The Pilot (Black Hawke Security #7)

CHAPTER ONE

JESSIE

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I had to leave Texas.

Flee. Leave. Same-same.

I’m so ashamed of what I did that I can barely look my father in the eye. Actually, I haven’t. Not that he will ever find out what I did.

Not if I can help it.

Dad already thinks I’m an idiot for wanting to be an actress. Jayden, my brother, joining the US Air Force didn’t help. Words like patriot and pride have been bandied around while Dad gives me those ‘there’s no helping her’ looks.

While Jayden has always been the apple of my father’s eye, beloved by everyone he meets, I’m the opposite. I’ve always been introverted, a bit of a loner, and had my head in the clouds. The latter, a direct quote from my darling father.

I guess people expect me to be a Playboy Bunny or something with all my long blonde hair, blue eyes and ample chest. I’m not that confident. I only open up around people I’m close to and when the camera is pointed at me.

That’s just who I am.

But despite that, and a four-year age difference, my brother and I are close. But.

And it’s a big but.

He has a best friend, the hunky, sexy Liam Rutherford. Captain Liam Rutherford. A former Air Force pilot and the man I’ve had a crush on since I can remember.

He spent a lot of time with my family because of his friendship with Jayden, especially after his dad died. He was ten; I was six. I watched the pain on his face and wanted to help him.

He told me cuddles helped.

Liam and Jayden joined the United States Air Force together. Then, a year ago, both of them discharged early.

Which is a shame, as seeing Liam in fatigues was almost otherworldly. And if that wasn’t sexy enough, the day I saw him in his blue uniform, I died. Okay, I didn’t die, but my entire body shuddered, and a lifetime of craving that six-foot-four man’s touch intensified.

What did I get in return? Liam mussed my hair and said, “Hey, Squirt.”

FML.

But also, it’s the story of my life.

Jayden is now working a corporate job based in Los Angeles, and from what I can gather, is not that happy. He lives with Liam.

Gorgeous, hot, sexy Liam.

Oh, the dreams I’ve had about that man. In them, I’m not an introvert, I’m a sex kitten making him moan and spread me out while he has his naughty way with me.

As I know he wants to.

I know it.

A woman knows when a man looks at her a certain way, and Liam started doing that when he got older. At first, I didn’t understand it, and then one day I did.

So, when I dream of lying on his bed in skimpy lingerie and his head is between my legs while he tells me how sweet I taste, well, I’m not sorry.

I am sorry that he’s never stopped treating me like Jayden’s little sister. That despite the relationship we’ve built over the years, he’s hidden how he truly feels.

I know it’s more than he’s admitting.

Admitting to me.

To himself.

To Jayden.

To both our families.

That’s not why I’m in Los Angeles. I haven’t traveled here to get my man. Liam has never reached out to me or given me the impression that there is hope.

He’s a controlled military officer. Technically, I think he was a second lieutenant.

I don’t know, I got confused by all their titles and promotions.

All I know is that one of my dreams was Liam taking me up in a plane, wearing his uniform, reaching out and taking my hand as we smiled at one another.

One of those madly in love images...and he snuck a diamond ring on my finger.

I cried when I woke up.

Pathetic, I know.

I guess that childhood crush has never vanished.

Well, now, I need him in a different way.

I had to leave Texas. I’m running from a rich and powerful man. A well-known and successful producer whom I should never have trusted.

He hurt me, and if there are two people on this planet I know will protect me with their lives, it’s Jayden and Liam.

God knows any boy I wanted to date had no luck.

So I figure Frank Bonito won’t get past them.

I hope.

From what I understand, Liam owns the house and Jayden is planning to buy his own next year. Things I’ve overheard Mom and Dad talking about. And that Jay thought his corporate job would pay more than it does, but the commission isn’t working out.

Not like the big salary Liam is on with the private security company that recruited him. Six figures and more.

The house is large but modest, and I thought there would be a spare room for me.

I was wrong.

But let me take a step back.

When I arrived, the two of them were lounging in leather seats in the second living area, which I’ve named Gaming Hell—not a fan myself—with headphones on and snacks.

Regardless, Liam clearly spends more time at the gym than he does in the armchair because his biceps were threatening to escape his T-shirt, and I didn’t need to lift it up to take in his ripped, flat stomach.

Although given the chance, I would have.

Alas, I’ve seen him shirtless by the pool many times growing up.

Sigh.

I remember the last day he and Jay were at home before enlisting. He climbed out of the pool, grabbed his towel and then went to say goodbye to my parents.

His mom was there, having become an extended part of our family since the boys became friends, and even more so when her husband died.

Aunt Silvia.

“See ya, Squirt. Be a good kid while I’m gone.” Liam pinched my cheek, taking a detour on the way out.

“I’m not a kid,” I’d replied softly.

His eyes dipped, meeting mine, and time seemed to stretch as he stared at my mouth. Then he spoke, and my entire world changed.

“I noticed, Jess. I’ve noticed fucking everything.” Liam’s voice was rough in a seductive way that’s haunted my dreams since.

It was a voice a woman hears during sex.

Liam used that voice with me.

And if there’s one thing I know about Liam, he doesn’t do anything by accident. He’d noticed me becoming a woman...and he wanted me to know.

Then the boy—no, man—I’d loved since I could remember had driven away and become a pilot.

Love.

Mom told me it was a crush, that every young girl has one, and it would be wrong of me to expect Liam to be interested. That he was Jayden’s best friend.

Like people had ownership over another.

I was confused by that.

Mom watched me watching Liam year after year and would scowl at me. Dad even told me not to have any ideas about that boy.

The boy he treated like a second son.

So I tried to hide it as best I could. I guess some of it sunk in because I got on with my life. During college, I volunteered on movie sets and took tiny parts where I could.

Then I got the part in High Tops, a popular cop show, and it felt like things were starting to happen for me.

I should’ve moved to LA, but the truth was, knowing Liam could return home to Texas one day motivated me to stay. The movie industry was growing in Fort Worth, Texas, which means more roles and opportunities.

Liam returned for the holidays, and each time I waited for him to say something.

He never did.

So I took the bull by the horns one year and dressed in the shortest denim shorts and a halter top during the Fourth of July celebrations. He barely blinked. Correction, he did blink, but then he glanced away.

At Christmas I wore a pair of booty hugging black pants and a tight sweater. I even added a shot of tequila to his eggnog to loosen his...well, briefs.

“It takes more than one shot to knock me over, but nice try, Squirt,” Liam whispered in my ear before leaving that night.

Goddamn it.

But he had kissed my ear, and that means something.

Listen, I didn’t stay a virgin.

I’m not that pathetic.

But every guy plowing into me looked like Liam when I closed my eyes. Hence, being twenty-four and single.

How can I love someone else when I’m in love with him?

It’s worth noting Liam isn’t married. He hasn’t dated anyone seriously that I’m aware of, and it does beg the question why.

So after knocking on their front door and hearing them inside cursing and carrying on, I tried the doorknob and found it unlocked.

Idiots.

I walked in, and when I dropped my bags and leaned in the doorway, the two of them nearly leaped out of their chairs.

“The fuck, Jessie!!” Jayden cursed, ripping off his headphones.

“Jesus!” Liam’s mouth gaped.

“Nice security, morons.”

Jayden tugged out a 9mm Glock from the side of the leather chair and, as I shook my head, Liam produced a knife from his boot and grinned.

“Two seconds later, I’d have had you pinned to the floor, this blade against your throat.” As I wish ran through my mind, he spun the blade around his fingers and slid it back into his boot.

“Whatever.” I crossed my arms. “Surprise. I’m visiting.”

They stared at me for an uncomfortably long time until finally Jayden ripped his headphones off his neck and climbed out of his chair. “Visiting how? Are Mom and Dad here, too?”

“I’m twenty-four, Jayden,” laughing, I hugged him back. “I’m here on vacation.”

“Going to have a shower,” Liam muttered, walking out of the room.

That’s what he does—he avoids me.

As it turns out, this time Liam can’t avoid me because Jayden surprised the hell out of me by announcing he was leaving for a conference in Atlanta.

For two weeks.

Which is why I’m now living in their house as Liam’s sole roomie.

He can’t kick me out, because he’d never do that.

He would have to answer to both our families if he did, and his protective nature I’d seen over the years wouldn’t let him.

But more importantly, he won’t, because Liam might not want to admit it, but he wants me. He wants me the same way I want him.

The downside?

Being typical boys, they don’t have a lot of furniture. None of the spare rooms are furnished, so I’m sleeping in my brother’s bed. Oh well, a girl can’t have everything.

I might’ve run away from the most terrifying experience of my life, but it feels like fate has led me to this interesting opportunity. I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I just hope Texas doesn’t catch up with me.