by Laura Acton
Smiling, Sally approached the incredibly handsome man. “Can I bring you another beer?”
He shook his head. “No. One is my limit tonight. I start work tomorrow. Not a good thing to get hammered the night before.”
Sally giggled. “You got a point there. Would you like something non-alcoholic or something to eat now?”
Finally, up to eating, his nausea curtailed, Dan said, “Yeah, how about water and a burger with everything.”
“Sure thing.” Sally sauntered back to the register wondering how long he would be staying. If she played her cards right, she might hook up with him.
Although Dan directed his eyes to the screen, his thoughts turned inward. Yesterday’s and today’s events weighed on his mind. Waking last evening in the emergency room with Gambrill sitting in a chair waiting produced a sense of déjà vu. I have woken up disoriented too many times with someone next to my bed … usually Brody. The reflection caused an agonizing stab of pain.
He pushed away his grief and returned to last night. After waking, he did a quick assessment of his injuries as Patch taught him. The graze had been cleaned and bandaged, a few more bruises to add to his collection, and yep, a mild concussion. The doctor wanted to keep him overnight. Dan refused and shocked the commander when he signed himself out against medical advice.
No way in hell he would spend even one night in a hospital, they scared the hell out of him. Having dealt with more than enough bad experiences in hospitals, he always left as soon as he could stand. He never admitted his phobia to anyone. Well, anyone except Brody and my former unit brothers. They never judged me as weak because of my insecurities.
When Gambrill informed him of the need to give a statement, Dan requested transportation to his hotel to change and then to the interview. He wanted the affair over with and behind him as it brought up the memories of the military review board. After much discussion, his godfather agreed to drive him to the hotel, but wouldn’t allow the interview until this morning.
At seven he took a cab to the police station and Inspector Pope grilled him until early afternoon. Gambrill stayed the entire time, citing Dan’s health and that he was Broderick’s superior as the reasons he be allowed to remain in the room. Pope didn’t appear thrilled with Gambrill’s interference.
Dan could tell those two rubbed each other the wrong way. He didn’t much care for Pope either after meeting the man. Part of him wondered if Pope knew of his history with the department, but Dan didn’t recall his name. So maybe the aggravating man was a hard-ass to all officers.
Either way, Pope made his displeasure evident by making Dan wait until two thirty to release him after telling him no charges would be filed against him. Pope excused the delay insisting he must receive official verification Dan was a Metro Police Officer at the time of the shooting—regardless of Gambrill’s statement. It took until then for his official credentials to arrive confirming Dan had been duly sworn in two hours before entering the bank.
In the end, Ralph Gruber’s death was ruled a legal use of lethal force given his statement and corroborating ones from other hostages. All claimed the subject shot first which made Gruber an active shooter and Dan’s actions legal.
His statement also implicated the branch manager in the heist—something the inspector had not known. Gambrill grinned when the fact came to light and told the pompous ass, ‘if not for my officer’s involvement, Silas Bowfin would’ve gotten away with claiming to be a victim.’
Gambrill went on to compliment him in front of Pope for his clear thinking and actions which saved many lives. He said they needed men with his skills in the TRF. The positive reinforcement of Gambrill’s words, an audible sign of respect and appreciation, ignited a tiny spark of light in Dan’s bleak existence. Perhaps this can be a fresh start. I can protect lives without being only a point and shoot guy and a harbinger of death.
Then the commander asked him if he saw the faces of the two criminals who escaped. Gambrill shared that Alpha Team tracked them through three car changes before the trail went cold. The team never got a clear view of the subject’s faces because they wore ballcaps with the brims pulled down. Dan requested photos of those in custody and killed.
The rest of his afternoon he spent describing in detail the features of trigger-happy target and detonator target. As they left the station, Gambrill informed him he wouldn’t need to complete an NRB interview due to the overwhelming evidence. Dan didn’t know what the NRB was, but he didn’t bother to ask. He needed to leave to take care of banking business interrupted yesterday.
Dan barely made it to a different branch of the bank in time to transfer his accounts and deposit the check into the scholarship fund. Exhausted after two long days, all Dan wanted to do tonight was relax, grab a bite to eat, and attempt to sleep. Though, nightmares would inevitably interrupt a restful night—as they had ever since killing Brody.
All thoughts dissipated as a petite woman entered the hotel bar catching Dan’s attention. The corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched upward gradually as he drank in the vision of a gorgeous woman. His fingers itched to run through her medium-length hair, a vibrant, dark shade of auburn which framed her face in gentle waves.
Drawn to her by a base level desire he couldn’t put into words—stronger than anything he ever felt when gazing at a woman. Angelic face, delicate features, ivory skin … flawless. His tongue darted out and moistened his dry lips as he stared at her mouth. Kissable. Not too thin or too full. Perfect.
Whoa! Inhaling deeply, he caught sight of her eyes. Wow, her best feature. Full, dark, long lashes framed soft hazel orbs with tiny flecks of golden fire. Eyes always attracted him. He loved to gaze into a woman’s eyes as he pleasured her. They were the window to a person’s soul Brody used to say. Dan wholly agreed him. The lady’s exceptional hazel eyes burned with a fire of confidence and intelligence. Exquisite!
Dan gawked at her as she made her way through the half-full bar. Her destination turned out to be the table in front of him. A sense of disappointment washed over him as she took a seat and greeted the man. For the past hour, the guy downed one drink after another and was pretty much hammered now. She wouldn’t be too pleased with her drunken date.
Sally approached carrying a burger and a glass of water. She set it on the eye-catching man’s table. “Anything, else I can get you?” She noted where he stared and sighed. Darn—so, that is his type. I’m out of my league.
Dan pulled his gaze from the beautiful woman. “What?”
“I asked if you needed anything. And no, she’s not on the menu. You want her, you have to get her yourself,” Sally teased lightly.
“Sorry. No this will be fine,” Dan answered. Blushing slightly, Dan realized he had openly gaped at a lady. Well, in my defense it has been a very long time since I’ve been with a woman.
As the barmaid left, Dan glanced at the petite woman again, and she was staring straight at him with a bemused expression. Dan blushed more. Aw crap, she overheard the waitress. He flashed a small smile, but tore his eyes away and focused on his burger as he dug into his dinner with gusto—unused to having delicious food like this too.
Lexa noticed the handsome blond from the bank the moment she entered the bar area. His intriguing sapphire blue eyes tracked her movements. She almost felt naked under his intense scrutiny. Wouldn’t mind being naked with him. Whoa! Where did that thought come from?
Neither a prude nor promiscuous, Lexa enjoyed sex, but chose the men with extreme care and vetted them with a first date. She stole a quick glance at the hottie. Nothing wrong with having occasional fun with an attractive man. Not like I’m ever going to marry. I don’t need men to make my life meaningful. Men only disappoint and hurt me. Getting involved romantically isn’t in the cards. My career comes first and foremost … being on the TRF gives me purpose.
Any attraction she held for Sven evaporated upon finding him well into his cups again. Several empty pint glasses with shot glasses in them cluttered the tab
letop. Apparently, sake bombs were his preferred drink. Lexa noted a glass of red wine too, evidently waiting for her. She was uninterested in a relationship with someone escaping via alcohol, a trap into which many first responders fell. Lexa refused to be pulled into that pit herself or to be an observer as someone else fell into a downward spiral.
Approaching the table, Lexa reviewed why she agreed to date number two. On date one, he drank too much and caused a scene in the restaurant. He did call and apologized several days later, explaining his horrible day at work—he lost one of his fire crew when a burning roof collapsed. He sounded contrite and insisted he didn’t regularly drink in excess.
Against her better judgment, she gave in and said yes to another date. Perhaps I’m getting too soft and didn’t read him correctly. Sven waved to her so no backing out without creating a spectacle. She sucked up her bad assessment and decided to have one last dinner with Sven, dump him in a cab, and call it a night. Being polite, she apologized for being late as she sat down.
Sven began speaking and his garbled alcohol-laced speech made Lexa reevaluate staying for dinner. At the same time, she sensed the blond’s eyes still on her. She remained focused on Sven when all she wanted to do was take another gander at mister blue-eyes as the heat of his gaze bored into her.
When the barmaid delivered his food, Lexa heard the woman’s comment. It tickled her, and she just had to see how he reacted. Lexa turned and studied the man named Broderick. He’s blushing. Now doesn’t that beat all? A gung-ho, reckless, rock-hard man is blushing. Such an endearing trait. She noted his clean-shaven face. It gave him a boyish quality which was hidden with the scruffy beard. She liked both appearances.
“Yous ma date! Zop igoling ahnteor muan!” Sven slurred loudly.
Abruptly brought out of her musings by Sven’s comment, Lexa was about to respond when Sven reached out and grabbed her breast, squeezing hard, as he said, “Izz sowz yous goood tim youzz walnts.”
Lexa executed a takedown move Bram taught her. Sven lay on the floor in a split second with both his arms held in a high position and Lexa kneeling on his back. “Sven enough. You are drunk and not thinking. Time to pour yourself into a cab and go home. I’m going to release you, and you’re going to leave. You’re not going to cause more trouble. You understand?”
Sven nodded, his words nearly comprehensible, “Sorrmy, Klexa. Dopn’t umaly dink tis mooch … hab a blad daaa.”
Lexa sighed and released him. Helping him up, she said, “Same excuse as last time. Sorry you experienced another difficult day, but you must find a way other than drinking to deal with the downside of your job. That is a path to ruin. I will not be going out with you again. So, don’t bother calling.”
“But, Lexa,” Sven whined and as he listed to the right reaching for Lexa.
“You don’t want me to put you down again, do you? You need to leave.”
Sven’s unfocused eyes stared at Lexa a few moments. She would do it. Licking his wounded pride, Sven staggered out.
Sitting down on the barstool, Lexa blew out a puff of air making her bangs flutter. She picked up the wine glass and took a sip—it held no appeal tonight, so she set it down. So much for not making a scene again.
Dan almost stepped in, but the petite lady put the man on the ground in a blink of an eye. A woman who could defend herself made her even more attractive to him. He continued to gaze at her. After she put her glass down and turned in his direction, he gave her a WOW smile. “Impressive takedown. I like a lady who can take care of herself.”
Lexa began to smile in response to his broad, toothy grin. Inexplicably a desire to go to him grew. Like a moth to a flame, she stood and walked to his table. Her voice came out a tad sultry, “How’s the burger?”
Still awed she came to him, Dan held out his hamburger. “You tell me.”
Lexa took a small bite. “Mmmmm tasty.” Her tongue slipped out to lick the bit of ketchup which remained at the corner of her mouth.
Dan’s mouth went dry as her pink tongue darted out. His heart began beating rapidly, and he commenced thinking with another part of his anatomy as things stirred below. Been way too long without female companionship.
Lexa glimpsed a flicker in his eyes. Heat? Lust? Need? Whatever it was, she was sure the same reflected in her own eyes. Drawn to him her insides lit on fire, and she became wet merely staring at him—that never happens.
His tone turned husky, “Have another bite.”
Lexa stood and rounded the table. She moved very close to his ear and whispered seductively, “I’d rather have a bite of you.”
The burger entirely forgotten, Dan stood in an instant. He sucked in a breath. His voice a mix of smooth sexiness and red-hot low growl, “That can be arranged. Though, I prefer to dine in private. How about we go to my room?”
Lexa let her eyes do the talking, and they answered yes.
Dan waved over the waitress and told her to bill his room then led the petite beauty to the hotel’s elevator. His mind so fixated on her, his dislike of small metal boxes became buried under an avalanche of pheromones.
Grand Citadel Hotel – Elevator
Lexa couldn’t believe she said such a thing and was now on her way to his room. All she knew about him was he was a reckless man who blew up the situation in the bank. Well, not all, he isn’t a criminal or Loki would’ve gotten a ping on him yesterday. Though, those encrypted files did intrigue her a little. Boss put a kibosh on Loki cracking them open. His reasoning was sound … the call ended so it would be borderline illegal since he was not a subject.
Glancing at him as he stared up at the increasing lighted numbers, she also knew he was smoking hot, and she was physically attracted to him. The air between them sizzled as they stood close in the elevator. She wanted to reach out and touch him, but she didn’t dare, or they might not make it to the room. Her career meant everything to her … so ruining it by getting caught having sex in an elevator was enough to keep her separated from him.
Never in Dan’s wildest dreams did he begin to think he would be heading to his room with this gorgeous, sensual woman when he ogled her entering the bar. A spark he couldn’t dismiss or name pulled them together … or at least that is how he would describe raw the urge in him.
The drunken sot called her Klexa or Lexa … Lexa seems more likely. A strong yet feminine name, probably short for something. Lexa fits her. Dan tested the name, hoping he guessed right. “Lexa.”
Lexa heard her name and turned to him. Apprehension rose. “How do you know my name?”
Bingo! A grin grew. “I believe that is what the fool called you. Nice name. Fits you.”
Lexa arched her brows at him calling Sven a fool but focused on his last words, interested in why he thought Lexa fit her. “How so?”
Being close to her and not touching her drove him mad—a thirst to wrap his arms around her and kiss those lips continued to grow. He found himself staring at her luscious lips even as he answered. “Short, strong, feminine.” Hunger of an explicit sexual nature surged in him as her tongue peeked out to wet her lips. “Kissable.”
Short threw Lexa off kilter—not what I expected. About to make a smartass comeback that she wasn’t short, he added kissable. She found her eyes moving to his smiling lips. Yeah, his lips look kissable. Lexa sucked in a breath when the soft ding indicated they reached his floor—his room couldn’t be close enough. Resisting the desire to push him back against the wall and have her way with him became almost overpowering.
Dan pulled his eyes from her moistened lips. His big head overrode the one lower on his body, engaging for a brief moment. “You sure you want to do this? No harm, no foul, if you want to turn around and go.”
His lower anatomy screamed in protest. Don’t go, Lexa! Dan, you idiot you shouldn’t have said that to her. Please don’t leave, Lexa. Ignore the stupid comment and come to my room so we can play.
Lexa stepped off the elevator and tilted her head. Her voice deliberately seductive, “Which
way to the dining room?”
Dan spotted the fires of lust glow in the golden flecks of her soft hazel eyes. Oh man, those eyes make me want to take her right here! How he maintained control, he was unsure. Dan flashed Lexa a smile as he strolled out of the lift and led the way to his hotel room.
As he came closer to his door, thoughts of his bruising and scars came to mind. He really didn’t want her to see those. Aside from his night with Anastasia, the few times he managed to be with women in the past four years he made sure the place was dark, or they remained partially clothed because of the location they found themselves in. A dark room, he decided. He wanted to be skin to skin with her.
Sweet Dreams, Eros
8
July 14
Grand Citadel Hotel – Dan’s Room
Dan stopped at his room and inserted his key card. The lock turned green, and he opened the door. He entered, swiftly scanning for threats before allowing Lexa to come in.
Bemused by his action, Lexa said, “Looked like you just cleared the room.”
“Yeah, old habit.” Grinning, he strode to the opposite side of the room. He needed to turn out the lights he left on before going downstairs.
Wondering a bit about his comment, Lexa inspected the spacious and luxuriously appointed room. She cataloged a king size bed with plush linens, a separate sitting area, a desk, and an area with a coffee pot, microwave, and mini-fridge. This hotel caters to the wealthy. Wonder what Daniel Broderick does for a living that he can afford to stay here?
She noted two boxes in the far corner as she observed him. When he began turning off lights, she thought he might be trying to create ambiance. Just before the last light switched off, she glanced in the bathroom and noted a toothbrush in a glass and a shaving kit on the counter. Neat and tidy, for a guy. Although, this is a hotel with maids.
The room, now only dimly lit by the city lights and quarter moon which shone in the window, had a romantic atmosphere. Enchanting touch. Lexa leaned on the wall as the blond took a knee in front of the boxes, lifted the lid off one, and rummaged through it. Strange. What is he doing?
