Page 6 of The Night Ride (SEALs on Wheels #3)

When I reached the empty bar stool, I got a glimpse of slender arms and dainty fingers, the nails slicked with red polish, loosely gripping a bar glass with pale pink liquid. It killed me that she was in a dive bar, surrounded by people with sizable egos, with such a girly drink.

“Is this seat taken?” I spoke loud enough to reach her ears over the raucous din.

She shifted in her seat, glanced my way, and lifted a face of pure porcelain perfection.

Her hazel goddess eyes were done up with some feminine trick that made them appear sultry and sinful.

Framed by dark black brows on a face that should grace the silver screen.

Sexy as hell with pouty full lips painted deep red on a heart-shaped face that seemed too gorgeous to be real.

A graceful slender neck and slim shoulders with plump tits I could use as a flotation device or drown in.

Lust punched a hole clear through my gut.

Every instinct inside me wanted to toss her over my shoulder and take her home with me, all caveman style.

Fuck, she was stunning.

“It is now.” She flicked her gaze to the empty bar stool and back at me with the most disarming smile. It left me shaken. Because she gazed at me as if she’d been waiting for me to arrive.

Taking a seat, I flashed a smile, my gaze roving over her from head to toe, giving her no doubt about my interest, loving the small blush that crept into her cheeks. “Appreciate it. What are you drinking?” I nodded at the half empty glass.

“Grey Goose and cranberry.” She had this musical alto that I wanted to hear how it sounded when she was being fucked into oblivion.

“I figured it was something girly given the color.” I teased, a shark scenting its prey. She was younger to be sure but was old enough to drink. And there was no ring on her left hand which made her far game.

“Don’t mess with the pink drink, mister. Just because you most likely drink something revolting like scotch on the rocks or some other equally disgusting alcohol, doesn’t mean we all do. Some of us have good taste.”

Cocking a brow, I chuckled. “Is that a fact?”

More interested than I cared to admit. Because hot fucking damn this woman was gorgeous and unafraid to call me on my shit. This was no simpering miss, but a woman willing to go toe to toe with a man twice her size.

“It is.”

I signaled the bar tender. The gangly guy in his twenties was one I recognized as he leaned over the bar. “What can I get started for you?”

“I’ll take a Guinness and a Grey Goose and cranberry for the lady.”

“Coming right up.” The bar tender nodded.

“A Guinness, huh?” She raised an inky brow with a small smirk curling her lush lips. Lips I could easily imagine on certain parts of my body.

My cock jolted. Down boy! We’ve got to woo her first. “What’s wrong with a Guinness?”

“Nothing. I happen to enjoy it myself upon occasion, but opted for this instead.” She toasted me with her drink.

“So, it’s not just the girly drinks you like?” I joked, playfully nudging her with my elbow.

She lowered her gaze a moment, like she was checking her body out, before tossing me a cheeky grin. “Last I checked I am a girl. Besides, have you ever tried it?”

I snorted and shook my head. “Not a chance. I’d lose my man card especially around here.” In a room full of tough guys, who attempted to compete for who was the biggest alpha, I’d be laughed out of the place if I drank something that girly. And would never live it down.

“Try it. I dare you.” She pushed her drink my way with an arched brow, the challenge twinkling in her eyes.

Fuck it. I could always play it off that I was trying to score. Every man here would let it go at that.

Holding her gaze, those exotic hazel eyes called forth a need to protect and cherish her on a deep level.

But I didn’t do commitments or deep attachments, so I ignored my feelings, sticking to what I knew.

I lifted her drink and took a sip. Never let it be said that I backed down from a challenge.

The sweet flavor of the juice hit my tastebuds and mingled with the smooth punch of the vodka.

I swallowed the sugary sweet drink. The burn warmed my insides on the way down. I liked it. Yet I made a face of disgust and lowered the glass to the bar.

“It’s not that bad.”

“No, it’s not.” I agreed. It might be something I made at home. “But I’d never live it down if I drank that shit in here.” I could already envision the ribbing from my unit if it ever reached their ears.

“Didn’t realize a SEAL would care what other people think.” She jibbed.

Instantly alert, I tried to discern if she was a spy or had some other ulterior motive.

“How do you know I’m a SEAL?” I asked, a hint of suspicion laced my words. If she was a spy, I would get the MP here immediately. It didn’t matter if I found her the sexiest woman alive. She could explain to Uncle Sam and the Department of Defense what she was doing outside the Naval Station Base.

“I know the type. Been around special forces people all my life.”

My shoulders relaxed. She wasn’t a spy. Or at least, that’s not the vibe I got. Which meant I could return to attempting to convince her to take me home with her.

She downed what was left of her drink and set the empty glass on the bar.

The bar tender returned with our drinks.

Her pink girly drink rather charming when I thought about it.

I filched a twenty from my wallet and handed it over.

I didn’t want to start a tab. I’d rather be able to scoot out of here on a moment’s notice.

Interesting. A woman familiar with special forces was rare. “Boyfriend?”

She chuckled, her throaty alto that went straight to my dick. Fuck, she was a looker.

“No. Family. Why do you ask?” She shifted in my direction, letting me know the interest was mutual. I fucking loved the mating dance.

I caged her in on the stool by positioning my legs on either side of hers, boxing them in. I leaned forward and caught a whiff of her perfume. The subtle roses and vanilla made me want to inch even closer. “Need to make sure you’re not a spy here to steal all my secrets.”

She tossed her head back and laughed, holding nothing back, and touched my forearm on the bar. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

Oh she was interested all right. I’d have to send Evan a fruit basket for being such a ho. Because his hound dog ways were giving me the opportunity to enjoy this engaging woman’s company tonight. “And what brings you to this place? We don’t get many women like you in here.”

“Like me? Sounds dire.”

Oh she was a smart one all right. The kind of woman to keep a man on his toes. “No, I mean someone who is clearly not military or a townie.”

“Why do you say that?” She tilted her head and some of her inky hair shifted over her shoulder. I ached to run my fingers through it and discover if it was as soft as it appeared.

“Well, for one you have all your teeth. And you don’t look like your military, even if you have family that is.”

“I’m here visiting,” she explained, confirming my supposition.

“Where’s home?”

“Saint Louis, Missouri.”

The night was getting better and better.

She and I could enjoy a fantastic night together.

And then I could send her on her way. She wouldn’t have any regrets, because I would give her the ride of her life.

And I didn’t have to worry about a woman angling for a relationship since she lived a good thousand miles away.

It was perfect. “Not a bad city. I’ve been there a few times. And what do you do in Saint Louis?”

“Currently I’m an assistant baker at a local grocery store.”

“Ah, so you cook.” I looked her up and down. No wonder she smells like vanilla.

“Correction, I bake. I mean, I can cook, but before I finished my bachelor’s degree at the Culinary Art Institute, I had to drop out. Luckily, I had enough credits to earn my associates degree. So instead of continuing with school I’m gaining real world experience I hope to use down the line.”

“Why did you have to drop out?” She didn’t have the energy of someone who quit things. More like she went after them full throttle.

“Financial aid changed. I couldn’t afford tuition on my own, not at the rates they were charging. And I didn’t want to laden myself with student loans.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.

“I’m sorry. That had to hurt.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got a job that pays…well, it pays me enough to split a place with my best friend, but I’m squirreling all the extra I can away so I can open my own bakery.”

“And what do you specialize in within the baking world?”

“I do it all. But I specialize in cookies, cupcakes, and cakes, including wedding cakes. Although I’m wanting to expand my repertoire to other treats but that’s why I want to my own bakery.”

“Sounds delicious.”

“You know, you can tell a lot about a person by the type of cookie they prefer.”

“Is that a fact? Give me a list.”

“There’s the standard sugar cookie with a variety of toppings. Chocolate crinkles, toffeenut, peanut butter, snickerdoodle, lemon, raspberry thumbprint, coconut, the list could go on, and then, of course, chocolate chip.”

“Which one are you?” God, she was sweet, her excitement for baking absolutely endearing. It made her appear like a soft lamb among wolves in this place. And I had this desire to protect her, not just from the other guys in the bar, but from the world at large.

“Oh, I like them all. I haven’t met a cookie flavor I didn’t like. You?”

“I can’t turn down a good peanut butter or chocolate chip.”

“If you like chocolate chip, you tend to be sweet, kind and reliable, which are all good traits to have but are also like most of the population, which makes you kind of basic. For the peanut butter, it means you’re rather captivating and mysterious.

Makes a person want to get to know all the parts of you that you keep hidden. ”

I pressed a hand against my chest and replied with mock outrage. “You wound me. And here I thought we could be friends.”

She leaned in, giving me a bird's-eye view of her plump cleavage that I wanted to dive into, and said, “We are friends, or I never would have allowed you to buy me a drink.”

I set my arm around the back of her barstool and leaned closer.

The heat between us rose. Her pupils dilated, displaying her interest. The green in her hazel eyes became vivid.

I would convince her to come home with me.

That was my new goal for the evening. A night spent exploring this enchanting beauty was just the ticket to get me out of my funk.

I doubted Evan would show unless the woman he’s banging decided to kick him out.

Her face lit up as the jukebox played a new tune. “I love this song.”

It was a sappy love song by Patsy Cline. I couldn’t refuse a woman who loved such a classic.

“Dance with me.” I held out my hand and waited for her to take it.

Her smile widened while she bit her full bottom lip. I couldn’t wait to get her alone and take my time learning the contours of her lovely mouth. The moment our palms touched, fire erupted beneath my skin. I wanted to caress every inch of this woman with her sultry hazel eyes and slender hands.

And I would before the night was done.

***

Present Day

Wyatt signaled our exit pulling me from visions of the past. That night with Beth would forever live in my memory for a multitude of reasons.

We crossed the Interstate 64 bridge from Illinois over the Mississippi River into Missouri.

The Gateway Arch glimmered, a stunning silver beacon in the sunlight.

I shook off the memory. I hadn’t seen Beth Ryder since that fateful night five years ago. When I experienced a kiss with a woman I never should have tasted. And I ended up betraying a member of my unit.

The past needed to remain buried. I would deal with this stop and move on.

Evan and I were never right after the night I kissed his sister. As much as I tried paying penance, Evan wouldn’t permit it.

As we neared Beth’s home, the only emotion I could settle on was fury that she hadn’t attended the funeral.

Why had she skipped out on being there to lay her brother to rest?