My body tensed and I twisted in the small space. A superiorly disgruntled Carter was glowering at me.
I sighed. “Still cranky. Great. I see you didn’t get laid.”
His eyes flared wide, but his lips thinned. I made a mental note of the flare but decided not to waste time trying to figure it out. Not with Evan only a few feet away.
Carter grimaced and landed a paw on my chest. “Don’t say I never gave you anything.” With a hard shove, he sent me stumbling back.
Directly into Evan. Ass to gloriously hard ass.
“What the…” Evan cursed.
Carter called out, “Shit. Sorry, Evan. My bad.”
Yep. Cranky and all. It was time to give Carter a raise.
He lifted his hand in a half salute, half wave before disappearing down the stairs.
“You okay?” Evan asked as I turned to face him.
Those dark-brown lashes blinked at me as a timid smile grew on his lips but it faltered before it reached his eyes.
It was still sexy enough to dry my mouth.
“Hi,” I said when wit failed me.
“Um. Hi.” He swayed uncomfortably as I stared at him.
But the truly unnerving part was that he was staring right back at me.
“Good flight?” I asked nervously. It was a surprisingly unnatural feeling for me.
“Great.” He lifted a muscular arm and raked a hand through his short hair. It was barely long enough to style—but more than thick enough for me to grip while he was on his— “Henry! Let’s go. We’re going to be late!” Levee called up the stairs.
I lifted a single finger in her direction. “You ready?”
“For?” he drawled in question.
I tipped my head. “Concert, dinner, drinks. Listen, change of plans but Jessica is yours. Have you seen her friend Tabitha?” I sucked in a low whistle.
He furrowed his brow, which caused a sexy crinkle between those gorgeous, blue eyes. “I’m not going to that.” He jerked his chin toward his shoulder at his copilot. “Baez and I are gonna grab some dinner and then head back to the hotel.”
“What? No. We have a double date. Remember?” Why hadn’t I been a dick to two lesbians so that could have been an accurate statement? It would have made my life so much easier.
“No,” he said very slowly. “What I remember is telling you that I’d fly them here but, after that, you were on your own.”
“Right. But then I hired you,” I said flippantly.
It had been the wrong thing to say. So, so, so wrong.
“Excuse me?”
But I was me and apparently an obtuse idiot, so I repeated, “I hired you.”
His eyes narrowed, and I noted that even that was sexy. I would have wagered that the man was incapable of an ugly expression. But, clearly, that would take more scientific evidence. I’d yet to see his face contorted midorgasm or in the middle of the night with his mouth hanging open and drool dripping from the corner. It was my duty as an American to discover this information. Strictly in the name of science, of course.
I belatedly realized I was smiling when he growled, “Did you only hire me so I’d go on a date with you”—if he had stopped there, I would have had no choice but to answer honestly. Yes. Thankfully, he kept going—“and those women?”
Phew. Saved by the details. “What? No!” I adamantly shook my head. “Listen, I guess you’re going to make me say this straight out. As you know, I treated Jessica like a dick, and this little trip was my way to say I’m sorry. But she wasn’t the only one I was an ass to that day. I want a chance to apologize to you too.” I tossed him a charming smile and his eyes instantly flashed to it.
Interesting.
A wave of excitement shot like a drug through my veins. This might be easier than I’d originally anticipated.
“No need to apologize,” he said, shoving his hands in the pockets of his navy uniform pants.
My eyes followed the movement down.
A soft smile formed on my mouth as I slowly looked back up. “No. Really. I’m embarrassed. Come to the concert tonight. Dinner, drinks, whatever you want. My treat. I might know a guy who can get you backstage.” I winked, raking my teeth over my bottom lip.
His eyes once again jumped down. “I don’t know.”
“Henry! Stop flirting. We have to go,” Carter growled.
Evan’s entire body stiffened.
Nope. No fucking raise for Carter.
I shot him a scowl before assuring Evan, “He’s kidding.” I lifted my hand in the Vulcan V as my promise.
He rewarded me with a chuckle.
“Come on. Let me show you I’m not completely insane.” I bent at the waist and leaned toward him. A heady mixture of cologne and pure-male musk intoxicated my senses. My lids fluttered closed as I fought back a groan. “I owe you an apology. I called you Maverick.”
“He’s Navy. I’m Air Force. But I’ve been called worse,” he replied curtly.
“Really, Evan—”
I was cut off by the sound of a cell phone ringing.
As if he’d been shocked by electricity, he started frantically digging in his pocket. He lifted it to his ear. “Nik? Yeah. Hey, baby.”
I felt my lips go tight. Nick?