“I’m looking for fresh meat today.” He gives me a look and turns to Natalie. “Hey, beautiful!” Quinn walks over and gives her a hug. I swear if he upsets her, he’s going home to ice his balls.
“Hi, Quinn. I haven’t seen you in a long time.” Natalie’s voice shakes a little. She’s nervous, which I try real hard to not let bother me. I’m ready to show everyone where we stand and I wish she was too. I know it’s been less than a year and I know it shouldn’t bug me. But the problem with knowing and letting are two different things.
We’re good together. I’ve known her for almost nine years and never did I imagine I’d be with her like this. She brings something alive inside of me.
I say hello to the rest of the guys from the team, and when we get to the end, Natalie shrieks.
“Rea!” she runs over and hugs her best friend. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
The infamous Reanell Hansen. The two of them giggle and I see Commander Hansen tip his beer to me. Fuck. How the hell did this happen?
“Commander,” I say and shake his hand. It’s one thing when we’re all deployed, but to be drinking with your boss when you’re home is another thing.
“Dempsey, today it’s just ‘Mason,’” he says and grumbles under his breath.
“Oh, Mason, stop being a dick,” Reanell says, and she stands, walking over to me.
“I’m Reanell. It’s nice to finally meet you for more than two seconds in passing.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“You did not just ‘ma’am’ me.”
I laugh and immediately like her. “No. Never.”
“That’s what I thought. Now, sit and let’s get some alcohol going so Natalie looks like she can breathe.” She smiles and makes us sit.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“So, tell me, how much can you bench press?” Reanell tilts her head as she looks me up and down before shifting forward with her chin on her fist.
Natalie slaps her arm so her chin falls off. She and Mason laugh as Reanell gives her the death stare. “Stop being stupid and drink your beer.”
“It was a valid question,” she says and orders a round for all of us.
Natalie relaxes a bit and begins to talk about her job and Aarabelle. We laugh and enjoy small touches. She places her hand on my leg and looks at me under her long lashes with a shy smile. My hand covers hers and squeezes. The little things like this are hard for her, but I appreciate them. I lean back and put my arm around her and she sinks into my side.
The lights dim, indicating it’s a slow song. “Wanna dance?” I ask her quietly for two reasons. One, if she says no, I’ll never live it down with these assholes. Two, I don’t want her to feel like she has to say yes.
Before she can answer me, a short blonde comes up behind me and places her hand on my shoulder. It takes a second to register.
“Hi, Liam. Would you like to dance?”
Fuck. Brittany.
The girl I almost used to fuck Natalie out of my mind.
Liam shifts as a really pretty woman stands behind him. They obviously know each other and I swear she looks familiar. I can’t place her though.
“No, thanks though,” Liam replies.
“I haven’t seen you since that night,” she says and looks over at me. Well, isn’t this nice.
Liam stands and extends his hand to me, making his intentions clear. My palm touches his and he squeezes my hand pulling me up. “Yeah,” he tries to brush her off.
“I figured you’d call.”
“Listen, Brittany, I’m here with my girl and I appreciate you coming over, but I’m not interested.”
Brittany turns to me and extends her hand. “Hi, I’m Brittany Monaco.”
I stand and look at her hand. It’s bothering me, because I know I’ve seen her around. “Natalie Gilcher,” I reply and her eyes widen quickly but then she looks away and recovers.
Odd.
“I’m—” she begins to speak, but Liam clears his throat dragging my attention to him.
“Come on, sweetheart. We have a dance floor waiting.” Liam’s eyes never leave mine as he speaks, focusing all his attention on me.
“Okay.” My voice wavers a tiny bit. He seems anxious to get me away from her and I wonder. My stomach flutters as we walk toward the wooden square. I want to ask him about her, but I’m not sure I have that right. We’re not exclusive—well, I am—but I’ve never given him that definition.
The wheels spin in my mind, each spoke that passes bringing a new worry. If he did sleep with her . . . does it change anything? He’s with me all the time, so I don’t even know when he would’ve had the chance.
“Ask me, Natalie,” Liam says as his hand wraps around my back and he pulls me against him. “Just ask me.”
I pull back slightly and our eyes lock. I hesitate and look away.
“Ask me, because I know it’s killing you.”
“Why won’t you just tell me?” I ask, still not able to force the words out.
“If you want to know, you’re going to have to ask,” Liam says, looking deep into my eyes.
Drawing on all the strength I have left, I release a deep sigh and ask, “Did you sleep with her?”
“No.” The honesty is clear in his eyes and his voice. He didn’t blink or pause. “I wanted to. I won’t lie to you, but I never got close.”