Her chill had nothing to do with being cold but rather with how Liza wasn’t telling her something. And Riley had no idea what that something was.
“I’m good.” She didn’t want to mention anything to Josh. He might think she was a crazy woman. “So did you find a room?” Please say yes. She wanted to curl and sleep for twelve hours.
He frowned as Charlie perked up. “The only thing I can offer you is my place.”
Riley choked. “Come again?” She was all for having a good time with a man who was giving her goose bumps and making the butterflies inside her stomach flutter, but she didn’t jump to second base on a whim. Sure, she was twenty-six years old and wasn’t living in the Stone Age, but she had scruples. One of her absolute rules was that she had to know more about the guy than his name.
Granted, Riley knew more about Josh than the average man trying to pick her up in a bar, but she needed a little more meat to his story despite his gentlemanly qualities. Nevertheless, she was still giddy at the idea of sleeping at his place.
Chapter Four
Riley’s scent of cherry blossoms was driving Josh mad as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He swore her sweet smell was stuck to his nostrils, and he’d only escorted her from the inn to Dad’s house a block north.
She’d been reluctant to take Josh up on his offer, but he couldn’t have her driving into the city late at night. Like any big city, San Fran was easy to get lost in. Josh actually took comfort in knowing she was apprehensive. That showed him she didn’t trust so easily, and that alone would keep her out of danger. He didn’t know why he was even thinking about danger when it came to Riley. Josh had this overwhelming urge to protect her, and hell if he knew where that feeling was coming from.
He closed his eyes, willing sleep to come like he had every other night since he’d returned home from Afghanistan. Josh was mainly afraid to sleep for fear he would relive that explosion over and over again. Anytime he did, he always woke up in a cold sweat with pain gripping his leg.
Still, he had to get some shuteye, or else he would be useless at work the next day and at taking care of his dad. But Dad did have in-home health care four days a week, and tomorrow was one of those days, so Josh wouldn’t have to tend to his dad’s every need.
Charlie curled up closer, and Josh wrapped his arm around the golden retriever before closing his eyes, his body finally giving in to sleep.
The apartment building was deathly quiet. The only sound was the creak of the stairs that Josh climbed with Wiggs, a brother at arms and a friend, behind him. They both had their guns at the ready, checking each apartment as they crept down the hall of the third floor, along the wall.
Josh was approaching an open door, when a little boy ran out. Josh sucked in air, his arms tense, and his gun primed to fire.
They boy’s big brown eyes went wide.
Josh waved him off. “A boy is heading down,” Josh said into his comm unit.
“Copy that,” his lieutenant said.
Josh held up his fist, a signal to wait while he quickly poked his head into the open apartment door, once then twice. He pointed one finger forward, indicating that he was going in. Wiggs followed closely.
The dingy place stunk of sweat and blood.
The word “clear” blared through Josh’s earpiece as others on his team checked the floors below.
He slowly looked around, turning his head with his gun out in front of him. He caught a glimpse of someone darting through the archway that led into the kitchen. He held up his fist again, but Wiggs bumped into him.
Josh pointed to the bedroom door, indicating that Wiggs should check the bedroom, then proceeded toward the kitchen. A floorboard groaned.
“Bandon,” Josh’s lieutenant called through the earpiece. “Report.”
Josh hated to utter a word, but at that point, the enemy knew he was inside.
“We’ve got movement in here.”
“Is it our package?” Lieutenant asked.
Before Josh could respond, the man appeared, wrapped in explosives, blocking Josh’s way into the kitchen.
Josh froze. “Wiggs,” he said as calmly as he could. “Get the hell out of here.”
“Bandon.” Lieutenant’s voice returned. “Report.”
All Josh could think about was that he would never see his family again.
It was too late to run, too late to jump out the window, too late to say goodbye, and too late to plead with the young man to not press the trigger. Josh had learned rather quickly that bargaining for a life with anyone in this country was useless. So he gave in to whatever was about to happen because even if he got five feet away, he was a dead man.
“Lieutenant,” Josh said as calmly as he could. “Please make sure my folks know that I love them.”
Lieutenant started shouting, saying something Josh couldn’t make out because he was praying and shaking his head at the young man. Again, Josh knew no matter what he said the bomber wouldn’t back down. But with a minute before his life was over, Josh had to give it the old college try.
“Please, don’t do this.”
The man’s dark gaze studied Josh as though Josh were the weirdest person he’d ever seen. Then the man blessed himself and pressed the detonator he was holding.
The world rained down around them.
Dog breath jolted Josh as he opened his eyes to find Charlie licking his face.
“I’m okay,” he said to Charlie.
The dog jumped off the bed and ran through the Jack-and-Jill bathroom and into Dad’s bedroom.
Worry flowed through Josh at breakneck speeds as he rushed behind Charlie. When he laid eyes on the scene before him, Josh froze. Actually, he winced when he should’ve been smiling at how Riley and Dad were chumming it up. The thing was, Josh was in his boxers.
Oh well. Boxers were like shorts anyway. At least his other body parts were cooperating properly. Still, he took in a big breath to get his heart to calm down. Between reliving his accident and thinking something had happened to Dad, Josh needed a minute.
Josh ducked out quicker than the speed of light so he could at least throw water on his face.
“Son,” Dad called extremely loudly, which was normal since Josh’s hearing loss. “Don’t be rude. We have a guest.”
A beautiful guest, no less. “I’ll be right there.”
If Riley whispered or said something, Josh couldn’t hear.
He would have given anything to hear faint noises, faraway voices, or even the howling of the wind. But there was no sense in brooding over something he couldn’t change.
“Embrace life as it today,” Lieutenant had said when he’d visited Josh in the hospital. “You’re lucky you’re alive.”
That last sentence was so true. Josh should’ve come home in a body bag, but he’d had an angel on his shoulder that dreadful day—a day he would relive over and over again.
Josh wiped his face as he glanced in the mirror. His green eyes were tired with dark shadows ringing them. He needed a haircut badly as his sideburns were growing out. He dampened his hands, tamed his hair, and threw on a pair of shorts before he waltzed back into Dad’s room.
With his eyes a little more focused, Josh settled his gaze on Riley.
Her face lit up, and she gave him the most mind-blowing smile. Josh’s heart skipped a beat. It was the same feeling he’d had when Marybeth, his first love in high school, had glided into science class like a goddess. Her black hair had hung wild around her shoulders as her stark-blue eyes stood out against her snow-white skin.
Maybe that was why Josh was sweet on Riley, although her eyes were gray. Still, he loved how her hair was tied up in a bun with strands hanging here and there, giving her a messy look.
She rose, her baggy T-shirt with the words “Boston Strong” splayed on the front hung over her tight yoga pants. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.” She directed her statement at him. “I couldn’t sleep anymore. The time change has my body clock all messed up. So I
got up to get something to drink, and I heard your dad talking to Charlie.”
Charlie wagged his tail.
Dad gave the biggest grin as he drilled his gaze into Josh, trying to tell Josh something.
Whatever it was would have to wait. Awkwardness washed over Josh, and he had to do something other than stare at Riley. If he continued to, then all bets were off on how his body would react. “I’ll make coffee.”
She stood so eloquently, as if she were the Queen of England. “I’ll do it. I think your dad needs to use the bathroom.”
Josh cocked an eyebrow at Dad.
He nodded. “I do.”
After all the essential bodily functions were taken care of and Dad was back in bed, he said, “That’s a woman for you.”
Josh fluffed his pillow. “No matchmaking. You know what happened when you tried to set me up with your buddy’s daughter.”
That had been the worst blind date ever—uncomfortable, tense, and neither of them had been into each other. It wasn’t that she wasn’t pretty, but she hadn’t made Josh’s heart sing like Riley had when she’d walked into the inn. In fact, Riley was still making his pulse soar to new proportions.
“She’s here for a few days. Get to know her and see what happens.”
Charlie barked as if in agreement.
Josh eyed his lovable dog. He swore Charlie understood what Dad was saying.
Josh kissed Dad on the forehead. “Get some sleep.”
He left Charlie with Dad and went into the kitchen.
Riley seemed to be at home, getting the coffee cups out of the cabinet and checking the fridge for milk.
Josh slid into a chair at the round wooden table in the middle of the kitchen. Dad’s house wasn’t fancy with stainless-steel appliances or marble counters. They liked the older look of the black-and-white-checkered floor and old-style fridge from the 1950s. The only modern item in the kitchen was the coffeepot.
Riley filled two cups then brought them over to the table.
Josh watched in quiet fascination as she also gathered up the milk, sugar, and spoons before she sat down. He sifted through all his memories of women he’d dated, and he could count them on one hand. Besides Marybeth, there was a woman named Eve who’d only lasted a week before he’d shipped out for SEAL training. Josh wasn’t a hermit, but he hadn’t wanted to bring anyone into his life while he was on mission after mission. He’d seen one too many of his military brothers go home in body bags. It was bad enough that Mom had worried about him.
“I hope you don’t mind that I made myself at home.” Riley’s tone was quiet, and so was the house, which gave Josh ample hearing. It helped that she was close to him too.
“For a woman who was apprehensive about staying here, I got to say, you sure settled in quickly. Not that I’m complaining.”
She giggled, a sound that did things to him he was desperate to pursue. “Honestly, I didn’t want to impose. My brother, Ross, might be mad that I did take you up on your offer.” She dumped two big spoonfuls of sugar into her coffee along with a ton of milk. “Actually, he wouldn’t. He knows you’re ex-military and a SEAL, so he would be in awe.”
It was Josh’s turn to laugh.
“Ross wanted to be a SEAL.”
Josh wanted to say there was nothing special about the job, but he would have been lying. He loved being on missions—the adrenaline rushes, the camaraderie.
Charlie came in and sat next to him.
Riley took a sip of her coffee. “Thank you for letting me stay here. As soon as the sun comes up, I’m going to go into San Fran and meet Liza at her office.”
Josh studied her lips. They were calling his name.
She waved her fingers in front of him. “Did you hear me? Or is my tone too low?”
She was sitting on Josh’s good side. “I did hear you. But just so you know, as long as you’re close to me and on my right, I can hear you. I can also read lips.” Or you can whisper in my right ear or, better yet, nibble on it.
“Your dad shouted earlier, so I wasn’t sure.”
Josh gulped down a good amount of coffee. “It depends on the background noises. Liza told me she was coming here tomorrow. Did you talk to her? Did plans change?” He didn’t want Riley to leave. In fact, he was tempted to steal her away from Liza while she was in town.
She shook her head. “We chatted while you were checking on rooms. She told me the same, but I was thinking I would surprise her.”
Liza had said to take care of Riley, which gave Josh an idea. “Why don’t I drive you in? The city can be quite intimidating with rush hour, especially on a Friday.”
She studied him. “You know I live in Boston, where traffic stinks too.”
“Yeah, but Liza would have my hide if anything happened to you. Besides, you’re a guest in our neck of the woods.”
The inn would be fine with Drake, and Josh had increased the shifts for Friday and Saturday. He also wanted to check on Liza. She’d seemed off when he’d spoken to her on the phone.
“If it’s not too much trouble,” Riley said with a hitch in her voice.
“Then it’s a date.” Maybe he could get to know Riley more, like Dad had suggested.
She blushed at the statement.
Josh took that as a good sign.
Chapter Five
The city bustled with business people scurrying up and down sidewalks, horns blowing, and delivery trucks double-parked. The atmosphere reminded Riley of home, which helped her lose some of the tension that had held her hostage since she’d arrived in Northern California.
Josh, Charlie, and she rode the elevator up to Stitches, Inc. on the fifteenth floor.
Josh held on to Charlie’s leash as Riley clutched her purse. The car ride over had been mainly Josh talking about all the landmarks to visit in and around Northern California, in particular Lake Tahoe.
“It’s too bad that you’re not staying longer than four days,” he’d said. “You would love Lake Tahoe. Liza’s parents and mine used to vacation there, mostly in the winter during ski season.”
Riley wasn’t a skier. She couldn’t even imagine herself with skis on, even though she didn’t live far from several well-known ski resorts in New England. Oceans were her love, not lakes. Summer was her season, not winter. She hated the bitter cold, the snow, and the long nights during the winter months.
She wouldn’t mind visiting Tahoe, and she got the feeling that Josh wanted to show her his childhood hangout.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to a shiny floor. An elaborate sign that read “Stitches, Inc.” with a pair of scissors was etched into the glass wall behind the reception desk straight ahead.
Josh held one side of the elevator, allowing Riley to walk out first. It had been a while since she’d been around a man who opened doors for her.
A lovely lady of about fifty with glasses perched on her nose talked into a headset. When she noticed them, she held up her finger.
Riley took inventory of her immediate surroundings. Two hallways traveled down both sides of reception with doors spaced every few feet or so apart. She imagined they were on the executive floor and the rest of the employees were somewhere below them. Liza had talked about the dressing room, as well as the drawing room where she spent most of her time.
“Are you sure Liza’s office is on this floor?” Riley whispered in Josh’s right ear. The place seemed dead.
His shoulder quivered. “I’ve only been here a couple of times.”
“Then where is everyone?”
Her question went unanswered as the receptionist asked, “How can I help you?” The gray streaks painted through her black hair glistened in the muted light.
“We’re here to see Liza Bandon,” Riley said.
“May I say who’s calling?” the receptionist asked. “And do you have an appointment?”
Josh leaned a muscled arm on the glass counter, which acted as a barrier between them and the receptionist. “Josh Bandon and Riley Lewis, and no
appointment.”
The receptionist rose and eyed Charlie, then smiled. “I just love golden retrievers.”
Charlie sat on his haunches, prim and proper and well behaved, wagging his tail.
The receptionist waved her pink-painted fingernails to a small alcove near the elevators. “I’ll see if Liza is available. Please have a seat over there.”
Josh rested a hand on Riley’s lower back, and a jolt of electricity, delicious and out of the blue, sent tendrils of heat throughout her entire body. If his touch started a fire, his musky cologne was making her dizzy in a good way.
Four leather armchairs formed a circle in the alcove that was referred to as the waiting area. Josh waited for Riley to be seated before he commandeered the chair next to her.
Charlie nestled in between them as Josh fixed the purple bandana around the dog’s neck.
They didn’t have a chance to speak before a thin-as-a-rail blonde sashayed in, dressed as if she’d just stepped off the runway at a fashion show. Her pencil skirt, button-up white blouse, and red silk scarf complemented each other while accentuating her small curves. Her outfit screamed money and lots of it. Riley guessed the company paid their employees well.
The woman eyed Josh with big blue eyes that were framed with thick, mascaraed lashes. “Josh, so good to see you.”
Josh stood and pecked her cheek. “Taylor.” He glanced past her. “Where’s my cousin?”
Taylor’s red lips turned down. “I’m sorry to say she isn’t here.” Her gaze finally acknowledged Riley. “You must be Riley.”
Rising, Riley held out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Taylor grasped Riley’s hand with both of her cold ones. “Liza has told me so much about you.”
Riley couldn’t say the same in return. Liza had never mentioned anything about her assistant.
“I hear you’re a wedding planner,” Taylor said. “I would love to pick your brain sometime. I just got engaged.” She flashed a nice-sized round diamond at them.
Riley didn’t want to be rude and ignore Taylor’s interest in wedding planning, but they weren’t there to talk shop. “Liza told me last night she would be working this morning.”
Rescuing Riley: The Gold Coast Retrievers, Book 2 Page 3
