Hero (Alpha Mountain 1)

“I know. That epic butt belongs to Hayes. They all look like that,” I murmured as I pushed the door open and carried the drink tray out.

“Ladies.” Hayes climbed down the ladder, his gaze laser-focused on Megan. I wasn’t surprised he was staring. Megan was drop-dead gorgeous. Her mother had been a literal beauty queen—Miss Montana 1985, but she’d walked out on Megan’s family when she was young. I suspected Megan became a sheriff to prove to herself and this town she was far different from her mom. That she would stick and was much more than a pretty face.

“I mean, Sheriff.” Hayes had come up close and took in Megan’s uniform—or every inch of her body—and I would swear his voice had deepened.

“I’m not the sheriff,” Megan said with a laugh.

“I’m Hayes.” He stuck his hand out to shake hers. When he clasped it, he held it a really, really long time. They stared at each other as if tractor beams kept their gazes connected.

“Is that a first name or a last?” she asked.

Hayes flashed a dimpled grin. “It’s my call sign.”

“They all have presidents’ names.” I worked one of the coffees out of the tray and offered it to Hayes. “On account of Ford and Buck both sharing that honor.” To Hayes, I said, “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.” He picked up two cream packets from the pile on the center of the drink carrier.

“Why Hayes? I don’t recall him doing anything noteworthy while in office,” Megan commented.

“Ouch!” Hayes mimed pulling a knife out of his chest. “I’ll have you know, Hayes was the first president to win by Electoral votes.” He inched a little closer into Megan’s personal space.

She didn’t seem to mind.

“Wow. Impressive.” I wasn’t sure if she said that sarcastically, if she was actually impressed or if she hadn’t been listening to what he said and had been hypnotized by his dark eyes.

“That’s not why I picked it, though. It’s because we haven’t had a Hispanic president yet and Hayes has three of the five letters as my real last name. So there you go. That’s how I picked it.”

Megan narrowed her eyes and chewed on a lip like she was thinking hard.

“Reyes,” Hayes filled in for her when she didn’t offer a guess.

“Reyes,” she repeated. “Nice to meet you, “Reyes-Hayes.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” He winked as he took a sip of his coffee.

I could have been setting off fireworks, and they wouldn’t have known because it seemed like they were shooting off their own just fine. Okay. I’d leave them to it.

I headed inside to find my place immaculate. Ford and friends had not only straightened up the mess, but it looked like they’d cleaned, too.

Kennedy had a laptop open at my kitchen table and was standing over it, tapping on keys, the customary lollipop tucked in his cheek.

“I brought you a mocha.” I set it down beside him and was rewarded with his Hollywood-worthy grin.

“Caffeine. I could kiss you.”

“Lips to yourself,” Ford growled, walking in from my back door.

The sight of him took my breath away. I didn’t know when I would stop being shocked by his new rugged appearance or its effect on my ovaries. Because military Ford had been hot, but this Montana man look was… more.

“Ford,” I admonished.

“I mean it. Flirt with my girl, and I’ll kick your ass.”

My girl.

He called me his girl. Was this actually happening?

When his gaze landed on me and his mouth kicked up into a small smile, I swore I dropped an egg.

“You guys work quick.” I sounded breathless as I pulled a coffee out of the container and offered it to him. He didn’t take it, instead, encircling my wrist and pulling me close. His lips—not Kennedy’s—met mine. And it wasn’t a peck. No. His free hand cupped the back of my neck, and his tongue found mine.

There was no question he was staking his claim. I was glad he was doing it with a kiss instead of peeing a circle around me.

When he lifted his head, his blue eyes met mine and held, as he finally took the coffee. “Yep, we’re almost done here.” He leaned closer, speaking for my ears only, his beard brushing over my skin. “Don’t think this means I’m letting you sleep alone, though.”

“We’re done,” Kennedy said. “Monitoring is up and running.”

“Good,” Ford replied. “Get out.”

A hum started up between my legs, and my nipples stiffened at his command.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Ford’s. I heard Kennedy laugh, a laptop click shut. He called for Taft, and the front door closed.

“You’re keeping up your bodyguard duties?” I murmured back.

He held my gaze and nodded. “That’s right,” he said. “Permanently.”

Permanently? As in long term?

“You wet for me, Blue?” he asked.

I licked my lips then nodded.

“Get on your knees like a good girl and show me how much you want my dick.”