Speed King (Men of Action 1)

“Acronym for Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. We have some buddies invested in this.”

“Invested in what?”

“Ace isn’t exactly known for his softer side. The romance between Ace and Jay is spreading like wildfire and the guys want proof.”

“Does this have anything to do with the twinkle comment?”

“Yep.” He perks up proudly.

“Bunch of grown fucking men acting like teenage girls,” Ace utters. “I told you they’re jackasses. Ignore them, that’s what I do.”

I shrug, taking a bite of my sandwich and leaning into him.

“I spoke to Tom, and whenever he thinks the crowd has thinned enough, Ford and Major plan to help him move those tables and chairs back to the corner.”

“That’s unnecessary. Everyone will pitch in. It’s our job.”

“It’s not up for discussion, and they don’t mind helping.”

He leaves no room to argue, and their help will make it much easier. After a night like tonight, closing will be a pain in the ass. “Okay.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty, and I’ll bring breakfast.”

“Once again, unnecessary. You’ll be exhausted.”

“Seven-thirty,” he states plainly. “And at the risk of seriously pissing you off, it would make me really fucking happy if you could let Steve know his flattery is useless.”

There’s a bite to his request, and I swallow down my laughter. “Considering I’ve met his girlfriend several times and he openly dotes on her, that is unnecessary. He’s harmless.”

He grunts, kissing the side of my neck and twirling me to face him. “I have to get to the station. But text me when you get home and let me know you’re safe.”

“I will.”

“You think you can pack a bag and spend the weekend at my place?”

“Wouldn’t my place be more private?”

“Your place is great, but I’m scared I’ll crush your bed.”

The image of his huge frame in my bed pops into my head, and I let out a small laugh. “A sleepover at the Club? All weekend?”

His eyes begin to shine that lightened hue, and I understand exactly what Talon was referring to.

“Yeah, a sleepover at the Club, with me, all weekend. I don’t work again until Sunday night.”

“I think I can handle that.” I slip my arms around his stomach.

“Ten minutes is up!” Tom yells from somewhere close, and I sigh, dropping my head to his chest.

“Baby, I know you’re itching to lay into your dad, but he’s here tonight for a reason.”

“What’s the reason?”

“To see for himself that I’m done fucking things up.”

God, I love you… I bite my lip to keep from blurting it out loud. Instead, I say softly, “You better go before I tackle you.”

His eyes flare, and he tips his head to kiss me quickly. “Save the tackles for this weekend.”

“Go.” I pinch his side and step away, heading back to work. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

11

Ace

“Oh my God, is this all yours?”

“Yep.” I toss her bag onto the bed.

“Achilles, this is enormous. It’s three times the size of the bedroom I showered in last weekend.” She walks to the French doors leading to the terrace that overlooks the pool and yard. “Are the other rooms like this?”

“Just Ford’s.”

“How’d you get so fortunate?”

“I won a bet.”

She chuckles and spins, her eyes flinging around rapidly. I prop my hip on my dresser and watch her as she explores my space, disappearing down the hallway and coming back a few minutes later with a look of wonder. “This suite is possibly larger than my apartment. Your bathroom is the size of my bedroom.”

She’s right. “When Ford’s parents built this house and staged it, they set this room up like a studio apartment, with a full sitting area in front of the fireplace and an office section in one corner. The only thing missing is a kitchenette. When we moved in, the Whitmans offered the furniture but we furnished our own way.”

Her eyes go to my bed, which is the key piece of furniture. “You were correct in your bed being larger than mine. I’m not sure if that would even fit in my room.”

“It wouldn’t. I measured this morning when you were finishing your hair.”

“It’s massive, but then again, you’re kinda a massive guy.”

“Come here.” I hold out my arms, and she doesn’t hesitate to walk into them, her hands going around my neck.

“I like your room.”

“But…”

“No buts, it’s very nice.”

“My room is a room. I spend little time in here. The bed is for sleeping, the dresser holds my shit, and I bought the nightstands because they came in the furniture package.”

“Don’t forget about the gigantic television.”

“A man’s got to have his TV.”

“Utilitarian.”

“Utilitarian?”

“Basic, bland, no-frills.”

“Baby, I know what it means. But what do I do about that?”

She pulls her bottom lip through her teeth and glances around thoughtfully. “We could start with your own set of purple towels.”

“These walls may crumble if you add purple anything.”