Catch (Coronado Series Book 4) Read online

  “Max is going to fire me.”

  “Max doesn’t fire anyone. What are you talking about?”

  “I’m going to be useless at work. My only thought is going to be of you in your dress at the other end of the office. I hope no one asks me anything important, because I’m not going to be able to answer.”

  “I think you’re being a little dramatic.”

  “I don’t think I am.”

  “If it gets really bad, then we can go to my condo at lunch. We’ll probably have to do it up against the wall because I don’t have a bed right now. And I won’t do it on my pink couch, because I don’t want it to get stained. I really like my pink couch.”

  “Got it. Against the wall, no couch.”

  She patted his chest as she strolled past him. “I’m glad we got that worked out.”

  He finished getting dressed and then went into the kitchen and watched her make oatmeal. “You’re on your own for lunch. I don’t have time to make anything. We’re going to have to eat this quickly and then leave. I have a department meeting at eight thirty.”

  “We can grab something after we come back from your condo.”

  “That’s only in case of emergency,” Rachel said.

  “I’m fairly confident there will be an emergency by twelve. In fact, I can say with all certainty one will occur.”

  “You were fine last week. We hung out, and you were a perfect gentleman.”

  “Yeah, that guy is gone. He’s been replaced by a man who knows what paradise is like. I also know what paradise is wearing under her dress and badly want to go back there. I promise to be a gentleman when I have you up against the wall. It might not seem like it at first, but if you look hard enough, you’ll be able to recognize it. Hell, I’m a sailor. There can only be so much that is expected of me.”

  “Okay, sailor. How long do you expect this to be the case? This state of emergency?”

  “It’s hard to say, but I’ll guess forty or fifty years. I should have it worked out after that.”

  “Good to know. I like to understand what I’m dealing with.”

  He grabbed her hips, leaned over, and kissed her hard. “Have I told you how much I love oatmeal?”

  “You’re just saying that because you think you’re getting lucky at lunch.”

  “I hope you feel lucky, too. I feel like you’re my answer, and I want to be yours.”

  She tipped her head against his and smiled. “Luckiest girl in the world.”

  “Luckiest man in the world.”

  They looked into one another’s eyes and both blinked at the same time. Lucky…lucky…lucky.

  ***

  As they made their way downtown, Rachel dug in her purse in search of her lipstick. “I’m going to pick my car up at lunch as well as a few things that I’ve forgotten.”

  “Honey, I don’t want you in your car alone until we have Dean locked down. He’s clearly ready to do some real damage to you.”

  “I need my car. What if I want to go someplace?”

  “I’ll take you wherever you want to go.” Watching her shake her head, he knew he was skating on thin ice. “Please, Rachel. Let me do this. I don’t want Dean to get his hands on you.”

  “You think that’s possible?”

  “I know it’s possible.”

  “I have things to do after work. Maybe one of the guys can help out. I don’t want you to be on call all week.”

  “I’m sure any one of the guys would be happy to help out, but it’s not necessary. I’m your person, and we are together, and we will remain that way.”

  “I can’t wait to see you at yoga. Actually, it may be kind of hot to see you do a downward-facing dog.”

  “As long as I’m doing it with you, I don’t really care what dog I have to look at.”

  Rachel erupted in laughter. “I had no idea you were so funny. I thought I was funny, but you could give me a run for my money.”

  “Honey, you have that strange English humor that a lot of people don’t get. Irony and subtlety are an acquired taste.”

  “I’ve always known that.”

  “Good thing I have excellent taste.” He leaned over and grabbed a quick kiss at the red light. “Before I forget to tell you, my brother is coming down to visit this week. He has a bye week, and since he’s on this side of town, he going to stay for a couple of days.”

  “I can go back to my condo. You guys can have space to visit.”

  “No, honey. He’s looking forward to meeting to you.”

  “How could he know about me?”

  “Because I told him.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Well, tell me what his favorite meal is, and I’ll make it.”

  “He likes pot roast and all of the fixings.”

  “That’s easy. Maybe I’ll make a cake as well.”

  “Cake is good. You can never go wrong with cake.”

  “Chocolate or coconut?”

  “I like both, and so does he. You pick.”

  “All right. When is he going to be here?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “Ooh, better make my list. We have to go to the market after work. Forget my condo. I can make the cake tonight and then frost it tomorrow.”

  “Is this a lot of work?”

  “No, it’s your brother. I’m guessing he doesn’t come often.”

  “We can go out. It might be easier.”

  “Easier isn’t better. I can make a yummy dinner and then you two can relax and catch up.”

  “Ms. Miller, I may be the luckiest man in the world!”

  “Mr. Ellis, I feel the same way about you.”

  ***

  Rachel stepped out of her department meeting and headed down the hall. She passed the large room where a lot of the guys had their desks. It was set up like a squad room with desks arranged in twos facing one another. She looked in and noticed Chris was hard at work. He had a bunch of papers spread across his desk and was reading them. He glanced up, caught her smiling, and came toward her. “Hi, honey. Are you all done with your meeting?”

  Rachel tried to determine if anyone was paying them any attention. She didn’t want to act inappropriately in the office. “Yes, I have a bunch of things to get started on. I should go.”

  “Always running back to your desk. I’m glad to see that nothing has changed.” He leaned against the door frame, and winked. “Oh, wait. Everything has changed.” He whispered, “I know what color your panties are and how good you taste. Yeah, change is in the air.” He kissed her cheek, turned around, and whistled as he walked back to his desk.

  Rachel stood staring at him as blood rushed to her face. She couldn’t believe that he said that at work. She was incapable of a response.

  David came up to the door and waited to see if Rachel was going to move. He studied her face and figured that Chris just said something outrageous to her. “You okay, Rach? You want me to punch him?”

  She spun around, stared at him blankly, and didn’t respond. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she gave Chris a dirty look. Turning, she strode down the hall. This called for revenge. She was going to come up with something good.

  David sat on the corner of Chris’s desk and studied him. “Your girlfriend just stormed out of here, and she was pissed. What did you say to her?”

  “None of your business.”

  “You may want to tone down whatever you said. She didn’t seem real happy with you.”

  He looked down the hall and wondered why. “Maybe I should go and check on her?”

  “You may want to give her some time to cool off. I don’t think anyone wants to clean up your blood. Rachel definitely seemed like she wanted to see a bit of it on the floor.”

  “I was flirting.”

  “Yeah…I don’t think that’s how she saw it.”

  “Shit.”

  “That’s about the size of it. You may want to work on your technique before you try it again.”

 
“Why are you sitting at my desk? Don’t you have work to do?” he barked.

  “I do. I’m giving you first right of refusal on a hostage op. I’m putting my team together, and I know you love these.”

  Chris finally tuned in to what he was saying. “I’m going to pass. I have to keep Rachel safe until Dean is locked down. He was the one who broke in and destroyed her condo. I haven’t heard from Robert, so I’m assuming he’s still out there.”

  “Roger that. Let me know what you need when I get back. We’re leaving this afternoon and crossing the border at nightfall. I hope to have this wrapped up and be home in time for breakfast tomorrow.”

  “Stay safe and have fun. Come by on Thursday night. My brother is in town and wants to catch up with everyone.”

  “Sounds good.” They shook hands, and David strolled out of the office.

  Chris looked down the hall again and decided to see how mad Rachel was. He stood up, went into the kitchen, and grabbed a cup of coffee and a couple of cookies. As he made his way down the hall, he worked on his apology. It would probably be best to open with saying he was sorry, even though he didn’t know exactly where he’d gone wrong. Sticking his head in her office, he noticed that she was alone. Her fingers were flying over the keyboard as she worked on a document. “Hi, honey.” They slowed down for a second and then resumed typing at a flashing pace. “I’m sorry that I offended you.” She turned around slowly and studied him. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

  She watched as he set a coffee and cookies in front of her. “Thank you.” She leaned back in her chair and tapped her foot. “I was so embarrassed. What if someone heard what you said? You can’t say something like that at work.”

  “Okay. Message received. I thought I was flirting with you.”

  “That wasn’t flirting.”

  “I understand that now.”

  She took his hand. “That’s for at home or outside the office.”

  Leaning down, he kissed her cheek and then ran his nose against hers. “I’m going to work on my flirting.”

  Placing her hand against his cheek, she leaned in and kissed him. “I like your flirting. It just shocked me. I wasn’t ready.”

  “I’ll try for a little more subtlety.”

  “Let’s start out nice and slow and then work up to major flirting in the office. I’ve never been in this position, and I’m not sure what to do.”

  “Me either.”

  She leaned up and kissed him quickly on the lips. “I have to get back to work.”

  “That’s right. I knew we were here for a reason.” He winked at her before leaving the office.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Monday Afternoon

  Chris sat at his desk and heard a commotion. Glancing up, he saw Rory pushing a stroller down the hall. “The inaugural visit of the little prince and princess.” The women from the front trailed behind her as they smiled at the babies. They all followed her to the back, where Rory had her office. He heard an eruption of laughter and assumed that all the women in the office spotted the babies. Looking across the hall, he saw Max step out of his office and head in the direction of his wife. He’d never seen a man change more than Max Bishop. A year had made a huge difference in his life, and Chris hoped he was as lucky with Rachel. Maybe this time next year they would be married and have a baby. That would be pretty freaking amazing. Hearing his phone ring, he turned around and got back to work.

  Rory swept into her office and greeted everyone gathering around. “The twins wanted to see where Daddy was all day, so I decided to bring them in for a visit. Also, I was going a little crazy at home and decided we needed a field trip.” She opened her bag, pulled out a big bottle of hand sanitizer, and placed it on the corner of her desk. “Help yourself. If you want to pick up the babies, then you need to use this first. Also, if you’re holding them and they need a diaper change, then you get to do it.”

  Looking around the group, she noted that everyone agreed. “Have at them. They love being held.”

  Max stood in the doorway and watched the group admire his children. He caught his wife smiling at him. She mouthed hello to him, and he crooked his finger, beckoning her over.

  Rory stepped around the stroller and walked into her husband’s arms. “Hi, handsome. How is your day going?”

  “Better, now that I have you wrapped up in my arms. It seems like the twins are going to be busy for a while. Let’s go to my office, lock the doors, and make out.”

  Rory grinned. “I’ll meet you there in five minutes.” He winked at her before he strolled out, whistling.

  She gave the women directions and showed them where all the supplies were. “Ladies, I’ll return in fifteen minutes. Max wants to go over a few issues.”

  She kissed her children and left. She straightened her dress before she stepped into her husband’s office. Closing and locking the door behind her, she laughed. “Hello, Mr. Bishop. What is it you wanted to discuss?”

  He pulled her down on the couch next to him and ran his hand down her face. “Mrs. Bishop, I would like to discuss how much I love you and how lucky I feel.”

  Leaning into his hand, she smiled contentedly. “Oh, Mr. Bishop. I’m the lucky one. Quick, let’s make out. I only have fifteen minutes.”

  “I’ll take what I can get.” Dropping his mouth to hers, he was lost. It felt the same way it did almost a year ago when he’d first met her.

  ***

  Rachel was holding Gemma and rocking her as she walked up and down the hall. She must have gas, and that’s why she was so fussy. When she took care of her nieces and nephews, the walking always seemed to help. “Once it comes out, you’re going to feel so much better.” She continued to pace the halls and hum to the baby. She turned the corner and saw Chris coming toward her. He had a big, goofy grin on his face, and she wondered what it was all about. “Hi, honey. Why do you appear so happy?”

  “Because I like what I see. That baby looks good on you. Maybe we should make one of our own,” he replied.

  “You held out a whole week before you brought up a baby. I’m proud of your restraint.”

  He moved alongside her and smiled at Gemma. “I think you’re making fun of me, and I don’t care.”

  “I can tell.”

  “Can I hold her?”

  “No, I just got her. It’s not your turn yet.”

  “I may never get a turn with all those women back there. This is my only shot.”

  “Since when do you like babies so much?”

  “Since I saw you holding one. Hand her over.”

  “Fine.”

  He smiled and held out his hands. Rachel carefully placed Gemma in his arms. “You have to support the head.” She watched him carefully as he cradled the baby. He started to rock back and forth in an attempt to soothe her. They both noticed the baby scrunch up her face as she let out an explosive gift in her diaper. Her face was red, and it was clear that she wasn’t done yet. One more explosion and she relaxed in Chris’s arms and smiled faintly. Rachel laughed. “You have to change her diaper since you were holding her when she did it.” She giggled as she turned and moved toward Rory’s office. “Follow me. All of the supplies are in here.”

  Chris looked down at Gemma. “You couldn’t do that when Rachel was holding you? Thanks, kid.”

  Rachel got out the diaper bag and started setting things out next to the couch. “I’ll change the diaper, Chris. You don’t have to.”

  “I can change a diaper. If I can disassemble a bomb, then I can change a baby’s diaper. She’s tiny. How bad could it be?”

  Rachel shook her head. Sometimes, the smaller they were, the more deadly they were. “Okay, honey. You can change her diaper.” She laid out the pad and stepped away. “The wipes are there, and the new diaper, and the plastic bag to put the soiled diaper in.”

  “Honey, I can do this.”

  “I know you can.” She watched Chris lay the baby down and try to figure out how to get her outfit off. Rory took the sa
me care in dressing her children that she did with herself. Gemma was dressed in an adorable outfit that consisted of leggings, skirt, top, and matching shoes. Rachel knew there had to be a matching hat, but wasn’t sure where it was. “Do you want any help?”

  “No. Just give me a minute and let me figure it out.” He took off the skirt and laid it down on the table, then the shoes, and finally the leggings. He smiled down at Gemma, and she returned the expression with one of her own. “Gemma, we got this.” He started to undo the diaper and sat back as the scent filled the room. “Baby girl, that is impressive work. I know a couple of SEALs who couldn’t achieve this.” He folded up the diaper and looked for the bag. Rachel held it out to him and smiled encouragingly. She handed him the wipes, and he started to clean her up.

  He was doing it so slowly and gently that Rachel worried how Gemma was going to be with the process. She started to kick her legs, which made it that much more difficult. “Hold her legs together and lift her bottom. That way she won’t kick and you can get her cleaned up.”

  “Thanks, honey.” He followed her directions. “All done.”

  “I’m impressed with your willingness to change the diaper. I think it speaks well of you.”

  “I’ve faced a lot of scary shit in my life, and I will not be intimidated by a tiny girl and her stinky diaper.”

  She lifted Gemma against her chest and rubbed her gently. “I’m happy to know I’m dating a warrior who isn’t afraid of anything.” She kissed his cheek and stepped out of the office in search of Rory.

  They ran into her as she moved down the hall toward her office. “How is my princess?” She held out her arms, and Rachel passed her over. “She has a fresh diaper, and I imagine she feels a lot better. I want you to know that Chris took it on and did a fantastic job.”

  Rory studied them both and noticed how smitten they were with each other. She never would’ve guessed that they were compatible. But clearly they were. “Thanks, Chris. We can just add this to your already impressive list of talents. The man, the myth, the warrior, the diaper changer.”

  He studied his feet and then glanced over at Rachel and noticed the sweet smile she was giving him. “Thanks, Rory.”