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Melissa strode into the bar that night, the silk blouse she had tucked into her skinny jeans clinging to her like a second skin. The pale lavender shade made her red hair stand out even more, and not a few guys sitting near the front of the restaurant gave her appreciative looks as she walked past. She’d curled her red hair so it cascaded around her shoulders, and a long silver pendant hung between her breasts, bouncing slightly as she walked.
Her best friend Amy always had said she had curves to die for—and although it was hell finding clothes to fit sometimes, when she had an outfit she looked good in, she loved to flaunt her assets.
She moved through a group of guys, feeling sexy and seductive in her stilettos. Maybe she wasn’t planning on going home with anyone tonight, but she certainly didn’t mind the attention.
She spotted Amy and Jason sitting at the bar, frowning as she realized that they were with someone. Meeting her best friend and her boyfriend for drinks didn’t mean she wanted them to set her up. Especially not after Tyler had already rattled her nerves this morning.
Goodness.
She’d barely even dated since Michael called off their wedding. There had been a short fling with a guy she’d met at the gym, but that barely counted since he was rebound all the way. And they’d spent most of their time between the sheets, no words needed.
But dated dated?
As in went out with a guy, actually got to know him before sleeping with him?
Hadn’t happened.
And her one fling since Michael didn’t actually count as moving on, did it?
It sure didn’t feel like she’d moved on from the way he’d trampled on her heart.
The third person in their party took a swig of his beer, the sight of his sleeve bunching over his bicep doing funny things to her insides. Her stomach fluttered as she walked closer, taking in his broad shoulders and muscular arms, and then he was glancing at her walking toward them, a grin on his face.
Melissa resisted the urge to do a double take at Tyler eyeing her appreciatively. Tried to ignore the butterflies suddenly fluttering inside her stomach. She smiled at her best friend and waved, sliding onto the empty barstool between her and Tyler. She set her sequined clutch down on the bar, her newly manicured nails gleaming in the overhead lights. “Couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see me?” she asked Tyler, pursing her freshly glossed lips.
He chuckled, the low sound making heat coil down from her abdomen. Causing her pussy to clench. The snug shirt Tyler had on stretched across his impressive chest, showing off his muscled physique. Those broad shoulders were a sight to behold, and briefly she imagined him hovering over her. Pinning her arms on the bed as he held her in place. Bucked into her.
Spread her legs wide and took her. Claiming her as his.
Making her scream his name.
“What makes you think I’m here to see you, beautiful?”
“Hey hun!” Amy said, giving her a one-armed hug around her shoulders. “I hope you don’t mind that Tyler wanted to join us. Jason mentioned that we were meeting you here, and he decided to come, too.”
“Mind? Why would I mind?” she asked, gesturing to the bartender. “I barely got a chance to listen to his witty banter this morning.”
Jason laughed from the other side of Amy, glancing over at Melissa with his piercing blue eyes. Small crinkles formed in the corners, and his large hand came to a rest on the back of Amy’s neck, lightly caressing her. It was simple yet intimate, and Melissa blinked. Tried to push away the feelings rising within her.
Things had been like that with Michael, too.
They’d set the date. Selected a wedding cake. Invited two hundred of their closest family and friends.
And then he’d bluntly told her he didn’t want to marry her.
Acted like cancelling the wedding and the rest of their life together meant nothing.
Just a blip on the radar.
“I hope Tyler didn’t give you too much of a hard time this morning,” Jason said, drawing her mind back to the present. “I told him you could take whatever he dishes out.”
“Not at all,” Melissa said smoothly, adjusting the sleek pendant that hung between her breasts. She felt Tyler’s heated gaze on her but didn’t look in his direction. “I showed him the house, and he managed to mention his one-night-stand only a handful of times. Did you know he was late meeting me because he couldn’t get her to leave?”
The bartender walked over to take her order, laying a clean towel he’d been drying glasses with down on the bar. “What can I get you?”
“Dirty martini.”
“Rookie move, man,” Jason said with a chuckle as the bartender walked away.
Tyler leaned forward on the bar, his green eyes pinning Melissa in place. It was crazy how every time he looked at her it felt like he could see right through her. He didn’t know the first thing about her, and he certainly never would. Not in anything other than a professional manner, if they were to work together.
She watched him, her lips parting slightly in surprise.
His gaze lowered to her mouth, pausing there a moment, and then he met her eyes again. “Did you get those papers I emailed you earlier?” Tyler asked, his voice low.
“I did,” she said, turning toward him. “Although if you were planning to join us tonight, you could’ve just brought them here.”
“And miss the look of surprise on your face when you saw me? Not a chance,” he said, taking a pull from his longneck. Melissa watched his Adam’s apple bob, taking in the whiskers on his chiseled jaw. Although he’d been freshly shaved this morning, a five o’clock shadow had already formed, albeit somewhat faint with his blond hair.
He smelled slightly of cologne, something clean with a hint of spice, and she wondered if he’d put some on before coming.
If he came out with his friend Jason tonight only because he knew that she’d be here.
“Like what you see?” he asked, his full lips quirking in a smile. God, he was seriously too much. Not to mention too handsome for his own good.
“What happened to your date from last night?” she asked sweetly. “Did she get bored of you already?”
“Like I told you this morning—I had to ask her to leave.”
“So you only do one-night-stands?”
“Beautiful, I’ll do any woman who wants me,” he said in a low voice.
“How lovely.”
“So, what’d you think of the house?” Amy asked, interrupting them. “Melissa said it’s not even on the market yet. The homes have been moving so quickly, it’s great you were able to get a look before it’s even been listed.”
“Like I told Melissa earlier, gorgeous.”
She turned toward Amy and rolled her eyes as Amy cast her a knowing glance. Her long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she looked happy beside Jason. Although they lived across the street from one another, they’d only recently begun dating. Melissa was thrilled to see her best friend so happy, but it had brought about changes in her own life. Among their foursome of friends, she was the only single one.
And she was supposed to be planning her wedding, she thought with disdain. Not picking up the pieces of her life and moving on.
The bartender brought over her drink, and she took a sip of her martini.
“Jason and I are going away for the long weekend,” Amy said.
“Where to?” Tyler asked, glancing over at his buddy. He was so tall he could gaze right over Melissa and Amy.
Hmmph. Everyone at the bar probably thought they were two couples sitting together. Not that Tyler was her type. At all.
“Skiing at Wintergreen.”
“I didn’t know you skied,” Melissa said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. She felt Tyler’s gaze on her again but kept her focus on Jason and Amy.
“Not nearly as much as Amy does,” Jason admitted. “She’ll probably be putting me to shame on the slopes. Maybe I can find some third grader to ski with me,” he joked. “That’s probably more my pace.”
“Oh come on, I’ll slow down for you,” Amy teased. “Besides, it’s payback for how fast he runs. Jason says he’s slowing his pace so I can keep up, but I doubt it sometimes. Considering that I run several times a week, he’s faster than I can ever hope to be.”
“Oh God,” Melissa groaned. “All of that sounds like too much work—running, skiing. What’s next? Date night at the gym?”
“So I take it you don’t ski?” Tyler asked.
“I sunbathe,” Melissa said.
He smirked. “In the middle of winter?”
“My ideal destination for winter would be a tropical getaway—no need to escape the cold for more cold. Skiing sounds...awful.”
“But you don’t have any vacations planned?”
She stiffened slightly. She and Michael had cancelled their honeymoon trip to Bora Bora when the wedding had been called off. In a few short weeks, she should’ve been walking down the aisle. Marrying the guy she thought was the man of her dreams. Jetting off on the tropical vacation of a lifetime—soft sand, warm sun, and a honeymoon dreams were made of.
Not that she wanted a man who clearly no longer wanted her.
Still, she didn’t need a reminder of a trip that wasn’t to be. “Not unless I want the honeymoon suite to myself,” she said sarcastically.
Tyler’s gaze narrowed. “You’re engaged?” His eyes slid to her empty ring finger.
She held up her hand, waggling her fingers. “Not anymore. Maybe I should thank him for saving me a lifetime of regret.” Her phone began to buzz in her purse, but she ignored it for the moment, her gaze firmly set on Tyler. “My asshole of an ex called off the wedding. Better sooner rather than later, I suppose. If he’d left me standing at the altar, you’d be reading his obituary.”
“His loss,” Tyler said, his gaze softening slightly.
Melissa shrugged, taking a sip of her martini. “He was deployed a lot. I guess it’s natural for some couples to grow apart given the circumstances. Still, a head’s up would’ve been nice. A little warning, perhaps. He was getting cold feet while I was planning our wedding. Then we had to cancel every last thing.”
“He’s military?”
“Stationed at Quantico. Maybe you know each other. He’s the asshole with a huge ego and tiny dick.”
Tyler sputtered on his beer as Melissa raised her martini. “Onward and upward,” she declared. “Michael didn’t know what he was missing.”
“Absolutely his loss,” Amy said, clinking her beer bottle against Melissa’s glass.
“Hear hear,” Jason agreed. “You’re better off without that guy. Any man who couldn’t see what he was missing obviously wasn’t the right one for you.”
“Damn straight,” Melissa said.
Her phone began buzzing again, and she frowned. She pulled it from her clutch and saw two missed calls from her sister.
“Is everything okay?” Amy asked, catching the expression on her face.
“I don’t know,” she said, swiping the screen to call her back. “Becky just called me twice. She’s out in California, so it’s a few hours earlier than here, but still. It seems unusual on a Saturday evening.”
“I hope she’s all right,” Amy murmured.
Melissa rose from the barstool, doubt beginning to creep in. Tyler reached out to assist her, a brief flash of concern flickering in his green eyes. She let go of his muscular hand, grabbing her clutch from the bar and striding away.
She felt his gaze on her from behind but kept going, walking through the crowded bar area and edging around the packed tables. She and her sister usually chatted on Sunday evenings. If Becky was calling her several times on a Saturday night, something must be up. She pushed open the door to the patio, the cool night air biting into her. There were heat lamps outside and an awning stretched over the top along with temporary plastic walls, but none of it was a match for the cold.
The somewhat mild afternoon had given way to typical winter weather.
She shivered slightly, a frown on her face as the door shut behind her.
Her silky top wasn’t enough to keep her warm out here. And she’d ridiculously come to the bar without a coat, not wanting to carry it around all night. The phone rang a couple of times as Melissa’s gaze tracked over the couples outside, and then Becky finally answered, hysterical.
“He’s missing!” she shrieked.
“Who?” Melissa asked, glancing around at the happy revelers. Saturday night was going on as usual here, with couples laughing, people throwing back drinks, and music blaring over the speakers.
And over the phone line, her sister sounded like she was falling apart. Melissa’s stomach clenched at her sister’s sobs. “Becky? What happened? What are you talking about?”
“Brody’s missing!”
“Missing, like, missing missing? Missing in action?”
“Yes!”
Melissa muttered under her breath, turning away from the patio crowd. This wasn’t the place to try and calm her sister down. She could barely even hear herself think, let alone carry on a conversation. Striding back into the restaurant, she nearly bumped into a guy headed out the door. He eyed her appreciatively but moved on toward his own friends.
Glancing over at the bar, she saw Amy, Jason, and Tyler sitting there, happily throwing back beers without a care in the world. And why should they be worried?
It was Saturday night.
It’s not like they had a clue her sister’s world could potentially be falling apart.
Walking back across the restaurant, Melissa pushed open the front door and headed across the crowded parking lot. She clicked the remote of her white SUV and climbed into the driver’s seat, shivering.
“Okay, tell me what’s happening,” she said as she started the engine, cranking up the heat. Cool air blasted from the vents, but it would warm up momentarily. She turned on her headlights, glancing around the busy lot.
“His Commanding Officer contacted me. Usually the MPs come when there’s been a casualty, but since Brody is missing, there was nothing like that. No one showed up at my door or anything, but his CO called me.”
She choked on a cry, and Melissa released a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding. “So that’s good, right?” she said, a million thoughts racing through her mind. “I think Michael told me the MPs and a chaplain would come in case of a casualty. It doesn’t matter the time of day or night, they’d show up at your door. This was kind of just a head’s up, right? Like something might be wrong, but he’s probably okay. They just wanted to update you and make sure you know what’s happening.”
Her sister whimpered on the other end of the line. “I have a bad feeling. Something’s just not right. Brody’s been deployed four times. I’ve never gotten a call like this before. Never.”
“Well of course you’re worried,” Melissa soothed, heat finally coming through the vents of her SUV. She relaxed slightly into her seat. “I would be, too. But missing? I mean, what happened? Was he injured or something like that? Could they even tell you any details?”
“Nope. Operational security and what not. I don’t know if his whole team’s gone or just Brody or what.”
“Bastards,” Melissa spat out.
Her sister sniffled through her laughter. “I understand, I suppose. I mean what if someone else had been injured? I wouldn’t want Brody in harm’s way just because their spouse or significant other demanded to immediately know exactly what happened.”
“So when will they update you?”
“I don’t know. His CO just called me a little while ago. Honestly, it was the last call I expected. I mean, if I saw MPs pull up in my driveway, I would’ve lost my shit. But this? It wasn’t even on my radar. I was going ready to go out and meet some friends for dinner later on. Then I get this call that could potentially change my entire life.”
“Do you want me to fly out there?” Melissa asked. “I can catch a redeye out of Dulles or Reagan National. I’m sure I could find something, even last minute.”
“No, no, don’t come out here yet. I’ll be fine. I just panicked you know? I’ll be with my friends tonight, and they can wait with me for updates. And you’re right, he’s probably fine and I’m just blowing this way out of proportion.”
“Right,” Melissa said. “He’s a strong guy. He has to be fine. Maybe there was some kind of fire fight and he’s just hunkered down somewhere. And I haven’t heard anything on the news about it, so it’s probably a minor thing. I mean, if several Marines were injured or killed, it’d be on the news right?”
Becky blew out a sigh. “I guess. Maybe. Where are you anyway? I could barely hear you when I first called.”
“The bar in town. I met up with Amy and Jason for drinks tonight. I’m in the car now though. It was so loud in there.”
“God. Brody was supposed to be getting out of the military soon. How could he be fine for years and have this happen now?”
“He probably is fine,” Melissa soothed. “They probably just want you in the loop. I mean God knows, when Michael and I were together, I would’ve wanted an update on him. Even if it turned out to be nothing, I’d want to know as soon as possible.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Go back to your friends. I didn’t mean to totally ruin your Saturday night.”
“You did not ruin my Saturday night. And you know you can call me anytime.”
“I know, I know. I’ll call you if I hear anything else. I think I just needed to talk myself down off the ledge. I mean, he’s fine, right? He has to be.”
“Exactly,” Melissa agreed. “Of course he’s fine.”
The two said their goodbyes, and Melissa tucked her phone back into her sequined clutch. Goodness. If that didn’t kill her mood to drink with her friends. Her sister was all the way on the other side of the country scared out of her mind. Worried that her own fiancé would never make it home from Afghanistan to her. It was bad enough that Melissa’s relationship had ended so badly, but Becky and Brody were madly in love. Pretty much the perfect couple.
She climbed out of her SUV and hurried back across the parking lot, her heart pounding in her chest. It felt like she’d just dodged a bullet or something, and they didn’t even know how Brody was. If he was okay.
Amazing how one little phone call could completely rattle you. The news from Becky had sent a shock straight through her system.
She no longer felt like hanging out with Amy and Jason or dealing with Tyler’s cocky attitude. She had work to do for tomorrow. Confirming the list of photos she’d need of the house. Listings to go through for her other clients. Potential houses for Tyler.
Goodness, she had her own sister to worry about. Her sister’s fiancé.
She’d tell Amy she was leaving and just call it a night.
Pulling open the door to the bar and striding back in, Melissa did a double take as Tyler was suddenly right at her side. Even in her stilettos he still towered above her, but instead of feeling relief or excited nervousness at seeing him, she just felt sad. Defeated.
His green eyes locked with hers. “I went out on the patio to see if you were okay, beautiful. Amy was worried when you didn’t come back.”
“My sister called.”
“And?” He cocked an eyebrow. The dark leather jacket he had on made it seem like he was ready to leave himself. He didn’t appear at all rushed though—just completely and totally focused on her.
Melissa’s voice wavered slightly as she tried to speak, and she cleared her throat. Swallowed. “Her fiancé is missing.”
“Missing?”
“He’s deployed to the Middle East. She’s out in California finishing school. His commanding officer contacted her to say that Brody was missing in action.”
“Shit,” Tyler muttered.
Melissa unwittingly took a step back. “That’s bad, right? I told her it was okay since the MPs didn’t show up, but people just don’t go missing in Afghanistan. Not unless it’s something serious. Oh my God, what if he was killed? Missing means they can’t find the body!”
Tears smarted her eyes, and Tyler took a step closer to her, his hand landing on her forearm. His touch soothed her, grounding her amidst the turmoil racing through her. Anchoring her in place.
The warmth from his touch burned through her silky blouse, sending awareness through her entire body. The heat from his large frame radiated off him. Her eyes met his.
“It doesn’t mean anything other than what it means,” he said in a low voice. “It means we wait for news. Hope like hell for the best.”
She sniffled, raising a trembling hand to wipe away a stray tear.
His jaw clenched as he gazed down at her. “Hell, don’t cry, beautiful.”
“But she’s my sister—and he’s gone. They’re engaged, and he’s just—missing. Just like that.”
Without another word, he pulled her into his muscular embrace. She sniffled against him, finally relaxing into his touch. Inhaling his scent. He was solid and strong—a rock in the midst of chaos. The soft cotton of his shirt felt smooth and comforting beneath her cheek. The scent of his leather jacket enveloped her, mixed in with the spice of his aftershave.
She felt safe for a brief moment—secure.
Odd that she’d feel that way about Tyler—a man of one-night-stands and the arrogant attitude that just didn’t quit.
He was a Marine though, just like Brody. He knew what it meant to lose someone.
She shivered slightly against him, hoping against hope that Brody was okay, and Tyler tightened his arms around her.
A moment later, she heard Amy and Jason beside her, her best friend asking what was wrong. Melissa pulled back from Tyler and relayed what she’d just learned from Becky. Amy’s hands rose to her face as she gasped, and Jason frowned, looking worried.
“Are you flying out there?” Amy asked.
“She said not to right now. I guess I’ll wait and see what happens—I’ll go if she needs me. I mean maybe it’s nothing. Maybe he’s all right and it’s just some sort of miscommunication and we’ll hear from them soon.”
“Right, he could be totally fine,” Amy said. Jason and Tyler exchanged a glance.
“Maybe he’ll be okay,” Melissa insisted. “They don’t know anything really. Not yet.”
“She doesn’t want you to wait with her?” Amy asked. “I mean, just in case....”
“I think she didn’t want me flying across the country tonight if it’s unnecessary. Becky has her friends out in California. She’ll be with them tonight. I mean, God, hopefully this is all just some big misunderstanding and he’ll be fine. The second she wants me there, though, I’ll be on the next plane. If she doesn’t need me right now, I’ll wait.”
Amy gave her a quick hug. “Let me know if you need anything. If Becky needs something. I know there’s not much we can do, but sitting around waiting and wondering and assuming the worst has got to be awful.”
“Maybe I’ll try to convince her to come here—she’s got classes though,” Melissa added, thinking out loud. “She probably won’t want to drop everything and come. Not unless she has to, of course.”
“I’ll see what I can find out from my commander on base,” Jason said. “Maybe I can get some updates that she wouldn’t be able to.”
Melissa nodded and thanked him. “I’d appreciate it. Becky would, too. I think she just immediately assumed the worst, so any information you can find out would be great.”
“Of course,” Jason said.
“Do you feel like getting a table? It’s kind of loud in the bar area,” Amy said. “Maybe something a little quieter would be better.”
“I think I’m just going to call it a night. I’m not in the mood for drinks anymore.”
Amy nodded sympathetically. “Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ll let you know if I find out anything else. And Tyler, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, assuming my sister doesn’t need me to come out there.”
“We can reschedule. I understand if you need to go stay with her.”
“No, I’ll pull the specs in the morning when I’m meeting with the photographer. I have to let him into the home to take the photos, but I can work while I wait. We can see a few houses in the afternoon.”
He nodded. “All right. I’ll walk you to your car.”
“I’m right outside,” she protested.
“Then it’ll be a short walk,” he quipped, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to guide her toward the door.
She gripped her clutch in one hand, allowing him to guide her out. “Oh, I never paid for my drink!” she said, suddenly stopping. “I should go back.”
“I already got it,” he said easily.
“What?”
“I paid for your drink, beautiful. When you were on a call with your sister. No need to thank me.”
She frowned as she walked ahead of him outside, the slight breeze ruffling her hair. This entire night was starting to feel surreal. Her sister’s fiancé was missing. Tyler was acting concerned about her after his cocky attitude earlier when they’d first met.
He’d insisted on walking her out.
What was next?
Maybe she’d stumble and break a heel, ruining her favorite pair of stilettos.
“Melissa,” a male voice said, distracting her from her thoughts, and she spun to the left, halting in her tracks. Her heart pounded in her chest as her mouth dropped open in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said.
