AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Claudia, you’ve met Quinn and Bennett…” Trevor says as Quinn pulls me into a quick hug while Bennet is more reserved, nodding as he shakes my hand. “And this is Mark Dixon, my boss.”
“Finally! I get to meet you. So glad you could come,” Mark says as a petite woman with jet black hair joins him. He practically towers over her. “This is my wife, Charlie.”
“It’s very nice to finally meet you, Claudia,” she says as she pulls me to the side. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Good things, I hope.”
She laughs. “Every single one, down to what an amazing cook you are.” She glances at the plastic container I hold in my other hand. “Ooh! Are these the green chile meat patties that Trevor told us about?”
“Yup,” I reply as I hand it to her. “And they’re ready to go on the grill.”
“That’ll be the guys’ territory.” Charlie hands the container to Mark. “They’re in charge of the grill.”
“Thekingsof the grill. Kings,” Mark corrects her, laughing as he points to the apron he’s wearing that says the exact words.
Mark and Charlie’s home is gorgeous with a large backyard and pool. Trevor tells me Mark used to own a bachelor pad by the beach which he sold after he and Charlie got married. They bought the land their gorgeous house stands on and had it built to their exact specifications. It’s so technologically advanced I probably would trip an alarm if I wandered off.
It’s nice to finally meet everyone Trevor’s told me about, from Quinn’s wife Ashton with her flaming red hair to Natalie who works with Trevor, her husband Liam, a SEAL, and their kids Aarabelle and Shane. I also meet Ben, also an amputee, and his wife Gretchen. Both happen to work for Cole Security as well.
But not everyone at the barbecue works for the company. Like Bennett who just returned from his latest deployment, some of the guests are active-duty SEALs like Liam and others from Trevor’s former team. They all seem to bear the same telltale signs. The G-shock watch and that same take-charge vibe as Trevor. It’s easy to see why he considers them family. They’re loud, proud, and protective of each other.
But it’s the women who impress me more than anything. They’re beautiful and tough. Ashton is a no-nonsense, I’ll-tell-it-like-it-is type of person who reminds me of Leigh while Charlie has the sweet but don’t-mess-with-me vibe going for her. Natalie has a nurturing energy about her and seems very organized. And it makes sense after learning she handles logistics for Cole Security.
The three women have a certain take-charge energy about them as well, making me wonder if it’s one of the requirements of being a life partner to a SEAL.
That last thought gives me pause. Since Dax, I’ve never been one to consider myself a life partner for anyone. Not since I messed up our relationship in the grandest way possible.
But I catch myself, suddenly remembering Gabe’s words.
It’s time to let that shit go, Claudia.
And like Leigh said, my past record with men is no one’s business. I’m also no longer in Taos where my record seems like everyone’s business. Being here feels like a chance to start over with Trevor.
A new chapter. A chance to move on.
“How are you holding up?” Trevor asks when he finally gets me alone half an hour later.
“Other than my cheeks hurting from smiling too much, I’m great,” I reply as he steals a kiss. “You?”
“You’re here and that’s all I need to make any day perfect.” He glances down at my dress, a mischievous grin on his face. “And this is going to end up on the floor very soon, by the way.”
I giggle. “I hope you mean when we get home because I don’t think Mark and Charlie will appreciate us going at it in their home. And in case you haven’t noticed, there are cameras everywhere.”
“Ah, but you underestimate me. I do know how to evade these… cameras,” he whispers in my ear as I chuckle. “It’s all about angles and corners.”
“I’m not sure about that.” I push him away playfully. “Looks like you’re going to have to wait a while.”
“Everyone loves the green chile burgers, by the way. And they love you.”
So much for my plans to keep this temporary. As Trevor nuzzles his face in my hair, I could stay with him forever.
Somewhere a phone rings and Mark takes the call, the smile on his face replaced with a frown.
“Are you sure?” Mark asks as he nods toward Charlie, as if signaling for her to keep the party going as he heads back into the house. There’s a subtle shift in the air and even Trevor’s body stiffens next to me.
“Is everything okay?”
As Trevor smiles, it doesn’t reach his eyes this time. “Everything’s fine.
