“But you’d like to see me settle down? Find a nice guy? Get married and have kids?” Rory’s parents would be sorely disappointed if they found out she wasn’t sure if she was the marry-and-have-kids type of woman.
“I just want you to be happy.” Ella paused. “Are you planning on going to that gala honoring Andrew on Friday since you’re nearby?”
Rory tried to keep as few secrets from her best friend as possible since most of her life was already one gigantic secret, but she kind of regretted telling Ella about Andrew’s invitation. “Why would I go to the gala?”
“You haven’t seen him in years. He calls. You don’t answer. He emails. You delete them. Do you think he wants you back?”
Rory stiffened at the question. At the possibility. Getting back together with Andrew was the last thing Rory wanted. They were two different pieces that belonged to two entirely different puzzles. They didn’t fit, and they never would. No, if she were to fall in love, the kind of love their friend Savanna had with her husband before he died, well, it would be with someone who was her perfect fit.
“Just so we’re clear,” Ella said before Rory spoke up, “I am team Chris all the way. I’ll never be team Andrew.”
“So, your question was a test.” You and Jesse belong with each other. Y’all use the same trickery on me.
“Andrew didn’t make you happy, but maybe it’d be good for you to see him again. Close that door once and for all and make sure he knows it’s never going to open again.” Ella’s voice was soft and yet rang with a hint of authority. A sassy and stubborn Hawkins woman, and Rory loved her for it.
“Why are you team Chris?” she asked instead, eyes moving back to the house when music commenced playing in the backyard. Turning to face the street again, Rory stared at Chris’s Jeep.
Am I really going to stay with that man for weeks? Months? Proper training for a military working dog took months.
“I have never heard you chatter on about any guy, let alone one you barely know like you’ve talked about Chris since meeting him. You were practically swooning after that party in June. And, girl, when it comes to you and men, the guys do the swooning, you’re always the swoon-ee. But when you called to fill me in on his surprise visit yesterday, I could hear the catch in your voice. The excitement. The desire,” she added, dragging out the word dramatically, purposely exaggerating her Southern twang.
“I’d be an idiot not to want hot, wild sex with that man. Against the wall. In the shower. All over the freaking place. I mean, have you seen him?” Rory asked, then flinched at the sound of a door shutting behind her. Just her luck. When I turn around, Chris is gonna be there. Because why wouldn’t he walk out right now?
“You deserve some hot sex, but—”
“One second,” Rory said softly and pivoted to follow the noise.
“Forgot the wedding gift in the car,” Chris said, standing on the front stoop. “Um.” He pointed to his Jeep, clearly not sure what to do at the moment. His cheeks were still a healthy tan for October, but a touch of red had worked its way from the base of his throat up to his face.
Well, this is perfect. I warn the guy not to fall for me, and then he overhears I want to bang him.
Her magic-brownie experience aside, she didn’t normally blush or get flustered over a guy, but if there were a moment for it to happen, it’d be now.
Chris smiled as he strolled past her to the Jeep. Rory shut her eyes and contemplated how to wriggle herself out of this situation. She didn’t need Chris thinking it’d be safe to resume with the charm and flirting because of what she’d said to Ella.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said a few seconds later, prompting her to open her eyes as he walked by her and toward the house again.
“No worries.”
He shot her a crooked smile that made it clear he was going to be trouble, then hurried up the steps and disappeared into the house.
“Oh my God, he heard me,” she confessed to Ella the second he was gone, feeling like they were back in high school and not the thirtysomething-year-old women they were today.
“And how’d that go?” Ella snickered. “You check for a bulge in his pants?”
“Ella,” she chided, fighting a smile.
“Hey, maybe he’s the adventure you’ve always been searching for. Love can be a thrill, too, you know. All depends if you find the right man.”
Speaking of right men . . . “Jesse make it home okay?”
“Yeah, we bumped into each other in town. He said a few words, then rushed away as if I have the plague. Basically, his standard MO since the Fourth of July.”
“I’m sorry.” She grimaced. What the hell was wrong with her brother?
“Hey, it’s not like I canceled my wedding for him, right?” Ella tossed out sarcastically.
“Jesse is just . . .” What could Rory even say? She didn’t have the answers.
“Let’s not worry about me right now. Let’s focus on your love life.”
No, no. I do not have a love life. Nor do I want one. No hot shower sex for me. And yet, her mind went straight to the image. Chris pinning her arms over her head against the tile, water trailing down both their bodies as he dipped down and took a nipple in his mouth.
“Rory, um.”
Uh-oh. Here it comes. She shook herself free of the delicious shower-sex scene.
“A.J. said Chris hasn’t always had an easy life, and he’s . . . yeah, he’s a fun-loving guy, but there’s more to him and . . . just be careful. Don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”
“Oh.” Her hand went to her hip as she absorbed the warning. “I already gave Chris the heads-up. Told him not to fall for me.” Although she hadn’t said, “We can’t have no-strings sex,” either. She probably should add that amendment, even though sex was healthy. Liberating. Enjoyable. But if it’d lead to him falling in love with her, she’d have to forget shower sex. Any kind of sex with him at all.
“You didn’t.” Ella lightly laughed. “Oh, God. You did. What am I going to do with you, girl?”
“I don’t know. Shit, animals are easier than people.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Ella tsked. “Don’t you have somewhere to be right now? You’re stalling.”
“I know, I know. But there are a ton of Teamguys and their wives inside.”
“You’ve never been intimidated by anyone in your life. Why start now?”
Because I’m nervous. Which was strange and disconcerting because she didn’t get nervous.
“Hey, when you see my brother, can you whack him on the head once for me?”
“Thought you already did that when he laid the news on you in Bama he and Ana eloped.” Rory started for the house, her nerves a soft echo still cocooning her.
“I did, but he could use a second bop on the head. Our poor parents got robbed of two summer weddings.”
“That first one wasn’t your fault. Nor the second.”
“Yeah, well, I was the idiot who almost married the wrong man all because . . .” Ella’s deep breath floated over the line, creating a crackle. “You better go. Love you, girl. Talk later.” She ended the call, leaving Rory with no reason to procrastinate any longer.
She stowed her phone and walked slowly up the steps and into the house, prepared to face the music. But she wasn’t prepared for the sight that met her eyes once she was in the foyer. It stopped her in her tracks and sent her heart climbing into her throat. Maybe Ella was right. Maybe a guy could give her all the feels—the intense ones she craved and thought were only achievable through her work.
Chris was on the living room floor playfully wrestling with Bear, while a pretty young girl stood by, clapping and watching the matchup. Another dog, a Siberian Husky, watched the action, his tail wagging with excitement, but surprisingly, he wasn’t jumping in.
Chris was breaking so many training rules.
But damn, her pulse was soaring at the sight of him rolling around with his dog.
She set her purse to the
side of the couch as she walked in and positioned her hands on her hips, doing her best to give Chris a stern look when he lifted his head and caught her watching him.
“What?” A stupidly sexy grin crossed his lips as he pushed upright onto all fours and Bear immediately set his paws on his back in a dominant position. “This against the rules, too?”
“Afraid so,” she admitted just before Bear twisted around at the sound of her voice, then dropped down to charge her way. She caught his paws in the air, and leaned in, letting him kiss her on the cheek with his nose.
“He loves you already,” Chris said when she leaned down and Bear “bear-hugged” her, bringing her to her knees.
“Just like you’ll love her.” The girl with long, dark hair smiled brightly, observing them.
Huh? Rory remained on her knees, scratching Bear behind the ears while she sweetly informed him in a low voice that he’d better lap up all the fun and games while he could because they were going to get down to business soon.
Then, eager for attention too, the Husky ran over, and both dogs practically knocked her down, but Chris came in for the save. He reached for her hand and helped her to her feet. “They’re overzealous,” Rory commented.
“They just know a good thing when they see one.” Chris set a hand to the girl’s shoulder after releasing his hold of Rory. She looked about eleven, Ella’s niece’s age. “This is Elaina, Liam and Emily’s daughter. She took care of Bear while I was in New Orleans.”
Elaina stuck her hand out at the introduction. “Nice to meet you. My mom died. And my dad is a super-genius who doesn’t have much time for me. I was kidnapped. Twice. So, Liam and Emily adopted me. I love it here. And I love all these people like you will, too.” She shook Rory’s hand, effectively leaving her speechless as well as spellbound.
Chris innocently shrugged. “A.J. and Ana beat us here. They’re out back. Come on.”
Elaina reached for her hand again, this time clasping hold like they were old friends. The sincere gesture had Rory’s chest tightening.
“Can I help you with Bear when I’m not in school?” Elaina asked as they made their way to the kitchen, the two dogs excitedly trailing behind them.
“Absolutely.” Rory eyed Chris from over her shoulder, and he smiled his thanks.
“I have faith in Bear. He’ll be fine. Once Uncle Chris stops doing all the wrong things with him,” Elaina said, cupping in a laugh with her free hand.
Rory loved this kid already. “I’ll definitely need your help keeping him in line,” she teased, referring to Chris, not Bear.
“Oh, there are my parents!” Elaina pointed to Liam—tall, blond, and handsome. And looking every bit the proud dad as he cradled his son in the crook of his arm. His wife, Emily, had just popped a strawberry in Liam’s mouth, followed by a quick kiss as they stood in front of the kitchen table, which was covered in appetizers and desserts.
“Oh, hi! You must be Rory.” Emily faced her and dried her hands on a dish towel before closing the space between them. “Everyone is outside. I just came in to feed Jackson.”
“And Liam, from the looks of it,” Chris joked as Emily shook Rory’s hand.
Emily took her son from Liam, and Rory smiled at the cute little guy. “He looks just like—”
“My husband, I know. We’re in trouble when he’s older,” Emily said with a bright, friendly smile.
“Liam. Nice to meet you.” His Australian accent was soft but noticeable.
“My dad looks like Thor, right? Well, Thor with short hair.” Elaina leaned into Liam’s side, pride in her eyes. “He’s as strong as him, too.”
“He likes to think so,” Emily said with a chuckle. “I’ll catch up with you soon. Just heading to my room to nurse.” She set a quick hand to Rory’s shoulder, a welcome-to-the-family kind of pat, then walked past her.
“I’m glad you’re able to help out with Bear.” Liam scratched his jaw with his free hand, an arm slung around Elaina. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Rory smiled, stealing a look at Chris, who was kneeling to pet Bear again.
“A.J. and Ana are outside.” Liam motioned toward the door leading to the backyard. “I’m sure A.J.’s excited to see you.” As soon as Chris stood, Bear bounced up and down like a puppy. Rory just shook her head and followed them out back.
What did I get myself into?
“Owen.” Rory spotted him behind the grill alongside a second one, where the President’s son flipped steaks. She’d nearly forgotten that “small” detail that Knox Bennett’s dad was President of the United States.
“Right, forgot you met Owen when he flew Ana to Alabama for Ella’s wedding. Well, the wedding that didn’t happen,” Chris replied.
“And uh, no Secret Service with Knox being here?” she asked when Knox caught their eyes and started their way.
Rory scanned the crowded backyard as Knox approached. She saw quite a few familiar faces, but there were a lot more she didn’t recognize. A.J. and Ana were talking to another couple, their backs to her. There were outdoor games like cornhole set up on one side, and pop-up tables with food on the other.
“Knox’s wife is Secret Service, but she’s not his detail,” Chris explained when Liam and Elaina disappeared into the thick of the yard swimming with people.
“I’m not a fan of being followed around.” Knox flashed a big smile and reached for Rory’s hand. “Part of the deal was that I wouldn’t have a detail.”
“Deal?” Rory arched a brow, searching for meaning in his words, but when Knox and Chris exchanged a quick look, she realized she wouldn’t get an explanation.
“That’s my wife, Adriana.” Knox motioned to a pretty brunette talking to a couple at the patio table. Rory remembered Wyatt from Alabama, and she assumed the blonde leaning into him was his wife, Natasha.
“I’m going to try hard to keep all the names straight.” Rory folded the sleeves of her denim jacket up, her skin growing warm even though it was probably only sixty degrees out.
“Our man Chris can help you.” Knox winked and patted Chris on the back, then reached for a ball and tossed it, and both dogs went flying through the yard.
“The Husky is Ollie. Owen and Samantha’s dog.” Chris waved to Owen.
Rory wished her jacket pockets were deep enough to actually use. She wasn’t sure what to do with her hands. Pinned to her sides felt too stiff and awkward. But folded arms might come across as guarded. She wasn’t normally like this. She always knew how to act, what to do.
Chris set a hand to her back, and her body surprisingly relaxed at the touch. “Come on, let’s get you to A.J., a more familiar face.”
“Thanks.” Last night at dinner, she’d opened up a little. A small window. Gave him a hint of the woman she was. Ultimately, her fears of the unknown, her worries about someone getting hurt, had her closing up. But right now, all it took was his strong hand on the small of her back to want her to open up again.
A.J. had turned to the side, and his face lit up at the sight of her on approach. Ana took his beer, and A.J. opened his arms for a hug, lifting her off the ground, par for the course with him. He was just as much a brother to Rory as Jesse, which was why Jesse trusted A.J.’s judgment about her coming to Virginia with Chris. Plus, he knew A.J. would keep an eye on her.
“Ana.” Rory hugged her next. From what Ella had told Rory, Ana already fit in with the Hawkins family. She was excited one of her best friends had gotten hitched, and to such a strong woman. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” Ana said with a smile as A.J. fist-bumped Chris.
“I see you secured the package.” A.J. winked, accepting his beer from Ana while Rory held back an eye-roll.
“Just barely.” Chris gave her one of his adorably sexy smiles that had her face feeling way too warm. Was she blushing again?
Fortunately, she was saved by a diversion in the form of a beautiful woman extending a bottle of beer her way. She was about Rory’s height. Dark, wavy hair fell past
her shoulders, and she had a show-stopper smile. Her gray T-shirt, paired with skinny jeans, exclaimed: I eat cake because it’s somebody’s birthday somewhere! Rory chuckled and knew, in that instant, she was going to like this woman.
“I’m Harper. Beer okay?” she asked.
“It’s perfect.” Rory gratefully accepted the drink, then spent the next twenty minutes going through all the official introductions. Putting all the names to faces had her feeling more at ease.
Being around so many people also had her missing her Southern roots and small town. This night made her realize how much she’d given up traveling the world. She’d never really thought about everything she left behind since she was always so busy chasing the next new thing.
“They’ll grow on you.” Ana gently nudged Rory in the side an hour later. “Especially that one.” She lifted her beer in the direction where Chris and Harper laughed about something while playing cornhole against Roman and Wyatt.
Harper had a hand on Chris’s chest, and she leaned forward, a forearm to her stomach as she doubled over with laughter.
“Don’t worry. Nothing is going on between them.” Ana discreetly pointed to Roman on the other side of the game. “One of these days, the sparks between Harper and Roman will cause a full-on explosion. We’re all just counting down until it happens.”
“Oh, I wasn’t, um.” Jealous. No. Not possible. I don’t do jealous. But shit, I was nervous earlier, which was weird. But jealous? No, that was one shade of color she didn’t wear. Not for anyone.
“According to A.J., there was quite the explosion between Asher and Jessica, too. And now they’re married,” Ana went on, eyes set on the couple with their twins asleep in the double-stroller by the patio table. Asher moved them back and forth, maintaining the motion to keep them asleep, while Jessica rested her head on his shoulder. Rory could only imagine how much work twins would be.
The backyard overflowed with so much love and happiness. Every which way Rory looked, she was pleasantly hit in the face with it.
These people were a family. A big, military family, even though they were all retired. It was nice.
Chasing Fortune (Stealth Ops Book 8) Page 8
