She’s been everything he’d wanted and more. From loving and gentle at times, kinky and downright nasty at others, she embodied all the characteristics of a great lover. The time she’d tied him to the bedpost with her bra straps, then proceeded to whip his ass with a thin leather belt, had been a highlight of their evening, without doubt. He knew she was a take charge kind of girl, but
damn
! He never saw that side of her coming. Their incredible night had ended a short two hours ago when they had finally collapsed in a worn out heap.
Dagger glanced to his left, noting the black, thirty-four D cup bra dangling from the post and smiled.
Oh yes. We had one hell of a time.
Facing Brice and explaining he’d ravished his sister wasn’t going to be a fun conversation. But then again, there was a good chance Brice already knew and may have been the mastermind behind this whole situation. Brice wasn’t a stupid man. Most likely, his best friend had known about Dagger’s infatuation for his little sister for a long time. Mia had never been coy about her feelings. Regardless, hopefully his friendship with Brice would stand this awkward trial.
His relationship with Brice was only one of the cruel realities that waited now that the harsh light of day was shining. Dagger couldn’t pretend they weren’t there. They lurked around in his head as quietly as a herd of charging rhinos.
Was he going to reenlist and stay in the Navy? If he didn’t, what exactly would he do? Become a glorified mechanic who just happened to have sharpshooting skills, could tread water for hours at a time, and had the ability to kill a man with his bare hands?
And then there was the question of getting seriously involved with someone. Was he the kind of guy who could settle down, marry a nice girl, and have kids? After almost twelve years in the military, most of which was with his SEAL team, would this kind of life be enough?
Having a family hadn’t been right for his father. The old man, who had retired from the Army before finally marrying Dagger’s mother, had gone from job to job, looking for the kind of work that made him happy. When his father was at home, he’d pace their small house from front porch to back step as though he were a caged tiger. Restless and moody. Sometimes he drank more than he should and took his frustration out on the only people he allowed to get close, his wife and son. After a few years of living in captivity, good ol’ dad finally bugged out, leaving just enough money to get his family through the rough Wisconsin winter. And a dagger.
Dagger rubbed the tattoo on the bicep of his right arm. The blade’s image was a reminder to never forget. And he hadn’t. He never forgot the pain and suffering he and his mother had endured as they made it on their own, sometimes barely having enough food to keep their growling bellies full. He never forgot what it was like waking up to see his own breath as he rose out of bed because they were too poor to turn the heat up in the house. And he would never forget seeing his mother put on a brave face for him, even though her loneliness must have been unbearable. The one love of her life had left them both. She had never recovered. To his knowledge, she refused to see other men, let alone date one, up through the day she died of cancer.
Was he like his father? Would he ever be content with a regular job and a family? He loved being a SEAL where he traveled around the world with his buddies and did interesting things. True, his work had nearly cost him his life on more than one occasion, but the danger was the ultimate adrenaline rush.
Still…
Although the military offered so much, he couldn’t shake the empty void inside his heart and head that nagged relentlessly, keeping him from being fully content. What he needed to fill the hole, he couldn’t be sure. Most times he refused to think about it. Instead, he turned his mind to Mia and the various states of undress he’d like to see her or the lingerie she possibly owned.
Mia.
Smart, sassy, sexy Mia. She incited the best and the worst out of him. She was over the top, bossy, and needled him to no end. She challenged him, and he did love a good challenge. Damned if the beautiful redhead wasn’t everything he wanted. Of all the women in the world he could choose from, why had his heart chosen her?
And why did you think about sneaking out this morning while she slept?
Dagger stared at the ceiling fan as the blades made continuous, soundless circles, trying to figure out the answer to that difficult question.
Maybe you’re more like your father than you want to know. Love them and run without a backward glance.
No! I’d never do that. I’m not my father. I’m better than him.
Or are you just chicken? Afraid of getting too close? Afraid to commit?
Before he could ponder the thought more, an alarm went off. Mia reached out an arm and pounded the clock until the loud beeping noises stopped. She turned, took a quick glance at him, then pulled the sheet and blanket over her head.
Dagger laughed at the hilarity of her unanticipated move. As always, Mia was full of surprises.
“I know I’m not a handsome man in the morning, but am I that bad?” He didn’t even try to hold back the mirth from his tone.
“No,” she answered back, her voice muffled from the covers. “I am.”
“I seriously doubt that.” Dagger grabbed a handful of the blanket and drew it back.
Flaming red hair a wild mess, mouth slightly swollen, and her emerald eyes still full of sleep, she looked absolutely stunning.
Yep, I called it. On the adorable scale, she rates a ten the morning after a thorough night of sex.
Even lower, he could see her pert breasts, flat stomach, and a thatch of crimson curls. His heart skipped a beat and his cock roared to life. The worries that plagued him only moments before now seemed less important. He’d have to deal with them soon, much sooner than he wanted. While Mia was still around though, those problems would have to wait.
“Ugh. You’re right. You’re pretty hideous.” He quickly tugged the cover back into place.
“Very funny.” She sat up, a less than amused look covering her features. As she ran her fingers through the tangles in her long hair, she nodded toward the pup tent that had sprung up over his groin. “Seems your other brain doesn’t think I look all that bad. After going at it all night, I can’t believe it’s not broken. Aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine. I’m used to only getting a few hours sleep.” He caught Mia’s wrist and tugged until she lay nicely snuggled next to him. He’d love to take her again. Make her climax as he came at her from behind, his favorite position. But she was most likely sore after their day together. She needed a break, especially if he planned on seeing her this evening.
Are you going to see her again?
The damage is already done. In for a penny, in for a pound. Isn’t that how the old saying goes?
Why not?
He wrapped his arm around her narrow waist. She was warm and soft. Two things he generally didn’t find in his bed. If he wasn’t careful, having her here like this was something he could easily get used to.
“And you? Why aren’t you still wandering around in slumber land?” he wanted to know. “It’s Saturday.”
She laid her head on his chest and yawned. “Because I have to work. Nearly everyone who rents a slip at the marina comes in to take out their boat on Saturdays. It’s one of our busiest days. I’ve got to get up and get ready to go.”
A slight stab of disappointment pierced his happy mood. For reasons he wasn’t sure he wanted to admit, he’d hoped he could spend a little more time with Mia. “Yeah. Sure. Do what you have to. I’ve got tons of stuff to do myself. The guys and I are going to do a little fishing today. Maybe take out Brice’s wave runners.”
Truth was he had no idea what the other members of SEAL Team Arapahoe were doing today. After they had landed at Naval Air Station Key West, tore off in Jeeps to get to Brice’s house, and threw their bags in their rooms, each of them had scattered to the four winds. Most likely Ice had hooked up with Syn, his long-time girl-in-waiting. Jagger was supposed to be picking up some chick at the airport with Trip. Ghost had a hottie that was supposed to be in town, too. As for Coyote and Zeus, who knew what they had gotten themselves into past their first beer? They weren’t the kinds of guys who would want to sit still for long though, unless they were in a jail cell.
If he sincerely wanted a clean break from Mia, now was the perfect time. She could go her way and he could go his. No hard feelings. No one gets hurt.
“I get off at five. If you want, you can pick me up at the marina. I’m sure Butch is anxious to see you. Plus, I’d like to spend a little more time with you if that’s okay.”
He stared into her dark green eyes. Just like yesterday, something lurked behind them and silently pulled at his heart strings.
Oh yes, she is a virus and there is no cure.
Chapter Five
“Well, I’ll be a salty dog. Look what the surf washed up.”
Butch McMann stepped back from the diesel engine in his marina’s boat repair shop. The old Navy Chief tipped back the faded denim cap he’d habitually worn since God was a baby, then wiped his deeply tanned hands on a towel hanging from the pocket of his khaki shorts. As usual, the only other items he wore were a pair of ankle socks and ancient tennis shoes. His shirtless upper body was coconut brown except for the thick patch silver chest hair. If anyone knew how to sport a Key West look, it was Butch McMann. He practically invented it.
Dagger flashed a smile and patted Butch’s rotund, hard-as-a-rock belly. “You’re looking good old man. You haven’t changed a bit since the last time I saw you.”
“Hell, no, I haven’t.” Butch heaved his barrel chest. “If I were any sexier, I’d have to beat off the ladies with a stick. You know, there are more horny widows on this Key than on the entire state of Florida, and half of them have already given me the pleasure of their sweet company, if you know what I mean.”
“You don’t say.”
“I do say. It’s the gospel truth. I’m a babe magnet.” The retired Chief’s bright hazel eyes, keen and assessing, scanned every inch of Dagger. “You’re not looking too bad yourself, boy. I guess the Navy is feeding you all right. But that hair.” He frowned and shook his head. “Back in my day, a man in the service wore his hair short.” He removed his cap and brushed his palm over the prickly tips of white flat top. “It’s a good look. Also helps a fella stay cool in this damned heat.”
Mindful his dark brown hair now reached his shoulders, far from the typical regulation cut, Dagger shrugged. “It’s a SEAL thing. I’m supposed to blend into a crowd. If I walked around the Middle East with a buzz-cut like yours, I’d be dead within five minutes.”
“If having long hair keeps you safe, then I say grow it down to your ass.” Butch drew Dagger in for a hug and whacked him several times on the back. “It’s good to see you, Dean. I heard you were coming into town with a bunch of your SEAL buddies and staying at Brice’s place. Was hoping you’d break away to come by and see me. Here,” Butch pulled a beer from a red cooler near his tool chest and popped the top. “Have a drink on me.”
“I couldn’t come back without checking in on you and the marina, old man. I spent so many summers here helping you fix old boats, this place is like my second home.”
Dagger took in the familiar place. Build back in the fifties, Butch’s Marina wasn’t one of Key West’s biggest or best marinas. It boasted only sixty-five boat slips, a well-worn repair shop, a gas pump, and an office where the locals generally bought their bait and beer before heading out for a day of fishing. Despite the age of the property, everything looked well maintained. The condition of the facilities and his long-standing business was a testament to Butch’s uncompromising demands of keeping everything he owned ship-shape.
“The other seven guys blew the coop as soon as they threw their duffle bags in their rooms,” Dagger added. “At this moment, they’re scattering to places unknown, looking for trouble. I sent them all texts. Waiting to hear back from most of them.”
Butch shook a gnarled thumb toward the marina office. “Well, if you’re looking for trouble, Mia’s in there behind the desk. I hear you’re taking her to dinner tonight.” He regarded Dagger beneath shaggy eyebrows. “She looks like she didn’t get a wink of sleep last night, but she’s got a perky hitch to her giddy-up. Also been complaining about her legs being sore. You know anything about that?”
Dagger choked on a sip of beer, making his eyes water. “Jeez, Butch.”
“That’s what I thought.” He took a long draw from his own bottle. “You two were always running around, mooning over each other. Guess it was only a matter of time before nature had her way.”
“It’s not what you think.” An overpowering need to defend himself and Mia sprung forward like a jack in the box toy. “We’re just good friends.”
“Sure, sure,” Butch nodded, clearly unconvinced. “And I’m Davy Jones looking for my missing locker.” He waved his hand as though dismissing the charade. “I know you two kids better than you know yourselves. But if you ask me, and I know you haven’t, I say it’s about damned time. No more silly games. I just want you to promise me a front row seat to your wedding. That’s an event I don’t want to miss.”
A vise-like grip tightened around Dagger’s chest. He struggled for a breath as though he’d just been punched in the gut. “Marriage? Who said anything about getting married? I’m still in the Navy, dropping out of planes and tracking down bad guys. I don’t have time for a wife.”
“Then you’re going to miss out, boy. Yes, sir,” the old man added while scratching the thick stubble on his chubby cheek, “you need to get Mia while you still have the chance. There’s fellas circling around this place like a bunch of hungry vultures. I see them hanging around the office every day, waiting for her to finally give in. How she’s lasted this long, I’ll never know.”
An irrational current of possessiveness sizzled uncomfortably in Dagger’s blood and then burned in his belly like a stove full of hot coals. Mia in another man’s arms? Kissing another man’s lips?
The reaction was ridiculous. Of course, it was. He had no right to care what she did or with whom. They had spent one amazing day together, that was it. Sure, they might have grown up together and, if he were honest with himself, he might be in love with her. But—