Chapter 5: Chapter Five

Tanner watched her go, his gaze raking over her firm backside as her hips shifted with each fluid step. Man, oh man. The way her eyes lit up, sparkling with passion as they teased and sparred. He wondered if they would do the same as she lay naked under him, writhing and pleading for him to take her. Her arms would pull him close, lithe legs opening to reveal her innermost secrets. He’d plunge his engorged cock into her very depths and drag every ounce of passion from her. Fuck until the sun came up, then keep going until neither could lift a finger from exhaustion.

What was he thinking? You don’t date neighbors. Things go bad and you’re stuck with them. But, she would be a joy to bring to fulfillment—all that untapped feminine potential. Just the thought made his stomach flip. Other parts stood up and took notice as well. Down, Marine. Cold showers sucked and night didn’t arrive for several more hours to get the bar scene hopping once more.

The vibration of his cell phone caught his attention. Recognizing the number on caller ID, he immediately flipped the top open. “Owens.”

“You didn’t call me back.” Spoon’s voice carried through the small device.

Tanner had forgotten until just then. “Sorry, bro. I got busy.”

“Uh-huh. Distracted by that cute little filly next door?”

He snorted, not ready to delve into a conversation about Oakley. Spoon had a talent for weaseling out all kinds of information. Great asset for the Wind Warriors on assignments, but a bad habit when it came to the personal life he wanted to keep to himself.

“Gotta admit those strawberry bran muffins hit the spot. Who knew health food could taste good?” Spoon rambled on.

“I wouldn’t know. You and the dog ate mine.” Tanner strode off the porch, leisurely walking toward the park while talking. It wouldn’t do for Oakley to overhear their conversation. She didn’t need more ammunition.

Laughter cackled through the phone line.

Taking the opportunity, he changed the subject. “So, what’s up?” On their downtime, the guys occasionally got together to shoot the breeze, but most of the time they headed their separate ways.

Cale, another of the team, scurried off to Cooperstown any chance he got to see his steady girlfriend, Lily. Tanner had met her once, as the team intercepted a handful of nest vipers closing in on Lily’s house, where Cale and his injured brother Dillon had been holed up. A sweet woman and easy on the eyes. He could see why Cale returned to her time and again.

Dillon was partially retired after the gunshot wound had forced him to lay low with Lily for a few days. He already had a girl, Della. Last Tanner heard, they were engaged and planning a wedding sometime this coming year. Talk about enamored. All any of them had heard about for the past six months was Della. He worshiped her and loved her to pieces. None of them blamed him for wanting to leave the group to spend more time with his girl and start on the family they longed for.

Truth be told, most of the guys envied Cale and Dillon. Girlfriends and wives were a rare luxury in their line of work. Not just because the job took them away so much, but because of the dangers everyone faced. Families could be found and threatened, even worse, if confidences were broken or the wrong person overheard or hacked into accounts. Secrecy and security extremes kept them safe. It wasn’t an easy life for the men, but it wore doubly hard on the women, never knowing when or if their loved one would make it home. For the most part, it shadowed the lives of sweethearts and wives of military members with the exception that Wind Warriors’ jobs were typically much shorter, allowing them to return more often. At the same time, most military wives didn’t worry about hardass criminals targeting them for revenge. A trade-off.

“Earth to Loco. Come in, Loco.” Spoon’s amused tone snapped him back.

“What?”

A short chuckle followed. “You’ve got it bad, soldier.”

“Marine. And no, I don’t.” Military records and branches of service were common knowledge among the Wind Warriors. Spoon damn well knew he was a Marine. It was an old game, a way to yank his chain—one that no longer ruffled Tanner’s feathers.

“Uh-huh.” A beat later, Spoon continued, “Want to hit the town tonight? I’ve got some time and energy to blow.”

“Maybe. But I can’t stay out all night.”

“A little pump and dump kick your ass last night?”

Tanner snorted. “As if. No, I have a five-k race at seven thirty in the morning.”

“Huh?”

For the first time, Tanner grinned. Not often could he shake Spoon. “I’m running in a five-k tomorrow morning.”

“What the hell? On purpose? Ohhhhh.” The tone indicated puzzle pieces clicking together. “Oakley. You’re running with her.” A moment passed as he laughed quietly. “You do have it bad, bro.”

Rolling his eyes, Tanner set the man straight. “The entry fee money goes to buy new tennis shoes for underprivileged kids. I’m doing it for the charity.”

“Uh-huh. So, what time do I pick you up?”

“I’ll meet you there, on the slim chance you get lucky.”

“Slim chance? You forgot who you’re talking to, soldier.”

“Marine. And twenty hundred.”

“Make it nineteen thirty. And I’ll meet you at your place—it’s on the way. Besides, that pretty neighbor of yours might have some treats to share.”

“Apple crisp.”

“Mmmm. That sounds good.”

“But only if you don’t call her Annie.” Tanner grinned, remembered the rise he had got out of her before.

“Why would you call her that?”

“Annie, as in Oakley.”

Spoon snorted. “Call her that and she just might shoot you with your own gun.”

“That’s what she said.” Laughter flooded the lines on both sides. “Okay. Nineteen thirty here at the condo.”

“Got it. Later.”

Tanner snapped the phone closed. Damn Spoon and his cat-like curiosity. He had to watch his tongue tonight or the former Green Beret would declare him besotted. A grin slipped out. That word labeled Dillon, much to the young Navy Seal’s chagrin. He didn’t squabble more than a couple of times, though, telling them all that Della was worth all the teasing they could throw at him.

“If you’re hungry, I have enough dinner for two,” Oakley’s voice called from a few feet away.

He turned to meet her gaze. “I’m always hungry.” His breath caught with the sheer glow of her smile. Off limits, Marine.

His long strides ate the distance between them as she led him back to her kitchen.

* * * *

“Loco? You around?” Spoon’s voice came from the front.

“Back here,” Tanner answered, watching as his buddy rounded the corner dressed in jeans and a snug T-shirt, his uniform for a night of patrolling for babes.

“Loco? Meaning you’re crazy?” She snorted. “Somehow, I’m not surprised.”

Tanner’s lips twitched at her dry humor.

“Could be. Although, it really comes from the way he does high-risk jobs, living in the gray area between insane and extremely courageous,” Spoon explained, as he walked up to them.

Tanner glared at the slightly shorter man. The less she knew about their work, the better.

“Dessert?” Spoon ignored Tanner, flashing a large smile with dimples at Oakley.

“Since you asked so nice.” She took the bait, hastily heading inside to get the newcomer a share.

After shoveling another bite of apple crisp into his mouth, Tanner shook his head at Spoon. “Leech.”

Not taking offense, Spoon pulled up the extra fold-out chair and plopped down. “Hey, I’m a growing boy. Besides, those muffins were tasty.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He brushed off some crumbs from the white button-down shirt before wiping his hands across the faded jeans. Right after dinner, he’d zipped over to change clothes, making sure to be ready in plenty of time.

Oakley emerged from the house with a large plateful for Spoon. Handing it over, she graced him with a smile. “I brought another bottle of water for you too.” She started to place it in his lap then froze, as if changing her mind.

Tanner grabbed the bottle from her slack fingers, gave it a toss, and watched it land smack against Spoon’s groin. “Thought you needed cooling off a bit.”

Spoon shot him a one finger salute as he scooped a large bite of crisp.

Oakley giggled. “You two are something.” Taking a breath, she turned her attention to Spoon. “You said your name was…well, something horrendous. How did you get tagged with Spoon?”

“Because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth,” Tanner quickly answered.

“Hey, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” Spoon complained between bites.

“Whatever.”

Hercules took that moment to amble up from his spot under the shade tree. After sniffing Tanner, he headed over to the new man and snuffled his groin with enthusiasm.

“Hey!” Spoon lifted the plate but didn’t have any free hands to push the large dog away.

Oakley giggled. “Herc! Be nice!”

“Seems even dogs want a piece of you.”

“KMAG YOYO.”

Tanner snickered at the military lingo for ‘kiss my ass, guys, you’re on your own’, not in the least upset with Spoon’s words. He threw out those same insults to each of the guys from time to time. All part of the brotherhood.

Spoon handed over the empty plate and fork with a gracious smile after nearly inhaling the food. “Thank you. That was wonderful.” Standing, he clasped her hand, kissing her knuckles lightly. “Ready, Rambo?”

Tanner shook his head, winking at Oakley. “He’s incorrigible. You can’t live with him, but he does have an occasional good moment.”

She laughed and waved. “See you at six forty-five a.m.”

“You bet.” With one final look at Oakley, Tanner trotted after Spoon, preparing for the ribbing to come. Spoon, always the jokester, couldn’t leave this one alone. Come to think of it, I haven’t kicked Spoon’s ass in a while. If the Green Beret was smart, he’d keep his mouth shut. But when did that ever happen?