Page 9 of Ground Zero

We walk up into the yard and stop.

"I guess I'll have to decline the cushy corporate job I landed that pays above average and has an excellent benefits package and accept your offer. I'm kind of obligated after you saved my niece to join you in the fight."

"You aren't obligated, Foxtrot. You can turn me down. But …" His eyebrow cocks with his sexy as fuck smirk. "I'm confident I can offer you a better employment package than what you have right now."

"I have a pretty sweet deal." I look him up and down, placing my hands on my hips. "What are you offering?"

His smirk fades as he closes the distance and takes me in his arms again. I turn my face up to prepare for his dominant kiss, and as his sculpted lips sink slowly, my desire for him builds instantly. Just like that, I am wet and ready again.

But he lightly brushes my lips with his as he says, "I will pay you 20% more than what they are offering, and I'll match whatever benefits package they have. Plus, I'll fuck your brains out at the end of every day."

His warm breath smells sweet, and his musk is intoxicating. How can I say no? I whisper on his lips, "I'll work for free as long as I get the plus package."

His eyes crinkle, and his lips smile against mine. Then his eyes hood before they close completely, and his lips capture mine. His arms wrap themselves around me as his tongue slides past my teeth.

I melt into him, knowing there will never be another man for me as long as I live. I've had my share of lovers, and no one has ever come close to making me feel as alive as Crockett.

The front door opens, and he releases our kiss. Looking over my head, he speaks. "How's everyone doing today, ma'am?"

I turn in his arms to see Bri standing on the porch with her mouth hanging open, then she regains her composure and says, "Everyone is good. Thank you."

He nods, looks down at me, and says, "Call me after your shower. We'll talk about the job."

"Okay."

He turns and walks a few steps away, then he stops and turns back. "On second thought, just come to the bar when you're done. We can talk there. In private. And pack an overnight bag."

I grin at him as Bri walks up to stand beside me.

She crosses her arms over her chest and asks as we watch him jog away. "Who … the fuck … is he?"

"Jeff Crockett. The former team leader of Bravo. We served together in the military."

"My god! And I worried about you all those years. If I had only known…."

I laugh, put my arms around her, and lead her back inside.

She says. "We're going shopping before you go to the bar."

I lean away and frown, "Why?"

"Because I've seen your wardrobe, and you aren't wearing that ratty, conservative shit for him. He deserves corsets, fishnet stockings, and platform stilettos."

I laugh at her. "He's the kind of man that bare ass naked is better."

She snorts. "No, sister! No! A man like that needs to experience the thrill of unwrapping his present every single time." She pushes me down the hallway. "And you are going to blow his mind!"

Crockett

When I get back to the hotel, I call room service to clean the suite and stock the wet bar. Then I shower and go down to my office in the back ofSuds After BUD/S.

I take my ideal team member list and start working down it.

The first person I call is Aurelius Moore. The first time I met him was after a raid. He flew support on a Bravo mission. When I ran into him in Vegas a few years back, I discovered he was a wealthy venture capital investor and worth millions. He is my first call because without a deep pocket money man backing us, Cock Blockers is dead in the water. Running rescue operations will be expensive, and we will have to rely on donations instead of earnings to make my idea a reality.

"Hardcore, Rocket here. How ya been?"

"Good, brother. You doing good?"

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