The Navy's Ghost (Bad Boys of Beta Squad) (17 page)

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

“Hey, before I let you go mope in the corner, tell me who that guy is.”

“Can you be more specif
ic, ma’am? There’s quite a few guys here.” Jim craned his head to follow Jaime’s gaze.

“That guy.” She pointed at Stanton. “Right there. I don’t know his rank
.”

“Stanton? Chief Petty Officer. See the three gold bars with an eagle and no stars?” Jim pointed out the shoulder patch. “He doesn’t smile much.”

“That’s okay. Neither do you, but you seem nice enough. Thanks again for the dance.” Jaime patted his arm before she ducked off into the tables beside the dance floor.

Jim
caught sight of Rimshot watching her progress across the room and suspected Jaime might not go home alone tonight.
If Stanton looked any hungrier he’d be eating the table.
Jim could empathize completely.
I just hope I hide it better.

Retro paused and scanned the room, taking in the happy faces and the dancing couples. He’d never
needed to be a part of such a relationship before. He’d always had some mission coming up or the desire for the next adventure to help save those weaker than himself. He still took great pleasure and satisfaction from rescuing a stranded platoon or taking down a nest of international terrorists.

But ever since Magic told him he wanted to ask Chris to marry him, something had changed. An odd and uncomfortable itch had infiltrated his awareness, making him yearn
—actually yearn—for the comfort of a wife at home and friends waiting for him to return. He shouldn’t want it. A SEAL’s life epitomized unpredictability, but the need for roots and a home base refused to fade, blooming with alarming speed and intensity.

You could’ve
had it with Chris if you’d just asked. Hell, you could accept her invitation right now.

Jim took a couple of steps toward the flower festooned table where Chris stood with Magic accepting congratulations before his brain caught up with his needs. This was
their
day and he didn’t need to muddy the waters with his dysfunctional urges. Chris turned toward him and tried to catch his eye, but Jim ducked his head and made an about-face, retreating to the bar in the corner of the room.

What is wrong with
me? Leave her be.

“Scotch on the rocks. Make it the good stuff.”

The bartender chuckled sympathetically. “Weddings suck, don’t they?”

“Just this one,” Retro
said as the man poured the whiskey.

“Bride, groom, or both?”

Jim eyed the handsome bartender and chose his words carefully. “Bride.”

“Too bad.” T
he other man sighed as he handed Retro his drink. “But here’s your chance to sweep her off her feet.” He inclined his head over Retro’s shoulder.

Jim turned carefully to keep from spilling his glass and came face to face with the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Sparkling
hazel eyes took in every detail of his face with an expression of concern. Jim inwardly cursed as his body reacted to her perusal and he tried to paste a welcoming smile on his face.

“Hey, Jim
, I saw you take a couple steps toward me over there. Did you need to talk to me?” Chris laid one freshly manicured hand on his arm. He bet she’d never had one of those before today, but it made her all the more feminine and desirable.

“Nah, just lost my footing is all.” The bartender snorted behind him and Jim stepped into motion away from the bar. “Are you having a nice time? You sure look beautiful.”

Chris grinned. “Do you want me to answer your question truthfully or with what you want to hear?”

Her question made his guts cramp, but he gave her his patented “don’t give a fuck” smile. “I always expect the truth from you,
Ghost. Otherwise you never would’ve made it through BUD/S.”

“True.” Her grin lost some wattage. “Honestly, I’m really enjoying being here in front of everyone, married to Todd.”

Though her answer held truth, he heard reservation. “But?”

Chris sighed and met his gaze with her
chocolate and emerald eyes. She didn’t have to say a word, but he almost wished she’d utter them, to acknowledge the pain searing his chest every time he looked at her standing with Todd. The tri-banded rings winked at him with malevolent taunting each time their hands clasped and a new hole opened in his heart.

“Heh, well, you know my feelings about that. Besides, this is supposed to be your day with Magic. And I’
m happy for you both.”

She leaned close and he inhaled her subtle
cinnamon and pine perfume. His balls tightened and his cock threatened to stiffen, but he controlled it ruthlessly.

“This was supposed to be
our
day, Jim,” she whispered. “Come dance with me.” She tugged on his hand, pulling him toward the dance floor.

“I can’t.” He paused as his guts twisted in frustration. “This is your wedding to Magic and he should be the one dancing with you.”

“Jim, I’m the bride. I can dance with anyone I like, including all my Teammates from my Squad, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Please, Jim. I need to feel you close one last time.” Her hazel eyes pleaded with him and he wanted to kiss away all the sorrow he read in them. When had she developed her feminine wiles?

He
set down his glass and swallowed his frustration. “Okay, Ghost.”

The brightness of her smile made his teeth ache. God, to have her give him that smile every day.
Let it go, Waters.
He took her hand and gently swirled her in a circle before wrapping one arm around the small of her back. “Damn, you smell so good.”

“So do you.” She smiled at him and he resisted the urge to
kiss her lips. “I’m glad you came even if you’d rather not.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Chris snorted and raised a sardonic eyebrow. “I’m not buying it, but I’m glad, anyway.”

“No, really, Ghost. I’m happy for you and Todd. He’s a good man and will make you a great husband. He’s the best man for this job.” Jim ignored his body and mind screaming at the falsehood he blathered out.

“He
will
make a great husband. So would you.” Chris searched his face for a few short moments as the music swirled around them. “Why didn’t you ask me to marry you first?”

Jim faltered in his dance steps, nearly trodding on her
lovely white pumps. “Uh…”

“
Is it because I wanted to share?”

“Chris, I don’t want to talk about this here. Let’s just have a nice time. It’s your wedding after all. It’s supposed to be a happy day.”

Crystalline pain winked at him from her eyes, but she subsided and gave him a heartbreaking smile. The same pain slashed through his chest and he tried to ignore the little voice whispering about everything he’d miss. She and Magic offered him the perfect solution, but it was wrong. Deviant. Depraved. A sickness he should have sought help for long ago.

I can’t drag her down with me into my sick, sordid afflictions.
Even if she’d asked.

When the dance ended, Chris gave him
another sad smile. “Thanks for the dance, Retro.”

“You’re welcome, Ghost. Congratulations.”

She patted his chest, branding him with her warm hand before retreating from him with sorrow mantling her shoulders like a shawl. When she reached her new husband, Todd sent him a questioning look as he wrapped one arm around his wife.

“Fuck
.” Jim wondered how he would make it through the rest of the wedding. Refusing to give in to alcohol, he retreated to the back wall to watch and wait. He still had to give the toast to the bride and groom, and watch the cake cutting, but he’d be damned before he stayed for anything else. Hell would freeze over before he’d stay to catch the garter belt. Anything sitting so close to Chris’s skin would be too much torture.

It’s just another op.
He’d made it through Hell Week. This would be a piece of cake. Literally. But standing there watching Chris stare up lovingly at Todd each time they shared something together made the ache in Jim’s chest intensify until he could barely breathe. He’d give much for those looks and the love. He wanted their company more than he’d wanted to be a SEAL. He belonged with them, and standing apart shattered his soul.

“God, will this day ever end?”

The only easy day was yesterday. Ain’t that the truth.

“Come on, Retro. I think it’s time for the toasts.” Bam-Bam
slapped Jim’s shoulder as he passed with his wife MaryAnn. The slender, buxom blonde woman winked at him as she snuggled up against Greg.

“Yeah, I know. I’m coming.” Jim pasted on a cocky grin as he followed them to the wedding party table and swallowed to keep his stomach from emptying the
scotch he’d drunk to keep his throat from drying out.
Damn.

The crowd settled and someone handed him the microphone so he could announce how wonderful it was to see his two best friends married.
Even if it makes me wish I could run headfirst into enemy fire carrying at sixty kilo pack on my back.

“
Todd Hunter and I have been friends since BUD/S training and I’ve never met a steadier friend before in my life.” Jim offered the crowd a smirk. “When he told me he was going to ask Chris Brickman to marry him, I couldn’t think of a better man to make Chris smile. Now, I’m not much for words or sentiment, but I will say I’ve never seen two people better suited for each other than Chris and Todd, and I will always have their backs.” He stopped before the anguish leaked into his voice. “To Chris and Todd.”

The assembled crowd cheered like a bunch of sports fans
and Magic and Ghost grinned with pleasure, but Retro’s insides withered. He handed off the microphone to Jaime, who squeezed his hand sympathetically, and sat in his chair, trying to keep from throwing up.

Jim barely heard the hilarious toast Jaime gave or
noticed the flashes of the photographer taking shots of Todd and Chris cutting the cake. He prayed for his role in losing his two best friends to be over. As soon as he could, he left the wedding celebrations behind, damn near running to his truck to get home.

He only paused when his shoulder blades itched and all his senses went on alert.
He swung his gaze toward the building to check for suspicious shadows, but the disturbance came from behind him. Jim glanced down at his keys and used the side mirror of his truck to scan the grounds behind the tailgate. The world appeared calm, but everything inside him screamed someone had the party under surveillance. He turned his head to look out over the hood as if trying to locate the way out. Again, nothing caught his attention.

Dogs barked, birds chirped in sleepy calls as the
November evening waned toward night, but the sensation of being watched still raised the hair on his neck.
I know you’re out there. Where the fuck are you?

Jim waited longer, swearing under his breath and bracing himself against his truck as if unhappy with the events inside.
Who are you trying to kid? You
are
unhappy with the wedding.

Yeah, but i
t didn’t change the itching between his shoulders. He listened hard, but nothing seemed out of place and eventually, he opened his truck’s door and sat behind the wheel.

Again, he scanned the world around him,
searching for the threat his “Spidey senses” told him lurked out there. When he still found nothing, he turned the ignition and threw the truck into gear, setting the concern at the back of his mind. He knew something was up. He just had to be patient to find out what.

The drive back to base failed to dispel the unease he experienced outside the reception hall and his mind
turned over all the possibilities of what he’d sensed.
Could just be jitters from watching my two best friends marry each other…without me.
He could buy the explanation, but his hackles only went up when he faced an unknown danger. The sensation had only hit him when he stood outside.

He showed his ID at the check
point, exchanged pleasantries with the guard, and drove onto base.
Could be just some would-be carjackers hoping to snag my truck.
Another good explanation, but the surveillance had felt more intense, like a scouting trip or information net. Who the hell would be scouting out a Navy wedding?

Jim parked in his driveway and sat for a moment, considering. He could think of no one who’d want to crash the party. As he retreated into his house, he had to be grateful for one thing. The odd feeling outside the
reception hall kept him from thinking about what Magic and Ghost would be doing afterward.

Chapter Twelve

Chris and Todd said t
heir goodbyes then ducked out to the parking lot, only to draw up short with twin gasps. Chris suspected he gasped more in dismay than surprise, but she gaped along with him.

Condom balloons waved gently i
n the evening breeze in a party-colored display. Various colors, pink, blue, cream, chocolate, and glow-in-the-dark, fluttered in a many-fingered array, the different sizes making it appear as though his truck wore feathers. Words appeared periodically beneath the condom balloons, spelling out “just married”, “enjoy the motion of the ocean”, and “go Navy.”

“Oh
, my God.”

Chris chortled. “Wow, they really went all out.”

“I don’t know if I’m amused or horrified.”

“Did they leave the windshield clear?” Chris limped up to the truck and peered in through the condom-festooned glass. “Oh, yeah. They only taped them to the edges of the frame. You should be able to drive.”

“I don’t know if I could stand to drive it like this.”

“Oh, come on, Magic. It is pretty funny.”

He grimaced and opened her door for her, helping her climb up.

“Where do you think they got them all?”

“I’ll bet they got all the guys in the Navy yard to donate.” He shuddered a little. “I just don’t want to know how they blew them all up.”

Chris laughed and Todd grinned. “Yeah,
it’s kind of creepy. Nothing like the taste of latex to leave a lasting impression.”

“Eww
!” He scrunched up his nose and she wanted to kiss the creases. “Okay, let’s talk about somethin’ else ’cause this is grossin’ me out.”

“Well, I can think of much better uses for some of the latex floating around your truck.” Chris gave him her best mischievous grin.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Water balloons.”

Magic threw his head back. “Now, that’s my idea of a good time!”

Chris chuckled, but her mind drifted back to the wedding and the
Squad celebrating. It’d been a great time until she thought of Retro. Damn, just the thought of him wearing the great stone face expression to hide his emotions turned her stomach.

You gotta let it go, Brickman. He made his choice, no matter what you want
.

Yeah, he had, but it still sucked.

“You all right, Ghost?”

Chris sighed as she
settled into her seat beside her new husband.
What an odd thought.
“Yes. I’m great. I love you and I’m so happy to be married to you.”

He glanced at her wit
h a knowing smile. “You thinkin’ of Retro again?”

Chris grimaced. “I can’t
not
think of him, but I think I’d like to just enjoy our time together and stop rehashing old pain.”

“
He chose to walk away, Chris.” Magic looked over his shoulder to back up the truck.

“Yeah, I know.” Chris would have said more, but she caught Magic’s frown. The
hairs on Her neck stood up. “What is it?”

Magic shook his head and put the truck in park, his eyes
scanning the dark world beyond the windows. Chris watched him and slowed her breathing. She might wear a wedding dress, but it didn’t stop her from paying attention to subtle signals. Something was wrong. It reminded her of the sensation she’d experienced outside Magic’s house and she slowly rolled down the window.

Crickets called in the evening air and
the wind rattled the bare branches of a nearby tree. A dog barked in the distance, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The night appeared calm, but she didn’t buy it.

She turned her head and glanced at Magic, flicking a hand signal.
Anything?

Todd shook his head
as he scanned the night again.

They waited a few more heartbeats before he sighed and threw the truck into drive. “Maybe it’s nothin’ and I’m just twitchy now that I got a wife to look after.”

Chris snorted. “You mean you have a wife to look after
you
.” He snorted, but Chris grabbed his hand. “This isn’t the first time I’ve been watched.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. The last time was in front of your house the night we got engaged. Seemed like someone kept an eye on me.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” He glanced at her, his mouth tightening as they turned onto the main drag.

“I didn’t think anything of it at the time and a lot happened that night, as I recall.” She winked. “Where are we headed, Todd?”

“I thought we’d take a drive around town and see the light
s tonight.”

Chris turned her attention to the world outside.
If anyone pursued them, Magic would see them before he drew them close to his home. If worst came to worst, they’d drive to the base and draw the threat there. Silence reigned in the truck cab as they both kept their attention trained for anything out of the ordinary.

So much for an easy wedding night.

After a few miles, the tension eased, but neither of them spoke until Todd pulled up in his driveway and parked the truck in the garage.

“What do you think, Magic?”

“I don’t know. It seemed like we had a shadow there for a while, but no one followed us around the city.” He shook his head. “Whoever they are, they’re not here now.” A sly grin slid over his lips. “Which means I get to carry you over the threshold and take you to bed, my sweet wife.”

“Sweet?” Chris gave him a mock glare. “Whoever said anything about sweet?”

He chuckled darkly as he exited the truck. When he opened her door, he slid his hands up her satin trousers to caress her legs. “I know you’re sweet, darlin’. I’ve tasted that pussy of yours and I’m plannin’ on doin’ it again, tonight.”

“As long as we’re clear you didn’t marry Suzie Homemaker.”

“Clear, LT.” To her surprise, Magic grasped her around the shoulders and under the knees to carry her to the front door. “You’re gonna have to unlock the door, but otherwise, I got this.”

He kicked the truck door shut, clicked the lock, and strode out of the garage. Chris nestled up against his hard chest, enjoying the
scents of sandalwood and earthy musk permeating his clothes and the heat radiating from his strong body. God, she loved this man, and she couldn’t wait to show him physically.

“I’ve got a surprise for you tonight, darlin’.” Todd grinned at her raised eyebrow. “Just a little somethin’ to make the night special.”

“What can be more special than celebrating our wedding?”

He carried her into the bedroom and set her down beside the bed before he answered. “You’ll just have to wait, Mrs. Hunter.” He
ran his hands down her sides and wrapped her in his arms from behind. “I’ve been waitin’ all day for this and I won’t hurry the surprise.”

“Come on, Todd. What have you got up your sleeve for tonight?” She turned in his arms and gave him her best sultry smile. “If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine.”

“You have a surprise for me, Ghost?” He squeezed her ass and pulled her close.

“
Maybe. I believe it’s called a wedding gift.”

“Let’s get out of these fancy duds first. I’d like to unwrap it naked.” Todd winked and unbuttoned the first button on her tunic.

“I can definitely agree to that. I’ve been dying to see your sexy chest.”

“Just my chest?”

“Among other things.”

His chuckle rumbled in his chest as he
opened the front of her tunic. “There.” His eyes widened and a slow smile slid over his lips. “You wore blue lace?”

“Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something blue. I’m sure you’
ve heard the saying.”

“Oh, yeah, I have. What have you got that’s new and borrowed?” He pulled the zipper on her silky pants and they slithered off her hips to pool at her feet. “Sweet Jesus, the panties match.” He dropped to his knees and nuzzled her lace-covered mound.

Chris laughed. “The bra and panties are both new and blue. The earrings and tiara are both antiques and borrowed from my mother.”

Todd
gazed up her body, his gray eyes full of love. “Let’s take them off and put them somewhere safe, darlin’. I don’t want them to get damaged with what I have planned for you tonight.”

Chris raised her eyebrows and removed the earrings and tiara. She handed them to Todd and he took them across the room to the dresser. “These are beautiful. You looked like a princess with stars in your hair tonight.”

Chris limped over to her new husband, laying her head against his back. “Yeah, it was Mom’s idea. I would’ve rather looked like a star commander or the chick from the animated video-game movie.”

Todd laughed. “The one tot
ing the big guns to kill the candy-colored bugs?”

“Yeah. She’s kick-ass.” Some of Chris’s humor faded. “Like I used to be.”

“Aw, hell no.” Todd turned and pushed her back to the bed, forcing her to sit down while he stood over her. “That’s the last time I’m gonna listen to you belittle your skills and abilities, Lieutenant Christiana Hunter. From now on you’re not authorized to make disparagin’ comments about yourself.”

“You giving orders to a superior officer now,
Chief?”

“Yes, m
a’am. When it comes to defendin’ my wife, I take it as seriously as defendin’ my country.” Todd grabbed her shoulders and met her gaze. “I swore an oath to take on any enemies, both foreign and domestic, and I’ll be damned before I allow your demons to cut you down. Are we clear, Lieutenant?”

Chris searched his expression for a long moment, trying to determine if he toyed with her. But his
face remained serious and no humor danced in his eyes.

“We’re clear,
Chief.” Todd had never shown her this seriousness, at least not for her own issues, but she recognized both the tone of voice and the hard look. He wouldn’t tolerate any derisive comments from her private peanut gallery.

“Good, because you’re the fuckin’ sexiest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure to dance with, fight with, and make love to, and ain’t no one gonna tell me different. Not even you.”
He dropped soft sensual kisses along her jaw and neck. “Now lay back, Princess, and let me treat you like a queen.”

“Mmm,
do your best, Magic.” Chris scooted back on the bed and he stalked her on hands and knees.

Todd draped himself over her body, his hips and cock between her legs, and kissed the hell
out of her. Chris lost coherency as his tongue slid over hers, dragging her into sweet passion before he pulled back. She mewled in protest and he grinned before reaching over to the bedside table for long, narrow, wrapped gift.

“This is for you, Ghost.”

He held it out to her and she stifled a giggle over a sexy naked man in dog tags holding out a daintily wrapped box.

“What, they ran out of newspaper?”

“Shut up. I’m not Retro.”

Chris laughed at their swim buddy’s penchant for hastily decorated
gifts. She would’ve taken one right now if Jim could be there with them.
Let it go, Brickman, and stay in the moment.

She pulled on the ribbon and tore the paper.
It might be dainty, but I’m not.
Lifting the lid, she narrowed her eyes at the swanky red tissue paper. Chris gave him a raised eyebrow as she pulled out a thick, veined dildo about seven inches in length. Beside it lay a tube of lube.

“For when you go on missions?”

“Then, too.” Todd settled between her thighs and kissed her mound. “But you asked for more than just a traditional marriage and at the moment, this is the best I can do until Retro pulls his head outta his ass.” Todd licked her pussy lips through the lace and Chris hissed, pleasure tightening her gut. “What’dya think?”

Chris sat up, grasped Todd’s head, and kissed him hard on the lips, putting all her gratitude into every swipe of her tongue.

“I think you’re the best husband this woman can have.”

“Damn straight, darlin’.” He sat up with the dildo in one hand and his cock in the other. “So, permission to come aboard, ma’am?”

“Oh, hell yeah, granted.” Chris licked her lips and watched Magic stroke his cock. “Bring it on, Chief.”

****

Retro dragged his ass to bed, the memory of Chris kissing Todd haunting him no matter what he tried to distract himself. He curled up into a ball with his arms wrapped around his pillow and told himself he needed to sleep. He’d never had trouble dropping off, not even in a helo with hurricane turbulence, but tonight, he couldn’t get the sensation of Chris in his arms off his mind.

Jim groaned and rolled
over, pressing his face to the pillow to obliterate the scents of cinnamon and pine she wore like perfume. Even behind his closed lids he could see her laugh as she danced in her lovely dress, her satin-soft skin glowing in the gentle light.