Drew (Alpha Mavericks Brigade Book 3) Read online

  DREW

  * * *

  (Alpha Mavericks Brigade 3)

  KAYLA KELLY

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2020 Kayla Kelly – All rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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  Contents

  Drew

  Lena

  Drew

  Lena

  Drew

  Lena

  Drew

  Lena

  Drew

  Lena

  Drew

  Lena

  Drew

  Epilogue

  Alpha Mavericks Brigade Book Series

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Other Works by Kayla Kelly

  Drew

  Weddings aren’t usually my thing, and I wouldn’t be attending this one if it wasn’t for my friend Shane. He started a security agency when he left the Marines and his girlfriend, Effie, is a wedding planner. So collaborating together on big wedding events works great for them. She plans the wedding, he provides the security. It’s a perfect match. I’m happy they have found each other and they’re building a life and business together. Except now, they’re drawing me into their perfect little world too.

  Shane has a dedicated team that works with him, but today, he has two guys who haven’t shown up at the last minute. There’s a stomach bug that’s been going around and it’s wiped out half his manpower. Shane called me this morning and practically begged me to take their place.

  So I guess I’m doing him a favor.

  I’d do a lot for Shane, I really would. We were in the Alpha Mavericks Brigade together. We have both been on several tours. We’ve seen some crazy shit and we’ve had each other’s backs all the way through. We’ve saved each other’s lives, for crying out loud. Working together to provide security at a wedding is going to be a piece of cake.

  “Just put on a suit, man,” he told me over the phone when I accepted the job.

  I can’t remember the last time I wore a suit. Thankfully, I found one at the back of my closet and it looked alright for the occasion. As always, Shane has everything planned out to the last detail. It would be very difficult to fuck up a plan like this even if I tried.

  He has put me in charge of the team that will be watching over the indoor set-up. He and a few others will be outside. The weddings that Effie plans tend to be high-profile. She works with couples who are minor celebrities and social climbers, so security and privacy are always very important at these events. It’s perfect for Shane’s growing business so I don’t want to let him down, even though it’s not my scene.

  I arrive early at the venue and Shane introduces me to the rest of the team. I can sense how the others look up to Shane and to me too because of our military experience. It’s nice to be respected too.

  Soon enough, the guests start to arrive and everybody is taking their place. The ceremony will begin in an hour; Effie and her team are running around making sure everything is perfect and going smoothly.

  It makes me want to laugh. All this drama. Money. Endless food and drink. Expensive clothes on expensive people…for what? A wedding ceremony that will be over in a few hours. What if you don’t marry the right person? What if you’ve just tied yourself to a person who you will grow to resent? Is that a risk I am ever willing to take?

  I haven’t met that woman yet. The one who will bring me to my knees and make me forget my doubts. Maybe I will someday, but I doubt it'll be any time soon.

  I stand guard near the entrance, watching everybody move around and interact. Weddings always irritate me and now I remember why. It’s because they remind me of how I am not built for marriage.

  Lena

  The only reason I’m even at this wedding is because I have nothing else to do. I know I got an invite because Melanie went to high school with me and she invited the whole class. I’m the only one who’s turned up out of the girls invited.

  Melanie used to be the popular girl back in high school. Everyone wanted to be like her, wanted to hang with her, wanted to copy her. I wasn’t exactly her friend, but did she really have any friends? It seems not, considering none of them are here.

  All those people who treated her like a Goddess back then have abandoned her on her big day. Maybe the truth is that nobody actually liked her, and now they don’t have to pretend to.

  When I knock on her changing room door and I’m ushered in by one of her sisters, Melanie springs up off her seat and rushes to me.

  “Lena! You made it! Are the others here?” she asks with excitement. When she hugs me I can feel her desperation.

  “I’m not sure. Looks like they’re all running a bit late. I just wanted to pop in and congratulate you in person, in case I have to slip out early.”

  She is holding my hands and looking a little sad. Damn it! Why do I care how she feels? Even though I wasn’t bullied by her, I saw a lot of other kids go through it back at school. I shouldn’t feel any kind of sympathy for her today.

  Besides, isn’t she marrying some millionaire-type sugar daddy? I’m sure she’ll be fine.

  “You have to stay for the whole thing, Lena, promise you’ll stay! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the dance floor. We’ve got an awesome band.” While Melanie speaks, one of her bridesmaids fixes her hair. She is looking at me with her big droopy eyes and I wish I were the kind of person who could just say no and walk away.

  I really had no intention of staying for the whole thing, but now I’m nodding and smiling. Agreeing.

  “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding a dance partner,” Melanie comments with a wink as I turn to leave.

  I’m not much of a dancer either. Shows how much she knows me. Years of having my nose buried in my text books have resulted in me having no time to perfect my dance moves. By the time I’m leaving the changing room, I could literally kick myself for even turning up to this thing. I should have done what everyone else did from our class and ghosted Melanie.

  But here I am, stuck at a wedding I don’t want to be at.

  And then I see him across the room and it feels like suddenly, everything has come to a stop. Everybody else fades to the background. It’s just me and him in the room. He’s not even looking at me, so I can stare adoringly at him without him knowing.

  He is speaking into a tiny microphone that’s attached to his ear. He is part of security, I can sense that easily. Then he turns. He’s going to look in my direction!

  Quick! Turn! Run!

  I run straight into an old lady.

  Drew

  I only see her because she bumped into an old lady who was standing beside her and spilt her drink.

  The lady squeals like she’s being attacked and the beautiful blond tries dabbing her dress with paper towels. It’s not working out well for her.

  The incident has caused a bit of a scene and people are turning to look. The ceremony is about to begin in fifteen minutes and I know I need to take care of it before the old woman kicks off and spoils everything.

  I can see Effie walking over, speaking into her own microphone r
apidly. She is the kind of girl who is already starting to panic because she’s a perfectionist. I don’t want her stressing out over this when she’s got the rest of the wedding to sort out, so I meet her eye and nod to let her know I’ll take care of it. It also gives me the perfect excuse to get up close and personal with the beautiful blond...

  I weave through the groups of people standing together and walk up to the two of them. The blond woman is apologizing profusely, offering to do whatever it takes to get the wine stain off the lady’s dress. The older woman seems upset by the situation, refusing her help.

  “Hello ladies, can I assist you in any way?” I ask calmly. Both of them turn to me. I notice how the older lady’s eyes grow warmer when they land on me. I know I have that effect on women, especially older women when I turn my attention to them.

  “My dress is ruined!” she exclaims.

  It’s hard to keep my eyes on her as she complains. The blond is in a blue dress. It is long and breezy with a low neckline, perfect for a wedding. I bet she knows exactly how sexy she is. Only a woman like her with the curves she has could carry off a dress like that.

  “I’ve offered to help,” she says and looks at me to sort the situation. The older woman scowls.

  “How can you help now? The wedding is about to start! You should have watched where you were going!”

  I know things are going to escalate. The groom and his friends are already taking their place at the altar, but people are still distracted by this scene.

  I touch the older woman’s shoulder lightly and I notice how she responds to my touch.

  “Why don’t we go to the side and discuss this? The ceremony is about to start,” I say.

  “But my dress!” she complains. I exchange a glance with the blond. She looks sorry and completely embarrassed. I need to help put her out of her misery.

  “We can take care of the problem and make sure you have a fresh dress to wear by the time the dancing starts. How does that sound?”

  The lady looks at me curiously. Then she glances at the blond who is smiling enthusiastically now. Then she nods.

  “Fine,” she says. “I guess that could work.”

  I lead the way with one hand on her shoulder still. All I have to do is take her to one of the changing rooms without causing another scene. Someone from Effie’s team will be able to find a dress for her to wear I’m sure. Problem solved. Now, my mind is elsewhere.

  Now I’m thinking of the blond woman I left behind...

  Lena

  I did not expect him to save the day, but he did.

  Does he know that I bumped into that woman only because I was trying to avoid getting caught gawking at him?

  Now he’s taken the woman to one of the changing rooms in the back so he can find her a different dress to wear. The wedding ceremony is about to start and order is restored. The last thing I need is to make things even worse.

  So I stand to the back where not many eyes can find me. The band begins to play and Melanie makes her entrance and starts walking down the aisle.

  There’s a part of me that just wants to leave now. I have no obligation to stay till the end. Melanie wants me to, but she’s not really my friend.

  But there’s that other part of me that wants to stay and ogle at the handsome security guy with the tattoos. My knight in shining armor...

  He probably wouldn’t even know I existed if I wasn’t almost responsible for ruining the ceremony. But he’s not here for me anyway, he’s here to do his job. Why would he be interested in me at all?

  My mind is whizzing with thoughts. I know I should go, but just as I’m about to turn and slip away, I see him coming towards me.

  He’s back in the wedding scene, and this time he doesn’t have that old lady hanging off his arm. She sure did enjoy the attention he was giving her, but seeing him alone now sends a sort of thrill through my body.

  He meets my eyes and takes a nose dive in my direction. I’m frozen to the spot. I’m not going anywhere.

  “Disaster averted,” he says with a smile. And oh my God, that smile…

  His face is already too handsome to bear, but his smile makes it ridiculous. He has brilliant blue eyes that seem to stare into my soul. I can feel butterflies in my stomach. I didn’t know that could actually happen. He is well built and muscular with bulging biceps. The suit he’s wearing looks like it’s been painted on. It’s the perfect fit. I’m drowning in his eyes.

  Shit! I need to reply!

  “Did you get her out of that dress?” I ask.

  There’s another grin forming on his face and I hear what I’ve just said. My face breaks out in a bright red flush.

  “Well, not personally,” he replies and all I can do is chuckle. It sounds stupid to my ears.

  “I’m so sorry about that. I really should have been watching where I was going. She has every right to be mad.”

  His eyes are all over my body. His gaze lingers on the dip in my dress. Does he like what he sees? This is a man who could literally have any woman he wants if he wanted. Why would he even want a second-glance at me?

  “You don’t have to apologize to me. Besides, I know I have that effect on people.”

  He’s still grinning. I don’t know where to look. He knows what distracted me into bumping into that lady and now he’s teasing me. He knows he’s on my mind..

  “Do you want to watch the rest of this ceremony or do you wanna get out of here?” he asks. For a moment I’m sure I’m hallucinating. Does he really want to leave here with me while he’s on the clock? It’s so darn rebellious that I should say no. He seems like he could be trouble...

  But trouble isn’t always a bad thing...

  I stare at him blankly till I finally gather myself.

  “I’m bored out of my mind,” I reply. “Let’s do this.”

  Drew

  Lena...even her name is like music to my ears.

  I know I probably shouldn’t be doing this. Shane expects me to supervise the rest of the team indoors, but instead, I’m at the back of the bar in the store cupboard with a beautiful girl, taking tequila shots straight from the bottle.

  Honestly, I don’t give a shit what Shane or anyone else thinks. From the moment I saw Lena from across the room, I knew it was a big moment in my life. I can’t stand the idea of letting this beautiful woman slip away from me so easily when it seems like fate that we’re here together.

  It seems crazy now that I almost refused to take this job. It seems even crazier that I condemned weddings so quickly. If I hadn’t attended this one, I would never have met Lena. And even though we’ve only been talking casually, I know I can make her laugh. I love how quirky she is. How she blushes when she looks at me. How close we are to touching while we’re both trying to keep it under control.

  If we touch, a land-mine is going to go off around us. The air between us is flammable. I can feel the heat on her skin even though we’re not touching. This is the kind of thing they talk about in movies.

  This is passion.

  She has blond hair that is so shiny and luminous that it’s almost silver. The color of her eyes are like the sea. She has a full figure. She’s all woman and I want to explore every inch of her incredible body.

  “Melanie will hate me if she ever finds out about this,” she says, snapping me out of my growing obsession with her. I know I could just stand here looking at her all night. Every time she moves, every time she says something, I discover something new to love about her.

  “So will my friend Shane. I’m filling in for two of his employees. He’s the one providing security,” I tell her.

  “So why are we doing this? Maybe we should go back in there,” she replies a little timidly.

  “Do you want to go back?” I ask and move closer to her.

  We’ve already done two shots of tequila each. I don’t even drink tequila, but fuck that, tonight I’m ready to try anything she wants. I need this thing with her, whatever it might turn out to be.

&nbs
p; “No,” she says and I watch as her eyes grow even bigger.

  I’m standing in front of her and I reach for her hips. She lets me touch her and she gasps. I want to kiss her. Taste her. This is crazy.

  But I grab her hand instead.

  “Come on,” I growl as I lead her out of the room. We run through endless doors, make sharp turns, veer down a corridor, and then we’re finally out through the back and into a parking lot.

  Lena is laughing, her cheeks are red.

  “I have no idea what we’re doing, but this feels great,” she says.

  Now that we’re outside, there is nothing stopping us. There’s no one around. I grab her and pull her to me so I can kiss her.

  Lena

  I know this is happening too fast. I have never done this so quickly before, but this kiss is something else.

  Drew is holding my face, framing it with both his hands while his tongue dives into my mouth. I’ve wanted him to kiss me from the moment I laid eyes on him. He is the one. I’m sure of it. I have never been more sure of anything in my life.

  But my common sense is nagging at me. How can I possibly fall for a guy this quickly? I don’t know anything about him...

  Except that when he touches me like this, he sets my body on fire.

  His hands are moving away from my face, traveling down my back, till he’s finally cupping my ass. I sink into him. We’re pressed together, still kissing like the world is about to end tomorrow.