The Navy's Ghost (Bad Boys of Beta Squad) (14 page)

“Sorry, I was just trying to help.”

Could I be any more pathetic?

“I got it!” He reached under her chair and jerked the ring into view.
Lint laced the small circlet of gold. “Uh, ew, sorry.”

He blew it off and buffed
it on his white pants, before holding it up once more. Chris’s eyes crinkled in the corners and she set her champagne glass down on the table.

“That wasn’t the way
I wanted to present this to you.” Todd grimaced. “In fact, I planned on being all suave and debonair, explainin’ the special occasion for you to wear this stunning dress isn’t just for the Squad’s homecoming. I wanted to get down on, well, both knees now, and ask you to marry me.”

“Magic
.” Her eyes widened with amazement. “When did you do all this? You’ve been gone for five weeks and you just got back yesterday.”

He shook his head with a smile. “I took care of this before I left, but I’ve been thinking and worrying about it for
the whole time. Please put me outta my misery. Will you marry me, Christiana Brickman?”

A tremulous smile slid across her lips, but it didn’t reach full maturity. “What about Retro?”

“Well, here’s how I figure it. I had three of these rings made up. One for you, one for me, and one for him, just in case.” Todd shook his head. “He’s still adamantly keeping his distance, but if you’re still okay with including him in our relationship, I think we might have need of the last ring yet.”

“Do you think he’ll come around?”

“I don’t know. It seems to me he’s dealin’ with something pretty heavy in regards to sharin’ his woman and he might not be able to see a way to clear water through it. I think we just gotta be patient and let him know we’re not givin’ up on him, but not push him either.”

Chris’s expression turned pensive
. “He must think it’s really weird, especially since he took off that night I came to your place drunk. I know it’s not normal for a woman to want two men.” She bit her lip. “Do you think I’m a freak for wanting to share?”

Magic raised an eyebrow and
glanced pointedly at the ring in his hand before he returned his gaze to hers. “I told you in the hospital it’s the perfect solution for my dilemma. I’m not changin’ my mind now.” He reached out and grasped her left hand. “So, can you answer my little question before we discuss Retro anymore? Will you marry me, Chris?”

She spread the fingers of her left hand and grinned. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He hadn’t realized he’d worried about her answer until the relief swept through him, washing away his fears. He whooped with joy and shot to his feet, pulling her out of the chair. He almost lost the ring again, but this time he managed to slide it onto her finger before it tumbled to the lint-laden floor once more.

He crushed her to his chest and planted a kiss on her gloriously full li
ps, savoring the delicate scents of cinnamon and pine, and the taste of her toothpaste. Excitement and jubilation roared through him, making him pull back from the kiss and twirl her around in delighted triumph.

Chris laughed as she hung on, her eyes sparkling in the flickering light of the candles. He’d never get tired of seeing her whether she wore a mouthwatering dress or a canvas tent, and he’
d make damn sure he got home every time, knowing she waited on him.

“You have no idea how go
od it feels to hear you say yes.” Todd set her down, beaming. “I’ve been worryin’ and gnawin’ on this for weeks and I couldn’t tell you. God almighty, the Squad was like to kill me for being so twitchy.”

“The Squad? You told all of Beta Squad about this?”

“That I wanted to propose? Hell yeah.”

“But not about…
” She trailed off and rubbed the new ring on her finger.

“About sharin’ you with
Retro? No way.” He closed his hand over hers. “It’s none of their business.”

“How did Retro take the news you
planned on proposing?”

Magic grimaced and shook his head. “To be honest, he looked like I’d shot his dog.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Is he coming here tonight?”

“He said he would.”

Chris peeled her hand out from under Magic’s and rubbed her new ring. “Three woven strands. It means one for each of us, right?”

“
That’s right. But we can tell folks it means body, mind, and soul.”

She sighed. “I really wish he didn’t think I’m a freak.”

“He doesn’t. That’s your own worries talkin’.” Todd grimaced at the vehemence in his voice. “Retro has his own issues to work through. He doesn’t condemn you. Never think that, Chris. Retro loves you as much as I do and if he’d thought of it, he probably would’ve asked you to marry him first.”

“No, he wouldn’t have. He knows I want to share myself between you and he isn’t having any of it.”

Todd ran a hand through his hair. “That’s the only reason he didn’t ask you.”

“And the most important.”

“No, not the most important—”

“It’s kept him away from us,” she pointed out.

He opened his mouth to refute her claim, but she’d nailed it.

“Okay, I can’t argue
your point, but I don’t think it’s you he’s afraid of. I think it’s himself.”

“What? Why?”

The doorbell rang and Todd blinked before glancing at the clock on the microwave.
Is it twenty-hundred already?
The little green numbers read seven forty-two and he frowned. Who the hell got here so early?

“I better go see who
it is.”

“Magic, wait.” She grabbed his hand and turned it over, running her index finger over his palm. He shivered and his balls tightened
with pleasure as she smiled seductively. “Do you have one of these for yourself?” She held up her hand.

He grinned and reached into his other pocket. This time he had no trouble retrieving the woven band of gold and he held it up for her to see. She answered his grin and snatched the ring out of his hand, flipping his left hand palm down.

“So, Chief Warrant Officer Todd Hunter, will you marry me?” She slid the warm metal onto his finger to the second knuckle.

“Oh, hell yeah.”
Heat bloomed throughout his chest and his heartbeat revved with joy.

She shoved the ring home and threw herself into his arms just as someone
pounded on the front door.

Chapter
Ten

Retro tried not to fidget
as he waited for Magic to open the door. He’d arrived early, but his need to see Chris had overridden his vow to distance himself. Magic wanted to propose tonight, but he’d finished, right? They’d said they wanted him in their relationship, so he wasn’t really barging in, right?

What the hell is taking him so long? Oh shit, they’re not having sex, are they?

The idea made his gut clench. He raised his hand and pounded on the door.
Get outta bed and open the damn door.

A few moments later, the door opened and Magic stood there with a dazed expression and pink lipstick smeared across his mouth.
Drunken joy wafted off of him. She’d said yes. Retro’s heart sank into his size twelve boots.
Damn.

“
Retro, hey buddy, come on in.” The blond SEAL stepped back out of the way.

Jim forced his body to move through the doorway, but each step took all his effort. He didn’t want to see the
joy on Chris’s face. He didn’t want to know Magic had made her the happiest woman in the world.

That’s my job, dammit.
She’s supposed to be happiest with me
and
him. Oh God, I shouldn’t have fucking come here tonight.

Jim
couldn’t find her at first. His gaze swept around the tidy living room and the couch where they’d shared a hot night.
Don’t think about it!
Then he glanced toward the kitchen where candlelight flickered through the archway. He marched doggedly through the house, a true glutton for punishment. Why did he do this to himself? She’d chosen someone else.

When Jim stepped into the kitchen,
he lost the ability to move. Hell, to breathe. Chris stood beside the table in three quarters profile, her head bent as she examined the ring Magic had placed on her finger. Jim’s chest squeezed at the beauty in her pose. She looked like a pin-up girl in her dress. It dipped so low in the back her sexy Celtic trinity tattoo showed. He couldn’t help but think of dragging his tongue all the way down the crease of her spine while his hands fondled her ass under the skirt.

The
erotic images didn’t push out the dread and pain of her examining Magic’s ring.
Fuck!
She could have worn Jim’s ring. Why the hell hadn’t he asked Chris to marry him?

Because I can’t give her what she wants
—both of us.

God, her beauty stole his breath.
She stood so heartrendingly gorgeous in the elegant coral dress, her hair falling in tendrils around her face. He resisted the urge to sweep her up in his arms and press her body against his to ease the grip on his heart. He desperately needed to relieve his stiff cock in her tight, wet heat.
Or her mouth. I’m not picky.

Dammit
.

Magic step
ped up behind him.

“She doesn’t have to be just mine, Retro.”

Jim’s heart screamed out its agreement even as the black knot of fear tightened in his chest. He just shook his head, examining their perfect lady for every small detail. Some rational part of his mind noted her expression held sadness and resignation as she stroked one finger across the multiple strands of gold on her hand, but his pain devoured the knowledge like acid.

He must have croaked out something because Chris
raised her head and her face split into a glorious smile when her eyes fixed on him in the doorway. The candlelight glinted off the gold on her hand, but her eyes outshone everything else.

“Jim!”

His heart clenched as she trotted toward him, her gait uneven from her injury. Still, her hips swayed so much his cock started to point it out and he could barely think of anything as the dress slid over those sensuous legs. Chris threw herself into his arms and squeezed him tightly, her lips against his neck.

Despite the knowledge of her engagement to his best buddy, he closed his arms around her and reveled in the feeling of her lithe body
against him. His eyes slid shut and his chest tightened as he inhaled her cinnamon pine scent. He always wanted her here, in his arms where she’d be safe, protected, and loved.

Dammit, she’s no longer available. She’s Magic’s now.

Jim pushed her gently back, trying to smile around the hurt he read in her face as she reluctantly released her hold on him.

“You look good, Ghost,” he
said to hide his need. “Smokin’ good. I’ve missed you. How have you been?”

“I’ve been okay.
” She frowned, her eyes shouting questions at him. “And thanks for the compliments. Magic said I had to wear the dress because it’s a special occasion.” Her grin peeked out and damn near brought Jim to his knees.

God, I want her to smile at me like that
.

“He’s just luck
y you agreed,” he said to cover his agony.

“
We’re
lucky,” Todd said.

“
Yeah. You asked her, didn’t you?” Retro raised his eyebrows at Chris. “He asked you, right?”

Chris’
s smile bloomed full of joy. “Yes, he did.” She held up her left hand proudly.

The three woven bands of gold winked an accusation at Jim.
He’d never seen a more beautiful ring and it fit perfectly on the best woman in the world.

To
o bad she’s not your woman, dumbass.

“Wow, look at that.” He tried to lighten his voice
as he examined her hand even if his chest felt surrounded by six-fathom water. “It’s beautiful, Magic. You picked the right ring for the right girl.” He smiled at Chris. “You deserve it, Ghost. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” She
took a breath like she wanted to say something else, but she tightened her lips over her words.

“I
thought I’d better see you before the rest of the Squad mobbed you with their congrats.”

“I’ve missed you, Jim.” She pressed her hand against his cheek and it almost broke him. “I’
m glad you’re home safe and you could come early. I needed to see you as much as Todd.” She paused and searched his eyes. “You know I still love you, right?”

Jim swallowed hard. “I know.”

“And you know we still want you with us, right?”

“Yeah, about that
—”

“Shhh
.” Chris pressed her hand over his lips, silencing him. God, her skin held the texture of warm satin. “I know you said you aren’t comfortable with the idea of sharing. But this doesn’t change how we feel.” She held up the hand with Magic’s ring. “We still want you and love you. The offer’s still there when you’re ready.”

Why did she have to be so perfect? Why couldn’t Todd be the jealous type? Why couldn’t the
y see how much of an addiction he struggled under? He had to resist, yet they kept dangling the carrot of their intimacy out in front of him, offering him love, acceptance, and every lustful thing he’d desired.

You’re a fr
eak, boy. Don’t you dare sully the Waters name.

Shut up!

Jim grimaced as he jerked back from Chris, moving so fast he knocked her off balance. Her bad leg couldn’t compensate quick enough and she toppled with a soft whoop of surprise. Chagrin slammed into him as Magic caught her against his chest, giving Jim a look of astonishment as he steadied Chris.

“I’m sorry
, Ghost.”

Oh God, he’d never been so clumsy in his life. The look on her face seared him to his soul, a mixture of
confusion and hurt. He cleared his throat and pulled on the hems of his uniform, straightening invisible wrinkles in an effort to regain composure. He couldn’t tell her he’d reacted to his father’s words echoing through his head.

“It’s okay, Retro.
” She turned her face toward Magic’s chest. “I shouldn’t have pushed. You’ve given me your answer already. I should leave it be.”

Ah, hell, now she
took responsibility for his fucked-up response. He wanted to explain how his addiction ate at him, the darkness within him he had to resist. But he was too much of a coward, too afraid to take what she offered or show her his weakness.

The moment stretched uncomfortably until the doorbell rang. Jim jumped and Chris cursed, hastily wiping her hands over her face as she struggled to stand upright.

Ah, shit, is she crying? Dammit.
This evening couldn’t get any worse.

“I’ll get it
.” Jim spun away, pretending he wasn’t running with his tail tucked firmly between his legs.

****

They’d all gathered, just like the intel said they would.

Several had brought
whores with them, females dressed immodestly and fawning over the men like bitches in heat. They displayed in public what should be intimate and private. And the American dogs lapped it up, fed on it, until they grew fat and lazy, unaware an enemy watched them. An enemy close enough to destroy them at leisure.

This group, the team of men who’d d
ecimated their operation on the eastern coast of this decadent country, would pay for their crimes. They’d pay with what they held most dear. The Blade of Holy Light would take their females, not the whores, but the wives, and free them from the unholy association with these arrogant desecrators of the sacred mission. The females would be free to serve the True God, and the devoted warriors who followed Him.

The
infidels would be watched, tracked, and their women would be secured. It would take time, but the True God had plenty, and His devoted servants embodied patience. However long it took, these sacrilegious men would pay with their women for having destroyed such a crucial step in the holy mission.

Time was all they needed.

****

Todd close
d the door after Chris’s best friend Jaime waved goodbye and sent Chris a knowing wink. It’d been a great party celebrating their engagement and everyone had been jovial. Except Retro. Chris grimaced and stabbed herself with the knife of chagrin again. Why the hell had she pushed him? He’d said he didn’t want to share in their relationship, but Magic made it sound as if it might not be true, Retro just needed to be encouraged.

And we had that one night
.

Instead, she’d driven him further away and he’d left early, his face a mask of torment and pain. Everyone
read his mood, but they assumed his unhappiness stemmed from Magic asking her for her hand first. Jaime had even tried to cheer him up with no luck, and few could withstand her hit and remain stoic.

Chris
ached for Jim. She loved him with her whole heart, but she couldn’t imagine her life without Todd in it, even if she’d agreed to marry Jim first. She wanted them both and in her impatience, she’d made him turn tail and run.

“What you thinkin’ about, darlin’?” Todd wrapped his arms around her from behind.

She sighed and shook her head. “My mistake.”

“What mistake
?”

She elbowed him. “You assume I’ve made more than one?”

“We’ve all made more than one.”

“Yeah.”
Chris leaned her head back against Todd’s chest and closed her eyes. “I meant with Retro. Every time someone toasted us or congratulated us, he got paler and sicker. He’d turned damn near green by the time he ducked out.”

“
It wasn’t your fault.” Todd laid a soft kiss above her ear.

“Yeah, it was
—”

“Ghost, Retro has more demons eatin’ at him than you could ever expose.”

“Maybe, but I managed to poke at the rawest wound and everyone cheered me for it.” Chris dropped her shoulders.

“Stop taking
responsibility for his hang-ups.” Todd turned her in his arms to level her with a stern gaze. “You made the offer—we both did—and
he
turned us down. Then you made the offer again and he knocked you down.”

Chris snorted. “He didn’t mean to
—”

“It doesn’
t matter. This isn’t about what you’ve done. It’s about his issues. The man’s so damn in love with you, and runnin’ from you is making him miserable. But he’s the one who’s runnin’.”

“If I didn’t push
—”

“You didn’t
.”

“Stop interrupting
me!” Todd closed his mouth. “If I hadn’t pushed him again tonight, the engagement party might have gone smoother for us all. It’s killing me to see him so upset when it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Magic sighed and palmed her cheek, sliding his thumb over her chin as he tipped her face up. “I know it is. It’s killin’ me, too. Hell, I’m sure it’s killin’ him. We’ll just have to be patient
and hope he can find the clear water.”

Chris inhaled slowly, enjoying the scents
of starched whites and warm man, but her mind churned with questions. She opened her mouth to ask, but Magic dipped his head and planted his lips against hers, turning her focus away from Retro. His hands slid down her back, the calluses tickling her skin, until his palms settled on her ass and pulled her tight against him.