Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

Prologue

Gabby sighed as she circled the block for the third time, looking for a parking spot near her teammates’ house.

She was told that it would be a small, casual get-together to celebrate her friend and teammate Leo’s promotion to Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. But judging from the multitude of cars lining the entire street and driveway, the gathering was anything but small.

“Fuck it!” She muttered as she spotted an empty patch of grass in the side yard on the right side of the house. She drove her Ford Bronco over the curb and parked.

Between her job with the Coast Guard and finishing up her online classes to earn the last of her three Intelligence and Security Certifications, she rarely had an evening to relax.

She would much rather be spending the evening with Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia from the Golden Girls , watching re-runs in her pajamas and eating chocolate.

But being the supportive teammate and friend that she was, she was where she belonged.

She and her teammates shared a unique bond. Aiden, James, Leo, Tristan, Blake, Oliver, and Rowan weren’t just her friends and teammates. They were an extension of her family. At times, she felt like she had seven brothers in addition to her biological brother, Will.

They were a very tight-knit unit. Considering how much time they spent together, they had to be. In other words, she pretty much did everything with them. Well, except date them. They all drew the line at teammates and friends.

Her phone pinged with an incoming text, and she reached for the device lying on the passenger seat. She hoped it was one of the guys and not their Officer in Charge telling her she was needed at the base. After all, being a member of the Maritime Security Response Team, also known as the MSRT, meant she was on call twenty-four-seven.

Growing up, Gabby had all intentions of following in her father’s footsteps and commanding her own Coast Guard ship. However, at the age of eleven, that dream was squashed when the Coast Guard announced the roll out of the MSRT.

The MSRT was an elite counter-terrorism assault team serving as the first responder in maritime terrorism situations. The Unit could deploy worldwide depending on the incident. They would train with, and in certain situations, they would work side-by-side with other federal agencies and specialized units such as Navy SEAL teams, Force Recon, the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, and other Special Mission Units and alphabet agencies.

Instead of accepting her nomination to the Coast Guard Academy, Gabby enlisted, completed basic training, and then attended “A” school for Maritime Enforcement Specialists. The selection process for MSRT was rigorous and highly competitive. Not to mention, there weren’t many female candidates. She knew going into it that not everyone who applied for MSRT would be selected because it takes an individual who possesses the necessary skills, physical fitness, and mindset to perform the demanding duties required by its members. There were also a ton of interviews, assessments, and specialized training needed to succeed.

Once she became a Maritime Enforcement Specialist, she kept pounding away, excelled while maintaining high physical fitness standards, and demonstrated excellent leadership qualities. She set goals, worked hard, and sought opportunities for advancement and specialized training. Most importantly, she stayed committed, and five years later, she received the call she had been waiting for and has been continuing to build on her career since then.

She looked at the phone and smirked as she read the message from James.

James: Where are you?

Gabby: Just pulled up.

With a quick glance in the rearview mirror, she made sure her hair wasn’t out of place from having the window down. Once she was set, she grabbed Leo’s gift from the passenger seat, which was a custom-engraved wooden box with an engraved glass whiskey decanter filled with his favorite whiskey.

As she climbed out of the car, James’ familiar face greeted her from the front porch. Of course, he had a beer in his hand.

“Finally!” James shouted, a smile playing on his lips.

“Am I late?” she joked as she climbed the steps to the front porch.

“Late? Nah, you’re just in time!” James said and hugged her. “Though, honestly, I did think you might have bailed since I know this is the only free night that you’ve had in a while.”

Gabby felt slightly embarrassed, knowing that was exactly what she was thinking of doing.

She smiled as she bumped her shoulder with his arm. “I’d never bail on my teammates.” That was a true statement. Had this party been for anyone else, she would have been in bed stuffing her face with chocolate ice cream with extra chocolate sauce. Yes, she had a slight addiction to chocolate.

“Of course you wouldn’t,” he replied, ushering her inside the two-story home that James, Leo, and Tristan shared.

Her eyes widened in shock as she stepped inside. The entire first floor, which was an open floor plan with high ceilings, was wall-to-wall people who were laughing and dancing to the pulsating music. She stood frozen in place for a moment, taking in the scene. If James weren’t standing beside her, she would’ve thought she had just walked into a frat party.

“I thought this was supposed to be a small get-together,” Gabby said, raising an eyebrow as she glanced around. It was definitely not the low-key gathering she’d expected.

James chuckled. “Yeah, small... in Leo’s world.”

Her nose twitched from the smell of beer, perfume, and sweat. Gabby had to remind herself that she was here to support her friend. She scanned the room, trying to locate Leo in the sea of people.

“There he is,” James pointed out.

Leo spotted them almost at the same time, and his face lit up as he pushed his way through the crowd. “Gabby!” he yelled, a little too loud. He pulled her into a bone-crushing hug that was borderline painful. Sometimes, the guys forgot how much smaller she was compared to them. She only stood at five-foot-three. “You made it!” His face held a goofy grin that she knew all too well. He was already drunk.

“Of course I did,” Gabby said with a smile, gently nudging him back so he wouldn’t topple them both over. “And this is for you,” she said as she handed him the gift bag containing the present she bought him.

“Awe, Gabby, you didn’t have to get me anything. Just having you here and celebrating with me is enough.”

She smiled and waved him off. “It’s not every day you make Chief.”

“Can I open it now?” he asked, looking excited. His reaction made Gabby laugh. Leo was like a little kid. When she joined their team about a year ago, she quickly learned that Leo’s personality alone provided most of the entertainment.

“By all means. It’s your present,” Gabby told him with a slight wave of her hand.

He pulled out the decorative tissue paper stuffed into the top of the bag. When he peeked into the bag and a smile spread across his face, Gabby knew she had found the perfect gift for him. Reaching into the bag, he pulled out the box and opened it.

“Oh, wow! It has my name on it. This is awesome, Gabby! Thanks!” he told her, giving her another hug.

She smiled, happy that he liked it. “You’re welcome. I thought you’d like it.”

“You’re the best,” Leo slurred before one of his other friends, clearly just as drunk, came over and told Leo and James about some hot chicks who wanted to meet them.

Gabby shook her head as she took the bag from Leo’s hands.

“Go and have fun. I’ll take this to the kitchen and put it in your cabinet so it doesn’t disappear,” she told him, knowing full well someone would try to crack into it before the night was over.”

He hugged her again before he and James were pulled into the crowd. And just like that, Gabby found herself alone in a sea of drunk strangers. She squeezed through the dancing bodies, heading toward the kitchen where she knew Leo kept his private stash of liquor.

The kitchen was just as packed as the living room, a mix of people talking loudly over each other and someone attempting to make frozen margaritas. Gabby made her way to the corner, where Leo kept his liquor in a high cabinet. She tucked the bag behind a bottle of rum and closed the door.

The thought of heading home crossed her mind. She kept her promise and made an appearance—Leo and James were her witnesses. Plus, there were so many people that it wasn’t like anyone would miss her.

She weighed her options. Mingle with sweaty, over-beveraged strangers or indulge in chocolate and the Golden Girls?

However, before she could decide, two women, a blonde and a brunette, staggered through the crowd and stopped right next to Gabby to lean against the counter.

The brunette was giggling at her friend as she shoved a bottle of water into her hands.

Gabby shook her head, feeling both amused and sorry for the two women. Watching the half-drunken brunette trying to hold up the plastered blonde was a sight to see. She had to hide her laugh when the blonde brought the water bottle to her lips but missed her mouth, causing most of the water to dribble down her chin and onto her blouse. They were a mess and would most likely have a hellacious hangover the following day.

Gabby noticed the blonde’s eyes were half-closed as she started to sway on her feet. Gabby feared the woman was going to pass out.

“Hey, are you okay?” Gabby asked, taking a step toward the girl.

But before she could do anything, the girl leaned across Gabby, her head dipping into the trash can. And then it happened—the unmistakable sound of someone vomiting.

Gabby froze as she felt something splatter against the arm of her sweater. And not just any sweater. It was her favorite sweater.

Gabby was also a trained EMT and could handle blood, broken bones, and all sorts of injuries. But puke? Nope. She couldn’t stand puke.

“Are you kidding me?” Gabby muttered under her breath, her stomach doing somersaults.

She probably should’ve ensured that the blonde was okay, but Gabby was more preoccupied with controlling her own gag reflexes.

She scrunched up her nose in disgust, looking at the sweater she loved but knowing she would have to burn it. Breathing through her mouth so she wouldn’t have to smell the putrid odor, she backed away from the drunk girls, desperately tugging at her sweater, trying to peel it off without gagging.

If the guys could see me right now, she thought bitterly, imagining their laughter. They all knew how much she despised vomit, and this situation would’ve had them in stitches.

Thank goodness she had worn a camisole under the sweater, or else she would have been screwed.

Some guy, thankfully sober, rushed over to help the girls, and Gabby quickly tossed her now-ruined sweater into the trash can. Barely holding it together, she decided that was it. She was heading home.

The smell of vomit lingered in the air, making her stomach churn. Needing some fresh air, she spotted a path though the crowd toward the sliding glass doors and made a beeline for the back deck.

The cool February air hit her like a slap to the face as she stepped outside, her skin prickling in the cold, as she was only wearing a thin cami top now.

Gabby shivered as she made her way across the deck toward the stairs, her breath coming out in small clouds in the cold night air. She pulled out her phone to text Leo.

Gabby: Hey, I’m heading home. Have fun, and I’ll see you on Monday.

With her eyes glued to the screen as she typed the message, she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going when, all of a sudden, her toe caught on a loose board at the edge of the deck. Before she could even process what was happening, she lost her balance and started to fall.

Her heart leaped into her throat as time seemed to slow down. The ground tilted beneath her, and she could see it coming—the inevitable, embarrassing, painful fall backward.

She closed her eyes, knowing that her frantic attempts to regain her footing were useless, and braced herself for her body’s impact against the unforgiving ground.

Oh, great. This is how it ends. Broken bones and bruised pride. All because I was texting while walking. Perfect.

“Whoa!” A deep voice called out before a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, catching her at the last possible moment.

Startled but grateful from the contact, Gabby’s eyes flew open in surprise as she found herself wrapped up in a bundle of warmth. She blinked, staring up into a pair of the warmest, most mesmerizing brown eyes she’d ever seen.

Wow, okay. If I had to be saved from a fall, this is the way to do it. Those eyes...and that jawline? Damn.

The man had dark brown hair with a hint of auburn. His beard was well-trimmed, giving him a ruggedly handsome look that screamed “sexy without even trying.” Gabby swallowed hard, feeling her face heat up, even in the cold.

“You okay?” His voice was deep, laced with concern, but soft like he didn’t want to startle her more than she already had been.

“Uh, yeah, I think so.” Gabby found her voice, albeit a bit shaky. He helped her to her feet, and she felt a rush of embarrassment but also relief. “Thanks for that. You literally saved my ass.”

He smiled, and wow—if she thought his eyes were warm, his smile was like a cozy fireplace in the middle of a snowstorm. Gabby couldn’t help but stare.

“No problem. It was my pleasure to save your ass from any harm. I’m just glad I got to you in time,” he replied smoothly.

“I’m glad you saw me. Normally, I’m invisible because of my size,” she joked but then wanted to slap her forehead for saying something so stupid. She tended to ramble when she was nervous around guys she found attractive, which wasn’t that often.

A lopsided grin tugged the corners of his lips.

“Sweetie, you might be fun size, but in no way are you invisible. If I had eyes in the back of my head, I would’ve spotted you a mile away.”

She snorted an un-lady-like laugh as she looked up at him.

“Fun size?”

His eyes twinkled with amusement,

“I’m Playboy, by the way.” He extended his hand to her, that easy smile still on his face.

Gabby blinked as all thoughts in her brain came to a screeching halt. Playboy? That couldn’t be a good sign. A guy with the nickname Playboy? Yeah, probably not the type you stick around for. But still, she shook his hand. The guy had saved her life.

“Gabby,” she said, biting the inside of her cheek. Well, at least he’s not hiding what he’s about, right?

“Nice to meet you, Gabby.” His gaze flicked over her, and when he saw her shivering, his smile faded. “You’re freezing.” Without missing a beat, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Gabby’s teeth were chattering too much to argue, so she tugged the jacket closer, grateful for the warmth. “Yeah, well, someone puked on my sweater. So, I was calling it a night. I was texting my teammate Leo to let him know I was heading home and didn’t see that damn board sticking up,” she explained, pointing toward the stairs. She didn’t want the guy to think she had two left feet.

He chuckled. “I’d say that’s reason enough to call it a night.” He tilted his head to the side. “You said, teammate. Are you MSRT, too? he asked.

She grinned. “Yep.”

“How do you know Leo?” Gabby asked, trying to steer the conversation somewhere less awkward for her. She didn’t like talking about herself. However, he did seem impressed that she was with the MSRT.

“I’ve worked with him and a couple of the others a few times.”

She scrunched her eyebrows together, trying to guess who he worked for since the MSRT works with several groups.

He must’ve seen the question churning in her head because he continued. “I’m a SEAL,” he said casually, but Gabby’s eyebrows shot up.

She shouldn’t have been surprised, given the way he carried himself, but still, it threw her off. She took a moment to process that. A SEAL with the call sign Playboy? Yeah, her instincts were screaming at her now. This guy was probably a heartbreaker. Just as she was about to say something else, a woman’s voice interrupted them.

“There you are, Playboy! We’ve been looking for you,” a strawberry blonde-haired woman called out as she walked down the stairs and practically draped herself over his arm. She looked Gabby up and down, unimpressed, before turning back to him. “Come on, everyone’s waiting inside.”

Gabby felt a pang of irritation. Too bad that damn board couldn’t have tripped her. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but it wasn’t this. Playboy looked at the woman, clearly uncomfortable.

“I’ll be there in a few, Vicky,” he said, prying her octopus arms off him and gently steering her back towards the stairs. The woman did not appear happy being brushed off. She looked over her shoulder and gave Gabby a little sneer before sashaying herself back up the stairs where she came from.

Turning to look at Playboy, she met his intense eyes. Something had shifted in them in a matter of seconds because that playful gleam they had held earlier was gone, only to be replaced by what she considered guilt or frustration. His jaw tightened, and he swallowed hard. He looked like he was at war with himself.

Gabby took that as her cue to leave. She shrugged off his jacket and handed it back to him. “Thanks again for, you know, saving me,” she said, forcing a smile. “But I should go. It was nice meeting you. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“Gabby…wait—” He started, but she didn’t let him finish. She was already walking away but gave him a quick wave over her shoulder.

As she walked back to her car, Gabby couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions—embarrassment for nearly face-planting, relief for being caught, and confusion about her reaction to Playboy. Part of her had been intrigued by him—those eyes, that smile—but then the woman showed up, and it was clear what kind of guy he probably was—a Playboy !

Typical. A guy named Playboy? I should’ve trusted my instincts. Handsome, sure, but probably nothing but trouble. And I’ve had enough trouble for one night.

She unlocked her car and slid into the driver’s seat, shaking off the cold. As she drove away, she couldn’t help but think about those eyes one last time. Fuck me!

◆◆◆

Playboy watched as Gabby walked away, the cold air stinging his cheeks, but he barely noticed. His eyes followed her until she disappeared into the front yard, and he couldn’t shake the disappointment settling in his chest.

Damn, she’s something else—quick reflexes, a sharp tongue, and those blue eyes. Hell, she’s a little dynamo.

He hated that Vicky had shown up when she did. The woman had been chasing him for months, always showing up at events, trying to cozy up to him. He wasn’t interested, though. Vicky and other women like her only liked the idea of being with a Navy SEAL. However, they never looked deeper than that. He wasn’t some playboy, despite his call sign.

But Gabby? She was different. She had that confident, no-nonsense vibe, and finding out she was Leo’s teammate had impressed him more than he’d expected. A woman in the Coast Guard’s MSRT was impressive. She had to be tough, capable, and fierce. They were all things Playboy found incredibly attractive.

Never in his thirty-one years had his body ever reacted to a woman like it had with Gabby as he held her petite frame in his arms. He couldn’t deny the intense attraction he felt towards her. However, his heart about jumped out of his chest when he saw her falling backward down the stairs. Thank God for his quick reflexes. His instincts had kicked in with lightning speed. He didn’t want to imagine what would have happened had he not been there to catch her.

He glanced back at the house, where the party was still in full swing, then back in the direction Gabby had left. He had no desire to go back inside. Not anymore.

He wanted to know more about Gabby because he was definitely interested.

He’d give Leo or one of the others a call and get the scoop on her.

With that decision made, he turned away from the party, hands in his pockets, and walked off into the night.