Reed 'Railroad/RT' Tindale and Tanner 'Diesel' Taylor are finishing up paperwork when teammate Matthew 'Matt' Hunt reminds them to meet at Chick's Oyster Bar Marina for Kik's birthday. They are still finishing up the paperwork from their last mission but would finish soon.
Diesel can fix any engine, even in the dark, a skill he learned from his father and grandfather. He could have followed in their footsteps running a shop back home, but he wanted to do more, being a SEAL is so much more and he loves it.
His girlfriend has broken up with him again, she can't handle his absences and the sometimes no notice. RT on the other hand got a letter from his girl calling things off, with no explanation. He just wants to know why and get closure.
To get RT's mind off the letter, Diesel invites him to a costume party on Saturday. It would be fun with lots of scantily clad woman looking for a night of fun. At Chick's as they celebrate the birthday, we meet the rest of the team and learn what costumes some of them are wearing to the costume party.
We meet Pippa and her friend Cheryl as Cheryl works on convincing Pippa to go the costume party with her. Pippa finally agrees taking a page from her mother's handbook to live a little. It was highly unlikely her ex, Stan Litty would be there. She'd moved states away from him, hopefully to avoid ever seeing him again.
The night of the party her friend Cheryl helps her get ready, the fairy costume doesn't leave a whole lot to the imagination, but it really suits Pippa. The finishing touch is glitter, lots of glitter, just about everywhere.
Diesel is dressed as a gladiator and does his costume justice in so many ways. It's his voice that attracts Pippa as she makes her way around the room. She comes up with the perfect way to get close to him. She'd ask him to dance.
No names were given and even trying to follow her to be sure she got home okay was thwarted by an accident.
Diesel couldn't get the mysterious woman out of his mind. She intrigued him but now he has to concentrate on a mission, vowing to look for her when he returns.
Pippa finds herself thinking of her gladiator often, almost wishing she gave him her number. She tells Cheryl her story as they are chatting about the party. It's not a fun story and she's still afraid her ex might one day find her.
Then she finds out she's pregnant and she doesn't even know the father's name. Far too late now, she can't even give a good description of him since he was in costume. wouldn't be easy to find. she would be doing this alone.
I love the way this story unwinds with suspense and intrigue and of course the memory of that sizzling one-night stand and it's Diesel's father who actually turns the tide in Pippa's favor. There's also her ex, who of course just can't leave things be.
I am already reading the next book, since I have the box set.