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Between our work schedules, we have had little time together since the night of his birthday. With it being a holiday weekend, he picked up overtime to let some of the other men be with family.
A white-hot tingle races through my bloodstream, and I grip him to remain standing. “One hour?” comes out breathy, and his eyes turn molten.
“One hour.”
He pulls my bottom lip between his teeth, plants a quick kiss, and tucks me to his side.
“Whew, I need a private room after that,” Charlie announces, fanning her face. “Didn’t even have to hear what they said to understand it. The sexual energy is thick. I’m pretty sure the new girl has Raven and Declan beat. That was smoking.”
Heat flames my face at all the knowing looks aimed at me.
“Warned you. We have a muzzle somewhere around here since she has no filter.” Raven winks at me. “And, so you know, we may be laid back, but we’re still rock and roll. You need some privacy, down the hall, last room on the right. No questions asked.”
Ace’s mouth twitches. “Appreciate that, but I have a bed close.”
“Suit yourself, but the offer stands. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“He’s taking me home on his bike,” I divulge for no reason.
Her blue eyes pop and then fill with appreciation. “Ahhh, the bike. I love riding on the bike. Harley, babe, I have a feeling you and I will be great friends.” With another wink, she walks away.
“I think she knows we’re having motorcycle sex tonight.”
“Yeah, pretty sure she clued in. But gotta say, the way her husband is looking at her, they may be the ones needing the private room.”
His chest vibrates, and I fold into him, bursting into laughter.
21
Ace
I swallow a large gulp of beer, staring out the window. A loud wolf whistle cuts through the room, my eyes staying trained on the darkened back yard.
“Oh, shit, we have the broody Kingston.” Talon gauges my mood instantly.
“He’s pissed. I feel for the jeweler if he fucked this up.” Ford’s statement is laced with sarcasm.
Major steps into my line of sight, assessing me warily. The flash of recognition in his eyes is like looking into a mirror. “Fuck, you too?”
“I feel it, man. It’s coming.”
The air in the room turns static, the other guys closing in
“Yeah,” Talon agrees, his jovial mood gone.
“Knew it last weekend. Felt it during drills,” Ford admits what we all picked up on.
When we reported to our monthly drill last weekend, there was an intense vibe around the four of us. We were under a microscope. Expectations are always high, but this was different.
It was physical and mental. We were being evaluated.
And there is only one reason.
“I spoke to a few of the guys at MARSOC. The atmosphere is hyper-alert and the information scarce.” Talon drops the news.
“I called Dad today.” Ford opens his own beer and takes a long swig. “No specific reason, had a nagging feeling I needed to.”
“Shit, you mean we’re all in the zone and said nothing?” Major sounds pissed. He has the right to be.
There’s a reason we work well together and we’re all standing here alive. We trust each other, we share what’s on our mind, and we don’t fucking hide behind the shadows of ‘what ifs’.
“I’m ready for whatever comes.” Ford’s matter-of-fact attitude applies to all of us.
A silence fills the room, and I know what they’re waiting for.
“I haven’t told her. She’s been looking forward to this party tonight.”
Tonight is the MJ Labels holiday celebration. But Mike didn’t limit the invitation list to staff only. He extended to clients, friends, and family. “Harley and Jewls have been excited all week, and hell if I wanted to ruin it.”
“We got this, Ace, no matter what comes our way,” Ford speaks low. “We don’t fail.”
All I can do is nod.
“I don’t mean to add to the fire, but did the jeweler fuck up?” Talon attempts to lighten things.
“No, he didn’t fuck up.” I take the box out of my pocket and chuck it his way.
He pops it open and gives a low whistle. “Nice. When’s it happening?”
“Soon as possible.”
“Then why are you in here staring at your reflection in the window?”
I slice my eyes to him. “I’m banned from my room. Unless I wanted to pick her up at her apartment, Harley insisted she and Jewls have privacy.”
At the mention of Jewls, Major’s attention shifts. “They almost ready?”
“Hell if I know. She sprung this shit on me today, telling me they had some appointments and then would be here. They rolled in around five, and I was ordered to get ready in the guest room. I’ve been waiting.”
Talon hands the box back. “I assume you spoke to Rich about this?”
“Yeah, and Amanda is about to burst at the seams.”
“You gonna try to get it on her finger tonight?”
