Chapter Three
M y head was spinning .
From the alcohol, from Preston.
Mostly from Preston.
I stared at his eyes that weren’t green or blue. Or brown. They were… disarming and sexy, and I wanted to stare at him as much as I wanted to look away. Everything about him was a mystery, and he wasn’t like any twenty-five-year-old I’d ever met. Shit, he wasn’t even like any thirty-year-old I knew.
His arms had tattoos from his elbows up. Everything was in black ink, and most of it was so busy, I couldn’t distinguish one image from the next. If I met him in a dark alley, I’d run like hell from him. But when he spoke, he was more of a gentleman than any man I’d ever met.
He was a walking contradiction, and I couldn’t look away.
But I also couldn’t look at him for more than a few seconds.
Something about him….
Sam came back to the table and hovered over me for a second before sitting down too close. “Miss me, sweetness?”
I snorted out a half laugh. “About as much as you missed me.” Everyone had heard him at the bar laughing it up with the three women surrounding my brother. While all of them were out of uniform tonight, there was no mistaking my brother and his friends were military, and that was an instant turn-on for a lot of women.
It never had been for me though.
I knew what it was like to say goodbye to my brother every time he deployed and wonder if it was the last time I would see him again. He was all I had in this world, and I felt like I was suffocating every time I saw him off.
So I wasn’t about to fall for a player like Sam, let alone a Marine… but Preston? What he’d said a moment ago about coming to find me in two years? Jesus . The insane part was that I believed him. Worse, he suddenly had me rethinking every expectation I’d ever had about men, and he’d just reset the bar so damn high I wasn’t sure I’d ever recover.
Shameless, Sam grinned at me. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
I shook my head and glanced at Preston, who was silently watching Sam. “He still thinks he has a chance.”
Without taking his eyes of Sam, Preston replied to me. “He knows better.”
Sam’s expression went from flirt to fight in zero point three seconds as his glare cut to Preston. “You got something to say?” he challenged.
Preston didn’t so much as flinch at Sam’s sudden change in tone. He didn’t even answer him. He calmly asked him a seemingly random question. “Is objective weighted the same as intent?”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Is this one of your bullshit distraction tactics where you randomly change the subject?”
A waitress appeared behind Sam.
“Here you are, soldier. Two shots of tequila and two beers just like you ordered.” She smiled at Sam. “Thanks for the tip, honey. You take care of yourself.”
“Oh lordy,” I muttered, grabbing one of the beers. “Here we go.”
Before the waitress could walk away, Sam grabbed her wrist. “Tell you what, sweetness.” He smiled, but it was all shark teeth and lethal intent. “You learn the difference between a Marine and a soldier, and next time I’m in town, I might actually tip you again.”
“Douche.” I coughed out the word.
Sam’s gaze cut to me for a split second before he looked back at the poor waitress. “The army has soldiers. I’m a Marine. Ain’t nothing you need to call me except that.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Gotcha. My apologies.”
He let go of her arm. “All good.”
The waitress couldn’t walk away fast enough.
His eyes on Sam, Preston nodded at the shots. “Intent.”
“Fuck off, Vos.” Sam pushed a shot my way. “You still with me, babe?”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sweetness anymore?”
Sam smiled a smile worthy of a Hollywood feature film. “You’re sweet on the eyes and you’re full of sass, but, baby, you ain’t no sweetness.” He lifted his glass. “To honesty.”
Preston didn’t say anything, but his shoulders stiffened.
Already drunk, I pounded the shot. Then I gave Sam a look that said I was one hundred percent on to him. “You may be hot, and your smile might work for you ninety percent of the time, but you’re never getting in my pants.” I held my empty shot glass up and smiled. “To honesty.”
Sam threw his head back and laughed.
Preston seemed to relax.
I floated… until Sam leaned forward.
“One problem.” Eyeing me, Sam waited.
I glanced at Preston.
Resolutely not looking at either of us, Preston’s gaze focused above my head at the wall behind the bar. Looking like he was trying not say shit, his jaw ticked.
And it hit me.
I wasn’t just intrigued by Preston Vos, I liked him.
Really fucking liked him, and I didn’t want to piss him off.
Crossing my arms, I didn’t play in to Sam’s bullshit. “The only problem is your persistence.”
Sam smiled. “The problem,” he drawled, “is that I love a challenge. And you, sweetness, are in a class by yourself.”
Getting ready to put him in his place, I gave Sam my best smile.
Preston abruptly stood up.
I forgot about Sam. “Hey.” Sensing a polar shift, I grabbed for Preston and my fingers wrapped around the steel strength of his arm.
Staring straight ahead, Preston froze.
Fighting through a tequila haze I was now silently cursing, I looked up at him and prayed he’d give me his eyes again. “Where are you going?”
Slow, controlled, his gaze landed on me.
Regret for every word I’d bantered at Sam stole my breath.
With none of the intensity or emotion of how he’d looked at me before, his impenetrable stare went right through me as if I were nothing.
Distant, aloof, his expression locked, he didn’t reply.
I panicked. “Preston?” The same panic I felt every time Ty shipped out for another deployment. Panic like I wouldn’t see him again.
His body still, the muscles in his arm not moving under my touch, Preston didn’t respond.
I glanced at Sam for help.
Frowning, Sam looked at Preston. “Sarg,” he clipped in a warning. “You’re scaring her.”
Preston’s muscle tensed under my grip before he twisted his arm.
Forced to let go or risk twisting my own wrist, I released my grip on him. “Hey, you okay?” Hurt, concerned, not understanding what was going on, I just wanted him to talk to me.
Without a word, Preston walked off.
I pushed my chair back to stand.
Sam grabbed my arm, and authority settled into his tone. “No. Let him go, Mercy.”
I stared after Preston’s wide shoulders and narrow hips as he wove through the late-night drunken crowd. More than a few women turned to smile at him. “What just happened?”
Sam exhaled as if he was wary, but it seemed forced. “Don’t even think about it, sweetness.” He tapped the side of his head with one finger. “He ain’t right.”
As Preston reached the back hall to the restrooms, he turned. With precise intent, his gaze met mine and he stared.
Preston , I mouthed with Sam’s hand still on my arm.
Stepping back in to the shadows, he disappeared down the hall.
I jerked out of Sam’s grasp. “I’m going after him.”
Sam played hardball. “You do, and I’ll tell your brother.”
“Fuck you. Tell him whatever you want.” I stood.
Sam shot to his feet, but his expression turned soft. “Look. I know him. At least enough to know you’re not going to get through to him. Let him go and cool off from whatever’s bothering him. Give him that, sweetness. A man’s nothing without his dignity.”
I couldn’t tell if Sam was being reasonable or an asshole. “He’s mad about something.”
“Aren’t we all?”
I couldn’t argue that. I was still pissed at my ex. “I should go after him.”
“I told you, sweetness.” He tapped the side of his head.
I glared at him. “You’re not much of a friend to talk about him like that.”
Sam sat and pulled me back down to my chair before looking to where Preston had been standing. “He may be my brother, sweetness, but I didn’t say he was my friend.”
Shifting in my seat so I could watch the hallway, I nervously sipped my beer. “What if he doesn’t come back?”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “What if?”
My stomach twisted and my heart sank, but I ignored Sam because I didn’t have a rational answer. I was more upset about a Marine I’d met hours ago walking out than when my ex dumped me.
Sam casually leaned back in his chair. “Your brother told me what happened last week.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” How long did it take for a man to piss? Because maybe that’s all Preston was doing. But even as I thought it, I knew I was wrong. My instincts were always spot-on, and that last look at me before he’d disappeared down the hallway wasn’t an ‘I’m going to the bathroom, be right back’ look. It was more. He was pissed, and something else, but goddamn it, I didn’t know what, and I didn’t know why he’d walk off without a word after telling me he was coming for me in two years.
Sam laced his hands over his chest. “Your ex cheating on you. Your brother said you and him were tight.” He paused for effect. “Marriage tight.”
Despite the hatred I was still carrying for my ex and his actions, my chest hurt. But not for my asshole of an ex. It inexplicably hurt because of the Marine who’d just walked away from me.
I took another sip of beer. “I don’t see how any of that is your business.”
Abruptly sitting up, Sam leaned toward me as he crossed his arms on the table. “Tell you what. After we get back to your place, wait till everyone sacks out, then why don’t you come for me?”
My head snapped toward his.
He immediately held a hand up. “Hear me out.”
Fuck him. “Fuck you.”
“Use me,” he said simply.
I laughed without humor. “There isn’t a damn thing I need to use you for,” I lied. If my ex walked into the bar right now, I’d climb Sam Rollins like a tree and make like I was loving every damn second of life.
As if reading my thoughts, Sam cocked his head and lifted an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”
I wasn’t gonna lie about the fact that Sam Rollins, while a total player, was hot. Muscles the Marines were known for, a cocky grin, blond hair, blue eyes, he was the all-American catch—if you didn’t mind sharing him with every other woman who caught his eye. Which I did. I was never going to share a man again. Not if I could help it.
I finished my beer and set the bottle down. “Where’s Preston?”
Sam let out a half grunt, half snort before leaning back in his chair. “Who the fuck knows?” He tipped his beer and drained it.
Ty left the women at the bar and came back to the table. “Let’s go, Merc. I’m taking you home.”
I glanced at my brother, then looked over his shoulder. The tequila haze seeped back in and I laughed. “What’s wrong, you couldn’t score?”
His eyes narrowed. “On your feet, Merc.”
“Fuck off. I don’t report to you.” I admit, I may have been a wee bit more drunk than I thought. “Besides, I’m waiting for Preston.”
Ty glanced around. “Where the fuck is he?”
Sam smirked. “Bathroom.”
Ty nodded toward the hallway before issuing Sam a command. “Go get him so we can leave.”
Sam stood, but I gripped his arm. “No, I’ll go.” Shoving to my feet, I swayed.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Ty muttered, gently pushing me back into my seat. “I’ll go.” He glanced at Sam. “Keep an eye on her.”
“Copy that, Staff Sergeant. Both eyes. Won’t take them off her.”
Looking annoyed as hell, Ty glared at Sam before walking off.
What a tool. “Is there anyone you don’t piss off?”
“Nope.” Sam grinned. “It’s a gift.”
“It’s irritating.” I wanted another beer. And Preston to come back. And my bed. Better yet, Preston in my bed. Jesus. I shouldn’t have had that last shot and beer. I shook my head.
“You good, sweetness?”
I looked at Sam.
Concern etched across his features, he raised an eyebrow.
He really was handsome, pretty even. I opened my mouth and alcohol-fueled bullshit came out like I had no filter. “You know what he said to me?”
“Couldn’t begin to guess.”
“He said I deserve better.”
Anger drew together Sam’s eyebrows. “Your ex is a prick. He should’ve given you better. Simple as that.”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t mean—”
“Let’s go,” Ty interrupted, stepping back up to the table and taking my arm.
Being pulled to my feet, I looked around my brother. No Preston. “Where is he?”
“Don’t know.” Ty lifted one shoulder. “Back door bouncer said he left.”
Rejection and anger collided. “Why the hell would he do that?”
“Not my place to keep track of a Marine on leave.” Ty leaned toward me and lowered his voice so only I could hear him. “And you need to stay the fuck away from him. I’m only gonna warn you once. I’ve seen the shit he does with women. Don’t even think about it.”
Momentarily forgetting my anger at him for walking out, I recoiled at the thought of Preston hurting women, let alone me. “What the hell does that mean?” There was no way.
“Exactly what I said,” Ty clipped.
“I don’t believe you.” You could tell if a person was fucked like that five minutes into talking to them, and Preston wasn’t. No way. Unconventional maybe, intense, but not fucked-up like my brother was implying. Ty was full of shit. He had to be.
My brother sighed in frustration. “Believe me or not, I don’t lie, Merc, not to you. You don’t need that kind of bullshit right now.”
My head swam. “What kind of bullshit?”
“Crying and shit.”
I scoffed. “I don’t fucking cry.”
“You two done fighting?” Sam interrupted.
“We’re not fighting,” both Ty and I said at once.
Sam laughed. “Could’ve fooled me.”
“Private conversation. Stay out of it,” Ty warned Sam before turning me toward the door. “Come on, Merc, I’m getting you home.” Ty glanced at the bar.
One of the blondes who he’d been talking to blushed and waved.
Ty tipped his chin, then led us toward the door.
“Wait a second.” I pulled out of his grasp and stumbled back, but I didn’t fall.
A solid chest met my back, and a strong arm snaked around my waist. “I got you, sweetness. Come on outside.”
“No,” I protested, but I didn’t push Sam off. “We can’t leave Preston.” I didn’t care what my brother said. He was wrong.
“Can and will,” Ty clipped before holding his hand out to me. “Keys.”
Oh no. No way. “You’re not driving. You’ve been drinking.” We’d all been drinking. Except Preston. He hadn’t touched so much as a single drop of alcohol. That wasn’t someone who was fucked-up. That was someone responsible. And considerate of their drinking friends. Shit . Where the hell did he go?
“I stopped an hour ago. Keys,” Ty repeated.
A Marine in front of me, a Marine at my back, I suddenly laughed. “I’m a military sandwich.” But I was missing the middle layer. The interesting layer. The gentlemanly layer. The layer that had left. My smile dropped, and I glanced over my shoulder at Sam. “You should be back at the bar with my brother and the blondes.” I looked at Ty. “Isn’t that right?” I knew how he was when he came home. I didn’t judge. Hell, he deserved to find some nice woman to fall into.
“Asher,” Sam said casually. “Do I like blondes?”
“Nope,” my brother answered without missing a beat. “You also don’t like your CO’s sister.”
My brother’s tone was so damn alpha, I laughed. “I remember when you were a little shit searching for gators in the backyard with your BB gun.”
“Christ.” Ty yanked my keys out of my jeans pocket. “I remember when you cried because Mom put your hair in pigtails.”
I scoffed. “I looked like a horse’s ass, and those were tears of anger. You would’ve cried too.” No self-respecting ten-year-old wore pigtails.
Sam chuckled. “I’m betting she’s always been like this, Sarg.”
“Through and through,” Ty said dryly, but he squeezed my shoulder. “Come on, let’s get her out of here before she passes out.”
“ What? ” That was just plain offensive. “I can hold my alcohol, thank you very much.”
“Yes, you can,” Sam agreed before dropping his voice and bringing his mouth right to my ear. “And it’s sexy as hell, sweetness.”
Hormones, alcohol, lack of sex, I couldn’t help it, I shivered.
Ty eyed Sam as we all walked out to my Jeep, and I momentarily forgot about Preston until I was buckled in, courtesy of Sam.
“Hey.” I glanced behind me, back toward the entrance to the bar. “Preston’s still not here. We can’t leave.”
“I’m not repeating myself, Merc,” Ty warned, turning over the old engine. “He knows our address. He’s a Marine. He can handle himself.”
It clicked.
My brother was rushing to get me home so he could go back out and meet the blonde from the bar. Always taking care of me, even before our mother died, I couldn’t bring myself to get in his way and tell him to wait for a man who may or may not show up. Ty deserved to have a little fun, and if I was being honest, that tequila shot and last beer had hit me and they were kicking my ass.
I was tired as hell.
But I still wanted to know where Preston had gone and why he’d taken off like that. Except now that the initial shock had worn off, I was feeling something a lot different than that panicked feeling of not seeing him again. Now I was gaining on indignation and rounding the corner to pissed off. All of which was colored by shades of rejection, regret for not going after him, and about a thousand other emotions I didn’t want to think about.
I just wanted to blame someone.
It was my ex’s fault that he’d cheated, and Preston’s fault that he’d left, and my brother’s fault that he’d reupped and was deploying again. Everything was everybody else’s fault.
Except all that fault had one thing in common.
Me.
Despondent, I glanced at the front passenger seat.
A blond Marine looked over his shoulder, but he didn’t smile.
He didn’t even wink.
Sam Rollins simply stared at me.
And he looked as lonely as I felt.