Consolation (Consolation Duet #1)(41)

When we’re in her house, it’s strong. I see Aaron around every corner and it freaks me the f*ck out. I can’t imagine what it’s like for her.

“I’ll never hurt you intentionally. You don’t have to guard your heart.”

Natalie’s eyes fill with tears and I feel my body start to go into panic mode. She swipes at her eyes. “You’re going to make me fall in love with you, aren’t you?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s a done deal.”

She laughs and opens the car door, breaking the moment. “We’ll have to see about that.”

When she reaches me on the other side of the car, I pull her against me. “Yeah, we will.”

I haven’t been to this bar in years, but the place hasn’t changed too much. There’s a dance floor in the middle and it’s surrounded by tables. There are two bars on either side and there’s a huge bar in the back of the room. The pool tables are always occupied, but maybe I can convince Natalie to play a game or two. Maybe she’ll need me to teach her.

I start to imagine what she’ll look like with the stick, bent over the pool table. The way her hair will fall and her eyes will find mine. I’ll walk behind her and feel her ass press against my dick. The way she’ll wiggle . . .

Nuns.

Puppies.

AK-47s.

Diapers.

Glad I got that back under control. We find the table where a few of the guys are already sitting.

“Hey, f*cker!” Quinn stands and claps me on the shoulder, already giving me his bullshit-disapproving stare.

“Hey, where’s what’s-her-name?” I ask knowing he cycles through women like it’s nothing. I don’t think he’s ever f*cked the same girl twice.

“I’m looking for fresh meat today.” He gives me a look and turns to Natalie. “Hey, beautiful!” Quinn walks over and gives her a hug. I swear if he upsets her, he’s going home to ice his balls.

“Hi, Quinn. I haven’t seen you in a long time.” Natalie’s voice shakes a little. She’s nervous, which I try real hard to not let bother me. I’m ready to show everyone where we stand and I wish she was too. I know it’s been less than a year and I know it shouldn’t bug me. But the problem with knowing and letting are two different things.

We’re good together. I’ve known her for almost nine years and never did I imagine I’d be with her like this. She brings something alive inside of me.

I say hello to the rest of the guys from the team, and when we get to the end, Natalie shrieks.

“Rea!” she runs over and hugs her best friend. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

The infamous Reanell Hansen. The two of them giggle and I see Commander Hansen tip his beer to me. Fuck. How the hell did this happen?

“Commander,” I say and shake his hand. It’s one thing when we’re all deployed, but to be drinking with your boss when you’re home is another thing.

“Dempsey, today it’s just ‘Mason,’” he says and grumbles under his breath.

“Oh, Mason, stop being a dick,” Reanell says, and she stands, walking over to me.

“I’m Reanell. It’s nice to finally meet you for more than two seconds in passing.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“You did not just ‘ma’am’ me.”

I laugh and immediately like her. “No. Never.”

“That’s what I thought. Now, sit and let’s get some alcohol going so Natalie looks like she can breathe.” She smiles and makes us sit.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“So, tell me, how much can you bench press?” Reanell tilts her head as she looks me up and down before shifting forward with her chin on her fist.

Natalie slaps her arm so her chin falls off. She and Mason laugh as Reanell gives her the death stare. “Stop being stupid and drink your beer.”

“It was a valid question,” she says and orders a round for all of us.

Natalie relaxes a bit and begins to talk about her job and Aarabelle. We laugh and enjoy small touches. She places her hand on my leg and looks at me under her long lashes with a shy smile. My hand covers hers and squeezes. The little things like this are hard for her, but I appreciate them. I lean back and put my arm around her and she sinks into my side.

The lights dim, indicating it’s a slow song. “Wanna dance?” I ask her quietly for two reasons. One, if she says no, I’ll never live it down with these *s. Two, I don’t want her to feel like she has to say yes.

Before she can answer me, a short blonde comes up behind me and places her hand on my shoulder. It takes a second to register.

“Hi, Liam. Would you like to dance?”

Fuck. Brittany.

The girl I almost used to f*ck Natalie out of my mind.





Liam shifts as a really pretty woman stands behind him. They obviously know each other and I swear she looks familiar. I can’t place her though.

“No, thanks though,” Liam replies.

“I haven’t seen you since that night,” she says and looks over at me. Well, isn’t this nice.

Liam stands and extends his hand to me, making his intentions clear. My palm touches his and he squeezes my hand pulling me up. “Yeah,” he tries to brush her off.