Free Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) by Siobhan Muir Page B

his right arm, grasping the doorframe. He pulled and his muscles bunched, but he didn’t move.
    “Here, wait a second.” She took a deep breath. “Let me kneel up and your legs can take your weight slowly. Okay?”
    “Sounds…like a…plan.”
    “Ready?” Lindsey gathered her strength to push upright.
    “Yeah.”
    Several moments of sweating and straining passed as she tried to get her shoulders up without dumping John unceremoniously onto the floor. Lindsey used the wall to brace herself and swung the other arm behind her to hold his sliding body.
    “ Got it?”
    “Yeah. The wall is helping.” She glanced over her shoulder and found him leaning against the jamb on his knees. But he remained upright.
    “Think you can stand?”
    “I have to, don’t I?”
    “Pretty much. I don’t think I can haul 200 pounds of Chief Petty Officer out of here. At least not and make it look like we’re supposed to be wandering around.” Lindsey clambered to her feet and put on her shoes.
    “How were you planning on getting out of here?”
    “We’re going to go down through the club and you’re going to be my drunk boyfriend/date.” She brushed off her knees and straightened her dress. “Does my hair look disheveled enough to have had drunk sex in a back room?”
    John’s gaze made a leisurely climb from her ankles to her head and a predatory expression settled over his features. How can he still be horny after what we just did? A smug smile curled his lips and he nodded.
    “You do look like you’ve had sex recently.” He inhaled and his smile widened. “You smell like it, too.”
    “I do?” Sheesh, so much for professionalism. “Then I’ll definitely fit the part. Come on. We gotta get out of here before the drug pushers come back.”
    Lindsey shoved her shoulder under John’s armpit and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Ready?”
    “I don’t have a choice, do I?”
    “Get out of the hotel and the Man Cave Club, and you’ll have all the choices you want.”
    “Then let’s do this. Are there cameras in the halls?”
    “Yes. Keep your head down and get your drunk on.”
    “Roger that.”
    Lindsey loved hearing those words. Something about the military remark turned her on more than flowers or jewelry. He trusted her and depended on her to get him out. His respect was a heady brew infusing her body with extra strength.
    Lindsey opened the door and glanced either way down the hallway outside. The rich brown carpet remained empty. She nodded and they staggered out the door. John took a deep breath, his hard ribs expanding against her side, and hummed under his breath.
    “Are you okay?” Lindsey whispered as they meandered toward the elevators.
    “Damn, baby, you’re schmexy.” His slurred words sounded so authentic she glanced up at him. He winked and planted a sloppy kiss on her forehead. “Where’ya takin’ me now, huh?”
    She giggled, hoping it sounded real. “Back to the Club where you can’t get into trouble.” They almost collided with the elevator doors and she twittered as she pressed the button. “Oops, sorry.”
    John’s arm tightened around her shoulder s as he swayed a little and he pressed his forehead against hers. “Cameras in the elevator, too?”
    Lindsey nodded. “In all the public places.”
    “Copy that.”
    The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Lindsey breathed a sigh of relief to find the car empty as they shuffled aboard. John let her choose the club floor then crowded her against the wall, blocking the camera with his broad back. From behind it would look like he made out with her. Too bad it’s just pretend. Something about this man made her want more than just the mission’s façade. Maybe when it’s all over I can date him for real .
    The idea lodged in her heart and planted roots. She tried not to give it much energy, but yearning and excitement zinged through her and made her heart pound. What the hell am I thinking? She almost shook her head, but John