Chapter 5

five

Autumn didn’t want to go to work. It was the first time she thought about calling in sick in about a decade. The last time was when she had a dislocated shoulder. Now, she was trying to avoid a man who had haunted her dreams last night. Well, what dreams she had because she kept waking up hot and bothered throughout the night.

Still, she forced herself out of bed and into the shower to wake herself up. She needed to go shopping for food, so after throwing on some clothes and what little makeup she wore, she headed out the door to make a pit stop at Leonard’s Bakery. She’d called in her order, thankful it was hot and ready when she arrived. Eating a malasada while driving to work probably wasn’t a good idea, but she was starving. Lord knew what was on the agenda today.

Yesterday had been simple. Lots of exercises to build up the upper body and some practicing with dummies. Her favorite part was working with Maya. That dog was a sweetheart.

Today, Seth said something about mat exercises. That could mean so many things, but none of them were good. Once she reached TFH headquarters, she sat in her car to finish her malasada. She knew most people went for the filled malasadas these days, but she was old school. Her preference was the sugar or cinnamon and sugar. As she shoved the last bite of sugary goodness into her mouth, someone knocked on her car window.She jumped, then looked up to see her nemesis, Seth, standing there.

She went to open the door and almost hit him with it. It was his own fault since he was standing right there.

“I see your eating habits aren’t any better these days.”

She licked her fingers, savoring the cinnamon and sugar. When she looked up at him, he had a strange expression. “I work hard, as you know. The truth is, while I eat a lot of meals, I rarely have huge meals. Plus, I haven’t had a chance to shop and needed something to eat.”

She locked her door, then headed into headquarters. He fell into step with her. Of course, he did. They were going to the same place. Still, it irritated her.

“I take it you’re feeling okay today.”

God, his voice. How had she not noticed the way his voice slipped over each syllable?

“Yeah, I’m fine. My right shoulder feels tight, but that’s probably because of an old injury.”

The parking for the building was on the roof, so they stood in front of the bank of elevators, waiting for a lift.

“You should have told me,” he admonished. Oh, that voice…all grumpy and ready to punish her. Would there be spankings involved?

Nope, that’s inappropriate, Bradford. Stop it.

“It’s nothing. And it’s my own fault. I should always do PT on it, but I put that off because it kicks my ass.”

“What was the injury?”

“Happened my first year at the DEA. Undercover op went bad, I ended up with damaged tendons and a dislocated shoulder.”

“Damn.”

“Yeah, it should have been a sign that I wasn’t made for the DEA, but I don’t like giving up.”

“Maybe you should sit out today.”

Before she could respond, the elevator dinged. He waved her on before him, such pretty manners, and she stepped on the lift. He pushed the button for the main floor. He was in what she called their work clothes, mainly cargo pants and t-shirts or polos. She was dressed similarly. Although, she was pretty sure her ass didn’t look half as good as his. Every day she had to push out the image of taking a huge bite out of his ass.

Just thinking about it, about how attractive he was, and he acted like he didn’t even know, pissed her off. She needed some space.

“And to answer your comment, fuck off.”

“Excuse me?”

She smiled. When he got all persnickety—and yes, people should use that term more often—it made her want to ruffle his hair. He was so by the rules that she always wanted to knock him off kilter.

“Would you ask one of your team to sit it out because they might be a little sore?”

“Yes. I learned while I was an active SEAL that if you can rest and heal, you do it.”

She glanced at him and saw the stark truth on his face. “No worries there, SEAL. It’s a little tender, but I should be fine.”

He frowned, apparently unhappy with the situation, but he couldn’t order her not to train. He would have to go to Adam or Del for that. She hoped he didn’t because they would get on her ass for not doing the PT.

“It’s not that important because we’re going out today.”

She blinked. “We are?”

“Yeah. I want to show you how we go about finding someone.”

“Does that mean I get to play with Maya?”

“Work with Maya. Work . You don’t play.”

She sighed. “Fuddy duddy.”

Before he could say anything, there was a buzzing. He pulled out his phone and read a text. His answer was made with angry thumbs.

“Girl from last night?”

He blinked and looked up at her. He had the most incredibly long eyelashes. It was pretty disgusting and sexy at the same time.

“No. It’s my mom. They’re hitting the island this week, and she’s been texting me around the clock. I love her, but change is hard for her, so she has sent me many questions.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what was this one?”

“If she should wear sandals on the flight. Like how would I know? And it’s not like she hasn’t traveled before now.”

She smiled. Beneath his exasperated tone was a wealth of love. Autumn found that more attractive than his ass. Okay, not more appealing than that, but close.

“Tell her no. Wear easy slip-on and off shoes, but no sandals. You have to walk through the metal detectors in bare feet otherwise. Gross.”

The elevator came to a stop, and the doors opened up. He just kept staring at her. “What?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. And thanks.”

“No problem.”

He followed her off the lift, typing to his mother. The rest of the group wasn’t there yet or hadn’t reached the main floor. Since the new teams were being drawn up, they would have their own floors. Team Bravo was one floor above them on the left side, and Charlie would take up the right side. From what she understood, their offices were done, but they were still waiting on a few things to be installed in the main conference area for Bravo.

“My mom said thanks. She had to travel for work, and we were a military family. It’s like she retired and lost all sense. Again, thanks.”

She smiled at him. “Anytime. I did so much traveling after I moved back to the US.”

He frowned. “You didn’t always live in the US?”

She shook her head. “Remember, I said Ian’s dad was a friend of my mother’s and I moved to England?”

“Oh, yeah. That must have been a big change.”

“You have no idea, but in a way, England made it simpler. Don’t get me wrong. People in the UK knew about the cult, but there wasn’t as much press. Plus, Ian’s dad is loaded. So, he could have round-the-clock security while I caught up.”

“Caught up?”

“With school. I’d never really been to a school, so I had to do a lot of catching up. It allowed me to have a semi-normal life with no paps following me around. That probably would have happened in the US.”

“Hey,” Nikki said as she walked into the common area, followed by Rami. “Are we going to be doing some grappling today?”

Ugh, that would be the worst, but she would do it. She could not miss out on something like that because she had a little injury.

“No. I want to go out with Maya and show Autumn how we look for people.”

Nikki frowned, but he shook his head. “I know you like doing the grappling, but we’re expecting a winter storm tomorrow. Best to do those things tomorrow and stick close to base so we can go out if needed.”

Winter storms on Oahu weren’t what mainlanders would think of as a storm. Instead, they were harsh northern winds with rain. Sometimes, the waves got so huge they came up and over Kam Highway on the windward side.

“Hey,” Nikki said, “are you going to Jin and Adam’s engagement party?”

She nodded. “No way I’m missing it, although Mrs. Lee told me I can’t wear cargo pants.” She rolled her eyes. Adam’s mom had taken her under her wing. If she could pick a mom for herself, it would be Merri Lee.

“Cool. Is this a date kind of thing?” Nikki asked.

“Why would you bring a date?” Rami asked, irritation threading his voice.

That told Autumn she was right about Rami’s attraction for the former Coastie. She knew that Rami had gone through quite a few women since he’d moved to the island. She had never seen him with the same woman twice. At first, she assumed it was his nature. In her opinion, there was nothing wrong with that, but something else seemed to be going on. Like, maybe he was trying to ignore his feelings for a team member.

“Ugh, a date? First, I have to wear a dress, and now this?”

Mrs. Lee hadn’t said anything about a date. She pulled out her phone and texted Adam’s mother. She would tell Autumn if she needed to bring a date or not.

“Do you have a dress?” Rami asked.

“Get bent, Rami. Of course, I have a dress.” She just hated to wear them. “So, do I have to bring a date? Can I just count Ian and Sam?”

“You can bring Ian any time you want to,” Nikki said.

Autumn made a face. “Ugh, not you, too.”

Nikki chuckled. “Well, if we’re going out, I’m gonna grab my gear.”

Rami stomped off after her as she headed back to the Bravo area. Their bickering faded as they rounded the corner. There were no rules about fraternization for TFH. It was allowed as long as someone wasn’t in the direct chain of command, but it had to be cleared with your team leader and Del.

“So, how do you feel about team members dating?” Autumn asked, her gaze still on where the two Bravo Team members had been.

When he didn’t answer, she glanced at him. He had the strangest expression on his face. “What?”

He blinked. “What?”

“I asked what you thought about team members dating.”

“Oh.” He said nothing for a second or two, then a flush hit his cheeks. Was he blushing? She tried not to smile, but it was hard not to. He went from being a hot former SEAL to adorable in the blink of an eye.

“Yeah, oh. I thought maybe you would have some kind of opinion since two of your team seem infatuated with each other.”

He glanced over to where Rami and Nikki had disappeared, then back at Autumn. “No.”

“No, you don’t agree with it?”

He shook his head. “No. I mean…” He took a deep breath and seemed to center himself. “I mean that those two are not interested in relationships. Either of them.”

“Oh, my sweet Summer child,” she said as she patted him on the shoulder.

“What?”

“You think because both of them have said they aren’t interested in relationships, they don’t want them. It’s cute.”

“You think they’re lying?”

“No. Maybe they don’t want that. Maybe they’re lying to themselves.” She shrugged. “You never know what will happen when you meet the one.”

Another strange look crossed over his face. “You know?”

“About meeting the one?” He nodded. “Sadly, no. But I think women in my family are destined to be alone or to be miserable because they make shitty choices.”

With that, and because she felt tired and weirdly disappointed, she turned to head off to her office.

“Where are you going?”

“Need to shut down the computer and lock up my office if we’re going out today.”

Although he said nothing else, she was sure he didn’t believe her. She didn’t blame him. Even she didn’t believe herself. Mainly because, for the first time in years, she wished she had another fate waiting for her. One that involved a great husband and kids.

But she knew better. Joseph wouldn’t let her have that, ever.

Before she could get depressed about that, her phone buzzed. She smiled when she saw Sam’s text. This Sam was not her father, Sam was the former CIA agent who drove her brother insane. She had disappeared months earlier after helping them with the case involving Jin, but Autumn had kept in touch.

Sam the Spy: How’s tricks?

Autumn: Okay. Working with the new team.

Sam the Spy: Why did they move you?

Autumn: Not moved. Just training so we understand their mission.

Sam the Spy: So, Sexy Seth is your team leader?

Autumn: No.

Sam the Spy: Yep. You guys make a cute couple.

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. Sam had been trying to get Autumn to hook up with Seth for months.

Autumn: Got other things going on. There’s a new synthetic on the streets.

Sam, God bless her, immediately understood what that meant.

Sam the Spy: Joseph back in business?

Autumn: Appears to be.

Sam the Spy: Send me the info, and I’ll start digging.

Hacking is what she meant. Autumn knew Sam had been a CIA white hat hacker in another lifetime before having to go on the run.

Autumn: Thanks. Was there another reason you texted?

Sam the Spy: Naw. I just wanted to let you know that the preliminary interview with Jin is excellent.

She did a lot of work for Jin as a quasi-PA.

Autumn: Thanks.

Sam the Spy: NP. Also, heads up, I might be hard to get hold of. I might have to ditch this number.

She had been on the run for years, and this was a common occurrence.

Autumn: Trouble?

Sam the Spy: Not sure, but just be aware, I might disappear for a week or two. Told Jin already. Be safe and take some time to play with Sexy Seth.

“Ready?”

She blinked and looked up. The man in question was standing in her doorway. Gah, this man.

“Yeah.”

She grabbed her gun and badge and then followed him out the door.

“I thought you could ride with me.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“I want to review what we will concentrate on for the training mission.”

“Okay.”

She followed him to the common room where the rest of Team Bravo had gathered. Everyone turned to look at them as they joined the team. Expressions ranged from mildly interested to speculative to downright giddy. That last one was Nikki.

“We’ll go over to use the training area close to Kaneohe. Weather should be good today.”

“Are we taking the van?”

They had a van for the team, but Seth shook his head. “It’s getting the tires replaced today. Y’all ride with Ryan and Maya.”

A beat of silence filled the room, and all of a sudden, she realized what Seth had done. The two of them would be together in a car for at least a thirty-minute drive, depending on the traffic. As Ian said all the time, bollocks.

“Let’s get going,” Seth said, apparently unaware that his team was tossing speculative looks their way. She didn’t say anything but followed him out to his SUV. All team leaders had an issued SUV.

“Isn’t this a waste?”

He unlocked the doors and waited until they were inside before engaging.

“What do you mean?”

She put on her seatbelt and then looked over at him. He had no idea what she was talking about.

“Seth, your people think you got me alone for a reason.”

He blinked, those amazing long lashes captivating her momentarily and making her lose her train of thought.

“They do not.”

“You are not this dense. They think you wanted to talk to me.”

He shook his head, then turned to start his SUV. “Of course, they know I want to talk to you. I want to go over some things about today’s training.”

She said nothing, trying to decide if he was just messing with her. She decided he might be obtuse as he pulled out onto Ala Moana.

“Listen, SEAL, your people think there’s a vibe between us.”

“A vibe?”

He was so calm, as if nothing significant was happening. The truth was, typically, she didn’t care. Her private life was just that, private. But this was work, and for the first time, she’d found a place where she belonged, with people she cared about. Besides Sam and Ian, she had never really worried about what people thought of her. Now, she did.

“You know what I mean.”

He pulled to a stop at a light. “No. I don’t.”

She growled, and he laughed.

“What?” she demanded.

“You.” He looked at her, his mouth turned up in that stupid crooked smile, and she found her entire body reacting. “I get it, Bradford. We’re attracted to each other.”

She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and looked out the windshield. “If you say so.”

Seth snorted. “Yeah, I do.” The light turned green. “I just don’t know what to do about it now.”

“Oh, you don’t know what to do with me. I mean, I didn’t know you were a virgin.”

“Well, I know I would like to take you back to my place, strip you down, and spend enough time with my head between your legs that you forget your first and last names.”

That caused images to flood her brain of how good it would be. Her nipples hardened, her panties were damp, and he hadn’t even touched her. He was lethal.

To protect herself, she sniffed. “That’s if I would ever let you.”

“Oh, you would. You’re imagining it right now.”

Because she was, and because she didn’t trust her voice, she said nothing.

“I just haven’t decided if it would be good.”

“Now you’re admitting you suck at sex.”

“No. We both have a lot on our plates and while I think we would be outstanding together in bed, I’m not sure you want that or if you’re interested in a relationship.” She glanced at him as he took the exit for H-3. He shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a monogamous kind of guy. I’m too old to play around at work just for funsies.”

She wanted to mock him, but for some reason, that comment had her heartwarming.

“But for now, I want to talk about the mission today. We’ll worry about the other stuff later.”

She didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Usually, she wouldn’t like his tone, but today, she shoved her irritation and most of her attraction to the back of her mind.

“Okay, hit me up.”