Merry with a Gambler (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Stack (Dax)

I ride my Harley to the Sandy Sipper. It feels good riding into the wind after being on stakeout for almost four months in an attic overlook, eyes trained on video feed and listening to bullshit conversations. I took a couple licks to my ribs before we brought down the bastards who were stealing and selling babies. Two of them will never bother anyone again, and two others will be locked up for the rest of their lives.

Inhaling deeply, I savor the breeze off the ocean. I’m back in this small beach town for another assignment. Maybe when it’s over I’ll just camp out on the beach for a month. Now that Pax is here permanently, and we stopped doing construction work, I’m thinking I might relocate too. HARDCORE Security doesn’t care where we live or what we do when we aren’t on assignment for them. That’s worked out great for Pax being able to help out at the bar.

I missed my brother’s wedding. He understood but it sucked. It’s the life we lead. Steel felt it would be best if I kept the biker image when contacting Pax on my return. The only other one to know my real identity will be his wife, Nyla. I talked with them last night and we’re confident she can keep my identity under wraps.

Dismounting, I remove my half-helmet and store it in my saddlebag. Stretching my achy ribs after the long ride back to Love Beach, I turn to take in the parking lot as I run my hands through my hair to smooth it back from my face.

The lot is overflowing but it’s to be expected at a sports bar that plays all sports from multiple time zones all night. A white bicycle is chained to the corner post of the front porch. I smile. Flower girl has the handlebars decorated with red poinsettias and Christmas bulbs. I wonder what flower she’ll have in her hair tonight.

Shut it down . She may be cute as fuck but she’s too young and innocent for you .

Nothing wrong with making her smile. She’s too serious .

I give my head a shake. After this assignment I need to take some time off, find a willing woman. Cut loose a little. Problem is the only one occupying my dreams the last few months has been flower girl.

Crossing the lot, I go inside and take a seat at the bar. Pax glances my way and keeps drawing the order he’s working on for one of the waiters. Nyla turns, sees me, and heads over. “Welcome to Sandy Sipper. What can I get you?”

“A shot of Jack and your local tap.”

She nods and sets me up.

Downing the shot, I feign interest in the game playing on the TV while searching the bar for my girl. It takes a few minutes, until I see her walk in from the enclosed patio with a tray of empty glasses. Pax opens the walkthrough, and she smiles her thanks at him before stopping right in front of me at the under counter sink.

She glances up as she starts loading the dishwasher. Her eyes light up. “Hi, stranger. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

Shrugging, I smile back. “Was out of town on a job. Should be around for a while. How you doin’, Boots?”

“Really good. I passed my test and have my bartender license now. I work here most nights,” she says shyly.

“Good to know. You sign up for those community college classes you wanted to take?”

“I could only afford one, but I start in January. I’m hoping to work extra hours in the summer so that I can save up and take more next fall. The really cool thing is one of the regulars has started a small business owners group to help those of us just starting out. She’s teaching us some of the ropes I never even thought about. And it’s free!

“Tegan is the best. We’ve already had one meeting. She’s also asked me to make flower centerpieces for a special event one of the other group members is having the week after the lighted boat parade.

She glances toward Pax and Nyla then back to me, a smile on her face. Placing her elbows on the bar she leans forward. “Remember I told you I thought the new bartender had the hots for Nyla? Well, they got married while you were away and bought out the crappy owner we had here. Since they took over business is booming and next spring they’re planning more expansions. Nyla says she’ll work around my schedule to help me so I can take more classes if I need to get my own business running. They’re the best.”

Nodding, I take a drink of my beer. “I see you’re still riding that bicycle. You know it’s winter, right?”

She gives me an eye roll. “Geez, you and Pax. The way you both nag, you could be brothers. This is the south. We don’t get snow or even that much bad weather. Besides it’s good exercise for me.”

“Riding a bicycle home at two-thirty in the morning is not safe, flower girl.”

Again, the eye roll. “I’ve been taking care of myself a long time. I got this. But thanks for caring.” She smiles before turning to the new customer who took the barstool two down from me.

My palm tingles and my cock twitches. Damn, I’d love to warm her sassy little ass.

She has her long dark hair braided with little white flowers woven in and a daisy bloom above her ear. I don’t know why that’s such a turn on for me. But I hunger to bury my face in her hair to inhale her essence and the scent of the flowers.

Shit. I found myself passing time on the stakeout studying botany, that’s how I know the little white things in her hair are gypsophila paniculata, baby’s-breath.

Pax serves my next round, and we start up a typical bartender-patron football dialogue interspersed with our mission information. Leaning on his elbow and glancing up at the TV as we talk, he slides me the key to the lodging that’s been reserved for me. He subtly lets me know he’s already got the supplies I need and dropped them off. We have a conference call in the morning with Steel, who’s running this new op. Moving down the bar he goes to fill another table order.

Damn it’s good to see Pax this happy. Nyla is good for him. She’s got some shit to work through, but she couldn’t have a better man beside her. My brother is rock solid. I was always the wild card of the family. Probably why I love the undercover work. Lately, it’s lost a little of its appeal.

I should leave, settle into my digs and sleep before the meeting tomorrow. The ride to Love Beach was long and my ribs are letting me know I need to give them a break, but I can’t make myself go. My gaze shifts to where Boots is smiling at a table of young bucks who’re trying to get her number.

Bringing my beer to my lips and draining it, I slap the mug on the bar a little harder than necessary. Her glance shoots my way, and I hold it up for a refill. Excusing herself she crosses to the bar. One of the guys at the table scowls at me. Dropping my hand below the bar top I shoot him the bird. She deserves better than them I assure myself.

Last to leave, I’m still sitting in the parking lot when Boots walks out. There’s a heavy mist in the air and patches of incoming fog. I don’t like the idea of her riding her bicycle home.

You’re starting a new assignment. You can’t get involved, worse yet you could endanger her.

I’ve got time before the job heats up, I assure my conscience.