Holiday Rogue Page 2

  “Definitely.” His chest ached just enough to tick him off. His instincts, so sharply honed in the field, whispered that he was a moron. “I’ll grab napkins.”

  Chapter 2

  The Clumsy Penguin was a dive bar on a twisty lake road with worn wood, uneven floors, and wide windows overlooking the freezing-cold water. Christmas lights sparkled around every window while hard rock played through the speakers. It was, in a word, perfect—and surprisingly busy for a Monday night.

  Marlie aimed a dart and threw, hitting the second ring of a seven.

  “You’re getting better,” Bosco said, topping off her beer mug. The huge, thick, real glass kind still frozen from the freezer.

  “Maybe.” She sat on a black bar stool and leaned against the wall. “I haven’t hit anything I’ve aimed at once, but I’m having fun.” She’d never really spent much time playing darts.

  A cute blond guy, probably in his early thirties, winked at her from near the bar. She smiled.

  Bosco cut him a look, and the blond glanced away.

  “We’re just friends,” Marlie muttered. “Remember?”

  Bosco handed her another dart.

  Rory lifted a round table from across the bar and carried it easily through a throng of partygoers to place it near them. He was as tall as Bosco with lighter brown hair, pure blue eyes, and as much scruff on his face as Bosco. There was no doubt they were brothers. The Albertini family had some seriously hot and rugged genes. “I ordered wings and potato skins,” he said, depositing the table.

  Marlie grinned and looked across the room. “Was anybody else using that table?” There were still two half-full beer glasses on it.

  “Yeah, but I saved one of their asses when they got caught on a mountain last week. I work with search and rescue when I’m home.” Rory shrugged. “Plus, food trumps beer. They can hold their beers if they come find them.”

  Bosco rolled his eyes and threw a dart, getting another bull’s-eye. “I just got back to town and am not getting in a bar fight.” He looked over his shoulder, scouting the room as if looking for threats.

  Why did Marlie get the feeling she hadn’t heard his entire pedigree when it came to his job? Not that it was any of her business.

  Rory lifted his phone to his ear. “Quint? Get over the pass for the night. Bos is home, and we’re playing.” He shook his head. “Fine. Old man.” He ended the call.

  Bosco barked out a laugh. “You did not just call Quint old. Remember when he dug us both out of an avalanche with his bare hands? He was what? Fifteen?”

  Rory grinned, showing what most definitely should be termed the Albertini dimple in his left cheek. Bosco had one, as well. “Yeah, but he’s all domesticated now. The family bet is that he’ll propose on Valentine’s Day and get married in June.”

  Bosco sobered. “Quint hasn’t had the best luck with women.”

  Rory waved him off. “He does now. Seriously. Her name is Heather, and you’re going to freakin’ love her. She’s a sweetheart, and she adores him.”

  “Is he going to retire from the forest service and do something else, then?” Bosco asked, his brow still furrowed.

  Marlie leaned forward. Being an only child, this interaction between brothers was fascinating.

  “No.” Rory waved toward the waitress, who immediately brought over another pitcher of beer before scooting down to pick up empties from another table. “She’s totally fine with his job and doesn’t want him to change for her. I’m tellin’ you, he hit the mother lode. And while she’s going to be our sister soon, I think it’s okay to say right now that she’s hot as fuck. Totally curvy.”

  “It is not okay to say that your future sister-in-law is hot as fuck.” Bosco snorted. “You’re such an ass.”

  “Doesn’t make me wrong,” Rory drawled.

  Marlie took another sip of beer. “How many brothers do you have?”

  “There are six of us,” Rory said easily. “Bosco is the baby.”

  Bosco hip-checked his brother. “By one year. Seriously.”

  “I’m much more mature,” Rory said, dragging over another black-topped stool. “So, you haven’t said. What brought you to Timber City, Marlie?”

  “A job at the college,” she replied, taking another drink and enjoying the slide from hard rock to Christmas music. “I teach Chinese, and there was an opening with a tenure track.”

  Bosco handed her a dart. “Very cool. Why Chinese?”

  This close, he smelled like the outdoors. “My mom was from Indonesia, and I grew up speaking several languages. Have a knack for them.” The food arrived, and her stomach growled.

  “What about Italian?” Rory drawled.

  She nodded. “My grandmother on my dad’s side was Italian, so it was one of the languages I wanted to learn. I may teach the Intro to Italian class at the college, as well.”

  Bosco hissed in a breath. “Not a word, Rory,” he muttered.

  Rory barely kept the amusement out of his eyes as he handed out small and cracked plates. “Where did you move from?”

  “Seattle. I taught at a school there but was ready to get out of the city.” She dug into the chicken wings, feeling comfortable and accepted by these guys. Country boys and tough guys, who were happy that their older brother was in love. “Why would Quint have to change his job working as a forester?”

  Bosco grinned and finished a chicken wing. “He’s a smoke jumper for the forest service.”

  Apparently, the Albertini boys were all adrenaline junkies. “Okay. Let me get this straight, Bosco. You work for the military, Rory works for search and rescue, and Quint jumps into fires. What about the other three brothers?” An unusual longing for a big family hit her. Her parents had both passed away in a car accident, and she hadn’t had any other family.

  Bosco nudged the potato skins toward her. “Vince was honorably discharged from the Marines after being shot too many times and now owns and runs an outfitting company on the river. Finn and Knox are co-owners, also ex-military, and have a couple of other businesses. And, for the record, search and rescue is Rory’s hobby. His job is a big ol’ secret.”

  Rory tossed a napkin at his brother.

  Marlie chuckled. “Excuse me, boys.” She set her beer down and wound her way through the crowd to the restroom, where she stood in line and then took care of business. She walked back out into the heat and noise, surprised when somebody grasped her arm. She turned and then relaxed and smiled. “Mark Jones.”

  “Hi.” The young professor stood near the bar, looking handsome in dark jeans and a thick sweater. He taught philosophy at the college, and they’d met during orientation since they were both new at the school. “I see you found the local hangout for winter fun.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. This place is wonderful.”

  “Me, too.” He nodded toward three guys playing pool. “Bob and Joe teach in the mathematics department, and Frank is in HR at the college. Would you like to join us for a game or two?” His eyes were an intriguing light blue, his shoulders wide, and there was no doubt he was smart.

  “I would, but I’m here with friends.” She noticed the interest in his gaze, and while he was cute, she didn’t need to get involved with anybody from the school. At least not before she even started work. Her gaze caught on his ring finger, which held a white line she hadn’t noticed before.

  He sighed. “I moved here because of my divorce. Was married for three years. She left me for a guy she worked with.” He scrubbed a hand through his thick black hair. “I wish this stupid line would fade.”

  Marlie smiled, feeling for the guy. “Maybe go to a tanning booth and tan your whole hand.” She patted his arm. “A fresh start is a good thing.” The skin at the base of her neck prickled, and she turned to see Bosco leaning against the far wall next to his brother, watching them. Well, watching her. His gaze was unreadable, but her heartbeat kicked right into gear anyway.

  Mark followed her gaze. “Oh, crap. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were on a
date.”

  “I’m not,” she said, turning her attention back to him. “These guys are just my friends, but they seem the alert type. I’ll see you at the school.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” Mark proved he hadn’t lost the ability to flirt after his divorce.

  She chuckled and turned to wind through bodies to reach the Albertini men.

  “Meet a friend?” Bosco asked mildly.

  “Yeah,” she said, reaching for her beer and hopping up onto a stool. “Mark is a fellow professor at the college.” Not that it was any of Bosco’s business. The guy was kind of sending her mixed messages, and she wasn’t into playing games. “Why do you ask, Bosco?”

  He sighed. “Just making sure you’re safe. You’re new in town, and I hadn’t realized you’d already met people.”

  Rory snorted and then reached for the darts. “Are we ready for another game? I can throw left-handed this time.”

  Bosco hip-butted him. “I won last time, jackass. How about we play for something interesting? Say that new snowmobile you just bought. It’s a beauty.”

  “Not in a million,” Rory said easily, grinning and looking around. Then he sobered. “Jennie is here.”

  Bosco’s smile remained in place, but his eyes hardened and then veiled. “I guess I should go say hello. Is anybody with her?”

  Rory’s gaze didn’t seem to move from Bosco’s face. “A couple of girlfriends. You don’t need to go say hi. Let her come to you.”

  Marlie’s heart rate picked up. She shifted uneasily on her chair. Was this why Bosco had been all friends with benefits with her? She partially turned to see three women walking inside, all wearing heavy coats covered in snow.

  Bosco leaned toward her. “Would you excuse me for a minute?”

  She turned and looked him right in the eye. “Why wouldn’t I?” They weren’t on a date.

  His pupils narrowed in a way that made her lungs feel funny. Or maybe that sensation slid a little south of her lungs. “Agreed, but I did bring you here, and that makes you my responsibility.”

  Sweet and old-fashioned…and just a friend—no matter how quickly her nipples had just hardened. She leaned in, appreciating the further narrowing of his eyes. “I’m a big girl and more than capable of taking care of myself, Bosco Albertini. However…” She let her voice soften. “If I ever need somebody to guard my chastity, I know just where to find you.”

  Rory burst out laughing but quickly recovered by coughing and taking a big swig of beer.

  “You’re a moron,” Bosco muttered to him. “I’ll be right back.” He turned and walked away.

  Chapter 3

  Bosco wound through the bar, keeping a bead on the blond chugging tequila like sugar water. The guy had winked at Marlie more than once, and he was rapidly becoming stupid drunk if his rising decibels were any indication.

  Then, he reached Jennie. “Hi.”

  She blinked, her eyes widening. They were a clear green that contrasted nicely with her dark blond hair. “Hi. I didn’t know you were home on leave.” She sounded apologetic.

  Her two friends shifted uneasily.

  He looked at them. “Hi, Mandy. Hi, Louise. It’s good to see you two.”

  It was the right tone because they both visibly relaxed. “Hi,” they said in unison.

  He forced a smile, taking note that he no longer felt as if he’d been kicked in the balls when he stood this close to Jennie. “Anyway, I saw you here and wanted to just say hi and that I hope everything is going well.”

  She blushed and unzipped her coat. “It is. Work is great, and we’ve been really busy with so many clients.” She worked as a physical therapist in a small clinic on the Idaho and Washington border and was good at her job. “Um, how about you?”

  He helped her with the coat and hung it on one of the myriad free hooks near the door. “I’m good.”

  Her gaze ate up his face, narrowing at the cuts near his eye. “Looks like air refueling of planes is as dangerous as ever.”

  That was one of their problems. He could never give her the whole truth about his job, although he was an expert in air refueling. “Yeah, well, we all know how dangerous a paper cut can be.”

  She laughed, as he’d meant her to.

  Then he patted her arm. “Anyway, it’s good to see you. I have to get back to Rory. He thinks he’s the king of darts.” He turned and bit back the reminder that the roads were icy and to be careful. She wasn’t his to worry about any longer.

  Then he made his way through the throng to reach his brother, who was making Marlie laugh with a story about Knox when he’d come home with Fabio.

  “You good?” Rory asked, his stance still casual.

  “Yep.” Bosco reached for his beer, surprise filtering through him that it was the truth.

  Marlie swung a jean-clad leg from the barstool. “How long ago did you guys break up?”

  He turned to her, his eyebrows rising. “Six months ago.”

  Her leg kept swinging. “Because of your job?”

  Smart little thing, wasn’t she? He nodded. “Yeah.”

  She pursed her lips. “Nobody ever dumped me because of my job,” she mused, her eyes a little cloudy from the beer. “Although, one guy did because I kept beating him at chess.”

  Rory snorted. “True story?”

  She nodded sadly.

  Bosco smiled, feeling the amusement and grateful for it. “No kidding? Did you think of letting him win?”

  “Yeah,” she murmured. “But then I’d be dating a guy I’d have to let win at silly games. And, really, what fun is that?”

  “Totally agree,” Bosco murmured, taking a deep drink of his beer. The woman was becoming more and more likable, and the blond guy at the bar was getting more and more ballsy. The guy lifted his drink in her direction in cheers.

  To her credit, she pretended she didn’t see him. “Oh, and another man dumped me because I didn’t want to engage in puppy play.” She shivered. “I make no judgments about kink and what people want but wearing a tail just couldn’t be my thing.”

  Humor attacked Bosco so hard he coughed out beer, laughing along with Rory.

  Rory caught his breath first, wiping off his chin. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

  She shook her head and wobbled a little on the stool. “Nope. True story. When he said he wanted to show me his special leash, I was out of there. It was only our second date, for goodness sakes.”

  Bosco was laughing so hard he thought he might lose a kidney.

  He looked around and caught sight of Jennie, who was staring at Marlie.

  Rory reached for another chicken wing. “You’re funny, Marlie. I’m glad Bosco found you.”

  She sipped more beer, her hair sliding over her narrow shoulders. “Actually, Fabio found me. Bosco has made it more than clear that we’re just friends.” She held out her glass, her hand wobbling a little. “Friends are awesome. To friends.” Bosco and Rory both clinked with her, and Rory gave him a look that clearly called him a moron.

  Bosco looked right back. It wasn’t as if Mr. CIA was looking for a woman right now, either. Yet, in the darkened tavern, with Christmas lights twinkling all around and showing the green in Marlie’s intelligent eyes, he stepped a bit closer to her. Just a little bit.

  Of course, the blond chose that moment to make his move. He pushed his way through the crowd toward her. “Hi.”

  She blinked and gingerly set her glass on the table. “No.”

  The guy paused. “Huh?”

  ‘“No.” She smiled, still kicking her feet. “I’m surrounded by as much testosterone as I need right now, as you can see. Thank you for saying hi and for winking at me from across the bar because that was fun. You’re cool, and that’s nice. So, hi and have a good night.”

  The guy cocked his head, seeming to think about her statement before looking at Rory and finally at Bosco. Then, miracles of all miracles, he grew a brain. “Cool. All right. Have a good night.” He sidled around Bosco and returne
d to the bar.

  Marlie smiled widely. “Isn’t it nice when no punches have to be thrown?”

  “It really is,” Bosco said, eyeing her from over the top of his glass. Putting her in the friend zone was the right thing to do.

  Probably.

  Bosco rolled his neck, his left leg aching as he stomped through the snow and up the stairs of the house. He kicked snow off his boots, noting that the owner of the rental house and apartments had set up a couple of glowing Santas in the front yard. He moved inside and hitched to his door, just as Marlie’s opened.

  “Hey,” she said, her smile pretty.

  “Hey.” He leaned against his door, wishing she wasn’t so appealing. But she was, and that was a stupid thing to wish for, anyway. “What’s up?”

  She drew out a large roll of red and green wrapping paper. “I was going to decorate my door. I have tons of this stuff.” She looked down at the huge roll. “Want me to do yours, too?”

  He grinned. “No, but thanks.” Then he winced.

  Her eyebrow arched. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. Hand-to-hand training today. It was all good.” He partially turned as the outside door opened.

  Rory stalked inside with a bouncing Fabio at his feet. “I have orders to leave first thing in the morning. Fabio is yours until Knox gets home.” He paused. “Oh. Hi, Marlie. Nice holiday roll.”

  She chuckled. “Thanks.”

  Bosco shook his head. “I’m shipping out first thing, too. I can’t take the dog.”

  Marlie’s eyebrows lifted. “You’re both leaving?” She shuffled her feet, looking a bit lonely. “Well, how about you come in for a goodbye dinner? I made a huge chicken casserole. You’re more than invited.”

  Rory was already moving beyond Bosco to reach Marlie’s door. “Sure. That’s great. Thanks. I’ll help you with the wrapping paper. Whole door?”

  “Yeah.” She looked at the happily panting dog. “I could watch him for a while if you want.”

  Bosco shook his head. “Thanks, but I’ve got it.” It wasn’t fair of them to take advantage of her sweet nature. Well, except to eat dinner. He was starving. So, he motioned for the dog to follow, and they all tromped into her apartment. He whistled. “Nice.”