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He saw her as an inspiration and aspired to be as capable as she once he received his prosthesis.
"Well, I reckon I could be persuaded," he said as she crossed the room to him. "But fair warning, it'll cost ya."
"Oh?" she asked when she reached his chair. "And what's the price."
"This," he grabbed her before she had time to react, pulling her down onto his lap and into his arms. He hadn't intended to do it, but once she was in his arms, he couldn't stop himself. Riggs pulled her in for a kiss that started meekly but quickly turned passionate.
It did his mood and his self-image a world of good, having a beautiful woman in his arms, returning the kiss with passion.
"Oh, my," she said when the kiss ended. "I can't remember why I came in here."
"Smart ass," he nuzzled her neck. "You said we're going for a ride."
"Yes!" she jumped up. "What do you need? Phone?" She looked around, spotted it on the nightstand, and grabbed it. "Done. What else?"
"Nothing."
"Then let's do it."
"I'm with you, boss."
Georgie laughed and opened the door for him. In motion toward her, a look of surprise came on his face, and he braked the chair. "Damn, it's good to see you."
By then, Georgie was smiling at Gunner, who filled the doorway. "Good to see you, bruh, and you, too, Red. And I brought you a surprise."
"Oh?"
Gunner stepped aside, and another man moved into view. Tall, handsome as homemade sin, and a smile that would surely charm the coldest heart. "Grady," Riggs grinned. "How the hell are you?"
"Happy," Grady responded and held out his hand to someone out of view. The woman who moved over beside him was just as stunning. "And married. This is my wife, Charli. Ex-military, Delta operator, and current deputy of Cotton Creek. Charli, meet Riggs."
"I've heard a lot about you," Charli smiled and stepped inside the room to take Riggs' hand. "Thank you for your service."
"And you, ma'am," Riggs took her hand. "Also, congratulations. On the marriage and the position. How do you like civilian life?"
"It could be worse," she replied with a smile and looked at Georgie. "Hi, I'm Charli."
"I'm Georgie," Georgie stuck out her hand. "Riggs' PT."
"And more," Riggs added.
"It's nice to meet you," Charli shook Georgie's hand, then stepped aside for Grady.
"Ma'am," he took her hand and smiled at her. "So, you're Riggs' more?"
She laughed and passed it off. "Yep, more of a pain in the ass than he ever expected. I push, nag, cajole, bribe, and threaten daily."
"Well, keep it up. We need him back in operation."
Georgie noticed the smile fade from Riggs' face and hurried to cover the awkward silence that fell. "That's the goal."
"So, tell me what's happening," Grady said.
"Why don't we go to the café for a coffee?" Riggs asked. "I have an in with the lady who works the pastry counter."
"Oh, I bet you do, and I'd like to, but Charli and I are headed for a funeral in Boston."
"That's bad news. How did he die?"