4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Ryder

O ne look.

One fucking look was all it took and I knew that somehow, someway, I would have to make that beauty mine.

When Lance Salvatore had first invited me to go to the publishing company, I turned down the offer. I had no desire to sit in a stuffy office with people who liked to spin stories. That just wasn't me. Sure, they had run a nice story on him when he branched out and brought Salvatore Security Forces to Sunnyvale, but I had no desire to be interviewed or part of a story. I was ready to live a nice, calm civilian life now that I was officially out of the SEALS.

No, my passion was the work I was now doing at Salvatore Security Forces. We work with small and even larger businesses and government agencies to provide protection and security detail when needed. When I had first joined the SEALs, all I wanted to do was protect my country. As a little boy, I would listen as my grandfather relieved stories from his days in the army. He taught me the importance of loving your country and saving those that needed it most. I joined the SEALs right out of high school and never regretted a day of it. When I was medically discharged, I thought my life was over. Never did I imagine myself working in a normal job setting. I was meant to get my hands dirty and see things most people should never dream of. Maybe I am a sick bastard, but it was my own version of a fairy tale dream.

Anyway, when Lance Salvatore offered me a job at Salvatore Security Forces, I couldn't turn down the offer to protect the people in this city. I was still serving, just in a different manner.

So, when I found myself invited to go to MLA Publishing, I just couldn't say no, twice. It appeared, the company was looking for more Marketing as we expanded our reach outside of the New York Area. Sunnyvale was already thriving with their new branch, and with more Marketing, we could potentially land more clients in bigger areas, too. From what I had been told on the car ride over, we were going to be featured at a charity event for fallen soldiers of war. We were to attend, show our support, and allow our pictures to be used for marketing and branding purposes. It seemed a little too flashy for me, but I went along with it anyway.

Now, I was never more grateful for giving in. I wasn't sure who the woman was who couldn't take her eyes off of me, but I knew for a fact, that she could feel my eyes undressing her.

When our eyes met, neither of us could turn away. All my senses seemed to shut off, I had no idea what Lance was talking about as he stood us in front of the office. All I knew was for the first time in a very long time, someone had caught my attention.