Page 102 of Beast

“Oh, no. I mean, it’s nothing. Chris just asked where I was because he’d stopped by my parents’ house and they’d said I’d left.”

“He just stops by your house whenever he feels like it?” I clenched my teeth. “Are you fucking kidding me, Annie? Are you still seeing him?”

“No, Pat. Of course not. But we’re still friends. He went through a lot you know, being a suspect, everyone treating him like a murderer. And, I mean, he cares about me.”

“Sure, he does. And he’ll comfort you when I deploy, too. Have you slept with him since you’ve been home?”

“Oh, my God. No! Pat, you’re crazy. We grew up together, our families know each other. He was so distraught when I went missing. It was hard on him, too.”

My head heated up. “I bet. Don’t play me, Annie. This can end now if you’re going to fuck around on me. I don’t need this bullshit, your dad bribing me, worrying about you when I’m in the field—”

“Bribe you? He tried to give you the reward. Which you should take. You deserve it. You can buy a condo with it.”

Figures, I knew my lifestyle would never be enough to satisfy this fucking princess. “I’m sure Chris has a great condo. Maybe even a beachfront house. Go live with him if you don’t like my crappy apartment.”

The strap from her nightie fell off her shoulder and I could see her breasts. Great distraction technique.

“Pat, relax. That’s not what I meant.” She wrapped her naked legs around me. “I know your ex cheated on you. I’m not her. I would never do that to you. But I’m not sorry I texted Chris. He has a girlfriend. There is nothing going on between us. Nothing. I’m only interested in you. I swear.”

This was a mistake. Going to her house, kissing her, inviting her back to my place. Even under the best of circumstances, it was hard to have a successful relationship with a Team guy. We had so much working against us. Her family, her past, my job, the way we met. And I hated to admit it, but it was hard for me to deal with the fact she had been a prostitute. I didn’t blame her for it, nor think less of her. Nothing like that. I understood she had been forced. But at night, the images of all of those other men, random faceless men fucking her, filled my head, like a never-ending movie loop.

I unwrapped her legs. “I don’t know if I can do this. We’re too different.”

“Get over yourself and think of me for a second.”

“I am—”

“No, you’re thinking of how I fit into your life. Think of me. What I want. What I need.”

“I’m tired. I’m going to take a shower and then crash.”

She nodded and I went into the bathroom and turned on the hot water. SEALs hated cold showers, reminded us of freezing our balls off in the ocean during BUD/S.

I was trying to push her away. I knew that. I couldn’t risk letting her in and having her betray me also. But hadn’t I already let her in?

I dried off and went back into the bedroom. Annie was lying under the covers, reading a book she must’ve grabbed from my nightstand. I needed to give her—us—a chance.

“Sorry. I trust you. I just don’t trust him, or any guy for that matter. If he’s your friend, I need to meet him.”

Her voice became quiet. “Why?”

“Because I need to look him in the eyes. It’s important to me.”

“Fine. I’ll ask him.”

“Tomorrow. Lunch at two.”

Her fingers moved across her phone. She smiled when she received a reply. Pissed me off. I wanted to be the only one to make her smile.

“He says okay.”

Yeah, I’ll bet. Fucking ‘Jody’, just like we sing about in our cadences—“Your baby was lonely, as lonely could be, Til Jody provided the company.” He’ll be happy to shake my hand tomorrow and fuck my girl when I’m gone.

I wanted to believe her words, the promises she made with her kisses. But now I wasn’t sure. My next deployment wouldn’t be easy. It’s brutal going months without any communication. And if we were deep undercover, that’s exactly what would happen. I’m sure Chris would be waiting with open arms to take care of her.

30

Annie