“All right.” Cutter was a good judge of character, so she’d take his word on that.
“That’s my girl.” He smiled her way, then they stepped off the back patio together.
As they crossed the lawn, Brea clung to his hand. She’d always been shy around new people, men especially. Thankfully, every one of his teammates smiled as they approached. Josiah, whose voice told her he wasn’t from around here, seemed nice. Zyron and Trees both had Southern gentlemen’s manners, though charm rolled off Zy’s tongue while Trees seemed content to let his pal do the talking.
No denying each of them was fit, sharp, interesting, and attractive. But none sparked her interest. Honestly, that was all right. Like Cutter had said, there was more to life than getting married. Still, she couldn’t lie. She’d looked forward to being some man’s wife since she was a little girl. Her friends had all left Sunset to pursue their ambitions of becoming doctors or actresses or teachers. And that was lovely—for them. Even if it sounded old-fashioned, Brea wanted a husband, kids, home, and happiness.
That wasn’t too much to ask, right?
After some small talk, Cutter led her to Hunter and his brother, Logan, respectively. The elder brother flipped burgers with intent focus. Though he was perfectly polite, it was obvious Hunter was a doer, not a talker. Logan, on the other hand, oozed charm. He smiled, winked, and laughed, making up for all the conversation she hadn’t had with his brother. But under his façade she sensed something relentless, something dark. In fact, she felt that undercurrent in all the men here, even Cutter. They’d seen atrocities, stockpiled secrets, even committed sins in the name of national security.
Undoubtedly, she’d be better off with someone simpler. She could smile and nod the rest of the night, happy to make the acquaintance of Cutter’s co-workers, then figure out how to meet a nice accountant or a handsome professor with whom she might share her future.
She loitered for an hour with Kata and Tara in the kitchen, helping to prepare macaroni salad and bake cookies. They were lovely and witty and funny. Gritty and interesting, too. Stories of Kata’s son and Tara’s twin girls had her giggling.
Together, they brought the food outside and set everything on a big buffet table as Hunter yelled to all at the gathering, “Chow time. Come and get it!”
Before she and Cutter could grab a plate, Logan snagged his arm. “Bryant, can you give me a hand throwing more cold ones in the cooler?”
“Sure.” He turned to her. “Why don’t you get your plate? I’ll join you in a few.”
And sit with all these strangers by herself? “Actually, I need to use the ladies’ room first. Meet you at the buffet table?”
With a nod, Cutter turned to help his boss, his smile a white flash in the setting sun. Why couldn’t he have been more than a friend in her heart? He was perfect in so many ways, and falling for him would have made her life so much easier…
As the others filled their plates and settled at a giant picnic table on the back patio, Brea hustled inside and found the powder room. As she finished washing her hands, the doorbell rang. A glance out the big kitchen window proved no one else had heard a thing over the loud music and even louder conversation. Rather than disturb Hunter, Logan, or their wives, she headed to the front door.
When she pulled it open, Brea found a mountain of a man standing on the other side. He towered over her, his shoulders taking up most of the portal. Beefy, inked arms crossed over a midnight-blue shirt, stretched tightly across his imposing chest. He had shorn dark hair, an even closer cropped beard, black eyes that saw inside her soul in an instant, and a scowl that told her she’d better not mess with him. He looked like the devil. He smelled like sex and sin.
Her heart lurched, and she utterly lost her ability to think. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
His eyes didn’t leave her face, but she had the distinct impression he’d already taken in every inch of her from head to toe. Brea couldn’t repress her shudder.
He glanced beyond her shoulder, out the big window in the family room, which overlooked the backyard. “I’m here for the EM party. This Hunter Edgington’s place?”
“Yes.” She stepped back to let him in since she couldn’t seem to find more words.
He shut the door behind him and stared down at her. “You got a name?”
She inched back…though some forbidden urge prompted her to scoot closer. “B-Brea.”
“Yeah?” He stepped into her personal space, following her until she backed into a wall and blinked up at him. “That’s a pretty name.”
“Thank you,” she said automatically. “I like your…” Everything. Each part of him was put together so perfectly, he made her heart beat like a mad, fluttery thing and her stomach tighten.