Cobb (Lighthouse Security Investigations #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,6
with his group of coworkers and friends, the laughter and camaraderie reminded him why he was so much happier here.
After serving as a SEAL, he’d been recruited for CIA special ops. That’s where he and the others had met their boss and iconic leader, Mace Hanover. Mace had started his own business, Lighthouse Security Investigations, hiring men and women who’d served with special operations in the military or CIA. Known as Keepers, Mace worked relentlessly, recruiting only the best and those that fit his idea of the team. Cobb counted himself lucky to have been chosen.
Looking around the table that was now filled with almost as many women as men, he could not help but be envious as well as happy for his friends. They’d found love, something that so far had eluded him. Of the original ten Keepers, there were only three that were still single. Mace had increased their ranks with Knox, Rick, and Abbie, all siblings of various original Keepers who’d served in the military or CIA special ops. They were also single, and for some inexplicable reason, Cobb was glad. It made him feel less conspicuous.
“Are you okay?”
He startled and turned to his side, seeing Christina, now married to one of his closest friends, Clay, next to him. He cocked his head to the side, wondering why she asked.
“You’re here in body, but I’m not sure you’re here in spirit.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I’m fine.” When she continued to hold his gaze, he added. “I was just thinking that I’m glad I made Maine my home.”
“So, how was it when you went back to New Mexico for a visit?”
“Always good to see my parents and grandparents. But I think there comes a point where you realize that the place you were born and raised is no longer your home. For me, I’m lucky. It’s a great place to visit and filled with good memories for the most part. But it always makes me appreciate what I have here.”
Tate, another Keeper sitting across the table from him, nodded. His arms wrapped around his wife, Nora, both having left their home in Wyoming, Tate when he joined the military and Nora more recently when she and Tate reunited. “Yeah, it’s nice to go back and visit the family, but it no longer feels like home.”
As Cobb finished his beer, several of the couples made their way to the back where an old jukebox kept the music lively. A stacked blonde with painted on jeans left the bar and walked slowly toward their table. Her gaze moved around the single men before landing on his. Interest flared in her eyes, and she sauntered over. Leaning closer, her breasts on display, she winked. “Care to show a girl a good time on the dance floor?”
There was no doubt she was a beauty, and it had been a while since he’d been with anyone. Standing, he nodded and took her hand, leading her toward the back. “Can’t think of anything better than dancing with a beautiful woman.” As soon as those words left his mouth, the memory of Josie jumped into his mind.
She laughed as he gave her a twirl and pulled her in closer, his hand on her waist. She appeared not satisfied with the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him to pull him in tight. Her method of dancing was more grinding, which would’ve excited him years before but now felt a little desperate. Shoving those thoughts away, he looked down at her and smiled. Her straight blonde hair was long, hanging in a sheet down her back. Her curves were evident in her jeans and tight, low-cut T-shirt. And she was tall. In heeled boots, she almost looked him in the eye. She’s much taller than Josie.
Blinking, he hated that Josie was still in his thoughts, but in truth, she’d popped into his mind numerous times over the last several weeks. Deciding to exorcise all thoughts of Josie, he gave the blonde a twirl again, hoping to enjoy his night at the bar with friends and dancing with a beautiful woman.
She plastered her body against his front. Dancing this close, he felt her breasts press against his chest. She whispered against his ear, “I’m Rochelle,” then pulled his earlobe between her teeth. He jerked back, but she quickly maneuvered so her legs were straddling his thigh, continuing to grind herself on him in the middle of the dance floor.