Page 10 of Falling For His Badass

I laugh again, “Nope. If a fight breaks out, I’ll have a weapon.”

She laughs, “I should have known you were a SEAL. Coming right up.” She spins around and walks off.

I turn to Jeff. “Before I start entertaining you with war stories, what have you been up to?” I grin at him.

“Nothing good, but that’s about to change.”

“Let’s hear it.”

The waitress returns with a bucket of beer. Jeff slides one to me, then lifts one. “First, a toast to your acceptance into the elite of the elite. Hooyah!”

“Hooyah!” I lift the beer, drain it, then slam the bottle down onto the table at the same time as Jeff.

He laughs. “Either I’m getting slower, or you’re getting better.” He slides the next beer over. “I wanted to speak to you about a special project I’ve been working on. It seems there is a need right here at home for our skills.”

“Really?” I lean in.

“A few months ago, I was approached by a family whose son and his girlfriend had been taken hostage while on a mission trip. Long story short, they hired me to put together an extraction team. We went in, did a snatch and grab, and brought them both home safely. Word has spread and I’ve had multiple missions requested, so I’m putting together a team of special operators.” He stops and stares at me.

I rock back in my seat. “And you were going to ask me to join you?”

“Affirmative.” He opens two more beers and pushes one to me. “But if you’re going to become an officer, you’ll have to tact on more years and another tour.

I take the bottle and tip it up. “It will, but I like options. Tell me more.”

As soon asthe show is over, I stand, exchange pleasantries with Karolina, Debbie, and their men, agreeing it was terrific and worth every penny paid then head straight for the elevator. Standing with the crowd, waiting to go up to the bar, my phone vibrates. It’s Tara. *Are you dancing yet?*

*Going up to the bar now.*

*OK. Have fun. Dance the night away.*

*I fully intend to.*

*Promise me, you will dance with a dude that’s not decent in your book. ;)*

I smile at my phone, hoping B.A. is in the bar. *I will.*

When the elevator doors open, the music is loud. My heart starts to race. I am so ready for a night of fun. I prove my age, get my hand stamped, then walk in. The joint is jumping. Quickly scanning the area for B.A., I’m disappointed I don’t see him, but it’s possible I missed him. The dance floor is crowded and so are the tables and booths surrounding it. Heading across the room to the bar, I walk around the edge of the dancers, still on the lookout, but no luck spotting him. When I arrive, the patrons waiting for their drinks are five deep, and I know, because I’m short, I have to get closer to be seen and served, so I weave in and out of the crowd until I’m behind the second row. The bartender spots me as he hands two drinks to the couple in front of me. When they turn to leave, I slide into their space. He smiles as he leans toward me. I shout, “Sangria Margarita, please.” He nods his acknowledgement and begins to make it.

Two guys seated at the bar turn to check me out. I smile and they lean away from each other, inviting me to step between them. They are dressed in suits with their shirt collars unbuttoned and their ties loosened.Lawyers.When I take the position offered, they both lean back in and shout at the same time.

“Hi, I’m Greg."

“Hi, I’m Matt.”

Then they glare at each other. Remembering the “dibs” call from earlier, I laugh. ” Hi,” I tell them both, “I’m Lizzy.”

The bartender slides my drink to me, and Matt tells him. "Put that on my tab.”

I smile at the bartender, firmly telling him, “I got this.” Then I slide my hand inside the V-neck of my dress and pull my credit card from under my bra strap. The bartender grins as he reaches for the card. “Yes, ma’am.”

"It guarantees I buy my own drinks." I wink at him and we all laugh.

When he returns my card with my drink, I carefully return it to its safe place.

Matt’s eyes are glued to my tits and when I pull my hand out, he says with a grin, “I hope you drink a lot.”

I laugh as I pull my drink to me and take a sip. “Are you two attending the conference?”

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