“What’s awesome?” Wes’s voice drew her gaze toward the bathroom. He emerged, hair damp, dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved Billabong tee the color of his eyes, and smelling like something out of the men’s cologne department.
Sexy bastard.
“Rubi’s crash app,” Keaton said, shooting a handsome grin toward her. “Her new ride’s not bad either. ”
“True,” Wes said. “They’re both proving helpful this morning. ”
“Let Rachel talk to my buddy, Ryker,” Troy said to Jax. “He’s home on leave from Afghanistan. A bomb expert. Blows up all kinds of shit for the army. ”
Rachel met Rubi’s gaze and lifted her brows in interest.
Jax frowned. “He has to be licensed and bonded and-”
“He’s been doing this shit for a decade, and he hasn’t blown himself up,” Troy said. “Probably a good sign. If he can’t do it, he can probably point us in the right direction. Rachel can make initial contact, then pass him off to you if he’s interested and available. ”
Rachel’s interest dimmed and she rolled her eyes. “Adding another guy to this team? Just what we need, more testosterone. And this time, explosive testosterone. ” As laughter passed through the space, she lifted a pleading look toward Jax. “Just a really small room…with a door?”
“Come on, Rach. ” Troy sauntered over to her desk, sat on the edge, and leaned toward her, those sexy dark eyes teasingly flirtatious. “You know you love every last one of us. ”
“Maybe,” she said, “but none of you ever let me get anything done. ”
“Troy,” Wes said. “Lay off. She’s doing all the shit I used to have to do. If you scare her off while I’m gone, you’ll be doing risk assessment, supply inventory, and ordering. ”
Troy winced and eased away from Rachel. “Oooo, ouch. ”
Wes hefted a duffle over his shoulder and knocked fists with Jax, Troy, and Keaton, then lifted a hand to Rachel. “Call me if they misbehave. ” To the men, he offered, “No major injuries. ”
He slid his hand across Rubi’s shoulders and pulled her close, leading her out the door.
“Rubi,” Troy called, “if you get lonely while he’s gone-”
“Not if you like those perfect teeth, dude,” Wes cut him off.
“I need a few crowns anyway,” Keaton said. “You’ve got my number, Rubi. ”
“Can’t play with sex-toy shit when you’re dead,” Wes said without looking back.
Rubi smiled down at the asphalt as they walked. Tried to absorb the feel of him next to her, as if they belonged together. Tried to settle her nerves when she wondered if they did belong together.
“How do you feel?” she asked, glancing at the bandages around the hand carrying his duffle.
“Sore. ” The top was down on her Aston, and Wes tossed his duffle in the back as Rubi rounded the hood. He leaned both hands on the doorframe. “Baby?”
She paused before getting into the car and met his gaze.
“I was so out of line last night…” He lowered his head and shook it, as if he couldn’t bear to hold her gaze anymore. “I just… Your father… And I so don’t want to go home without you…” He glanced up with a look so sheepishly hopeful, it almost knocked her over. “We could leave the Aston here for Jax to take home. Drive my truck to the airport and put it in long-term parking. I’ll buy your ticket-”
“Wes…” If he only knew how close she was to tipping, he’d never give up.
“Never mind. ” He shook his head and
slid into the passenger’s seat. “Stupid idea. ”
It was a stupid idea. Rubi continued to remind herself of that as she dropped behind the wheel and steered onto the 405.
“Last week,” he started, his hair ruffling in the wind, mirrored sunglasses hiding his beautiful eyes, “I was dying to get a break from these long days. Give my body some time to heal and refuel. Now, I’d rather spend sixteen hours in hand-to-hand, let a semi run over me, and have Troy push me off a Huey than be without you for two weeks. ”
Rubi drew a breath, her throat suddenly tight. He rolled his head toward her. And grinned that Hollywood grin. “Did you go soft? Even for a second?”