Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
“And I saw you put in for jumpmaster training at the same time. That’s commendable. You’ll be an asset to any team with your skill set. Expect to see you make chief soon, Bianchi. That’s why I’d hate to lose you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Renzo didn’t like feeling as if he was letting the senior chief down with his transfer request, but he’d seen on his last visit home how his folks were struggling. And all the cousins were growing and changing. He needed to be able to visit more than once a year or so. If his parents weren’t coming to visit him in a few weeks, he’d burn his leave going back east, even though being back in Philly always felt like wearing a heavy explosive-disarming suit. Being in Cali had been great, let him relax in a way he never had before, but he needed to be an adult now, put family first.
“I should hear about your request soon.” The senior chief gave a laugh that sounded forced. “But of course soon in the navy could mean a variety of things. So we’ll see. But I’ll tell the LT your family situation so he knows what’s behind the request.”
“I appreciate that, sir.”
“You off for some Friday fun now?” Business apparently done, the senior chief’s tone was more conversational.
“Might be.” This whole conversation had been heavier than Renzo liked. Made his skin itchy and his shoulders ache. And made that restless thrum return full force. He needed...something. Out of his head, maybe. Again, Canaan’s full mouth flashed before his eyes. Maybe that was the right kind of reckless he needed. Maybe he could live with not getting smoothies for a while if trouble ended up being more than he wanted to deal with.
“Stay safe, but I’d like to see a leave request for you soon.” The chief nodded at him. “You’re dismissed.”
Grateful for the escape, Renzo headed back to the barracks. He kind of knew what he was going to do, but he didn’t really want to admit it to himself quite yet. Wouldn’t hurt to just go for a walk in some civvies, stay loose, see what happened. And even if Canaan was there and serious about hanging out, they didn’t have to hook up—much as he loved sex, that would be over and done in an hour and still leave him all restless and wired and jonesing for something more.
Maybe Canaan’s idea of trouble—as long as it didn’t run him afoul of the senior chief—would be exactly what he needed.
Chapter Two
Canaan had had enough of Fitness Friday by the time it came to close up. They’d been slow enough for him to start the cleanup early, and Sage, who had biked to work, was as eager as he was to head out and left as soon as the clock hit nine, leaving him to lock up. He’d just set the rear door alarm when a movement behind him made him swivel around.
“So...trouble?” The East Coast smooth voice he’d recognize anywhere came from the shadows, before Rooster stepped closer to him.
Holy. Freaking. Cow. An entire drum solo burst out in Canaan’s brain at the sight of his favorite SEAL. He’d actually come.
“Uhhh...” Canaan made a highly unattractive sound while trying to collect his lost thinking power.
“Oh.” Rooster shook his head. “You totally weren’t serious, were you? I kinda figured...”
“No, no. I was serious.” Canaan scrambled to recover, talking too fast now. “Just never expected you to show.”
“You sure you’re not all talk?” Rooster didn’t sound convinced by Canaan’s babble.
“I’m sure.” Canaan was better with actions than words, so he stepped away from the building, closer to Rooster, who smelled as good as he looked—some sort of spicy, lemony aftershave that made Canaan’s mouth water. He put a hand on Rooster’s massive biceps, loving how it stretched his black T-shirt, and smiled up at him. “I can be all action if that’s what you’re in the mood for.”
Rooster’s mouth twisted like he had to think about this. His eyes flared and he looked around the alley where they were standing.
“Not here,” Canaan reassured him. Even he wasn’t that much of a risk taker. “Your place? Or, wait. You live in the barracks, right?” He thought he’d heard that mentioned a few times by the other guys.
“Yup.”
“You wanna go get a drink? Maybe one of the Hillcrest bars? Or we could go to my place? I’m in North Park.” He tried not to bring hookups back home if at all possible, but since this was apparently his lucky day and chances were very high that he was dreaming this entire thing, he was more than willing to make an exception.
“Not a huge drinker. Beer is carbs, and I’m not much on the hard stuff.” Rooster looked at the ground, like Canaan might be about to snatch his man card away.