Page 6 of Falling For His Badass

He calls after me. “Where are you going?”

At the top, I stop, and look at him. “With her.”

Grabbing my ruck sack, I quickly pack it for the weekend, then take it with me into the bathroom. I turn the water on, as I load my toiletries, then strip, step in the shower, quickly soap my body, rinse, dry, dress, and in a matter of 10 minutes, I’m heading back down the stairs. I can hear Tara and John in the kitchen. Leaving without saying goodbye, I trot to my corvette as I text John. *What’s Lizzy’s last name?*

*Mayer.*

*See ya Sunday.*

*Have fun.*

I toss my bag in the passenger seat, crank my car, then take off after her. Keeping my eyes focused for the black Honda, I speed down the highway as I have the car call Jeff. Jeff’s an old friend and retired operator. I spent a lot of time with him before enlisting. It was his influence that steered me to become a S.E.A.L. When he answers, “Crocket, here,” I tell him I need to grab a room for the weekend.

“No problem, man. You can stay as long as you like.”

“Thanks, brother. I need you to do me a favor too. A couple of them, actually.”

“Just ask. You know I’ll do whatever I can.”

“I need you to put me in a room as close to Lizzy Mayer’s as possible, and I need a ticket to the dinner show.”

He chuckles. “Does Miss Mayer, or is it Mrs., have a ticket to the dinner show too?”

I laugh out loud. “It’s Miss, and yes, she does.”

“Standby.” He tells me. I spot the Honda and match her pace, keeping several cars between us, so she doesn’t know she’s being tailed. When Jeff comes back on the phone, he tells me. “All set. You’re in the room next to hers and sitting at her table for the show. The show starts in an hour. How far out are you?”

“Fifteen, if I don’t get stuck in traffic.”

“We’ll catch up on the unit later then. Your ticket will be waiting for you at the door, and a VIP pass for Suds. Drinks are on me.”

“You’re too good to me,” I tell him. “Thanks.”

“Looking forward to your mission recap. I want all the sick details! Crocket, out here.”

The call disconnects. I’m seven cars behind Lizzy when she exits the interstate. At the bottom of the off ramp, she flows through the green light, but I get caught when it changes red. As I watch her disappear out of sight, my gut has an involuntary reaction. My thumbs start to tap the steering wheel.

When it’s my turn at the light, I follow her path, keeping a moderate pace.

When I arriveat the hotel, I grab my backpack and waltz into the hotel lobby. The woman behind the counter takes my information, gives me my room key, #230, and my ticket to the dinner show, then she invites me to take advantage of the bar on the top floor called Suds. “We have a DJ tonight and the place will be hopping. Just use your keycard to gain elevator access.”

Thanking her, I head to the elevator to wait. Suddenly, the sound of multiple doors opening, and voices flood the silence. A small crowd of people laughing, talking louder than necessary, rounds the corner. Most of them pass by, but a tight group of ten men in their thirties joins me. When the elevator arrives, I enter, completely ignoring them avoiding eye contact. While sharing the ride up, I learn that they are lawyers at a conference, and intend to skip the dinner show. Opting instead, to go straight to the bar to begin drinking. When the elevator stops on my floor, I’m the only one getting off, so I push my way through. The conversation inside halts and just before the doors touch, I hear someone say, “I call dibs,” and the others laugh, making me smile. Tonight, is going to be fun.

Walking down two long halls to my room, I wonder if I have enough time to dress for the evening. I use my keycard, and enter a big spacious room, complete with a small sitting area with a table and two chairs. The bed is king size.

“Sweet!” Tossing my backpack on it, I spin around and fall backwards. It feels good to be free from Jack. I lay there for a minute or so, then check the time. If I hurry, I can go ahead and get jazzed up for the bar. Then after the dinner show, I can go straight up.

In the shower, I give myself a pep talk Tara would be proud to hear. “Ok, Liza. There is going to be a bar full of good guys with good jobs. But you are only going to dance the night away and have fun.” Drying off, I tell my reflection, “You are not going to do anything but dance with those lawyers.” I stop applying mascara. “You’re looking for the dude that your heart reacts to. Not the dude your mind wants to choose, so your heart responds. If you want an all-consuming love like Tara has, you’re going to have to find the man that makes your heart go nuts.” I slip the dress over my head and wiggle into it. “And let’s be honest. The odds are against you.”

Deciding I want my vibe to be sophisticated and not too fun, I run a flat iron through my hair. I twirl around and my hair fans out nicely. I step into my platform black pumps and walk out to examine myself in the full-length mirror. The dress hugs my figure like a glove and the red push up bra has set my tits up on a shelf for maximum enjoyment, but it’s a tad tight. Twisting around to view the back, I frown. “Panty lines. Killing the rear view.” I make a command decision to go commando. Checking the view again, I smile, feeling beautiful.

I shove my keycard, credit card, and identification into my cleavage, open the door, and saunter down the hall toward the elevator. The sound of the heavy door echoes down the corridor and I feel the shift in my attitude. My luck is about to change.

* * *

Once I reach the hotel,I circle the block and enter the rear parking lot from the service entrance. I laugh at the sign that points the way to the new club. It reads, ‘Leave Hell Behind, This Way toSuds After BUDS.’ The reference to SEAL training is a good one.

As soon as I step out, I hear the music from the club. The place is already popping. Grabbing my rucksack, I head inside.

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