Wyne and Dine (Citizen Soldier Series Book 1)

by Donna Michaels

  “Well, because I love you, and I love her, too, I’m going to do you a favor and help you out,” Brandi said, slapping her palm against his chest again.

  Ah, hell. “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing.”

  Nothing my ass. That determined gaze glinting in her brown eyes always managed to scare the shit out of him.

  Before he knew it, his sister hooked her arm through his, but instead of pulling him toward Lea, she led him out of the room.

  “Are you okay?” he asked as she guided him back to the deserted bachelor party.

  Once inside, she let him go and headed to the food. “Just a little hungry. It’s time for my snack, and, boy, the smell of this food was killing me.”

  It did smell good.

  Brandi cut a slice of pizza in half and placed one part on her plate and handed him the other. Since being diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroiditus a few years ago, Brandi had adjusted her eating habits to several small meals and snacks throughout the day, plus, she didn’t go over a certain calorie count since she had absolutely no metabolism left. Before the diagnosis, this had caused her to gain over fifty pounds. He was proud of her and her determination to lose the unwanted weight and drop down to where she didn’t have trouble breathing walking up the steps.

  Ben was used to being his sister’s garbage disposal. A twinge of sadness rocked through his chest. He’d actually missed it the past year and a half. As he ate all the halves she placed on his plate, he wondered if Kade was her disposal now.

  “Here she is. I found her,” Lea called, walking into the room, followed by Kade. “Kind of thought it might be snack time.” She walked to the table and grabbed a plate without missing a beat. “The smell of these wings were tempting me all dang night.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” Brandi nodded. “Not that I didn’t enjoy my chocolate snack a few hours ago.” His sister waggled her brows at her friend. “That was quite a mouthful.”

  Lea snorted, and had to place a hand over her mouth to keep the chicken from flying the coop.

  God, she was adorable.

  After a few swallows, she wiped her hand on a napkin then drank the water he handed her. “Thanks,” she said, then smacked Brandi. “Next time, wait until I don’t have a mouthful.”

  “Sorry.” His sister’s eyes sparkled too much for him to believe her words. She finished her food, then tossed her plate and walked over to Lea and hugged her. “Thanks for taking me and the others to the city today, and for the party. It was a ton of fun.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it. The girls asked me to get the dancer, but they should’ve just told me to ask Kevin instead.”

  Brandi drew back and laughed. “Yeah, and my brother Keiffer. Who knew? Did you, Ben?”

  He shook his head. “Hell no. And I don’t think I want to know.”

  Kade chuckled, then thrust out his hand. “Thanks for keeping my party ‘dancer’ free.”

  “My pleasure.” Ben shook his soon-to-be-brother-in-law’s hand then released him. “But like I said, Kevin really was the one who planned it. I just put in the orders.”

  “Well, in any case, thanks for helping with this, and the whole wedding. You, too, Lea. Both of you have made things so much easier for Brandi.”

  Lea smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  “Thanks, Ben.” His sister stepped close and hugged him tight.

  “Any time,” he said, hugging her back.

  God, he’d missed her, and until that moment, locked in one of her special Brandi hugs, the kind that was sure, and tight, and warm, Ben hadn’t realized how much.

  “Well, what do you say, hun?” She released him and turned to Kade. “Ready?”

  “Yes.” The cowboy nodded, gaze affectionate as he stole a kiss. “Any chance we can call it a night?”

  His sister’s smile grew. “I’d say there was a great chance of that. Why do you think I snuck out?”

  “Beautiful and smart. I knew there was a reason I was marrying you.”

  “You mean it’s not for my endearing, clutzy nature?”

  “Well, there’s that, too.”

  The happy couple disappeared into the hall, which left him alone with Lea and his attraction for the misty-eyed woman. His gut twisted at the look of deep envy darkening her watery gaze. She brushed at her face. Then sniffed. Then brushed her face again.

  “Dammit. There’s something wrong with my eyes,” she said, groping for a napkin.

  Losing the inner battle to keep his distance, Ben grabbed a napkin and proceeded to gently wipe her face. “Better?”

  “Yes.” She nodded, but more tears spilled over. “Shoot. I’m sorry. It’s just so dang good to see Brandi happy and loved by a man who actually appreciates her, faults and all. God, who does that anymore? You know what I mean?”

  He nodded, not trusting his mouth to keep things uncomplicated. But he should’ve been worried about more than speech, because his mouth took over for the napkin and carefully, and with great precision, kissed the wetness from her cheeks.

  Nothing complicated about that.

  Or the fact he thrust his hands into her hair and held her head while his mouth finally found hers, and he kissed her long and deep. All the tension coiled inside him ready to snap. The anxiety and heaviness in his chest dissipated from his body as they held onto each other, and he reacquainted himself with her taste.

  Damn, he loved her taste, was addicted to her taste, couldn’t get enough of her taste or the feel of her. He ran his hand over her sexy little black dress that had been driving him nuts since they’d crashed the bachelorette party, cupped her breast and brushed his thumb over her tight peak.

  She moaned, and the low, hungry noises she made in the back of her throat had him, hard and hot, and, oh hell yeah, bothered.

  Her hands were everywhere, too. In his hair, brushing his collarbone, down his chest, slowly stroking his abs…driving him crazy with need.

  She drew back, ragged breaths puffing into his face. “Thanks.”

  He stared into her hazy gaze, flushed cheeks, puffy lips still wet from his kiss, and he blanked again. Damn it.

  “For…taking care of me.”

  He’d like to take care of her. Right into his damn bed. And would’ve told her…or showed her, but Keiffer choose that moment to call for him from down the hall.

  They broke apart, and he twisted around to face the door, using his body as a shield to block her from view while she readjusted her dress.

  “Ben? There you are,” his brother said, waltzing into the room. “You missed it, bro. Kevin was teaching me and some of the guys how to bust a move. It was classic. We—” Keiffer grabbed a piece of pizza, then stopped dead when he spotted Lea standing behind him. “Oh, hi, Lea. Sorry, my bad. Carry on. I was never here.” He set his pizza down and began to back out of the room, his gaze colliding with Ben’s. “Maybe you didn’t blow it.”

  Running a smirking gaze over him one last time, his brother disappeared into the hall with a big ass smile on his face. Ben was pretty sure he knew the reason for the grin. Because of the huge boner straining the zipper in his jeans.

  “What was that all about?”

  He twisted around to face her and shrugged. “Who knows with Kief.”

  “You do. You know how everyone is.”

  “He shoots his mouth off without thinking sometimes.”

  She just stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

  “He thinks he knows what’s good for everyone but himself.”

  “Sounds like another Wyne.”

  “Yeah, Mason should really work on that, too.”

  “You know that’s not who I meant,” she said quietly. “You don’t want to talk about you. I’m getting too close again. You need your distance.”

  When he didn’t confirm or deny, couldn’t confirm or deny because he had no damn idea, she sighed softly, sadly, and walk out of the room.

  Lea spent the day working at the restaurant, happy for the stead
y flow of customers to keep her too busy to think about Ben or her lack of restraint when he was around. Darn man had made it clear, numerous times, he didn’t want anything more from her. But whenever she got too close to the man, all her brain cells took flight, and she made the mistake of giving into her attraction.

  Well, no more. Nope. She wasn’t going to let herself fall into that trap of desire again. It wasn’t his fault, either. She knew this. The guy did try to keep his distance, but something would happen to throw them together then…Bam. They were lip-locked and ready to explode.

  “Heard Gwen was in town,” Mr. Tierney said, buttering his bread. “That true?”

  “Yep.” Lea nodded, grabbing the pot of coffee. “She came back with us yesterday when the girls and I went into the city.”

  “Must’ve been awkward for Ben to be at the same party with the two of you.”

  How in the world had Mr. Tierney heard about the guys crashing the bachelorette party?

  “He managed.” She refilled his coffee before escaping into the kitchen only to stop dead when Gwen entered through the back door.

  “I figured you were here,” her sister said, reaching for an apron hooked on the wall.

  Lea frowned. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m relieving you. It’s already going for three. You should be at the lodge getting ready for the rehearsal and dinner.”

  She blinked. “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?”

  Gwen laughed. “I know, I’m usually the last person to be considerate or responsible, but I’m trying to change that.”

  Lea nodded. “Okay, but are you sure? It’s been a few years since you’ve worked here, and it can get nuts on a Friday.”

  “No worries. I remember. Now, go and have a good time, and don’t worry about coming home tonight after the dinner. You should stay at the lodge like the others so you’re there bright and early for Brandi in the morning.”

  Lea’s heart rocked in her chest. She grabbed her sister’s hands and peered into her eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you sure you’re okay? You can tell me anything. You know that.”

  Gwen’s gaze grew watery, but she blinked the tears away and squeezed Lea’s hands. “I’m fine, and so sorry that my trying to help is so out of character that you think I’m sick or in trouble. I promise you, I’m neither.” Her sister pulled her into a hug and some kind of emotion akin to guilt fluttered in Lea’s stomach.

  She should probably tell Gwen about Ben before she heard it from someone else, if she hadn’t already. Clearing her throat, she drew back and blurted it out. “I slept with Ben.”

  The clattering of pots reminded her they weren’t alone. She glanced at the cook who tried to look busy, even thought he’d heard all this last week when Ryder was here with the Wynes.

  “I know,” her sister said, regaining Lea’s attention.

  “You do?”

  “Yeah, at least, I suspected. Man, the way he looked at you last night, devouring you with his gaze, he never did that with me.”

  She didn’t even know how to respond to that.

  “Maybe it’s because we never had sex.”

  The sound of a ladle hitting the floor echoed through the kitchen, but Lea was too busy reeling to care. She ushered her sister into the storage room, flicked on the light and closed the door.

  “You and Ben never had sex? I find that really hard to believe, Gwen. I walked in on you two making out downstairs, remember?”

  “Of course I remember, but that’s all you walked in on. Me and Ben making out. We never took it any further.” Her sister began to pace. “In hindsight, I wish we had, I’m sure it would’ve been a hell of a lot better to lose my virginity to him than that bastard photographer.”

  Lea just stared, trying to take in what her sister was saying.

  “Anyway.” Her gorgeous sibling stopped and blew out a breath. “I just wanted you to know I was happy for you. Ben’s a good guy, and he deserves someone good like you.”

  That scared Lea. God, did her sister not think she was a good person? “You deserve to be happy, too.”

  Gwen laughed. “Maybe. I need to work on myself first, then worry about finding a man, besides, they all only want to be with Gwen Gabel, not Gwen Gablonski. Never Gwen Gablonski,” she muttered under her breath.

  Lea set a hand on her sister’s shoulder and squeezed. “Then you just haven’t met the right one, yet.”

  Color entered her sister’s cheeks.

  Or maybe she had met him…

  “No, don’t. This isn’t about me. It’s about you and Ben.”

  Now it was her turn to laugh. “There is no me and Ben.”

  “What do you mean? I thought you said you slept together.”

  “I did…we did. But he doesn’t want more.”

  “Honey, that’s not what his gaze was saying last night.”

  What the hell was everyone seeing that she wasn’t? “Well, then you’re wrong, or he’s too stubborn. It doesn’t matter anyway. Next week, I’m going to start sending out resumes.”

  “For museums in the city?” Gwen’s gaze sparkled with excitement.

  “Yes.” She nodded, unable to stop the answering smile. “Dad’s therapist said if he stays on target, he’ll be able to come back to work sometime in November.”

  “Oh, Lea, that’s terrific.” Gwen pulled her close. “I’m glad for him, and for you. I know you’ve waited for so long and had to work at that museum in Philadelphia for two years to fulfill part of your scholarship. And now you’re schlepping at the train museum until Dad is better. But here’s the thing, I’ll stay with him.”

  Something was definitely wrong. “You want to leave New York?”

  “Yes. I know that sounds crazy after all these years. I mean, I do love the city, but I don’t know. I need a change. I’m tired of modeling. I’m actually starting to get too old for it, but I’m not interested in moving on to acting or anything like that.” Her sigh filled the air between them. “I’m not sure what I want. Just something not industry related.”

  “I’m sorry, hun. Sounds like you’ve had something happen.”

  Tears filled her sister’s eyes again, but she blinked them back, again. “Yeah, but I don’t want to talk about it right now. Okay? I’m good. And in a few weeks my contract runs out and I’ve already told my manager I’m not renewing.”

  Lea pulled her sister in for another hug and held onto her for a few minutes. “Okay, I won’t pry, but you know you can tell me anything, right?”

  “I know. And thanks. Same goes for you,” Gwen stated, then drew back and sniffed. “Now, go on with you. Have fun with Brandi and her Texas friends. They seemed really nice.”

  “They are.” Lea nodded. “Are you sure about tonight? Brandi does have a room reserved for me, but I told her I wasn’t sure if I was going to use it. I’m okay with driving back in the morning.”

  Although, staying there tonight would be so much easier to be at her friend’s beck and call for last minute details and mishaps.

  “I’m sure. Now go. And I’ll see you all tomorrow at the wedding. Dad is excited about going. He hasn’t stopped talking about it. Poor guy is going stir crazy I think.”

  A shaft of guilt shot through Lea’s gut. She should probably start taking him out to more than just doctor’s appointments now that he was somewhat mobile.

  “If you have any trouble—”

  “I’ll call Ryder.”

  She laughed. “Okay. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” Lea opened the door then turned around to face her sister. “Thanks.”

  A genuine smile lit Gwen from the inside out, and she radiated beauty. The effect stole Lea’s breath. Her sister’s beauty had always stolen her breath.

  “You’re welcome.”

  On the short drive home, she called Brandi to let her know she’d be staying the night, then she called Ryder to see if he knew what had happened to their sister to make her want to give up a career she used to eat, drink and breath. He
had no clue.

  Whatever it was, Lea would figure it out.

  It would take something pretty traumatic or powerful to cause her to give up on her dream. She couldn’t imagine giving up the life she loved.

  Ben was running late. He hated being late. The only times he was ever behind were because he had to wait around for someone…and they were late. Or his reports were not on time because he had to wait for others to finish theirs first, and they were late. He didn’t mind helping people out, he really didn’t, but when they didn’t do their job and others suffered? That didn’t cut it with him. Like today. He’d taken five days leave and wasn’t supposed to work today, but someone had dropped the ball and forgot to order rations for a Gap drill next month, and it was past the required sixty day window to get food ordered. So, he had to step in, call in some favors, smooth over a few feathers, and make sure the soldiers were taken care of for October’s drill.

  Now, he was running late for his sister’s wedding rehearsal.

  At three-thirty-six, he was out the door and halfway to his truck when he changed course and headed to Gabe’s. Something was drawing him there, pulling him, and he’d learned long ago to never ignore those feelings when they hit.

  Maybe Lea was there and just happened to need a ride.

  As he entered the restaurant, he half-expected—no, he was hoping—to see her smiling face. He was pathetic. But it was the truth. He hadn’t slept much last night. Hell, he hadn’t been sleeping good for the past few weeks, ever since Lea had…

  He stopped dead just as he reached the counter, and Gwen came out of the kitchen, hair in a ponytail, blue apron over her designer dress, carrying a tray of food. She halted and nearly lost the entrées, but he darted forward and helped her to right the tray.

  “Thanks,” she said, face red, but she moved past him and delivered the food to an elderly couple sitting in a corner booth and a party of three sitting near the window.

  “You just missed her.”

  He twisted around to see Mr. Tierney sitting at his usual perch at the counter.

  “Missed who?”