“Touch her and you won’t need to worry about getting a girl.”
Steel rolled his eyes, his laughter fading. “I just wanted to say something to you, Viper.”
While the majority of Zullies had started to come around since the fire, there were still a few who kept a distance. Maybe they were worried my rage would make a return. Maybe I was as well.
“Yeah? What do you need to say?” I fastened and zipped my jeans, grabbing my shirt almost immediately.
“Axe told me how you handled the situation. He said you had a chance to walk away, maybe not get trapped at all, but you refused. You saved his life.”
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”
His laugh was halfhearted. “You might be surprised how many guys would think of themselves first. Axe drives me fucking up the wall, but he’s still my brother. After we lost William, my mother almost had a nervous breakdown. She couldn’t handle another tragedy. So thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Just don’t let it go your head.” His wide smile returned before he took a wide berth around me.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” My laugh faded after he’d left the locker room. Not because I didn’t appreciate what he had to say. I was eager to get to Ziggy’s, which was only a couple of miles down the road. I was also more than eager to have the sensual woman in my arms all over again.
For several reasons.
The instinct I’d followed on the mountain wouldn’t allow me to rest. Not by a long shot. I couldn’t come off the precipice because some pieces weren’t fitting together. But I was positive I was right in my assumptions and determined to prove it.
I’d finally taken a shower, the conversation with the captain and the fire marshal weighing heavily on my mind.
What was interesting was that I’d found nothing on the man on the internet. Granted, the time I’d allotted had only been a few minutes. As it was, I was already going to be late. The last thing I wanted to do was to keep a lady waiting.
She’d have a field day tormenting me.
I hurriedly finished dressing, trying to figure out why the knot remained in my stomach. Grabbing my jump bag, I shoved the dirty clothes inside. Might as well take everything with me.
As I headed out, I glanced at the starry sky before pulling out my phone. The least I could do was to let her know I was on my way.
The phone rang.
And rang.
Finally, after the fifth ring, I got her voicemail. That wasn’t unusual. She was probably on her way, listening to the satellite radio at full blast, or already dancing to the music at the bar. “How is the lady of the house? Dog Doctor extraordinaire? I’m on my way, you bad girl. Don’t flirt with anyone until I get there.”
Sweet Jesus, I was awkward at flirting if not downright terrible.
The drive took no time and I was shocked at the number of vehicles already in the parking lot. I couldn’t see her truck, but there were way too many vehicles, people everywhere.
There were groups waiting outside, including a few smokejumpers. As I climbed out, the old hesitation rushed into my system, another stark reminder I wasn’t a party guy any longer. Sowing my wild oats had almost landed me in prison rather than in the Army.
I crossed the parking lot, fueled by desire and apprehension, even giving a fist bump to Raptor along the way.
“Hey, do you play basketball?” he asked before I passed.
“I’ve been known to shoot a basket or two. Why?” The frown on my face made him laugh.
“Nothing weird, dude. Some of the guys head to the court outside the high school from time to time. You interested?”
“Maybe. We’ll see.”
“That’s right,” he teased. You gotta ask the little woman. Ball and chain.”
How things had changed in a few short days. Winking, I backed away a few steps. “At least I have a woman.”
