You work way too hard, Lara said, rubbing her hand over Frankies shoulder. Give yourself a break. Give yourself this weekend.
Frankie shook her head, forcing her smile to stay bright despite the tension spiking through her system. Shed spent the past six months feeling as if she were drowning and one day short of six months pretending she wasnt. So any acknowledgment of working too hard would ruin all of her well-developed pretending.
But the invitation to take the weekend?
That shed be happy to take.
Lara!
Both women turned toward the makeshift stage at one end of the penthouse to see a gorgeous guy gesturing.
Looks like Dominic wants to dance, Frankie said.
You wanna come dance with us? Lara offered, her eyes not leaving her man.
You go, Frankie said. Have fun.
Stick around for cake, Lara said, not needing to be told twice. In a blink, the other woman was halfway across the room, making Frankie laugh.
Finishing her champagne, Frankie watched the happy couple get down and bust some impressive moves. She wanted that.
Not just someone to dance with, although a guy who could match her moves would be sweet.
What did it feel like to be in that kind of relationship? One where two people could block out a huge room full of partying people simply by looking into each others eyes?
Frankie watched Dominic pull Lara into his arms, their bodies keeping perfect rhythm even as he lifted her hand to his lips to brush a kiss over her knuckles.
Sigh.
It was pure romance.
And not why she was here, Frankie reminded herself.
She wasnt looking for romance or forever after, like Lara had been.
She was looking for a very specific guy. The one shed had a giant crush on as a preteen, the one whod inspired all of her teenage fantasies and quite a few of her sexier adult ones.
The one whoshe was positivewould turn everything around, if she could get him. Unlock her creativity and, with it, her confidence. Because lying to herself was only going to keep working for so long.
Accepting a second glass of liquid courage that tasted like champagne, she decided it was time to get to work on making this the best weekend of her life.
Not an easy task. She gave a soundless whistle, looking around. There were at least two hundred people here. Figuring it was a gift that all the guys were hot and sexy and made searching fun, she moved through the bodies to cross the room.
Whoa. Frankie narrowed her eyes, her heart picking up an extra beat and excitement dancing in her stomach.
Was that him?
She shifted to the right, trying to see around the crush of dancing bodies to the booths at the far end of the penthouse.
Oh...
Sitting alone in a booth and looking as though he wanted to be anywhere else but in that room, her dream guy was nursing a drink. His mahogany hair was shorn with military precision. A navy blue sweater covered his broad shoulders, emphasizing his perfect posture and, from what she could see, a gorgeous chest.
Phillip Banks.
He was even better looking now.
She didnt think theyd exchanged more than ten words her entire life. But shed watched him. As a kid, because he looked like the heroes she read about in school. As a teen, because he looked like one of the actors on her favorite TV show. And as an adult, because he looked like a hottie whod burn up the sheets. Most of her watching had been from afar whenever he visited his parents house in Maryland.
But now, here he was. Up close and about to get personal.
And, oh, my, was he hot.
Nerves danced in her stomach. It was one thing to dream about seducing her fantasy guy. Shed spent untold hours playing out the scenarios. She credited her artistic mind for the diverse variety of those scenarios, everything from Phillip staring at her blankly or laughing in her face to him looking at her with a combination of intrigue and desire in his eyes toevery once in a while, if shed had an extra glass of winehis confessing that hed been lusting after her for years.
She knew that scenario was far-fetched given that the last time hed seen her she had been fifteen and going through the bohemian stage of her search for her personal art style. Shed spent months wearing burlap, shunning shampoo and was usually covered in burns from the soldering iron she used to make her avant-garde metal sculptures.
But hey, maybe shed get lucky.
In one form or another.
Frankie bounced across the floor in her beribboned Lucite heels, wondering if this was how Cinderella had felt when shed spotted the prince at the ball.
Half delighted, half terrified.
And totally turned on.
* * *
STRIPPERS, BODY SHOTS, flashing lights and wild dancing.
Las Vegas at its finest.
Otherwise known as one of Lieutenant Phillip Bankss many versions of hell. Right up there with email spam, traffic jams and drug kingpins with a taste for exotic torture.
A man who believed in discipline, he made a point to do everything in his power to avoid the first two and take down the latter.
Especially the latter.
Phillip stared at his drink, slowly twisting the glass this way, then that, while memories of his time as Valderos unwilling guest flashed through his mind.
After hed been captured on a mission gone wrong, it had taken his team three days to effect a rescue. In those three days, Phillip had experienced new levels of pain, discovered rage and reevaluated his beliefs about revenge.
For most of his life, his goal had been to be the best. To excel in all thingsschool, the military and the SEALs.
Now?
Now all he wanted was revenge on that sadistic son of a bitch, Valdero. And he planned to get it. He had the operation mapped out, he had a good idea who had sold out the team and he was ready to lead the mission to take Valdero down.
Phillip gulped his scotch with a grimace.
Hell, hed even gone above and beyond the mandatory psych evaluation to ensureand prove to those in commandthat he was mentally capable of handling it.
He was ready.
Unfortunately, he was also in Las Vegas.
Frowning, Phillip looked around. Hed rather be in Coronado, studying strategy and perfecting his plan.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldnt think twice about doing an about-face and making for the nearest exit.
But this wasnt a normal circumstance.
This, God help him, was his sisters wedding.
A headache throbbing behind his left eye, he leaned his head against the back of the booth, watching the dancers wriggling all over the modified stage. He cringed when the leggy brunette in the middle did a wicked bump and grind.
Helluva party, someone said, forcing Phillip to quit glaring at his dancing sister.
When he saw who was speaking, he automatically came to attention.
Sir?
The party, its the wildest wedding Ive ever attended. Lieutenant Commander Blake Landon winced as the groom got up on stage, too, showing an impressive bump and grind of his own. Although Im pretty sure I didnt need to see that.
Wondering where he could get his eyeballs sandblasted, Phillip could only grunt his agreement.
Youre not celebrating? Landon asked, dropping into the chair opposite Phillip so his back was turned toward the stage. Phillip would have preferred that spot if not for his policy to always sit with his back against a wall.
Youre not celebrating? Landon asked, dropping into the chair opposite Phillip so his back was turned toward the stage. Phillip would have preferred that spot if not for his policy to always sit with his back against a wall.
Im sure Lara considers my being here celebration enough, Phillip responded, figuring that and an appropriate wedding gift were really all anyone could ask of him.
That was a good thing you did, giving the bride away.
Swirling the ice melting in his second scotch that night, Phillip could only shrug. A year agohell, six months agohed been in what he considered peak form for a military officer. Hed trained hard, he was at the top of his game physically and mentally and hed been completely unencumbered. Hed had no family to answer to, and his relationships with his fellow SEALs had been distant enough for him to do his job without any emotional baggage. And hed been absolutely positive that he was on the right track.
And now?
He was reluctantly attending a tacky Las Vegas wedding with half of the SEAL platoon, his entire team and a sister hed spent most of his life comfortably estranged from. And his right track? That had taken a sharp turn left.
Sir? he said, leaning forward, knowing his words would be easily drowned out by the loud music if anyone else were listening. Any word on Candy Man?
Landons easy look faded at the mention of Valderos code name. His eyes went military hard and his demeanor shifted automatically.
This isnt the time or the place, Landon said. And you havent been cleared for the mission. So until were back on base, why dont you relax and enjoy your sisters happiness?
Phillip clenched his teeth to keep his argument at bay, baffled at the unfamiliar fury surging through him. Apparently the extra therapy hed gotten after the clear psych evaluation hadnt helped much. Before, hed never gotten angry, never questioned orders. Yet here he was, ready to leap across the table, grab a superior officer and demand that he be allowed revenge.
Phillip tossed back the last of his scotch, wishing the alcohol would dull the hold those strange emotions had over him. Hed been called uptight most of his life, and hed embraced that label. Reckless emotions were something hed never indulged in.
Landon glanced over his shoulder, where the bride and groom were now slow dancing, in spite of the heavy bass ricocheting off the walls. Give yourself a pat on the back for your part in bringing them together.
Thats all on them, Phillip said, wincing as the grooms hands slipped down to cup the brides ass.
Blake?
Both men looked over and smiled. Phillip donned the polite society smile hed been trained from birth to offer. Landons smile was much sappier, the kind that said the guy was seriously crazy over his wife.
Dance? Alexia Landon asked, trailing her fingers over her husbands shoulder.
Landon nodded, and then gave Phillip a long look.
Whether you want credit or not, from what I hear, the bride and groom are giving it to you, he told Phillip as he got to his feet. With that and a grin, he followed the leggy redhead onto the dance floor.
Dont forget you have to stay until they cut the cake, the lieutenant commander threw over his shoulder.
Seriously?
Phillip eyed the clearly-not-ready-for-cake couple dancing on the stage, looked at his watch and raised his hand.
Bartender?
Thirty minutes and one scotch on the rocks over his two-drink limit later, his headache had spread to both eyes and was eking its way down the back of his neck. As he did with anything that didnt suit him, Phillip ignored it.
All he had to do was focus on his goal and push everything else from his mind. In this case, his goal was to get out of here. Less than a minute later, as he was plotting his escape, a woman dropped onto the banquette next to him.
Phillip blinked. Not in surprise, but in defense of his corneas. Was her dress made of mirrors? He squinted, realizing the tiny round tiles glittering their way over her curves were metal, not glass.
Did everything glitter in Las Vegas?
Wow, this is wild, she said, waving her hand in front of her face to cool off. Can you believe this place? Ive never been in a penthouse before. Talk about doing it right.
She glanced over his shoulder as she said the words, her gaze taking in the neon landscape. Then, with a soft whistle, she gave him a wide-eyed look as if to say, Wow. Then she shifted, narrowing her gaze to focus on his face.
You dont look like youre having fun, she observed, leaning closer. Close enough that her scent wrapped around him like a spicy hug.
You look like youre having enough fun for both of us, he countered. He might be hating everything, but that was his problem. And there was something about this woman that made him want to smile, although he didnt know why.
And guys like you dont like to have fun, is that it? she asked, looking saucy.
Guys like me? Phillip dismissed with a laugh. You dont know me, do you?
Sure, I do. She leaned close enough that he could count the freckles sprinkled across her nose and blink at how lush the lashes surrounding her deep brown eyes were.
I hear youre Cupid.
Phillip grimaced.
Not quite. Phillip Banks, he corrected automatically. As soon as the words were out he regretted them. Introductions led to conversation. Conversation led to connection, something he was anxious to eliminate.
Hi, Phillip, she greeted with a laugh.
Phillip offered a distant nod, hoping shed get the hint.
This really is a great party, isnt it? she said, not waiting for a response as she turned to check out the crowd. As she did, she twisted her riot of cinnamon curls around her fist and lifted her hair to cool the back of her neck.
Was that a tattoo on her neck? Not sure why he had to know, Phillip leaned forward to get a better look.
Is that a bird? he asked, squinting at the pale gray image.
Hmm? she murmured, turning back with a smile. She hadnt released her hair, so he could see the open-door cage, just a shade darker than the bird, tucked in the curve of her neck and shoulder. Its freedom.
Whats freedom?
My bird, she explained. It symbolizes flying free. You know, just like some of these guys probably have a bald eagle or something to symbolize freedom, I have a sparrow.
They dont, he said without thinking.
She tilted her head to the side so her curls slid along her shoulders again, hiding her bird. Dont what?
Most of them dont have tattoos, he explained reluctantly. He didnt like discussing the military with anyone who wasnt in it. But hed brought it up, and it would be rude to ignore her question. Most of the guys here are SEALs. Identifying marks can be detrimental to their careers.
Theyre against the rules?
No. Just not smart. Phillip knew there were plenty of tattooed SEALs. Hed served with a few. But every member of the team went on a mission with no ID, no tags, no personal effects for a reason. Phillip had seen what a mission gone wrong could do. Hell, the memory still played out in Technicolor every night when he closed his eyes.
Ill bet you are, the redhead said, pulling his attention out of the past. When she leaned forward on her elbows to give him a thorough look, the move sent her mirrored tiles swinging.