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TWO WEEKS LATER
Dex’s home buzzed with chatter and laughter. Standing on the beach, he was so damn grateful to be alive and surrounded by these people. So much had changed over the past few months. Yeah, he wasn’t afraid to admit he’d hit rock bottom there for a while. Losing Bravo, the hearing, Kelly, his team. Then losing his father, finding out he’d been murdered and almost dying in that warehouse. He counted himself lucky to be here with his family.
He and Kelly were hosting a barbecue, wanting to bring together the people that meant the most to them. Both teams were here. Joe and Lynne had also made it and Sam was on his way. Even Sophie had come. These people before him were family now and he felt blessed to have them in his life.
Ryan handed him a beer.
“You know, you’ve started something here. The Dawson barbecue is going to have to be a regular occurrence.” Ryan grinned.
“I’m good with that.”
“I gotta say, going back a few months, I never thought this was where we would end up.”
Dex smiled. “I was just thinking the same thing. No regrets?”
“No regrets.” Ryan held up his bottle. They clinked, both taking a drink.
“Who’s the girl with Mackie?”
“Don’t ask me. He has too many to remember their names.” They both grinned. “So, how are things going with Sophie?” Dex teased.
“I’m working on it.”
“You mean, she shut you down.”
Ryan was saved from answering when a young girl ran up to them. “Uncle Dex, my dad said to ask you if there are more burgers.”
Dex smiled down at Megan, Steve’s eight-year-old daughter. “Why, did your dad eat them all?”
Megan giggled. “No, not all of them.”
“Well, you tell your dad, there’s some in the fridge. But he’s only allowed to get them if he doesn't eat them all.”
“OK, I will.” She turned and ran, almost bumping into Sam and Liam walking towards them.
“Glad you guys made it.” Dex raised his bottle saluting them.
“I hear that Steve’s barbecue skills are legendary. Plus, there’s free food and beer,” Liam said.
“Yeah, about that. Don’t you owe me a beer for saving your ass in Mexico?”
“Er, I think we can call it even, don’t you?”
Dex grinned. Damn straight they could. Lazir was in a dark windowless pit somewhere and would never see the light of day again.
“It’s good to see Taylor and Saunders here.”
“Yeah, Saunders has been cleared. Taylor should be good in a week.” Liam looked over at them. “Can’t wait to have the whole team back together.”
“Dex, can we chat for a minute,” Sam asked. Dex frowned. What did he do now?
“You’re not in trouble.” Sam rolled his eyes.
“That makes a change,” Ryan mumbled. Dex gave him the finger as he followed Sam down toward the water, hearing Ryan and Liam laugh.
“I want to run something by you.”
“Shoot.” Dex took a sip, letting his eyes drift towards the house, towards Kelly.
“How would you feel if Kelly joined Onyx?”
Dex snapped his head to Sam. “You want to offer her a job?”
“Yes. I’ve seen for myself how good she is. Your team know and trust her. I’m sure Nyx will too.”
“And it doesn’t concern you that we’re together? Isn’t that breaking the rules or something.”
Sam laughed out loud. “You’re worried about breaking rules?”
Dex grinned. Yeah, that was ironic.
“You’re both professionals,” Sam continued. “Onyx doesn’t have the same rules. I don’t see it being a problem. The question is, do you? If you’re uncomfortable with this, I won’t ask.”
Dex looked back at Kelly. Uncomfortable? More like ecstatic. Selfish as it was, the fact that he would know where she was, what she was doing and could protect her, keep her safe, would be a dream come true.
“I think it’s a great idea.” He tried but failed to keep the smile off his face.
“Good. I’ll make her the offer tomorrow. Try and keep your mouth shut in the meantime.”
“You got it.” Dex turned to face him. “Thanks, Sam, for asking me to lead a team. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.” He meant it. Working for Sam gave him a job he loved and the time to really have a life with Kelly, possibly even a family one day.
“You’re welcome. Even if you can be a fucking pain in my ass.” Sam took a swig of beer. “You guys, both teams, I’m not sure any of you realize just how good you are.”
“Yeah, we do.” Dex didn’t miss a beat, and Sam laughed as they headed back up the beach.
Dex sought out Kelly. “I need to talk to you a minute.” He whispered in her ear, taking her hand, and leading her into the house, to the privacy of the living room.
“What’s up?” She smiled at him.
He pulled her into his arms, covering her mouth with his. Sighing, she melted against him, kissing him back. God, he would never get tired of kissing her.
“So, I take it you didn’t want to talk to me?” she teased.
“Nope. Just wanted to do this.” He kissed her again, losing himself in her warm softness. Groaning, he pulled away. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“Yes. As much as I love you.” She squeezed him tight. When he told her about Lazir’s capture, she’d collapsed. All the pent-up anger, frustration, and despair had come out. Then when she realized he’d stepped aside to stay with her and let Ryan lead the team, she’d been so overwhelmed there’d been more tears. Eventually the news sank in and the change he’d seen in her since had been nothing short of amazing. She was relaxed, happy, social, and had a very healthy sexual appetite. Yes, there’d been nightmares. He knew they would be there for a while, but she was free from constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting for her captor to raise his head.
“We should get back to our guests,” she said, bringing him back to the present.
He shook his head slowly. “No, we should get back to our family.”
Kelly smiled at him, her whole face alight with love. “Yes. Our family. Matt would be so proud of you.”
Dex swallowed. “I’m just sorry he won’t be here for what’s to come.”
She looked at him quizzically.
“To see me marry you, to see our children, to be a grandfather.”
Kelly’s mouth dropped open. “Are you trying to ask me something?”
Dex smiled. “I will ask, but not today. It will be when you least expect it.” He winked. “But we are getting married and there will be babies.”
“And throw cushions.”
He laughed out loud. “Yeah, and throw cushions.”
***
RYAN SAW SOPHIE HEADING out front. He followed, catching up as she reached her car.
“Leaving already?”
She turned, surprised. “Yes.”
“Where are you going?” A pang of disappointment hit him.
Opening the car door, she placed her purse on the seat. “To visit my sister in downtown L.A.”
“You mean there’s two of you?” Ryan grinned, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Sophie smiled and a cute blush crept up her neck to her face. Dex had been right. She had shut him down when he’d asked her out at the hospital. Something about their schedules, jobs... How she didn’t date Navy men. But he’d seen the spark of interest in her eyes. It was there again now. He wasn’t giving up that easily. He liked a challenge.
“Let me take you to dinner when you get back.”
She gave him an exasperated look. “Ryan, I already told you I don’t date Navy men.”
“I’m not traditional Navy anymore. You can’t use that excuse.” He stepped closer to her.
“Whatever you are, it’s the same thing.”
“Nope. It’s not.” He moved even closer, stopping just inches from her. Her face was flushed, pupils dilated. Oh yeah, she was into him, so why did she keep brushing him off?
“Ryan, you guys are away all the time. I have a crazy schedule...”
He took another step forward and her voice trailed off. Closing the car door, he pinned her between his arms and braced against the car. She looked nervous now, but she didn’t try to push him away. His eyes roamed down to her lips. He fantasized about those lips, the feel of them, the taste of them, what they would look like around his... Focus Ryan.
“Not away so much anymore, and I can work around your schedule.” God, he wanted to kiss those lips.
“Ryan, I have to go.” Her voice was husky.
Watching her closely, he debated whether to kiss her. Then she licked her lips, and that simple action did him in. He crushed his mouth down on hers, running his tongue over her lips and probing gently to get inside. She stilled for a second, then placed her hands on his chest as if to push him away. Instead, she opened her mouth to let him in, sending a rush of blood straight to his groin. No other part of his body touched her. His arms still braced against the car as he devoured her sweet, delectable mouth. The kiss grew hotter, and it was taking every bit of control not to grab her and hold that soft lush body against him. Their tongues entwined, seeking, stroking, tasting. Christ, his cock strained against the zipper of his jeans. Fuck, if this was what her kiss did to him, he couldn’t wait to explore the rest of her. Groaning, he broke away. If he didn’t stop this, he was going to come in his fucking pants.
She looked up at him with swollen lips, her face red and her breathing heavy. So damn sexy. The blond curls, the deep blue eyes, soft white skin.
He pushed off the car and stepped back. “Have a good trip.”
Ryan walked away smiling, leaving her staring after him.
***
WANT TO KNOW IF SOPHIE finally agrees to a date with Ryan? Sign up at wendyjustine.com to get notified of the release date of No Mistake. The second book in the Onyx Black ops series.
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