Cobra (Blue Angel Security Book 1), page 8
“You know Jaycee, he’s not that bad. He’s just worried about you,” Shadow defends me.
“So that’s how Whiskey shows people he cares about them? By making them feel small and insignificant? Like I’m an idiot? He seems to forget I’ve been looking out for myself for years. I only came to you all because a friend of mine is concerned for my safety. If I thought I was in danger, I would have asked for help. I’m not so fucking unreasonable or proud that I wouldn’t reach out for help.” Her voice sounds irritated and I hate I’m the cause.
“Whiskey, huh? How did you come up with that nickname for him?”
“Simple. The jerk is great to be around, smells enticing, and is smooth as the finest silk, but burns like hell.”
“Shortstack, I promise you, he’s not trying to burn you. I think for the first time in years, my teammate has feelings for someone and isn’t sure how to express them.”
“Well, Shadow, if that’s how he copes with his feelings, count me out. All he cared about last night was making sure I knew my place, where I belonged.”
“Shortsta—”
“Shadow, let’s agree to disagree on this one. He’s an egotistical alpha-hole who needed his ounce of flesh to make sure I knew he was superior. Lesson learned. If I leave the house, I’ll text you. I won’t leave alone. Now, can we run, or do you need more girly time?”
“No, let’s run. Sorry, I tried.”
Me too.
I gaze ahead of me looking at her backside running and hearing a slight laugh.
“Keep her safe,” I say, seeing his thumbs up behind his back.
Frustrated with myself, I know I need her give her space and time. I turn around heading home and hope that Shadows knows how much I appreciate his help today. I know he apologized, but we both know it wasn’t intended for her, it was to me. Though, it wasn’t necessary. He gave me the best gift ever. He had given me an insight into the woman I was quickly becoming obsessed with. And the icing on the cake? I wasn’t alone in my attraction. She liked me too, hell, I had a nickname. Whiskey.
It’s been years since anyone has given me a nickname. Even though I called Raelyn, spider, she never returned the gesture by giving me a nickname of my own. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have tolerated it. The last person who gave me a nickname was my mama, and up until meeting Jaycee, I never planned on getting another one. Cobra doesn’t count. It’s a codename, Whiskey, however, well, I’m planning on keeping him around for as long as I can, maybe forever.
8
COBRA
Over the next few weeks, not much changes. I get up each morning and see her take off with Shadow, running down the street heading for the lake. If she had to go into town for any reason and one of her friends wasn’t available, she always texted Shadow. He literally was her shadow. It sucks big time to be stuck sitting on the sidelines.
One morning, I wake with an epiphany. If she couldn’t forgive me, I was going to make sure she couldn’t forget me, either. Every day, I make arrangements with our local florist or various restaurants, and have something delivered to Jaycee. Each day, her delivery would end with her getting a card that simply read, thinking of you, or I’m sorry, please forgive me, then I’d sign it using the nickname she gave me, Whiskey.
By the end of the second week, I’m questioning my sanity. Was I really trying to pursue a woman who was hellbent on ignoring me? I’m seriously debating on whether I should send her anything today. I mean, after all, she can’t even thank me? I know I was a jerk during our second meeting, not to mention my manhandling her on our first meeting probably didn’t earn me any brownie points either, but come on, isn’t everyone entitled to a bad day here and there?
A quick glance at my phone shows me I only have a few more minutes before Rayne would beep us, requesting all of our lunch orders, including Jaycee’s. She thinks it’s sweet. Here I am getting a woman lunch day after day and she wasn’t even talking to me. The guys on the other hand, think I’m already whipped and, I hadn’t even gone out on a single date with her yet. At the rate we’re going, though, that might never happen. Lost in my depressing thoughts, I smile when my phone pings with an incoming text from none other than Jaycee, or Tiger as I tease her with. I might have started calling her that because she taunted me with her sharp claws, but now, I love seeing her face instantly turn bright red as she recalls our discussion over that particular nickname. She loves it, she just won’t admit it, not yet.
Jaycee: First off, I don’t have a green thumb so just know everything you send over here will die a slow painful death. Second, I love carbs, stop sending me all healthy shit. If you want to feed me, send pizza or pasta. Third, send a big bottle of red wine. I’ve got the client from hell calling me all day long. Finally thank you for caring, not many have before you.
Well, it’s a start, I smile to myself, swiping the screen to do exactly that.
9
JAYCEE
In the weeks since Whiskey pissed me off, I’ve completely froze him out of my life. I’m angry and hurt over his callous behavior, but it’s getting harder to ignore my growing feelings. With each kind, thoughtful, caring gesture he sends, he’s melting the barricades surrounding my heart.
He really is trying. Some might say he was sucking up, but I would never make that assumption about Whiskey. In all reality, I know nothing about him other than he is one hell of a kisser and a possessive, demanding jackass when he wanted to be.
After nearly two weeks, I’ve decided it’s time to put the fool out of his misery. He’s learned his lesson; I hope. Either way, I sent him a message after being pushed one too many times by an over demanding client. Then I texted Shadow, informing him of my change of plans. Whiskey may send in reinforcements tonight, but I need to rid myself of this frustration, now.
Me: Heading out to a gym with Liam and a few friends. It’s too cold to blow off steam outside. Check in later.
Shadow: Which gym?
Me: Ripped Fitness
I smile as I head out to my Jeep, thinking of how far I’ve come since I moved to New York. I may not have a ton of friends, but the friends I do have are the best. When I get to the gym, Clayton is waiting in his truck with Liam and two other muscular men.
Holy shit. What did I just sign up for?
In the time it takes me to second guess today’s suicide mission, the guys are all out of the truck waiting for me, laughing. I frown at them as I climb out of the Jeep and join them.
“What’s the matter, Jaycee? Don’t think you can take them all on?” Liam’s eyes sparkle with mischief and I wonder what he and this crew of heroes are up to.
The tallest of the newcomers comes up to me with his hand extended to me. “Jaycee, is it? I’m Scotty, and the stud behind me with the ass of steel, although you can’t admire it because he’s mine, is Lance. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Well comic, I wish I could say the same, but I think we’re gonna be fast friends. So does Mr. Buns of Steel talk, or are you secretly a ventriloquist too?”
“Damn! I like her!” Mr. Buns of Steel moves forward, shaking my hand. “I’d tell you again my name is Lance, but I like my nickname.”
Laughter erupts out of all of us. Clayton is the first to reclaim his calmer side, “Okay, folks, Liam here has made a promise to show off his killer training skills.” Liam at least has the decency to look away bashfully.
I shake my head as I smile and walk over to Liam. “So you were bragging about me? Did you also tell them how fast I can drop your ass? Come on boys, I guess Liam here wants to have a seat again.” With that, I leave them in the parking lot and head into the gym.
Clayton slips past me as he steps up to the counter, getting me a visitor’s pass. Scanning the gym, I notice the various equipment, but that’s not what has my attention. This gym is packed full of huge, sweaty men all staring at me. My hands itch as I reach into my back pocket ready to call Cobra. Shit. How is it one apology has me caving in and calling him at the first sign of distress? Regardless, this is exactly why Luna had me go to BA’s. I have a protection detail for a reason.
“Jaycee…” Liam breaks my anxiety and walks in front of me blocking out most of the room as Clayton, comic, and Mr. Buns of Steel, complete the circle around me, only they face away from me giving Liam and I privacy.
“You can do this Jaycee. Just look at it like another training session. I promise you the four of us will throttle anyone who looks at you side ways. You’re safe with us, you know that.”
“Liam, I don’t know. It’s not that I don’t trust you all it’s just—”
“I get it, Jaycee. You’re afraid that last time was a one time thing. You might not get lucky enough to drop me on my ass again,” he says as I hear the others chuckle around me.
“You wish. You know I can drop you on your ass. Just name the place and time…” I spew out realizing too late that he set me up. “You’re a jerk.” I stomp my foot at him. “A jerk I fully intend on dropping on his ass. Clayton!”
“Yes.” He turns around laughing.
“I hope your not too attached to Liam’s ass because he’s about to have it handed to him.”
“I am. But that’s okay, if you hand it to him that’ll make it easier for me to frame as my favorite masterpiece.”
“And men think we’re the romantic saps? They should meet you all. Come on, it’s time for Liam to take a seat and for me to show all these men what women are capable of,” I say as the circle they formed around me dissolves and Liam gently nudges me forward.
“Come on the mats are out back, unless you want to try the ring?”
“Not the ring. Not yet.”
Liam smiles as he hands me the protective gear he insists I wear when we work out together. I observe that the gym is bustling while I slide the gear on, and no one is really paying any attention to us, thank God.
“Get into position,” he coyly says. “Today, we’re going to work on your escape maneuvers. The last time we worked together, it took you longer than I’d like it to. You need to be quicker, Jaycee.”
As much as I hate it, I know he’s right. I nod my head and use all my concentration, remembering what he has taught me. The problem is, he’s taught me so much and sometimes I can’t remember the right technique for each movement.
Liam grabs me forcefully and instantly has my back pinned against his chest with his arm wrapped tightly around my throat. He swings me around like I’m a rag doll as I struggle to get loose. Gasping for breath, I kick and scream with everything I’ve got, but it doesn’t do me a bit of good. Quickly I’m exhausted and pissed off at myself. Here I thought I was improving to where I at least could begin to defend myself, but that’s a joke. Suddenly, a memory flashes through my mind from one of my favorite crime shows, and I instinctively react. Kicking Liam as hard as I can, I sink my teeth into his arm, biting down until he drops me. Once he does, I run.
“You bit me! I can’t believe it. Clayton, she bit me!” Liam screams as his eyes beam with pride. Loud, boisterous clapping echos off the walls as I look past Liam, Clayton and their friends.
“Hell yeah, little lady! You did it!” A muscular man shouts from his treadmill, as I really look at everyone watching me. My face turns bright red just as Liam hollers to Clayton.
“Clayton, get your ass over and take a picture of her fang marks on my arm. That’s my next tat. You too, Jaycee. I want to remember this moment. I think you finally may get it baby girl. You use everything you’ve got, no matter who it is that’s holding you against your will. You fight and never stop fighting.”
Turning back around to Liam, I rush into his arms where he picks me up and swings me to his back before Clayton snaps the picture of us. After a great workout with all the guys, me getting my ass handed to me as much as they did, I’m ready to shower and relax.
A short time later, I pull into my driveway, feeling mighty proud of myself. I did it! After realizing Liam was right, I made a mental note to myself that if anyone ever grabbed me like that again, the first thing I’d do was bite them. They’d never forget me, and with any luck, it would buy me enough time to get away.
I can’t help but laugh at the sight as I walk onto my porch. The giant galoot actually did it. Sitting on my porch is a bag with not one, but two big bottles of red wine and a takeout menu from the pizza shop nearby. I pick it up and smile when I see the sticky note attached to the front.
Tiger,
I already called the pizza shop and gave them my card number. All you have to do is to tell them to put it on Whiskey’s card. I’ve paid the tip too. You don’t need to worry about anything other than your toppings. Hope you have a good night.
Whiskey
I look over the note again, he really was serious about that damn nickname. I can’t help but hide the grin that crosses my face. Maybe there’s hope for him after all. One can dream anyway.
10
JAYCEE
It’s been two weeks since Whiskey sent me the two bottles of wine and the piping hot pizza. Despite Kylee’s very vocal opinion that I should slip into my skimpiest pair of booty shorts and strut myself across the street to his house to share my dinner with him, I ate alone. She also made it well-known that he might love a helping or two of my cherry pie.
The girl is absolutely relentless. She is the sister I’ve always wanted and next to Dyani, she is my most treasured female friend, but the girl drives me nuts. Everything here lately is about finding me a man. She has zero interest in being in a committed relationship herself, but she’s hellbent on finding me Mr. Right. According to her, if that doesn’t happen, then I can always have a Mr. Right-now, and worry about finding my prince on another night. I inwardly groan remembering all those discussions too well. She hates it when I remind her I’m not programmed like that. I can’t see myself ever enjoying a one-night stand, that’s not who I am.
I shake those thoughts away, looking at my attire and make sure it’s not too revealing before I step outside for my morning run. The moment Whiskey sees me standing there alone he smiles, realizing Shadow isn’t joining me. Nodding to him, I take off down the sidewalk, heading to the lake trail. I hear the sound of his foot falls as he quickly closes the distance behind me.
“Does this mean you forgive me for being an asshole to you?”
I let out a small laugh, not sure if he could hear because I’m still slightly in front of him. “Oh, so you admit you were acting like an asshole? Although, for the record, I just referred to you as a jerk. You’d have to sink a bit lower in my book to be an asshole. But yes, I forgive you.”
“Good,” he says as we round the corner, heading to the clearing I’ve been using for chin-ups. I jog to the branch I’ve been using and jump up, sure to firmly grasp it, planning on exceeding my limit of fifty chin-ups today. I surpass my goal of fifty, and mentally challenge myself to hit seventy-five. I’m just shy of my new goal when my arms start shaking relentlessly and I start to doubt I’ll have the strength to finish.
“How many more, Tiger?” he asks as my arms shake from the exertion.
“Two,” I grit out, forcing myself to focus on reaching the limb once again.
“Make that one. One more. You’ve got this.” I groan in response as I muster up all my strength. With one last push, I narrowly clear the branch.
“You can let go. I’ve got you.”
Too exhausted to fight him, I do as he instructed and let go of the branch once I feel his strong hands wrap around my waist. Easily guiding me down, he carries me over to the bench.
“That was impressive as hell. How many do you normally do each day?” he asks as I attempt to catch my breath.
“Fifty, but I’ve been pushing myself to do more for a few days now, but I never thought it’d be so much more tiring. I thought those extra twenty-five were going to be the be the death of me.”
“Nah, you’re not dying on my watch. Besides, you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. One day soon those seventy-five will be just as easy as the fifty were for you.”
Leaning into him, I soak up the heat coming off from his chest, and as much as I’d love to stay here all day, I know I’ve got work to do at home. I sit up and move forward on the bench. “Ready? We should head back. I have a meeting in town with a prospective client at one and I seriously can’t be late. I’ve been told he’s a real ball buster, even if you don’t have any,” I smirk at him and settle into a slow jog.
“Is Shadow accompanying you?”
“No, my friend Liam is coming with me. He’s good friends with someone who works in the same building. So, I’m all good. I’ll text you or Shadow if I need anything,” I tell him, rounding the corner to our cul-de-sac.
“Will do, Jaycee. Be careful.”
“Always.”
A few hours later, I find myself staring in disbelief in the mirror. This is not me. I hate having to dress like this. But after the first few times I showed up to a meeting dressed casually and didn’t get the contracts, I learned a valuable lesson. I needed my potential clients to take me seriously, and the only way I was achieving that was to change my attire. The more professional I appeared, the better my chances were for getting the job. I pray Mr. Deschanel is no different.
Liam honks his horn indicating he’s here and my time for stalling is up. I grab my bag, walking out the door. As I set my alarm, Liam stands by the passenger door, waiting for me.
