High Octane (Texas Hotzone 2)

Caleb almost choked on his beer. “Kid thought he was dead when his main chute didn’t open.”

“You rigged his chute not to open?” Sabrina demanded of Ryan, appalled by such an action.

Caleb didn’t seem to notice the question, continuing, “After all that gloating the kid did, talking about being the best, not needing any training, he froze like an icicle. Didn’t pull his backup.”

“Oh, my God,” Sabrina murmured.

“My God, Ryan!” Jennifer exclaimed. “He could have been killed.”

Ryan shrugged. “I pulled his chute for him.”

Bobby ran his hand over Jennifer’s back. “Whoa, tigress. Ryan had his reasons, and they were good ones.”

“And it was priceless watching that kid get pulled down a notch,” Caleb said. “But, man, he hugged you like he loved you, Ryan.”

Sabrina frowned, talking to Ryan. “What if you hadn’t got to him on time?”

“He would have died,” Jennifer answered for him, and glared at Caleb and Bobby. “And both of you should be ashamed for backing this.”

“That kid learned a lesson with the best parachute he could get,” Bobby chimed in. “The manmade kind—an Ace. He won’t have an Ace in enemy territory.”

“Yeah,” Caleb agreed. “Ryan probably saved that kid’s life twenty times over. He was arrogant, and without reason. Dangerous to himself and everyone around him.” Caleb and Bobby raised their beers to Ryan, and Caleb said, “To saving lives by busting balls.”

Sabrina stared at Ryan. He enticed her, turned her on, intrigued her. But she admired him, too, envied him. For living his life. For being daring and adventurous. But there was more to him than daring. Bobby and Caleb respected Ryan. When was the last time she’d sat with a group of people who didn’t seem to want more from each other than company? How many of her friends from New York had even called since she left? Called without an agenda?

She trusted him. Everyone at this table trusted each other. Trust me, Ryan had said to her, as well. She hadn’t realized, until this moment, how much she needed someone to trust. How much Ryan had felt like he could be that person until he’d left her that night? Until she’d opened herself up to him, and he’d turned her away.

Ryan paused with the bottle to his lips, noting her attention. He arched a brow, a silent question in the action. She felt vulnerable under his scrutiny, and cut her gaze. Damn it, he confused her. If they’d had sex, she could blow this off as a fling. An adventure. But they hadn’t, and she couldn’t.

“What is it about a group of Army guys that requires analogies revolving around male body parts?” Jennifer asked, jerking Sabrina back into the conversation, and adding, “I’m sorry, Sabrina. I’m sure you’re used to a more refined group than this. Of course, there is Frank. He has a mouth on him.”

“Are you kidding?” Sabrina asked, quite amused by the assumption that she was sheltered. “I’m from New York. Frank is nothing. Us New Yorkers are talkers. And politicians? Biggest trash talkers ever. Give them some booze and stand back. It’s gonna get ugly.”

“Really?” Jennifer mused. “I always thought they kept a straight face in public, and let it all hang out behind closed doors.”

The music changed suddenly, transitioning between songs, and Jennifer grabbed Sabrina’s arm in excitement. “Oh, wow.” Then she turned to Bobby, interrupting whatever he was saying to Caleb. “It’s our song. Our song.” She shuffled off her seat and tugged Bobby to the dance floor.

A cute blonde came up to Caleb and whispered in his ear. Caleb turned to the woman, chatting with her, angling his body to tune Ryan and Sabrina out of the conversation.

Several crackling seconds of silence passed between Sabrina and Ryan until Ryan eyed her almost-empty glass and then slid to her side of the table. His arm brushed hers, and just that easily, an erotic chill fluttered across her skin. Hot and then cold. Cold and then hot. He turned to face her, elbows on the table.

“One more drink and I might have to drive you home,” he commented.

“One more drink and I might need to call a cab,” she rebutted.

“Why are you so angry with me?” he asked.

“Why?” she asked and her loosened tongue sped on. “I needed you the other night, and you left me alone.” The words fell between them, and she willed them back into her mouth in all their vulnerable clarity.

Ryan’s expression softened, and he reached for her. “Sabrina—”

“Caleb!” Sabrina shouted, scooting to the edge of her chair and jerking Caleb’s attention from the blonde. “Let’s dance!”

***

RYAN STOOD AT THAT TABLE, watching as Sabrina not only darted away, but snagged Caleb from the blonde he’d been flirting with. She dragged him to the dance floor when she clearly didn’t even know how to dance. Ryan ground his teeth, his eyes practically crossing as he watched Caleb’s hand settle on Sabrina’s waist. Watched her laugh as she tripped on his feet. Caleb, his brother Ace, was holding Sabrina.