CHAPTER 1: BIG GULP
ALEX
I'm a CIA analyst, assigned to work with a SEAL squad tracking a new bioterrorist weapon. I'm only five feet tall, 110 pounds sopping wet; people describe me as pretty and cute. The officer in charge, Lieutenant Bryce, is a 260 pound beast of a man and believes that women should not be on the front lines in any capacity.
He was all for having a CIA analyst assigned to his squad, until he realized that the "Alex" who was being assigned to him was in fact "Alexandra." Now he's torn between wanting me to walk away, and wanting to fuck me until I can't walk. His default modes vacillate between lustful looks and snide remarks. I share his lust, but his snide remarks are starting to eat at me.
Tonight the squad had a party, celebrating our second mission with me as the embedded analyst. I got shot in the shoulder on that mission, so it was a big deal to me, and an even bigger deal for me to venture out to a celebration.
Bryce ruined the party by being a jerk. I bet he gets women because he's gorgeous, then he dumps them as soon as he's bored. No big deal to him, since he seems to think women are worthless anyway. I hate guys like that.
I get home and put on my favorite shortie pj's—they're cool and comfortable in the San Diego heat, plus the tank top doesn't rub against my wound.
I'm lonely in my new town in an empty apartment. I had hoped I'd meet some other women at the squad's party, but Bryce pretty much ruined the party for me. I don't fit in here.
I put on my favorite Eagles mix-oldie but goodie.
My doorbell rings and I ignore it. Nothing good can come from a solicitor at 9:00 on a Saturday night.
After three rings, I am getting annoyed and decided to check the peephole.
Bryce? What is he doing here? He's the reason I was wishing I could be back in Virginia, or Pennsylvania, or Montana, anywhere but here.
I open the door and try to smile.
BRYCE
Alex looks edible. I wasn't expecting short shorts and a pink tank top.
Takes me a minute to remind myself why I'm here. I dive in: "I'm sorry I was an asshole. I'm a team player and you're part of my team. I was out of line. I hope we can let that go and start over."
She blinks at me with her big beautiful eyes, her face impossible to read. Then she lights up and she says, "I agree, let's start over."
Relief.
I brought a bottle of Jack as a peace offering. I hold it out to her and ask if she'd like some.
ALEX
I've never been a big drinker, still trying to figure out the difference between red and white and what the big deal is, so I'm not sure what he's handing me.
It's a pretty big bottle, so I reach up into my cabinet to grab a couple tumblers.
BRYCE
I thought we'd have a drink to start over, a sign of goodwill or something. But now, seeing those nothing shorts and that barely-there top, I need to get out of here.
All I'm thirsty for is standing in front of me, and she is off limits.
I can't put myself through this. I'm out of here.
ALEX
When I turn around, Bryce is heading toward the door, like he's leaving.
"Where are you going? I thought you were going to have a drink."
BRYCE
Shit. Strike one. I need to get away from this girl.
I try to play it cool: "Yeah, sure, one drink. Great."
One drink. Then I'm out of here.
What's she doing? Are we going to drink Jack out of Big Gulps?
And that butt and those toned legs poking out of those shorts are killing me.
Lord help me. Alex is a teammate, not a fuck toy.
Head. Out. Of. Gutter.
ALEX
I put some ice in the glasses and hand them to Bryce to fill. He seems amused. I can't tell what's so funny and I can't bring myself to ask him after the verbal thrashing he gave me at the party.
He pours our drinks then I show him to my living room, which has a sofa, a coffee table, and that's it. I haven't had time to make this place a home.
I sit on the sofa, but instead of sitting with me, Bryce carries one of the kitchen chairs over.
"Bryce, that chair isn't comfortable. There's plenty of room on the sofa. Sit here."
"No, no, I'm good here, thanks."
Go figure.
Bryce keeps glancing away from me funny and stays really quiet. I can't tell what he's thinking. Maybe he's trying to stay long enough to be polite and then leave.
The man is impossible to read.
BRYCE
No way am I sitting on the sofa with her. We might as well strip off our clothes and climb in bed. Which sounds amazing, actually. Which is why I need to get the hell out.
ALEX
Desperately searching for something to talk about, I ask him how long he's been with the SEALs.
"Five years."
"Do you like it?"
"Love it."
"What do you like about it?"
"The missions."
Oh-kay, pulling teeth here.
"Anything else?"
Bryce finds his tongue. "Yeah, I like being part of a squad. It's like an immediate team of brothers who've got my back. And I've got their back."
"That's sounds intense."
"It is. And most of us are in it for the same thing: to make a difference to American lives. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush of going on a mission and coming back having done something good for my teammates and for the country."
He's constantly impressing me with how sincere he can be. Not the jerk who tells me to fetch his beer at the squad party. I don't understand where that comes from.
BRYCE
I like talking with Alex about my job. I can be real with her the way I can't be with the guys, or with other women for that matter.