Dangerous Heat (Aegis Group, #8)

by Sidney Bristol

  “Sure. I can get this arm cleaned up. Just reach over and take her.” She leaned toward him.

  Sushi’s little nose twitched nonstop.

  “Hey, Sushi. Come here, girl.” He found the animal’s stumpy front legs, hooked his thumbs under them and lifted.

  Sushi’s tail swayed, but she otherwise didn’t protest moving from Coco’s shoulder to his.

  “Hey there. Hey.” Paxton ran his hand down the scaled back of the creature.

  It was weird, almost bone-like in texture.

  Holy shit this was cool.

  Sushi’s long nails dug into his back. It didn’t hurt, but he could see how if scared or attacked she could use those things to great harm. But she seemed content with her new perch.

  He chuckled. “It’s kind of like an armored kitten.”

  “She’s just as much of a nuisance as a whole litter.” Coco sighed and tugged at her tank top. “Lacey’s going to kill me for getting blood on this shirt.”

  “Here.” Vito leaned forward with a couple of alcohol swabs and bandages.

  “How bad is it?” Paxton asked.

  “It’s not. See?” Coco showed him the inside of her arm. “I’ll clean it better when we get back.”

  She finally relaxed, draping her arm over the seatback and watching Sushi or him. He couldn’t really tell.

  “You’re one of the Aegis Guys, yeah?”

  “We all are.” Paxton nodded at the others. “I’m Paxton. The guy on your bike is my partner Silas. This is Vito and Brett. Back there we have Quinton and Kage.”

  Coco’s eyes never left Paxton. “Nice to meet you.”

  This trip was looking up. In fact, the knots of dread were gone.

  2.

  Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.

  Coco De Jong flopped down on the padded bench and watched her best friend carry on an animated discussion with the man who would officiate tomorrow’s wedding.

  This was all so surreal.

  She should have said no and run away when Lacey asked Coco to be the maid of honor. If she’d been in her right mind she would have, but at the time she’d been floored that out of everyone Lacey knew she wanted her. Coco. All her life she’d been picked last or not at all, and now someone made her their first pick.

  It’s no big deal, she kept chanting to herself.

  Except tomorrow she’d be standing front and center with her crazy, unruly hair alongside these beautiful women. On one side would be Lacey, blonde, slim, perfect in white. On Coco’s other was Omarosa, a model gorgeous woman who worked for National Geographic with skin so dark it glowed. And her hair. Coco had so much envy over the woman’s sleek, a long curtain of jet-black hair she could scream.

  Story of Coco’s life. Stuck in the middle with her crazy curls that never cooperated and skin too light to be black and too dark to be white. But this was what Lacey wanted. Coco had few enough people in her life she considered friends. She wouldn’t back out now because she was self-conscious about what people might think of her in a fancy dress. At least Lacey wanted them to all wear flats. Coco wasn’t sure what she’d do if she had to wear heels.

  “You!” Lacey dropped down next to her, invading her personal space by almost mashing Lacey’s nose to Coco’s cheek. “Oh my God, Coco. What the hell were you thinking?”

  Lacey wrapped her arms around Coco in a tight squeeze. She patted Lacey’s hands, not quite sure how to take these ping-ponging emotions. Coco had grown up with few enough friends she never was entirely sure what to do. With Lacey it was usually easy. She flew her feelings like flags. Eventually Coco gave in and leaned into the hug.

  “I wasn’t thinking,” she admitted under her breath.

  “What? What was that?” Lacey cupped her head at her ear and chuckled.

  “You heard me.” Coco slapped Lacey’s hand away.

  “Okay, but what happened? One minute you’re going to join us for drinks and the next you’re chasing down a poacher? What the what, Coco?” Lacey curled her leg under her. Like her bridesmaids, she wore a tank top, shorts and boots, only hers were white, befitting her role as a bride.

  “The new kid. Cameron?” Coco sighed. “They hired him despite my reservations. He scooped up our baby pangolin and took off with her.”

  Lacey stared at Coco.

  “What do you want me to say?” She threw up her hands. “I knew if he got Sushi into town we’d never find her. There wasn’t time to waste organizing who was going to look for her, I had to go.”

  “And nearly get yourself killed?”

  “I did not. Who told you that?” She frowned. There at the end it had been tense. It had hit her during the drive to Mlilo how in over her head she’d been.

  “No one had to. I know you. What? Happened?”

  “I caught up to him, ran him off the road just outside of town. I took Sushi back, but by then there were more people...” She swallowed. She’d never forget the next bit, but she couldn’t tell Lacey the truth. “I had some words with them, then this bus stops, some men get out and we all went on our way.”

  More like Coco had done something stupid, picked a fight with the wrong group, and when she’d needed a lifeline, the crowd parted and in strode an honest to God action movie hero with a crooked nose. The blond hair, blue eyes and bulging muscles just enhanced everything else about him. She’d never forget locking eyes with him in that first moment. It was clear to her at a glance that Paxton would have taken on the whole crowd and probably won because of what was in his head. He was a trained weapon who did his job well.

  “What’s that look for?” Lacey narrowed her eyes.

  Coco pulled her head back into the moment. “What look? I didn’t have a look.”

  “You had a look.” Lacey smacked Coco’s thigh.

  “I was just thinking... The men who stopped and gave me a ride were very nice.” She could feel a fresh sheen of sweat breaking out despite the cooler temperatures. Guys and relationships were nothing but embarrassment waiting to happen in her world.

  “Nice?” Lacey snorted. “I wish you could see yourself right now. So, which one was nicest? This is your chance to tell me now before I go find out for myself.”

  Coco swallowed and reminded herself that this was Lacey. She might rib Coco ‘til her dying breath, but it wasn’t mean spirited. She wouldn’t use Coco’s words against her. Lacey was her friend. Coco hadn’t had many of those so it was easy to forget that Lacey was on her side.

  Her side.

  Paxton hadn’t left Coco from the moment he’d come to her rescue. He’d even skipped getting checked in to go with her to put Sushi in the pangolin house. There was something about a big, strong man melting for the helpless little animal that did dangerous things to Coco’s insides. She wished she’d had a camera to snap a picture of Sushi curled up on his shoulder and the grin that had changed his face from handsome to devastating.

  “Paxton was very helpful.” Coco stared at her folded hands, her body warming at the memory of him.

  “Pax? He’s blond, buff, cute?”

  She glanced sideways at her friend. “I thought you were getting married?”

  “Just because I’m getting married doesn’t make me blind. My husband works with some hot guys who all happen to be really great people.” Lacey grinned.

  Coco examined her nails, her insides writhing. Every bit of her wanted to know more about him, even if it wasn’t in her best interest. “Pax? You know him well?”

  “Not at all, actually. I mean, I’ve met him, but we’ve probably only spoken a handful of times. If you like him, I totally approve.”

  “Approve of what?”

  “Whatever you want to do.” Lacey grinned.

  “What is it you think I’d want to do?” Even as Coco asked she felt her cheeks flame fiery hot.

  Lacey slid her arm through Coco’s. “Look, we talk once a week. I’ve never heard you mention dating or any guy. You told me you aren’t into women, but if you’ve changed your mind
, I want to know. I get that working out here is not the environment to meet people. All I’m saying is it’s a chance to enjoy yourself with some heavily vetted, quality men.”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “And you like me this way.” Lacey pushed to her feet. “Come on. Dinner should have started and I’m starving. Did you decide what you want to do with your hair tomorrow?”

  Coco groaned and stood. “Nothing has gotten this red out of my hair. And I missed my appointment to get it straightened.”

  Lacey frowned and her gaze lifted to Coco’s hair. “What’s wrong with the red and curls? I love it.”

  “Everyone else has long, straight hair. I have this.” Coco gestured to her curls. Each spiral curl had a mind of its own and ideas about where they should be and how tight they curled on any given day. She’d felt so out of place during the rehearsal next to the goddess of beauty that was Omarosa with her long, silky hair.

  Lacey blinked a few times, a little wrinkle on her brow. “You do whatever makes you feel beautiful. I’ve told you a hundred times I’m obsessed with your hair. I think it’s amazing. But it’s not my hair, it’s yours.”

  “Are you sure?” Coco cringed. Most days she let her hair do its thing or wrestled it back into a bun or something. It was just easier to go natural than try to keep up with something elaborate. Besides, as Lacey had pointed out, it wasn’t like Coco was out there trying to impress anyone.

  Lacey slid her arm through Coco’s and steered them toward the rehearsal dinner that was already in full swing. “What I care about is that my best friend is going to be there to hand me tissues as I cry off all my make-up. Don’t worry, everyone will look amazing next to me and my inevitable raccoon face.”

  “You will not have a raccoon face.”

  “You watch. It’s going to be ugly. There will be eyeliner and mascara everywhere. I got this lipstick that’s supposed to be smudge proof, but watch it get on everything. It’s okay. I know I’m a hot mess. Shane is fully aware of what he’s marrying. The only difference is that now the whole world will know.”

  They snickered and laughed as they walked the path. Being friends with Lacey was easy. She made it that way, and Coco was grateful for it. The sound of music and laughter drifted toward them along with the smell of food. Her stomach growled, reminding her she had barely eaten anything that might be considered lunch.

  By the time they reached the lawn where the buffet was set up, the mood was lighter. Coco knew she’d dread tomorrow until it happened. But she’d get through it, because Lacey really was the best friend she’d ever had. No matter how much distance separated them, she was always there when Coco needed to talk. Coco wanted to be there for this big day.

  Lacey split off to go say hello to people who’d arrived that afternoon while Coco made straight for the food. The fare she’d get here was ten times better than anything she’d cook for herself. She planned to take advantage of the next two days and eat her fill. Coco didn’t see anyone she knew well enough to join, so she took her plate off to a far table on the edge of the party where it was quieter.

  She was content to observe the party and the mix of people. That was how she’d survived most of school, though she’d had her twin to lean on then. Her thoughts shied away from thoughts of her brother. She didn’t want his sourness to spoil this beautiful celebration.

  Coco put her drama aside and focused on all the sights, sounds and smells of the party. It was remarkable how one person could bring such a diverse group together. There was a marine biology team from Mexico. A married couple with their kids who lived to research iguanas in the Philippines. Some mountain climbers Lacey had worked with way back when from Nepal. Each group was different from the last.

  Her gaze snagged on the blue eyes of a man looking back at her. She shivered and despite the distance between them she knew exactly what those baby blues were like up close.

  Paxton held her gaze a moment longer before turning his attention to the bartender.

  Lacey was right. Coco had been alone a long time. She’d made a study out of watching people. Growing up on the outside of two racially-divided worlds had given her a lot of material to process about how people hurt people. She knew what she wanted when it came to a partner. To date she hadn’t met that kind of man. But she knew he was out there. The question was would she ever find him?

  Coco wasn’t sure about her action hero guy. He’d waded into a conflict he hadn’t fully understood. Did he do that sort of thing often? What if things could have been resolved without violence? He hadn’t paused to ask. But he also hadn’t hurt anyone in the process of rescuing her. No, she’d been the one to swing her tree branch and crack skulls. And then there was everything that came after. He’d put that side of himself away and got lost in Sushi just like Coco would.

  Paxton turned from the bar with two green drinks in hand, complete with cherries and decorative umbrellas.

  She chewed her food slower as he headed straight for her table. There was no mistaking his destination. He’d seen her when everyone else looked past her. She wasn’t invisible to him and she didn’t know what to think about that. On one hand, she was caught. But on the other, she wasn’t going to be alone on the outside watching in a few moments.

  Was this what Coco wanted? Her lady parts tingled as if to say hell yes. But her mind wasn’t so sure. What about when he left? What then? Were a few moments worth it?

  “This seat taken?” Paxton gestured to the chair on her right.

  “Nope.”

  “May I?”

  “Sure.”

  “Didn’t know if you like these, but I figured I shouldn’t come over empty handed.” He offered her one of the drinks.

  She picked it up, eyeing the green liquid. “Liquoring me up, huh? What’s in it?”

  “Nothing like that.” He held up his empty hand. “And I have no idea what it is.”

  Coco took a sip and tasted citrus and melon flavors, nothing she could easily identify. It was tangy, sweet and if there was any alcohol in it she didn’t notice it.

  “That’s not bad.” Paxton set his glass down.

  “I do believe that’s dangerous.” Coco scooted her glass a little away from her.

  “Don’t like it?”

  “I think I might like it too much and with all this going on, that could be a bad mix.” She gestured at the party while taking him in. He’d changed his shirt, but otherwise he was the same guy as before. Just as alluring.

  Paxton turned his head a bit more and frowned. “Is that a giraffe?”

  Coco followed his gaze and sure enough a long neck stuck up against the night sky, the animal’s head doing a little side-to-side motion Coco knew well.

  “Is something wrong with it?” He squinted.

  “That’s Blinky. She’s blind.” She smiled fondly at the animal as it found its bearings and ambled away from the party. “My theory is that she does this to listen to where things are before she heads to her next destination.”

  “Blind? And she’s survived this long?” He glanced back at her.

  “She’s perfectly healthy otherwise, so no reason she wouldn’t live this long. We found her as a calf, wandering by herself, and took her in.” Coco gestured across the lush lawn. “The resort fence keeps predators out and her in.”

  He frowned. “By herself? That’s lonely.”

  Be still my heart...

  Coco swallowed and took a deep breath before replying so she didn’t say something crazy like, want to see my panties? “She’s not alone. We have two other giraffes inside the fence. One is a captive born female that wouldn’t survive in the wild and a male who had a broken neck, among other injuries. You’ll see them wandering around together. Blinky is just more independent.”

  Paxton grinned first at the giraffe then at her. “I like her.”

  And I like you.

  Coco drowned out the thought by turning her attention on Paxton. “You enjoying yourself?”

  He made a
face, not quite a grimace, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

  “Don’t like crowds? Weddings?” she asked.

  He stared up over the main resort building, looking into the distance. “I’ve never been to a wedding.”

  “Never?”

  “Nope.”

  “Any particular reason?”

  Paxton shrugged and found somewhere else to stare. He didn’t want to talk about it. That much was obvious.

  “Keep a secret?” Coco reached for the deadly green drink and took a sip.

  “I think I can.”

  She plucked the cherry off the ice and took a moment to eat it. This was something she hadn’t told Lacey. Coco didn’t want to spoil her friend’s week with drama. “I’m a bit sour on the whole wedding thing myself right now. My twin—who I haven’t spoken to in years—called me up about two weeks ago to say he’s engaged now and wants to patch things up so I’ll come to his wedding. Gave me this whole spiel about how we need to be a family again.”

  The bastard.

  Coco wrapped her lips around the straw and drank to stop herself from going deeper.

  “That sucks,” Paxton said.

  “Yeah.” She set her now empty glass on the table.

  “Why’d you guys stop speaking?”

  The old wound throbbed deep in Coco’s chest. “That’s a long story. Maybe another time? That’s not the kind of thing I want to dwell on the night before my best friend’s wedding.”

  “I hear that. His loss.” Paxton held up his glass.

  His words soothed a rawness inside of her she hadn’t been aware of. It was her twin’s loss. He’d made the choices and Coco had to pay for them.

  Maybe Paxton was the kind of guy she should take a chance on?

  She turned from her mostly empty plate to face Paxton. Her family drama was with her every day. This man was only around for a little while. And she wanted to know more about him. What brought him to this point? What shaped him?

  “Tell me something about yourself.” Coco draped her right arm over the back of the chair and crossed one leg over the other.

  “Like what?” He turned so they faced each other. Though the party was only yards away, it was suddenly as though it didn’t exist. They might as well have been alone.