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I finally broke up with my boyfriend, Ben, a few weeks ago. Just thinking of his name, I’m stifling a yawn behind my hand. I know it’s me and I can’t blame poor Ben. It’s hard to admit, but I had been comparing him to Maddox, and that was hardly fair. They couldn’t be more opposite. Ben Perkins is a dentist, golf-enthusiast, extremely easygoing and the proper kind of man any girl would want to bring home.
But every time I was with him, thoughts of Maddox would flood my head. Ben was kind of timid, especially in the bedroom, and despite his best efforts, he just never turned me on. Looking back, I think the only reason I dated him for those two months was so I could have ammunition to piss Maddox off.
Besides, Maddox had a girlfriend.Penelope the Prude.That’s what I started calling her after overhearing a conversation between him and Dash. Maddox mentioned that she didn’t like oral sex and refused to do it. I mean, I get it. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But that snippet of conversation brightened my entire day. I’m glad their relationship hadn’t been as perfect as he led me to believe. And I think that’s when I started teasing him hardcore with the lollipops.
Jerk deserves it.
In the end, I knew it wasn’t healthy to keep comparing my boyfriend to another man. That’s why I had to break things off with Ben. Because he simply didn’t compare with Maddox.
Yes, Maddox can be grouchy and growly and overbearing. But I’ve glimpsed another side of him, too. One that he doesn’t show anyone else. Despite all of his scowling, he’s really just a big sweetheart. An overprotective cinnamon roll who would die for his team.
I don’t know the full story because he’s never shared any details, but he was captured by the enemy at one point while he was a SEAL. And the scars he now bears tell the story of a very brave man.
A hero who, in my head, a dentist never had a snowball’s chance in hell of competing with.
Chapter Two: Maddox
“Dash, do you watchThe Simpsons?” I ask and tuck the case folder under my arm as we walk out of the conference room.
“What? No.”
He looks at me like I just asked if he jerks off to porn every night. Beside me, Sailor snickers.Why did I ask?I have a feeling he’s more of a 20/20 kind of man.
“You’re missing out,” I grumble.
Dash arches a thick, dark eyebrow and exchanges a look with Sailor. “I highly doubt that,” he says. “Let me know if you have any questions. The jet leaves at 1pm and Finn is piloting.”
Eric Finn is one of the pilots Dash keeps on the payroll to fly us around on jobs. He’s a good guy. Former Air Force, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also known as the elite Night Stalkers. They’re the folks responsible for flying Delta Force and Navy SEAL special operators in and out of the most secret and dangerous missions.
That’s how I met Finn. He saved my ass and I’ll never forget it. Getting him the job with Slater Security was the least I could do.
“Roger that,” I say. The job should be straightforward, completely by the book, and with no surprises. Unfortunately for me, the bubbly blonde with sky-blue eyes isn’t as uncomplicated as our assignment.For as tiny as she is, she certainly has a lot of luscious curves,I think. My gaze dips down of its own accord, checking out her petite frame, and I clench my jaw.
Yeah, the job should be a piece of cake, no sweat. But being forced to spend so much time with Sailor is going to kill me.
Cause of death: sexual frustration.
She’s working herself under my skin, driving me nuts, and it’s getting harder and harder to ignore her and how absolutely insane she’s making me. But as much as my body is craving to take a spin in that curvy, little tornado, my mind knows better. We work together, and it’s important to remain professional.
The thing is– and I don’t think she even realizes it– I’d do anything for her. If she told me she wanted a bolt of lightning, I’d find a way to capture it in a jar. I’d pluck a star out of the nighttime sky for her. Lasso the fucking moon.Anything.
Because seeing her smile at me would be worth it.
I know I’m like a gruff grizzly bear and most people think I’m unapproachable. I growl and grunt; I have ink, scars and guns. Lots of guns. I like being left alone to drink beer and watch meaningless shows likeThe Simpsons. After all I’ve seen as a SEAL, I need things that are light and brainless. Things that keep my mind out of the dark recesses where the bad memories linger.
But the moment Sailor waltzes into my office, the growling grizzly morphs into a teddy bear. Sai is sweeter than her lollipops and she draws me to her like a bee to honey. Sometimes I feel like Winnie the fucking Poo. Because, yeah, I am drawn to that honey pot of hers.
“Hey, S&M,” Fallon says with a smirk, walking out of the kitchen with a mug of hot, black coffee.
“Ha ha,” Sailor says, crossing her arms. “That’s hysterical, by the way.”
“Don’t blame me for the nickname. It was all Colt.”
Instead of commenting, I just shake my head. Colton Law is married to Eden Esposito, another Slater employee. She brought her “new” husband, said cocky but capable former CIA agent, to the Slater team. Currently, they’re taking a few days off after renewing their wedding vows. Vows none of us even knew existed in the first place. They’re also expecting and, to be honest, we’re all looking forward to the first Slater Security baby.
The group has been steadily growing. For quite a while, it was just me, Dash and the three Charlie’s Angels– Fallon Pierce, Eden Esposito and Sailor Shaw. Then Fallon fell in love with Ryan Mercer. That dude has mad computer skills, and Dash needed a computer specialist, aka a hacker. Ryan fit the bill perfectly. Colt is our newest addition and although I don’t know him well yet, Eden’s husband has my stamp of approval. If he’s good enough for her, then we all know he’ll make the grade around here and then some.
“Has anyone heard from the newlyweds?” Fallon asks, taking a sip.
