Page 72 of No Regrets

Since she was giving him the once over, he figured he could do the same. A short denim miniskirt barely covered any of her long brown legs. She was slim, toned and, fuck, it had been months and he wasn’t dead. His cock began to stir. Sally crossed her legs and leaned forward slightly, giving him an eyeful of her breasts as she sipped her beer. Abruptly he stood up. This wasn’t a good idea. Time to go home. Pulling out some bills, he placed them on the bar. “Thanks, Jerry.”

“You’re leaving?” Sally sounded disappointed.

“Yeah. Nice to meet you.” He walked out into the cool night air and stopped, remembering he shouldn’t drive. As he pulled out his phone to call a cab, the door opened and Sally stumbled out, bumping into him. He shot out his hand to steady her and she hung on to him, regaining her balance. “Sorry.”

“No problem.” He went to step away, but she increased her grip on his arms, moving closer.

“How about a good night kiss?”

Her mouth was inches from his, her hazel green eyes gazing up at him, and then she ran her tongue over her full lips suggestively. Hell, she was offering it up on a plate and it wasn't like he was attached any more. “You have to let me go.” The words still stung but it did mean he was a free man. Perhaps it was time to climb back on the horse.

Fuck it, it was just sex, Sally didn’t even live here. He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers, tasting the beer she’d been drinking. Grabbing a handful of hair, he pulled her head back pushing his tongue none too gently into her mouth. Headlights shone on them, he steered her down the side of the bar, out of view, pinning her to the wall with his body. She licked her lips in anticipation, and then guided his mouth down on hers again. His hands roamed down her body, skimming her breasts. She moaned into his mouth, urging him on. Lowering the zipper on the front of her top, he slipped a hand inside, cupping a breast. She arched and pushed into him, wanting more. He kissed and licked his way down her neck. Yeah, a quick and fast release, that’s all this would be. Pulling her top to the side, he took the erect nipple in his mouth. Her hands were exploring his back, his chest, stroking over his shoulders through his t-shirt.

An image of Kelly naked on the beach in Cuba flashed before him. Shaking it from his mind, he moved his mouth back up to Sally’s and his hands sought the hem of her skirt.

Just sex. It meant nothing.

Lifting her skirt slowly, he gave her every chance to stop him, but she didn’t, instead parting her legs, she invited him in. Slipping a hand into the waistband of her panties, he ran a finger over her folds. She writhed under him now, and he picked up the pace. God, she was hot and wet. He pushed two fingers inside her, groaning as his cock pushed against his jeans.

She isn’t Kelly. This isn’t you, his conscience screamed at him. He continued thrusting his fingers inside Sally.

You don’t do hook ups.

Her hands moved down to his pants, undoing his belt.

You don’t want this. She’s not Kelly. She doesn't even know your name.

Fuck! He stopped, pulling away. Sally jerked her head up, warily looking at him. Her breathing was heavy, and her lips were red and swollen from his kisses.

He smoothed down her skirt and zipped up her top.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do this.” He saw the confusion in her eyes, maybe embarrassment, and felt like a piece of shit. “Not all Navy boys are good guys, Sally. You’re a beautiful girl, but this isn’t right.” He wanted to run but he couldn’t leave her here alone. “Come back inside. I’ll have Jerry call you a cab.”

She pushed away from the wall, clearly pissed. “Don’t worry about me, asshole. I can call my own cab.”

Fuck yeah, he was an asshole. What was he thinking?

Relieved she’d gone back into the bar and would be safe, he decided to walk home. The warm evening air would do him good. A car pulled up beside him. He turned, surprised to see Joe get out. “For heaven’s sake, Dex, have you lost your phone or something?”

“No.” He pulled it out and saw several missed calls and texts. Shit, he’d been too distracted and not heard it.

“What is it, Joe?” His gut tightened.

“It’s your father. There’s been an accident.”

RYAN MADE HIS WAY THROUGH the foyer to the main room. Joe had called him twenty minutes ago. Matt had been in a hit and run. A black SUV had slammed into the side of his rental as he was driving to his motel from the conference center in LA. A witness dialed 911 but he’d died at the scene.

Ryan joined Joe, observing Dex through the window, giving him some privacy. Dex sat next to his father’s body, his head down.

“How’s he doing?” It was a stupid question but what else was there to say?

“He’s not said much. Shock I think.” Joe shook his head. “Everything Matt survived, all those years in service. He didn’t deserve to go out this way.”

“Is there any news on the driver?”

“LAPD found the vehicle. It had been reported stolen. Nothing on the driver yet.”

They stood in silence for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts, before Ryan opened the door.

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