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“Did you notice that woman? The one standing here a few minutes ago?”
“I saw her when she turned the corner when I saw you dart that direction.”
I stand up and run my hand through my hair, relieved I didn’t imagine a woman. It's happened before. “She looked familiar.”
“She must have looked more than familiar for you to take off running like you were in the Olympics. If I ran that fast, I’d be lying on the sidewalk dead. In fact, if you ever see my feet moving that quick, look at who is chasing me and shoot them.”
My hand freezes in my hair and I stare at her. Is she serious? Max wouldn't have told her what I did in the military and I didn't put that on the application.
“Why are you staring at me like that? I was kidding. I don’t want you to kill anyone.”
Little does she know, I’ve killed plenty.
I lift my chin the direction we came from. I need a distraction. Since it can't be with awoman, food will have to work. She takes my hint and walks. “She reminded me of an ex,” I mumble.
“All my ex’s, I run away from.”
“Things were left unsettled.”
“You still love her?”
I sigh. “’Til I die.”
“Do you think it was her?”
“No. It’s just my head fucking with me.”
Chapter Seven
Kase
“I didn’t notice professional decorator on your resume,” Cody jokes when I walk out of the bedroom. He’s relaxing on my new couch, brushing his hand across the dark grey suede. “Maybe you should think about changing jobs. I’d hire you.”
I chuckle, looking around the decorated room where everything coordinates. It looks awesome, but it wasn’t my doing. “This is all Pepper.” His brow lifts with an accusatory expression. “She helped me buy furniture,” I respond, quickly. “There was zero enjoyment going to the furniture store with her. She’s into Stone, anyway.” I throw that out to prevent any confusion with my intentions. I have none.
He nods. “All I can say is, don’t mention this to Stone. He’s a vindictive shit.” I get it, I’m the new guy. I understand more than most people the importance of a team. You don’t want to be the one on the outside looking in.
“You don’t say. I finally found the Village where he suggested I look.” It’s a vacated apartment building right by the beach, zoned to be torn down soon, but filled with transient people. Not quite what I was looking for, but it gave me a reason to spend some money. At least the people there now have blankets, pillows, and bath necessities.
Cody lives a floor down from me. He’s a marine, so we’ve become quick buddies reminiscing about our days in the military. It’s nice to have someone around who understands the difficult transition to civilian life.
His phone dings in his hand. He reads it and says, “They’re meeting us there in five.”
We’re meeting at Ocean’s, the bar across the street. Cody and I went last night for a couple of hours. It’s a cool place, typical bar though. It’s convenient being able to walk home after drinking.
Beachgoers pack the bar, looking to continue their partying. I’m wearing shorts and a polo and feel overdressed.
We grab two empty chairs around the table with the guys but before I can say hi, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I dig it out, noticing it’s my buddy from my old team. I can barely hear him, so I tell him to hold on.
“Order me a Shiner,” I say, scooting the chair backward and standing. Hudson nods. Before I make it out the front door, a woman’s hand grips my arm, stopping me.
“Please tell me you’re not leaving,” a petite blonde purrs. She’s wearing a see-thru bathing suit cover, showing off her fit body underneath it. I drink her in, my lips curl up to a smile and I place my hand against her lower back, leaning down so I’m close to her ear. She smells like coconut and salt.
Thank god for beach towns.
“Gorgeous, I’m not. I just have to take this call.”
“Come find me later.” She puts a straw in her mouth and sucks on her drink, her eyes never leaving mine. I draw in a ragged breath and nod. The things I could do to her.
