AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rooms, plural.A part of me wishes it was only one and that we’d be sharing it tonight.
As the door slides shut, Dash’s phone beeps and he pulls it out of his pocket. I’m not sure how many pockets those cargo pants of his have, but the man has a lot tucked away in them. Another thing I like about Dash—the man is always prepared, no doubt because of his military background.
“Sailor and Maddox are already here,” he says. “We’ll meet with them and go over the mission details.”
My insides flutter and I can’t help the grin that spreads over my face. I’m not used to this kind of excitement and my adrenaline is pumping. I realize he’s looking at me and my cheeks warm up. “What?” I ask softly.
“You seem ready to do this. Like you’re excited to go on this op,” he murmurs in that deep, velvet voice of his that makes me want to sigh like a girl over her favorite boyband member.
Looking into his teal eyes does something strange to my insides. It feels like they’re all tangled up and my heart thumps hard. Way too hard. “I’ve never done anything like this. My biggest challenge each day is trying to get my kids to color in the lines and not eat glue sticks during arts and crafts. So, yeah, I’m pumped.”
The edge of Dash’s mouth curves up but before he can comment, the elevator door opens and he motions for me to exit first. He moves up beside me with that incredibly long-legged stride of his and says, “They’re in room 914.”
When we reach the room, Dash knocks and it’s immediately opened by a small, curvy blonde with her hair in two French braids and sporting a fitted t-shirt, cargo pants and combat boots. She plucks a sucker out of her mouth and grins. “Hey, Dash, c’mon in.” Her bright blue eyes move over to me and she holds out a hand. “You must be Lake. I’m Sailor and it’s so nice to meet you.”
Her friendliness is contagious and I can’t help smiling at her as I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, too,” I say as she gives my hand a gentle tug, encouraging me to come inside before letting me go.
“And that big, grumpy-looking lump sitting on the bed is Kane Maddox,” she continues. “Don’t worry. His bark is worse than his bite.”
“You love when I bite, babe,” he says with a smirk then stands up and offers his huge mitt of a hand to me. “You can call me Maddox.”
“Hi,” I say, a little intimidated by his sheer size. Kane Maddox—more like Mount Maddox—must be well over 6’4” with thick muscles that strain beneath his t-shirt with every movement. When his huge hand swallows mine and squeezes, I expect to flinch. But his touch is light and surprises me considering he’s such a mountain range of a man. His brown hair is military short and I can hear a slight accent which I’m pretty sure pegs him as a Bostonian.
“How did the Genoa job go?” Dash asks.
“Cake,” Maddox easily replies.
“Like clockwork,” Sailor agrees and crunches into her sucker.
She reminds me of a pixie, but one with a punch. Just like Fallon, Sailor gives off confident, badass vibes and I can’t help but wish I were a little more like them. So beautiful and fearless. I bet they’ve seen and done so many exciting and dangerous things and here I am—a boring, safe virgin.
Ugh.Most likely the exact opposite of who Dash is normally attracted to and that makes me sad.Maybe that’s why he’s always booking two rooms,that negative voice in my head says. Because I’m not his type.
Even if that’s the truth, I’m still looking forward to going to this meeting tonight. I want to prove to myself that I’m more than just a teacher. That I’m also competent in any situation, not someone who’s merely along for the ride. I can help and be useful, too. My Italian seemed to impress Dash earlier and I plan to use it again tonight. Chalk up one point for my inner geek who bought the Rosetta Stone and taught herself how to be fluent inItaliana.
“I want you and Maddox on comms tonight and to keep a close watch on the situation,” Dash says. “Lake and I will be going in together, posing as a couple interested in buying the Tantium Force.”
Posing as a couple?My pulse leaps.
“She speaks perfect Italian,” he continues easily, “and, well, mine’s a little rusty. We’re meeting at a place calledDiscoteca del Fuoco.”
“Fire Nightclub,” I translate and notice how his gaze dips to my hair.He really does have a thing for redheads, I think, trying not to grin.
“Ryan told us the details,” Sailor says. “So while you guys were on your way down, I ran out and picked up some club clothes for Lake.” She nods to the bags stacked in the corner. “Courtesy of Slater Security, of course.”
“Of course,” Dash says dryly.
“While you and Kane go over logistics and security details, I’ll get Lake ready. After so much time with you and Flyboy Finn she could probably use a bit of girl time anyway.” She sends the men a smile then bounces over and reaches for my arm. “C’mon and help me carry these bags over to your room.”
Dash hands me a key card and Sailor and I each take two big bags full of clothes, makeup and accessories down to my room and drop them on the bed. When I turn to Sailor, she’s rubbing her hands together and looking positively gleeful.
“Fallon was so right,” she exclaims, toying with the end of a braid.
“Right about what?” I ask.
Instead of answering, she studies me closely. “How do you feel about Dash?” she asks bluntly.
I cough and turn away, trying to hide the blush heating up my cheeks. Dammit, I hate my traitorous porcelain skin so much sometimes. I stroll over to a bag and open it, pretending to look through the contents. “Um, I like him just fine,” I answer, trying to hide my embarrassment.
