Page 8 of No Going Back

When Mira turned away, his gaze immediately dropped to her ass covered in tight fitting denim. He’d dreamed about that ass in very vivid detail, his imagination knowing no bounds.

“Everything OK with Nyx?” he said, dragging his eyes away.

“Yes. They’re done. Be boarding the C-17 shortly. I don’t need to be here for that. The boys can handle it,” she said, clearing away some files on her desk.

“Where are the boys?” he asked, trying to keep the jealousy out of his voice. The junior guys were nowhere to be seen.

“The war room.” She grinned. “Sam’s letting them see Nyx home from there as you guys are gone.”

“Ah. They get to play in the big boy yard.”

Mira laughed and the sound made his heart swell. This conversation he was planning to have wasn’t going to be easy.

“OK, I’m set. Where do you want to go?” She grabbed her purse.

“Italian?”

“Sounds good to me. I’m starving.”

***

MIRA INSISTED ON FOLLOWING him to the restaurant in her own car. Although it was good to see him, she didn’t want him to have any expectations they would go home together. Tyler turning up unexpected had been a surprise. A nice one, but her heart raced with anxiety, wondering why he was here. They hadn’t made plans to meet. Was he here for sex?

Mira, it’s just dinner. He’s not going to jump your bones in a restaurant.

The hostess showed them to a table, openly eating Tyler alive with her eyes while barely acknowledging Mira. She couldn’t blame her. Tyler was boy next door handsome. Brown hair, longer on top, the cutest dimples, and a few days worth of stubble. Five foot nine, he had a body other men dreamed of having and clearly the hostess dreamed of touching. Mira wanted to laugh, but she refrained until they were seated in a booth.

“I take it that’s a regular occurrence for you?”

“What are you talking about?” Tyler asked, sounding innocent.

“Oh, come on. That hostess was about to drop her panties for you right then. I’m surprised she didn't just sit on your lap.”

Tyler grinned and those dimples sent shivers down Mira’s spine. God, he was so damn sexy.

“I didn’t notice.”

“Yeah right. How could you not notice, you are an operator aren’t you? Or am I out with a different Tyler Mason?”

“OK, maybe I noticed. But to answer your question, no, it is not a regular occurrence. And I was too busy scowling at all the men drooling over you.”

Mira rolled her eyes, ignoring the comment.

They ordered drinks and food and she began to relax. Any worries she had disappeared as the conversation flowed easily between them. They talked about the guys, the Farm, sport, news, and music. Before they knew it, their waitress was clearing their table. Mira ordered a coffee, not ready to end the evening, Tyler accepted one too.

“Were you born in San Diego?” Mira asked him. They had never really spoken about family or where they were from.

“No. Denver, Colorado. SEALs brought me here.”

“So your family is still in Denver?” Mira saw the frown on his face as he picked up his mug of coffee.

“No, no family there.”

She opened her mouth to ask more, but his closed expression made her stop. Talking about his family appeared to be off limits.

“What about you?” He lowered his mug.

“Born in Miami,” she said easily. Give a little to get a little, she thought. “My folks are back there. I’m an only child. Work brought me here, too.”

---