Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
ACE
I push through the double doors into the VA Center’s main hall. Then I see her.
Andrea stands at the top of a wobbly stepladder, stretching to measure a window frame. Her chestnut-colored curls fall in waves down her back, and her tank top rides up, revealing a strip of smooth skin above her jeans. My mouth goes dry as my cock twitches to life in my jeans.
The door slams behind me with a bang. She turns at the sound, and our eyes lock across the room. For a heartbeat, neither of us moves as electricity crackles in the air between us, so strong I half expect to see sparks.
Jax would have my head if he knew I was here. His little sister is permanently on the “do not touch” list, a fact he’s made abundantly clear since I joined his crew three years ago. Not that it stops me from looking. Or thinking. Or dreaming.
I clear my throat and fall back on humor like I always do.
“They sending the rookies in for the tough jobs now?” I call, dropping my toolbox with a clatter.
Andrea’s lips curve into a smile that hits me square in the chest. “Funny. I was about to ask why they sent in the B-team.”
“Ouch.” I press a hand to my heart. “You wound me, Andrea.”
She descends the ladder with easy grace, and I fight the urge to step forward and steady it. Andrea has never appreciated being treated like she needs help.
“Leesa said you were coming to help,” she says, moving toward me.
I breathe in her familiar vanilla scent as she approaches. “She didn’t say you’d be here.”
“Surprise.” Her tone is dry, but there’s a spark in her eyes makes my pulse jump.
Before I can respond, Leesa emerges from a back room, staggering under the weight of cardboard boxes. Her face lights up when she sees us.
“Ace! You made it!” She drops the boxes unceremoniously. “I see you two have found each other.”
“What exactly needs doing?” I ask, moving to business before my thoughts wander to dangerous territory. Like all the things I’ve fantasized about doing with Andrea, if I ever got to be alone with her.
Andrea stands close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from her body. Her confidence has always attracted and intimidated me in equal measure. She knows who she is, what she wants. She stands up to her brother, even when I waver.
“We need to transform this place from community center to reception venue.” Leesa gestures around the cavernous room. “String lights across the ceiling, table arrangements, makeshift bar area over there, dance floor marked out.”
“And we’re supposed to work miracles with what supplies?” I ask.
“Everything’s here.” Leesa points to the scattered boxes. “Plus, whatever’s in your truck. Andrea has the vision, you have the muscle and tools.”
She shoots a meaningful glance between us, subtle as a sledgehammer. “You two make the perfect team.”
I narrow my eyes as I watch Leesa. This reeks of being a setup. Not that I mind, really, but Jax would mind mightily. One night, after beers with Jax and Leesa, and Jax had gone to get more beer, I drunkenly told Leesa she should set Andrea and me up like she did Rowan and Ophelia.
I never thought Leesa would actually do it.
“Now, sorry to call you here and run, but I have to get going. Play nice, you two, or you’ll have to answer to Jax when he asks why nothing is ready,” Leesa warns, her smile suggesting that she knows exactly what she’s doing.
The mention of Jax is like a bucket of cold water. Right. My boss. The guy who gave me a job when I came back from overseas with a tarnished record. The guy who trusts me with his business, his crew, and his friendship.
But doesn’t trust me with his sister.
* * *
“Hand me that extension cord.” Andrea points without looking at me, focused on the cluster of string lights.
I toss it over. “Heads up.”
She catches it one-handed without even glancing my way. Damn. That shouldn’t be as sexy as it is. Andrea is an intoxicating mix of feminine and capable. She knows how to fix things that most men couldn’t figure out, but she’s soft and pretty.
My shoulders burn from hauling tables for five straight hours. The muscles in my thighs protest from climbing up and down ladders. I’ve set up camp in worse conditions with less complaint, but something about this woman makes me want to show off like a fresh recruit.
“Almost done,” Andrea murmurs, plugging in the final string of lights.
The room transforms instantly. The harsh VA Center becomes something else entirely—warm golden light cascading from the ceiling, tables arranged in a horseshoe pattern.
“Not bad, Andrea.” I roll my neck, feeling vertebrae pop. “I’ve seen worse FOBs in Afghanistan.”
She raises an eyebrow, and her pretty green eyes fix me with a hard stare. “Did you just compare my wedding decorations to a military base?”
“Forward Operating Base,” I correct, then catch her expression. “That was a compliment. Highest praise from a squid.”
“You Navy boys have a strange way of sweet-talking.”
“Who says I’m sweet-talking?” But the grin spreading across my face gives me away. “This place looks damn good.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Your brother’s gonna think professionals did it.”
“We did.” She straightens up, pride evident in her posture. “You build houses. I love design. I can understand why Leesa asked us to help.”
“Speaking of, how come Jax doesn’t have you working for him instead of slinging paint?”
The question hits a nerve. I see it in the slight tightening around her eyes.
“Didn’t finish my design degree.” She shrugs. “Besides, I like the hardware store.”
“You’re wasted there, you know.” I step closer, challenge in my voice. “I’ve seen you sketching when you’re up at Jax’s place.”
“You’ve been watching me?” Her voice drops, half accusation, half something that makes my cock wake up.
“Hard not to.”
“Ace—”
“Just calling it like I see it.” I cut her off before she can say something that’ll make me cross a line. “You’ve got talent. That’s all.”
Andrea stops, our shoulders almost touching as we silently survey our handiwork. The room glows with warm light, creating shadows that pool in the hollows of her collarbone. My hands itch to trace that curve.
Jax’s warning hammers in my head: Touch my sister, and you’re off the team. I remember the deal he made with my dad.
The crew. My lifeline after the Navy cut me loose. After my father had to save me from a dishonorable discharge because I did the right thing instead of what I was told. Silver Pine Ridge has become my home.
“Thanks for coming to help,” Andrea says, turning toward me. Her eyes reflect genuine appreciation. “There’s no way I could have done this on my own.”
I shrug, masking how her gratitude hits like a shot of whiskey—warm and disarming. “Leesa didn’t make it sound optional.”
Her face falls. Shit.
“But I’m glad I came,” I add quickly. “Beats hanging drywall with Damien and Jax breathing down my neck.”
Her smile returns, doing strange things to my insides. A dark strand of hair falls across her cheek, and I shove my hands in my pockets to avoid brushing it away.
“We work well together,” she says.
“Surprisingly well.” For two people who’ve been dancing around each other for three years.
The moment stretches, taut as a tripwire. Three years of wanting what I promised not to take.
My father’s voice echoes in my head. You always were a rule-breaker, weren’t you, son?
Screw it.
“Want to grab a beer?” The words come out in a rush. I clear my throat. “Or dinner? We earned it.”
Andrea’s green eyes widen. “I—” She hesitates, and I can see her weighing options. “I should probably head home.”
Just like that, the moment’s gone.
“Thanks for the help, Ace,” Andrea says, shielding her eyes from the sun as she looks up at me. “I’ll see you around.”
Frustration burns under my skin as I stand and watch her leave. Desire follows close behind, hotter and more insistent with each encounter. I’ve faced enemy fire with steadier hands than I have now.
I know my night will be me on my porch, cracking a beer and watching the stars, telling myself I’m not thinking about Andrea. I want to pull her into my arms and never let go of her soft, sexy curves.
I want her so bad I feel it in my bones, but defying Jax has consequences. But the question is: is Andrea worth the consequences?
My heart says HELL YEAH, but my father's voice rings in my head like a warning.
Fuck.