Rough Beauty Read online

  Rough Beauty

  Brotherhood Protectors World

  Jen Talty

  Contents

  Brotherhood Protectors

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Also by Jen Talty

  About Jen Talty

  Brotherhood Protectors

  About Elle James

  Copyright © 2019, Jen Talty

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

  © 2019 Twisted Page Press, LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this book may be used, stored, reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the publisher except for brief quotations for review purposes as permitted by law.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy.

  Praise for Jen Talty

  "I positively loved In Two Weeks, and highly recommend it. The writing is wonderful, the story is fantastic, and the characters will keep you coming back for more. I can't wait to get my hands on future installments of the NYS Troopers series." Long and Short Reviews

  "In Two Weeks hooks the reader from page one. This is a fast-paced story where the development of the romance grabs you emotionally and the suspense keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair. Great characters, great writing, and a believable plot that can be a warning to all of us." Desiree Holt, USA Today Bestseller

  "Dark Water delivers an engaging portrait of wounded hearts as the memorable characters take you on a healing journey of love. A mysterious death brings danger and intrigue into the drama, while sultry passions brew into a believable plot that melts the reader's heart. Jen Talty pens an entertaining romance that grips the heart as the colorful and dangerous story unfolds into a chilling ending." Night Owl Reviews

  "This is not the typical love story, nor is it the typical mystery. The characters are well rounded and interesting." You Gotta Read Reviews

  "Deadly Secrets is the best of romance and suspense in one hot read!" NYT Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst

  "A charming setting and a steamy couple heat up the pages in a suspenseful story I couldn't put down!" NY Times and USA today Bestselling Author Donna Grant

  "Murder in Paradise Bay is a fast-paced romantic thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. You won't want to miss this one..." USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard

  Rough Beauty

  Arizona Bale has spent her entire life in beauty pageants. She was born and raised to compete, and her only purpose in life was to win. After an accident took her leg, she thought her life was over until she found a new calling: training other pageant contestants who might have a disadvantage or even a disability to shine bright and creating an annual local Christmas pageant for everyone.

  Her life was finally back on track, and she didn’t think anything could derail her again until a strange chain of events threatens her dreams, and she has to rely on a bodyguard to not only protect her, but to make sure her pageant goes off without a hitch.

  Only her bodyguard doesn’t like her plan on how to incorporate him into the fold.

  Dustin Wyss has known Arizona Bale since he was forced into early retirement from the Army five years ago when he’d only been twenty-four. She’d been an inspiration to his recovery, and they shared a common bond, although, Dustin didn’t believe that she’d ever be interested in the likes of him. But when her business and her life are threatened, he will do whatever it takes to protect her except…

  Participate in any capacity other than a bodyguard in her Princess for a Day pageant.

  However, when bullets start flying, Dustin gladly takes to the runway.

  To the NAC Florida Crew. You get me.

  Brotherhood Protectors

  Original Series by Elle James

  Brotherhood Protectors Series

  Montana SEAL (#1)

  Bride Protector SEAL (#2)

  Montana D-Force (#3)

  Cowboy D-Force (#4)

  Montana Ranger (#5)

  Montana Dog Soldier (#6)

  Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)

  Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)

  Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)

  Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)

  Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)

  Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride (#12)

  SEAL Justice (#13)

  Ranger Creed (#14)

  Delta Force Strong (#15)

  Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)

  Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)

  Hot SEAL Hawaiian Nights (SEALs in Paradise)

  Chapter 1

  Dustin Wyss stretched to the left and then to the right, cracking his back, twice. It still didn’t relieve the constant ache that twisted across his shoulders all the way down to his feet.

  The bar door swung open, letting in the brisk November Montana air. The coldness seeped into Dustin’s bones reminding him that his body didn’t function like a thirty-year-old anymore. As he raised the pool stick and rested his hand on the table, one of his scars peeked out from his sleeve. He tugged at it, avoiding Arizona’s disapproving glare.

  Well, she could harp on him all she wanted; she didn’t have the same kind of physical damage that he had. Not that he would belittle her disability, but she embraced it like one of her titles or crowns she won at her many pageants, where his only reminded him of everything he’d lost.

  “Five bucks says he sinks it,” Viper, one of his brothers-in-arms, said.

  “Make it ten, honey,” Dallas, Viper’s wife, said. “Dustin, he’s our man.”

  “You don’t even know what he’s going for.” Taz slapped a ten on the table. “And he’s got to miss at some point.”

  “I’m with Viper and Dallas on this one,” Trish said. “Dustin has been in the groove all night. Whatever he says is going to happen, then that’s what I’m going with.”

  Dustin didn’t spend a lot of time socializing with everyone at the Brotherhood Protectors. Mostly because many of them had a house full of kids. Not that he didn’t enjoy families, but he was never going to have one. And not because he hadn’t wanted one, he did. In the worst way.

  But he lost that too the day he nearly died in a mission gone horribly wrong, leaving his body a mangled-malfunctioning mess. He hadn’t even turned thirty yet, and he had a metal hip.

  Along with some other metal parts.

  “Nine ball corner pocket.” Dustin tapped the hole he intended the first ball to land. “Eight ball side pocket.”

  “Seriously?” Trish slipped off the bar stool and ran a hand through her spiky hair. She had to be one of the smartest women he’d ever met, but she’d also been the hardest to get to know, and he wasn’t sure anyone really knew what made her tick.

  “Piece of cake,” he said.

  Just then, Paul Nunn breezed by, purposely knocking into his side. “Oh, excuse me,” Paul said, giving Dustin a good shove.

  “Are you always such a dick?”

  “At least mine works.”

  Dustin cocked his fist, but Viper stepped between them.

  “He’s not worth it,” Viper whispered.

  Dustin nodded, shaking out his hand. “Any other bets?”

  “You got this.” Arizona’s fingers tickled his shoulder. Every single muscle in his body burst into flames at her sensitive touch.

  Her being so close could easily distract him to the point he’d blow this tricky shot and he couldn’t let that happen or he’d never hear the end of it.

  “How about a good luck kiss?” he asked, knowing she’d do what she always did when he proposed a little lip action. She’d toss her head to the side, flip her hair, laugh, and say, not on your life, soldier.

  “Absolutely,” she said, smacking her lips and batting her lashes.

  Before he had a chance to process her answer, she cupped his face with her dainty little hands and smiled at him.

  “Bet you didn’t see this coming,” she whispered right before her lips brushed against his in a soft-erotic dance with the promise of a spicy finish. Her tongue slipped into his mouth with intense heat. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and she massaged gently while she deepened the kiss, kicking his mind into oblivion.

  A loud thud cut through the music playing in the bar when he dropped his cue stick. He didn’t care as he heaved her tight to his chest. “What was that about?” he asked behind a heavy breath.

  Her thick lashes fluttered over her dark-chocolate eyes as if she were an innocent child in a field daisies. “I felt like changing it up.”

  Dustin twisted a stray piece of hair in his fingers. “That was quite the change.”

  “Glad you think so. Now make that shot because I’ve got twenty on you.”

  “You distract me and then put that kind of pressure on me? Are you sure you didn’t bet against me?” Or maybe that was to get back at Paul for being an asshole, but no way would Dustin say those words out loud.

  “I bet my assistan
t Maddie Savoy, Theresa Gia, and Heidi Rule you’d take the game with this shot.” She patted his chest, letting her hand linger over his pec for what seemed like an eternity. The heat her body generated coated his skin like hot fudge melting over an ice cream sundae. “Don’t disappointment me.” She bent over and snagged the cue stick, placing it in his hand.

  “I know your assistant, but who is Theresa and Heidi?” He glanced over his shoulder. “Oh. That Theresa,” he said with a thick lump in his throat. She sat at the bar next to some redhead with her jaw slacked open. Theresa had long blonde hair and wore way too much makeup for a night out at a redneck bar, one of the reasons he wouldn’t be going on a second date with that one. Not that the first date went well anyway. He had to wonder if Arizona knew about his date with Theresa and how badly it went. “Isn’t she the chick who won Miss Teen USA the year you…” He could never bring himself to say the words.

  Arizona tipped her head and smiled sweetly. “It’s okay to say I lost my leg.”

  “I know.” He shook out his hands. “Now I’d like to make a little side bet.”

  “Really?”

  He laughed. “I make this shot; you have to kiss me again.”

  “And if you miss?”

  “Name it,” he said.

  “All right. You miss, and you have to be Santa at my Princess Christmas Pageant.”

  He growled. “I see what you’re doing.” For good measure, he took her mouth in a quick, hot, wet kiss. “But it won’t work. I’m not going to miss that shot.”

  She waggled a brow. “As much as I want you to help with my pageant, I’d rather have more kisses.”

  The wind flew from his lungs like a runaway freight train. He needed to keep it together and make this shot. No way in hell was he wearing only red shorts, suspenders, and a Santa hat, parading around like a broken Christmas ornament.

  “Still not working.” He patted her bottom as she stepped out of the way. He made sure he didn’t glance up. No way did he need to see Trish, Viper, Dallas, or Taz staring at him like dogs in heat. It was bad enough he’d be taking a good razzing on the ride back to the ranch as well as tomorrow morning at the briefing meeting. “Anything short of getting naked won’t distract me.”

  “Are you saying that if I were to take off my—”

  He pressed his finger against her rosy lips. “Let’s not go down that road, sweetheart, because I wouldn’t turn you down.”

  “Good to know, soldier.” She smiled like a vixen. “Make the shot, and let’s blow this popsicle stand and see if wine makes my clothes fall off.”

  He swallowed his pounding heart before turning and focusing on the shot. It wasn’t the most difficult one, but he could easily fuck it up.

  Holding his breath, he wiggled the cue across his fingers. He eyed the precise spot he needed to hit the eight ball so it would hit the nine ball, sinking that one first, before the eight ball made its way to the side pocket.

  He pulled back on the cue and tuned out everything in the bar, including the sexy ass leaning against the far side of the pool table. The second he made contact with the cue ball he knew his shot was golden.

  Smiling like a big kid, he rested his stick on the ground, gripping it with pride while the balls did exactly as he expected.

  “You should hustle pool for a living,” Viper said.

  “It’s less dangerous, and you might make more.” Taz slapped a hefty tip on the table before downing the rest of his beer. “I’m going to call it a night.”

  “Me too,” Dustin said. Before anyone could say or do anything, he laced his fingers through Arizona’s and tugged her toward the door. “Did you drive?”

  “I did, why?” She glanced up at him with a narrowed stare.

  “Because we’re going to discuss the possibility of me taking off your clothes.”

  As a little girl, Arizona Bale’s mother used to always tell her that she should never offer up anything unless she was absolutely willing to do that. That too many people made statements they had no intention of following up on and that Arizona should never be that girl.

  Arizona couldn’t help but wonder what her mother might be thinking when Arizona all but propositioned Dustin.

  She glanced at the passenger staring out the window as she pulled into the garage of her recently purchased home just on the outskirts of town about twenty miles from the ranch where Dustin rented a room not far from his boss, and founder of the Brotherhood Protectors, Hank Patterson. Hank had been the one who came to her rescue about ten years ago when her leg had become tangled up in a conveyor belt inside a barn meant to remove manure. Had it not been for Hank and all the men that worked for him, Arizona would have surely died.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” She slammed the gearshift into park and shifted in her seat. Other than shoving her up against her Jeep in the parking lot of the bar and ramming his tongue into her mouth, he’d kept to himself the entire ride.

  Her pulse became irregular. She rubbed her sweaty palms against her jeans. She’d taken a huge risk by kissing him at the bar. She’d been half shocked he hadn’t pushed her away, but she never expected him to want to take a walk on the wild side, much less go home with her.

  But it was obvious, he was having second thoughts.

  He turned, catching her gaze. “We’ve known each other for how long now?”

  “Technically, going on four years,” she said, doing her best to keep her voice from trembling. “But we’ve only been friends for two.” She didn’t think she could handle being rejected by him at this point. Maybe if he hadn’t made it all the way back to her place, him changing his mind wouldn’t have been such a tough pill to swallow.

  “And in that time, was tonight the first time you thought to proposition me?”

  “No,” she admitted, though his third degree was certainly killing the mood and making her feel foolish to boot.

  “Why now? Why not last week? Or last month? Or last year?”

  She let out a long breath. “I didn’t think you’d be receptive.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Let’s get some wine before we finish this conversation.” She pushed from the vehicle and headed toward the kitchen door. He followed two paces behind, keeping his hands to himself.

  Not a good sign.

  But he did, however, make his way into the family room where he helped himself to her sofa, putting his feet up on her ottoman while she poured the wine.

  She handed him a glass and curled up on the other side of the sofa, facing him. A small scar etched his skin under his earlobe, looping down in a zigzag mess across his neck. During the winter months, he almost always wore a turtleneck. Tonight, he wore a mock one, but it didn’t quite cover it.

  She wished he would embrace his scars. While they didn’t make him who he was, they were a part of him both in their permanence and in what they represented.

  “I’m waiting,” he said.

  “Anyone ever tell you that you’re too serious for your own good?” She had no idea what he was like before his accident, but she suspected it wasn’t this somber man sitting before her that kept himself closed off even when he tried to pretend he connected with the people around him.

  He laughed. “You’ve said that a million times, but you’re the only one. My mother says I’m an old soul.”

  “You’re that too,” she said before taking a sip. “Before I respond, answer me this. Why are we having this conversation versus ripping each other’s clothes off?”

  “Because I don’t sleep with just anyone, and I especially don’t put friendships on the line. You mean a lot to me, so I want to make sure we’re not making a mistake.”