Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 7
I sucked at poker.
“Come to mama,” I said with a grin.
I shoved my money into my purse and rushed over to the bar. I wanted to get one last drink order in before they switched their menu to the much more expensive drinks. Casinos always did that as their clientele got drunker. They capitalized on the drunken decisions and mistakes people made in this place. Not me, though. I wouldn’t make one mistake tonight. I’d enjoy myself, blow the money I’d been given, and go back to my lonely apartment with lots of memories.
And no friends.
In the midst of feeling sorry for myself, I ran right into something solid and sturdy. I stumbled backward before I felt a pair of hands grip my waist, steadying me on my feet. I threw on the charm before I even got my bearings. A slow smile crept across my face as I gripped the massive arms of the person trying to make sure I didn’t fall to the floor.
“My my, I didn’t realize where I was rushing off to. I’m so sorry, Mister…?”
“You good, Roxy?”
The second Clint’s voice fell against my ears, I pulled away. My back fell against a decorative pole behind me as I gazed up into his face. I was at a loss for words. The all-black suit he donned brought out the piercing, worried stare of his eyes. But, when my gaze fell down his rigid form, my jaw hit the floor.
“Holy shit, I’m so sorry,” I said breathlessly.
Clint looked down. “Oh. That.”
I looked around for some napkins. “I didn’t even know I had picked up that new drink. I’m so sorry, Clint. I’ll pay for the dry-cleaning, and--.”
“It’s fine, Roxy. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”
I found some napkins. “Aha! Here. Let me just--.”
“Roxy.”
I reached out for his suit. “This will get some of it off, at least.”
His hand wrapped around my wrist. “Look at me when I’m speaking with you.”
I wrenched away from his grip. “You’re only my boss on workdays, and while I’m clocked in. You don’t get to address me like that during off time. Got it?”
“Well, it’s not off-time for me.”
“It is for me, Clint. So, why don’t you try that statement again.”
My stare found his, and I saw frustration behind his eyes. Which only made me more frustrated.
“I don’t even know why you’re here anyway. If you don’t want to be here, you can leave. You have the birthday girl’s permission,” I said.
“Did you not hear me tell you that it’s not off-time for me?” he asked.
I slipped around him. “You’re never on off-time. You’re a workaholic, just like the rest of your family.”
“Hey!” he bellowed.
I whipped around. “I don’t give a shit what you think you’re doing here. And I don’t know where you get off jumping in front of me like that. I didn’t need your help, or your intervention, or your expertise. So, why don’t you just keep patrolling around here like the security man you are and leave me the hell alone, yeah?”
He blinked. “Happy birthday, Roxy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah. I would’ve rather stayed home with a pizza.”
Then, I turned on my heels and made my way to the bar.
I was ready for the night to be over so I could go home and salvage what was left of my one special day a year.
4
Clint
I took a long pull from my beer before I dangled the glass bottle from between my fingertips. I swirled the last of it around, watching the television mindlessly as it scrolled through commercials to get back to my show. With my tie loosened and the buttons on my shirt undone, I spread my legs wide. I was trying to let my body breathe a little bit after a long day of work.
“We offer opportunity and promise.”
I groaned as my head fell back with the commercial that came on.
“We offer you family and purpose.”
I snickered as I downed the last of my beer.
“And with our impeccable track record, we offer you the chance to become one of our nation’s finest.”
I chuckled. “Finest, my ass.”
The Navy commercial faded into the background as I glanced over at the mantle above my electric fireplace. I stared at the picture of my best friend and me, our arms slung around one another while we smiled in the middle of the desert. I’d gone through SEAL training with that man. I’d been at his side as he ushered not one, but two little girls into this world. I stood up as the best man at his wedding. I gave a toast so personal and so put together that it moved the man to tears. A man I’d seen strangle enemies on their own turf with his bare fucking hands.
“Damn it, Bryce.”
I tossed my beer bottle onto the couch and rubbed my hands down my face. I bent forward, bowing my head, and whispered a small prayer up to a God I stopped believing in a long time ago. My hands shook as my memories pulled me back. No longer did I hear the sounds of the television. I did hear the explosions, though.
“Riley! Get your ass in here! Now!”
“Hold on! Mike’s out there. We can’t leave Mike behind!”
“I’ve got Mike, you asshole. Get back here!”
I drew in a deep breath and sat myself up. I clenched my hands between my thighs, forcing them to stop shaking. Then I stood from the couch and walked over to the television, slamming the heel of my hand against the power button. And when it fell silent, the only sounds I heard were