waters of the Caribbean.
He set them down and she said, “Let me see the map.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his cell, then brought up the floor plan.
She took his phone and studied the picture for a moment. “I see.” She left the room, the guys milling in the hall at the head of the stairs. “The enlisted are split into three bedrooms, one with two twin beds, and a dog crate?” She looked up. “You have a dog?”
“Military working dog,” Brawler said, “His name is Beast, and he’s coming in tomorrow on a military transport. Can’t fly commercial with him.”
“Oh, I see. Well, Brawler…is it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“That would put you in room five. She opened the door, then moved to the next room in the hall. “This is room six with two twin beds, and room seven with two more twins.”
“Tex and Bondo, you're on the other side of the house near my parents. Both rooms have queens, so your pick.” LT and Bondo nodded and went back toward the staircase, crossing the landing and going up the left side of the stairs. “All the rooms have a shower and commode, except for room seven with just the commode. You’ll have to share a shower.” She went to the window. “Also, we have a temperature-controlled infinity pool and a gym downstairs.”
Shark went over to the window, enjoying the close proximity to Maddy. She smelled really good, fresh and flowery. He looked down to see the inviting pool surrounded by a wood deck containing pool cabanas, an open-air dining area, and a barbecue center. She got a phone call, spoke for a few minutes, and then hung up.
She turned to him, so close, her voice sounding compressed. “My parents have a suite and that’s where they do most of their evening relaxation before they go to bed. You can have the run of the rest of the house. Once we finish unpacking,” she looked at her watch, “there is dinner being prepared downstairs. I’m sure you’re all starving. Come down when you’re ready. My parents were delayed, but they will be here shortly. That was my mom on the phone.”
He nodded and she smiled softly. “I’ll see you later.”
She moved away from him and disappeared into her room. Every single one of his teammates was staring at him. He turned into the last room and found not only a twin bed but a footlocker at the end. He sat down, dropping his bag at his feet. The bed was more comfortable than any bunk he’d slept in.
All the guys filed in, still giving him those looks. “She’s pretty cool and laid back for an ambassador’s daughter,” Easy said. “My first meeting with Astraea was a bit rockier.”
When Shark didn’t say anything, Twister piped up, “Beautiful and has a good sense of humor.”
“What would she want with a brooding Shark?” Flash said with a teasing smirk, but even though they were ribbing him, he felt a pang.
“Why don’t all you nosy biddies get back to your knitting circle.”
