No mistake, p.1
No Mistake, page 1
No Mistake
Onyx Black Ops, Volume 2
Wendy Justine
Published by Wendy Justine, 2024.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
NO MISTAKE
First edition. January 1, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Wendy Justine.
ISBN: 978-1999212438
Written by Wendy Justine.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
No Mistake (Onyx Black Ops, #2)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
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Also By Wendy Justine
About the Author
Acknowledgements
***
Thank you to LZ Edits – Evaluation & Copy Edit
Thank you to Sweet N Spicy designs – Cover design
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
NO PART OF THIS BOOK may be used, stored, reproduced or transmitted without written permission for the author. This book is licenced for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: This book has sexual content, abuse, profanity and violence which may be offensive to some readers and is inappropriate for children.
NO MISTAKE: ONYX BLACK OPs – Book 2
WITH HIS DIRTY BLOND hair, tattooed arms and heart-melting smile, Ryan Baxter has never had a problem with the ladies. As a special operator, he was happy to pass his time between missions with whoever took his fancy. Until Sophie.
Dr. Sophie Summers is used to the tough, cocky sailors who pass through her emergency room at Westside Hospital. After a narcissistic, mentally abusive relationship with a Navy SEAL, though, Sophie is convinced she is not good enough for these strong, ego-driven alpha males. She will not get that hurt again.
Stunned when Ryan Baxter asks her out, she turns him down. No exceptions to her “no more dating Navy men” rule. even for this hot, fine man she’s secretly fantasized about for years.
When Sophie’s sister is kidnapped, Ryan steps up despite Sophie’s attempts to push him away. When the threat against her sister becomes a threat against her, she is drawn into the brutal, dangerous world of Onyx Black Ops. And much too close to the man of her fantasies.
Ryan will do whatever it takes to protect Sophie. Whatever the consequences, he won’t rest until she is safe and she is HIS. To win her trust and prove he can be the man she deserves, he will risk everything – including his place on the team.
Chapter 1
What the hell am I doing here? Did people really like this music?
Dr. Sophie Summers laughed at herself. Was this a sign she was getting old? She stood at the bar in a nightclub Chloe had insisted they go to on her last night in Los Angeles. Her younger sister had been so eager to go dancing Sophie reluctantly agreed, though she was now wishing she hadn’t. Clubbing was definitely not her scene.
Sipping some blue cocktail Chloe ordered, she watched her sister letting loose on the dance floor among a lot of scantily clad girls. The average age in this club must be twenty-three. Sophie glanced down at her tight jeans and off-shoulder top. Jeez, who knew you could feel so old at thirty-two?
As much as she loved her sister, a week’s visit was more than enough. Sophie couldn’t wait to get back to Coronado, to Westside hospital and her emergency room. The hours were long, and it allowed very little time for any kind of social life, but she loved it. Chloe had followed in her footsteps, entering the medical profession. Currently, she was a second-year surgical resident. With both their grueling schedules, they didn’t see each other as often as they would like, so this week had been a luxury. They’d spent the week shopping, eating out, hitting the beach, and just chilling. Sophie had loved every minute of it, until tonight. But watching Chloe dancing now, it was worth it. After what they’d been through, she loved seeing her sister so happy.
Chloe was talking to a man as they danced together, flirtatious and sexy. She tried to ignore the small pang of jealousy at how comfortable and confident her sister was around men. Chloe wasn’t seeing anyone, not interested in anything long-term, casual flings being more her thing while she focused on her residency.
Sophie didn’t do casual flings. Her career had always taken precedence, together with watching out for Chloe, who was five years younger. There had been Mark. After him, though, she hadn’t really wanted to date. That had been a year ago. Maybe she should be more like Chloe, try not to take dating so seriously and enjoy the moment.
Mmmm, like a moment with Ryan Baxter. Now that would be enjoyable and extremely memorable. God, just thinking about him, and that kiss, made her skin burn and arouse feelings that had been lying dormant far too long.
“Hey, sis. I want you to meet Ricardo.” Chloe hung on Ricardo’s arm, smiling up at him. Sophie hadn’t noticed them leave the dance floor, so wrapped up in her thoughts.
“Ah, you must be the lovely Sophie.” Ricardo smiled at her.
“Nice to meet you.” Sophie smiled back There was an accent there, but she couldn’t place it. Tall, good-looking, broad, muscular, perfect white teeth. Yeah, she could see why Chloe liked him, although he looked quite a few years older than her.
“Come dance with us, Sophie.” Chloe grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the dance floor, Ricardo following. The last thing she wanted to do was dance among these kids, but to please her sister, she could dance for a while, then excuse herself and get the hell out of there.
The cocktail had relaxed her a little, so she danced alongside Chloe, surprisingly enjoying herself. Ricardo stood behind her sister, his hands wandering up and down her body, over her hips and ass. Chloe’s little black mini dress rose a little too high. Was she imagining it? Every time she looked toward him, he seemed to be staring intently at her. His gaze was somewhat unnerving, making her uncomfortable. Ignoring him, she danced, letting herself get lost in the music and thoughts of Ryan.
Ryan Baxter was a Navy SEAL based in Coronado. Sophie was no stranger to Navy guys, Coronado being home to the second largest naval base. Ryan and the rest of his team had been in her emergency room more times than she could count. Knife wounds, gun shots, broken bones, torn tendons. Thankfully none of their injuries had ever been life threatening, a testament to their skill and training. Sophie had noticed Ryan the very first time she tended a knife wound he got on an op five years ago. Ryan, with his short dirty blonde hair, tattooed arms and six-foot two body of perfectly sculpted muscle got her attention, as female hormones going wild attention. Those kind of thoughts about a patient were not appropriate, though, and she’d quickly shut them down.
Over the years, she’d gotten to know all of Alpha team. Ryan was always polite, cheerful, funny, and she enjoyed their conversations. But she was an average blonde. Average height, average weight. Mouth too big and boobs too small. A man like Ryan Baxter could have any woman he wanted so, of course, he wouldn’t look twice at her. Then she had met Mark and thought she’d left any fantasies she’d had about Ryan behind.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, Ryan had asked her out to dinner, completely catching her off guard. Ryan asking her out? Oh yeah, she was tempted, but no flings, even for him. Let’s face it, Ryan wasn’t going to want a long-term thing, especially not with her. He'd get bored in no time. What with her work schedule and his, it would be a disaster waiting to happen. And he was Navy. After Mark, she’d sworn off Navy men for life. Nope, she had no plans of being another notch on what was probably an impressive bedpost. Turning him down had been the right thing to do. Better to keep her distance. But the fantasies often came flooding back. Boy oh boy, her fantasies were hot and wild when it came to Ryan. When one of them became a reality last week, holy shit, it had surpassed anything she ever imagined.
Dexter Dawson, Ryan’s team leader and his girlfriend, Kelly, had been hosting a barbecue at their home. When it came time to leave, just as Sophie reached her car, footsteps sounded behind her. Ryan stood just a few feet away. God, he was so damn hot. Over this past week, she’d replayed what happened next in her head way too many times.
“Leaving already?” His southern drawl was sexy as hell.
“Yes.”
“Where are you going?”
“To visit my sister in LA.” She opened the car door, placing her purse inside.
“You mean there’s two of you?” He stood there grinning, hands in his pockets, so cute.
She smiled, embarrassed by the blush creeping over her face.
“Let me take you to dinner when you get back.” Why was he still after her? She’d told him no.
“Ryan, I already told you I don’t date Navy men.” Blame the job, way e
“I’m not traditional Navy anymore, you can’t use that excuse.” He’d stepped closer, her breath hitched.
“Whatever you are, it’s the same thing.”
“Nope. It’s not.” He moved even closer, stopping just inches from her. God, she could smell him, all male, all hot, right in front of her.
“Ryan, you guys are away all the time, I have a crazy schedule...” She couldn’t finish. He had stepped forward, closing her car door, and pinned her between his arms braced against the car. Her hands were sweating, her breath quickened, and her nipples pressed against her top as her body reacted to this alpha male standing so damn close.
“Not away so much anymore, and I can work around your schedule.” The words barely registered. She tilted her head up to find him studying her face. His breath warmed her skin, and there was no mistaking the hunger in his gray eyes.
“Ryan, I have to go.” Her voice was husky. Her body responding, so turned on, she bit her lip to prevent a groan. Then his mouth covered hers, his tongue running over her lips, probing gently to get inside. She placed her hands on his chest, intent on pushing him away, stopping this insanity, but her body continued to betray her. The feel of those hard pecs sent a flood of heat to her sex. All rational thoughts disappeared. Opening her mouth, his tongue entwined with hers, stroking, tasting. No other part of his body touched her; his arms were still braced against the car. Those strong, muscular, tattooed arms. It had been so freaking erotic.
Every fantasy had been blown away by the reality. Damn, the man could kiss. What would his mouth feel like on the rest of her body, down between her...
He had pulled away with a groan and stepped back.
“Have a good trip.” Then, just like that, he had walked away.
Sophie glanced at her phone for the hundredth time. A wave of disappointment hit her again. She thought he might have called or even texted, but nothing.
What did you expect? You turned him down. You’re not interested, remember?
But he’d kissed her. What was she supposed to make of that? Ugh, that kiss was imprinted on her lips. The feel, the taste, his smell. It was the hottest kiss she’d ever experienced.
Her critical inner voice kicked in.
Maybe he hasn’t reached out because he didn’t feel the same way.
Mark had told her she was a lousy kisser. Then again, he told her she was lousy at everything. Yeah, Mark was the reason she wouldn't date another Navy guy. Strong, powerful men with big egos. She’d seen them at McGarry’s bar, taking different girls home every night. The flawless, twenty-somethings, with legs up to their armpits, washboard stomachs and perfectly bronzed skin from the California sunshine. She was not a part of that girl club. Never had been and never would be. Why she had thought Mark would be different baffled her, even now. She swore never to go down that road again, not matter how damn hot and sexy Ryan might be.
Then why do you keep checking your phone to see if he’s texted?
Bringing her attention back to the club, she glanced at Ricardo. He had a phone to his ear and a finger in the other one trying to block out the noise. A tattoo on the inside of his wrist caught her eye. Was that a snake? It was hard to make it out in the light. He was staring at her again, sending a chill down her spine. Looking away, she took Chloe’s hands and danced with her sister, trying to ignore him. A few minutes later Ricardo stood behind Chloe, leaning down to talk in her ear. Sophie watched him hand Chloe his phone, getting her number. He kissed Chloe on the lips, then turned his attention to her, smiling; his dark, almost black eyes freaked her out. What was it about this guy?
“Nice to meet you, Sophie. Unfortunately, I must leave, but I hope to see you again.” He shouted above the music before leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. Trying not to wince, she gave him a small smile, then watched him disappear into the crowd.
Thirty minutes later, she persuaded Chloe to call it a night. Giggling they took a taxi back to Chloe’s apartment.
Snuggled in pajamas and sitting on Chloe’s sofa bed, they sipped hot chocolate, making the most of their final night together. They used to do this all the time as kids. Sneaking into each other’s rooms, then running back to bed when they heard Mom or Dad coming. They were good times, before everything changed.
“Bet you’re looking forward to getting back to your SEAL,” Chloe teased.
“He’s not my SEAL.” Sophie rolled her eyes. “God, I should never have told you about Ryan.”
“Ah, come on. You are into him. I’ve never seen you like this before, all doey-eyed and wistful, checking your phone every five minutes the whole time you’ve been here.”
“I have not!”
Chloe raised her eyebrows. Sophie giggled. She was right, she couldn’t stop thinking about him and that steaming kiss.
“So, are you going to call him when you get back?”
“No.”
“Why not? It’s OK for the woman to make a move, you know.”
“Chloe, he kissed me, then walked away, and I haven’t heard a thing from him. He’s obviously not interested, and I don’t date Navy men. Not again, remember?”
“Maybe he’s busy or away. His team might have been deployed.”
“Yes, but that’s no excuse not to text or call.”
“OK. But you did turn him down, so he might be waiting for some encouragement. Maybe he’s shy.”
Sophie laughed. “If you were to meet him, I don’t think shy is a word you’d use.” Ryan was confident, self-assured and hot. Very, very hot. Ugh! “It’s not going to happen, I’m not his type.”
“How do you know what his type is?”
“Chloe, he is a perfect, handsome, sexy man, and I’ve seen him with perfect, gorgeous sexy, women. That’s not me.”
“Sophie! That’s exactly you. You are beautiful. The man asked you out. He kissed you. Why would he do either if he wasn’t into you?”
Sophie shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s probably looking for a quick fling while he waits for something better to come along. He might think someone like me would be easy, drooling at a Navy SEAL. Been there, done that, remember? I won’t date another Navy man. And I don’t do casual. I’m not you.”
“Sister, you have got to stop putting yourself down. Mark was an asshole. It doesn’t mean all Navy men are assholes. And how do you know what Ryan is looking for? Any man would be lucky to have you. You are a brilliant doctor, beautiful, intelligent, funny and sexy.”
Sophie blushed, not comfortable hearing compliments. “As your big sister, isn’t it me that should be giving you advice?”
“I’m not a child that needs looking after anymore, Sophie, and someone has to knock some sense into you.”
Chloe’s phone pinged. She picked it up, reading the text, a smile spreading across her face.
“Ricardo. Says he had a great time with me, wants to take me to dinner.”
Sophie frowned; she really didn’t like that guy. Something felt way off. “Chloe, I don’t think you should see him.”
Her sister’s head snapped up, startled. “Why not?”
“I know you’re going to say I think all men are bad, but I got a nasty vibe from him. He was...I don’t know...slimy. He expected every woman to drop at his feet. He kissed my cheek like it was his right to. Who does that to someone they just met? What is it with men thinking they can do what they want with women?”
Sophie’s voice had risen considerably. The situation had reminded her of Mark ordering her to change when he didn’t like the dress she was wearing, or always making a show of kissing her, or grabbing her around his friends, like she was a piece of property he owned.
“And he’s older than you,” she said more softly. He had looked around mid-late thirties, Chloe was twenty-seven.
“Not that much older, and I’m not planning on marrying him. It’s just dinner,” Chloe said dryly.
“Chloe, he had his hands all over you and you just met.”
“It’s called dancing, Sophie, and flirting.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “You should try it some time.”
