Page 23 of The Night Ride (SEALs on Wheels #3)

Chapter sixteen

W hen we reached her house a short time later, we spent the night in her bed.

It had been a long damn time since I’d slept beside a woman.

Unable to resist each other, we spent most of the night turning to one another again and again until our bodies were spent.

Maybe it was because we both knew our time together was short.

The fire that burned between us blazed brighter than the sun.

And once she slept, curled within my arms, I laid there unable to sleep and watched her.

Feeling as if I was a dragon hoarding its treasure.

Because that’s what Beth was, the finest treasure imaginable, wrapped up in the most achingly beautiful woman I had ever known.

Bright, engaging, and caring, she was the embodiment of the woman of my dreams.

Dreams I thought were dead and buried a lifetime ago. Dreams that I knew if I wanted, all I had to do was reach out and take them.

But even though I ached to do just that, I couldn’t get past the oath I’d sworn her brother.

***

5 years ago

I sat on my front porch with a beer waiting. It wouldn’t be long. Evan had texted he was on his way. Whether it was to beat my ass for kissing his sister or just lay into me without an audience, I didn’t know. And I didn’t blame him for his fury. I fucked up.

In more ways than one too.

I wiped a frustrated hand over my face. I didn’t think I would ever forget Beth’s crestfallen expression.

It wasn’t until Evan told me it was his sister that I realized why she felt so familiar to me, because she was.

I remembered her, the sweet and shy girl who had cooked meals for us when I visited Evan’s family home with him years ago.

At the time, I’d been a cocky divorcee, looking to score as much pussy as possible. And I did. But I still remembered her, remembered how Evan’s mom admonished her, her voice like whip lashes laden with toxic barbs.

If Evan hadn’t spoken up, I would have, because no one needed that type of negativity in their life. Especially since she had only heaped her vitriol upon Beth. Evan and their baby sister, Nora, remained unscathed all weekend.

His mom had been one of the reasons why I hadn’t returned with him the following year. She was a vindictive shrew bent on belittling Beth at every opportunity. And I hadn’t thought it wise to want to put his mother in her place. So I’d avoided going.

Now I wished I hadn’t, because then perhaps I would have witnessed Beth’s transformation from an awkward teen into a stunning woman. One who was engaging, funny and smart as a whip. And if I was honest, the woman set my body on fire.

I needed to apologize to her. The wounded look in her eyes when I retreated would live rent free in my mind for years to come.

The lights of Evan’s Camero swung into my driveway.

Evan hopped out of his car with a burr up his butt the size of Texas.

Taking a swig of my beer, I rose from my perch on the front steps and set my half full bottle down.

I didn’t want to give the fucker any more ammo to use against me.

He was one of the toughest SEALs I knew, and I was no simpering miss.

But Evan could beat the tar out of me on a good day.

When he was fired up, hold on to your butt, because it was about to get whooped.

“You, motherfucker, deserve this.” Evan stalked toward me, fury riding every step.

I stood at the ready. He might be pissed off enough to kill me, or at least to try. I spied lights coming down the street and breathed a sigh of relief. Ben was almost here. I’d called in reinforcements. Ben was one of the few people who could get Evan to cool his jets when he was all fired up.

Evan’s fist shot out and connected with my jaw. Hard enough it snapped my head back. When he brought his left fist in to jab me in the gut, I blocked it. I’d given him one hit, because I deserved it.

“Enough,” I snapped at Evan. “I didn’t know it was Beth.”

“You mean to tell me you didn’t even ask her name before you decided to put the moves on her?”

No, I hadn’t. Our repartee had been so engaging neither of us had asked.

But I see the err of my judgement. Beth hadn’t asked because she’d known it was me.

When the reverse couldn’t be said for me.

It had been a total dick move on my part, except she’d stunned me with her dazzling wit and engaging smile that made me feel as if the sun shone on my darkened soul for the first time in years.

“It was an honest mistake,” I explained, blocking his fists.

Evan snarled. “Why you motherfucking piece of shit?” And he came for me with a vengeance.

Bu I was ready this time and shifted out of the way. “I’m sorry, all right.”

“Oh, I bet you are, especially after I kick your ass.” Evan was all fired up. But before he could rush me again, Ben was there, putting him in a stronghold.

“Enough, Evan.” Ben shouted.

Evan struggled against Ben’s hold. “Get off me, fucker. This asshole deserves it. Do you know what he did?”

“I do. He explained it over the phone. And I know he regrets his actions.”

“That’s cause I’m gonna kick his ass,” Evan snarled, his arms flailing, as he tried to lunge at me.

“Aiden’s your friend and he made a mistake.” Ben told him, like it actually mattered when I had fucked up royally.

“I’m sorry, Evan. It’s my fault. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Not with anything other than your dick,” he spat with such fury, I was surprised there was smoking coming out his ears.

He wasn’t wrong. And I rarely ever felt shame but in this instance my behavior had caused harm on multiple fronts.

Regardless of whether it had been my intent or not, the result was the same.

“No, I wasn’t thinking. I need to apologize to you and Beth.

Please let me have her number so I can call her and do just that. ”

Ben rolled his eyes at my suggestion. Evan jolted within his hold and pointed at me. “You fucking think I’m going to give you her number, asshole, think again. You are not to come anywhere near my sister ever again. Because if you ever do, you’re going to wind up six feet under.”

“Be reasonable, Evan. I’m not trying to hookup with Beth. I want to apologize to her.”

“Forget it and her.” He struggled against Ben’s hold.

I held up my hands in a defensive stance backing away. “Fine. I won’t contact her. But please pass along my regrets and that I’m sorry.”

“See, he’s being reasonable, Evan. Remember Aiden is our friend. Killing him would be bad. You’ll never make Master Chief Petty Officer if you murder him.” Ben admonished Evan.

Evan held his hands up, signaling he was in control. “Okay. Fine, I won’t touch a hair on his head.”

“You sure?” Ben asked, wary, studying Evan to determine whether he was lying.

“Yes,” Evan seethed.

Ben released him. I stood at the ready in case of a surprise attack. But Evan just stood there glaring daggers.

“Listen up, because I’m only going to say this once,” Evan said. “You are not to come within spitting distance of Beth. And if you do, you will be respectful at all times. If you ever put your hands on her again, I will cut them both off and mail them to your mother.”

“I swear I won’t touch her again.” It didn’t matter whether I wanted to or not. I wouldn’t further harm my relationship with Evan just because I found her fascinating.

“Good. Because Beth deserves better than one of us.”

“Like we’re the bad guys.” Ben snorted, shaking his head in disgust.

“Look, Beth deserves someone willing to take care of her. She deserves more than someone who will spend most of his time abroad. We know what life is like for military wives and girlfriends. I want more for her because she not only deserves it, she needs it.”

His stark confession made me feel like the biggest scumbag on the planet. No wonder she had been so hurt. Because I hadn’t stood up for her when it mattered. Evan pulled rank, and it was far too ingrained in me not to respond accordingly no matter the setting.

***

Present Day

The memory faded while I spent the morning watching the security footage in real time on Beth’s home desktop. The sooner I helped her catch the thief, the sooner I could head off. My heart clenched. Because the thought of leaving Beth didn’t sit well with me.

I ignored it. Mainly because there was nothing for it. I couldn’t change who I was nor what I did. I had two years until my retirement. Until then, Uncle Sam owned my ass.

Beth, being the amazing woman she was, had risen earlier and left meals for me.

An amazing omelet with peppers, onions, goat cheese and bacon with fresh biscuits and honey butter.

I devoured every crumb. Almost licked the plate clean when I was finished.

Because the woman was a domestic goddess among mere mortals.

And for lunch, she’d had a blackened chicken salad sandwich on a croissant ready for me, with some berries, and homemade chips on the counter.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that I struck pay dirt.

Beth was back in the kitchen, decorating a fresh batch of cookies.

The memory of taking her there still fresh enough that I felt my shaft twitch.

Until I glanced at the cameras recording the front of the bakery behind the register and watched the blonde sneak a twenty into her pocket.

Then watched her over the next hour filch a few more bills from each register and the tip jar.

Gotcha!

I wanted to march down to the bakery and call the woman out for stealing. But I knew it was the wrong approach. Instead, I texted Beth.

Contact the detective on the case. Ask him to meet you at the bakery after hours. I’ve got the thief on camera.

Beth responded almost immediately.

Who???

Blonde with a ponytail. She filched cash from each register. Not sure of the amounts. Would advise that you don’t say anything to her and contact the detective first.

Tracy? She’s wearing the light blue polo with the white apron?

That’s the one.