Saving Brie: The One I Want Read online

  Saving Brie

  The One I Want

  Ellie Masters

  JEM Publishing

  Copyright © 2021 Ellie Masters

  Saving Brie: The One I Want series

  Book 2

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this print book ONLY. No part of this print book may be reproduced, scanned, transmitted, or distributed in any printed, mechanical, or electronic form without prior written permission from Jet & Ellie Masters or JEM Publishing except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. 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 person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Image/art disclaimer: Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

  Editor: Erin Toland

  Proofreader: Roxane Leblanc

  Interior Design/Formatting: Ellie Masters

  Published in the United States of America

  JEM Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  * * *

  ASIN: B091NCB5ZG

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to my one and only—my amazing and wonderful husband.

  Thank you, my dearest love, my heart and soul, for putting up with me, for believing in me, and for loving me.

  You pushed me when I needed to be pushed. You supported me when I felt discouraged. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

  If it weren’t for you, this book never would have come to life.

  Books by Ellie Masters

  The LIGHTER SIDE

  Ellie Masters is the lighter side of the Jet & Ellie Masters writing duo! You will find Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romantic Suspense, Billionaire Romance, and Rock Star Romance in Ellie’s Works.

  YOU CAN FIND ELLIE’S BOOKS HERE:

  ELLIEMASTERS.COM/BOOKS

  Military Romance

  Guardian Hostage Rescue

  Rescuing Melissa

  (Get a FREE copy of Rescuing Melissa

  when you join Ellie’s Newsletter

  https://elliemasters.com/RescuingMelissa)

  Rescuing Zoe

  Rescuing Moira

  Rescuing Eve

  Rescuing Lily

  Rescuing Jinx

  Rescuing Maria

  Rescuing Eden

  The One I Want Series

  (Small Town, Military Heroes)

  By Jet & Ellie Masters

  each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA.

  Saving Ariel

  Saving Brie

  Saving Cate

  Saving Dani

  Saving Jen

  Saving Abby

  Rockstar Romance

  The Angel Fire Rock Romance Series

  each book in this series can be read as a standalone and is about a different couple with an HEA. It is recommended they are read in order.

  Ashes to New (prequel)

  Heart’s Insanity (book 1)

  Heart’s Desire (book 2)

  Heart’s Collide (book 3)

  Hearts Divided (book 4)

  Hearts Entwined (book5)

  Forest’s FALL (book 6)

  Hearts The Last Beat (book7)

  Contemporary Romance

  Firestorm

  (Kristy Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes World)

  Billionaire Romance

  Billionaire Boys Club

  Hawke

  Richard

  Brody

  Contemporary Romance

  Cocky Captain

  (Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero World)

  Romantic Suspense

  each book is a standalone novel.

  The Starling

  ~AND~

  Science Fiction

  Ellie Masters writing as L.A. Warren

  Vendel Rising: a Science Fiction Serialized Novel

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Saving Cate

  ELLZ BELLZ

  Also by Ellie Masters

  About the Author

  Connect with Ellie Masters

  Final Thoughts

  The End

  Chapter 1

  Brent

  “What the hell, Gus?” I slam my mug down on the counter. “What do you mean you can’t captain for me? We’re supposed to ship out at first light. You can’t leave me high and dry like this.”

  My timetable doesn’t allow for delays. Stopping the operation to find a suitably licensed captain can take days, if not weeks. By then, it’ll be too late.

  It’s time to take advantage of Hurricane Julian’s work. Storms of that magnitude move massive amounts of sand beneath the waves as they sweep up the Gulf. It’s my hope enough sand shifts to expose what a lifetime of research says will be there, but I have to get there now.

  Not weeks from now.

  “Like I said,” Gus gives an overly dramatic sigh. “My doc says no-go. Can’t ship out.” Gus has already tied on four too many beers and stares back at me with bleary eyes. He thumps his chest. “My ticker needs help.”

  His liver needs more help at the rate Gus pounds the beer.

  “But can’t you postpone your appointment for a week or two?” I flinch at the whine in my voice and clear my throat.

  All I need is a couple of days to sail down to the Keys and a week to explore the wreck I know is buried there. I stand to score the find of a lifetime—nearly a billion dollars in gold bullion.

  Gus’s heart isn’t that sick. Is it? Although, if Gus dies while on my ship, there will be hell to pay.

  “Nope.” Gus takes another swig. “Gotta do the stress test tomorrow, and depending on that …” Gus leans forward, his expression dour. “Doc thinks I need to go under the knife.”

  I curse. Luck favors the prepared, and I’ve spent a lifetime getting ready for this moment. Now Gus leaves me hanging because of a bad heart?

  “You can’t back out.” I try a different angle and hope I don’t sound as desperate as I feel. At least I no longer sound whiny. Maybe I can bully Gus into reconsidering? “We have a contract, and you took an advance.”

  “We have an understanding.” Gus sucks down the las
t of his beer and gives a loud belch. He waves to the bartender. “Gimme another. And if it’s about the advance, I’ll give it back. No worries about me keeping what ain’t mine.”

  “You gave your word.” I try to keep the irritation out of my voice, but from the wide-eyed stares of those at the end of the bar, I fail miserably to do so.

  A beat-up shack, the Tipsy Pickle, teeters on pylons driven into the basin of the marina decades ago. The place barely passes health inspection, and probably only with a healthy exchange of under-the-table cash. Paint flakes off the weathered exterior; stale beer and dried-up piss create a pungent atmosphere inside. But the alcohol is cheap and the food amazingly good.

  I’m surprised the Tipsy Pickle hasn’t been bought out, stripped down to the pylons, and rebuilt to attract a more up-and-coming crowd. Yuppies, hipsters, and Millennials love their booze as much as anyone, and they don’t blink twice at overinflated prices. The Tipsy Pickle doesn’t attract that crowd, and as far as I’m concerned, sits on a goldmine.

  Not that one can tell from the thin and haggard crowd.

  Tired men hunch on dilapidated stools and prop weary elbows on tables worn smooth by decades of use. Half of the tables are occupied, most by individuals not interested in sharing their beer and food with others. Music crackles through tired speakers, creating enough sound to cover most conversation without drowning it out completely.

  A quick glance reveals no likely candidates for my sudden captain’s vacancy. These are dockworkers and deckhands. I need a licensed commercial boat captain to pilot my research rig down to the Keys.

  “What the hell am I going to do? You can’t leave me hanging. Don’t you know anyone who can step up?”

  The door bangs open, letting in a sliver of light. By habit, I look to see who enters.

  Like something out of a movie, light spills around the slender form of a woman, putting all her curves on display—and what amazing curves they are. Trim and toned, the woman has amazing tits, a tiny waist, and hips a man can grab a hold of while he pounds himself into oblivion.

  I can’t help but gape.

  Not alone in my admiration, every head in the bar swivels to fix on the apparition.

  Chin lifted, the woman pauses at the doorway and scans the interior. After seeing who’s inside, I think she’ll run from the rough crowd, but the woman doesn’t hesitate. With effortless grace, she glides across the floor; an ethereal creature, she makes a beeline for the bar.

  She picks her path with care, avoiding the occupied tables, and heads to a group of empty stools a few seats down from me and Gus. When her gaze meets mine, she smiles, and it’s like a choir of angels lifts in song. The soft cushions of her lips part and her tiny pink tongue darts out. I can’t help the natural reaction of my body and adjust my perch on the stool.

  What stunning lips.

  Perky and raspberry red, I debate my next move as all manner of filth runs through my mind.

  With a face cut right from the pages of a men’s magazine, all present track her passage. Even after she sits on the stool, all eyes remain glued to her stunning figure. If any are like me, they wonder what she might look like spread out on the cover of the annual swimsuit edition, or better yet, stretched out naked in bed.

  When she glances at me, blue eyes like a calm summer sea give a slow, languid blink. Her wavy brown hair, cut short at the shoulders, shimmers despite the dim lighting of the bar. She gives her hair a casual flick and my heart flutters. Her eyes narrow as she peers through the dimly lit bar, staring directly at me, then a spark of recognition flares and a smile curves those raspberry-red lips. She slips off her stool and comes toward me.

  Feeling cockier than is wise, I prepare to charm her into my bed, where I can see how close my fantasy lives up to reality.

  If Gus’s heart issues ruin the chance of a lifetime, at least I can spend the night with this beauty wrapped around me as I listen to her breathy moans filling the sweltering night air.

  But she doesn’t approach me. I’m not the object of her attention. She stops short, coming to stand beside Gus.

  “Gus!” She gives the fat bastard a hug and kisses Gus’s cheek. “How have you been?”

  What the hell?

  “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Gus beams at the beauty. “It’s been over a year, Brie. Whatcha doing in Tampa?”

  “Relocating a client’s yacht. Just pulled into dock.”

  “Is that so?” Gus’s bleary eyes brighten and he sits up a little straighter.

  I peer around Gus, waiting for an introduction.

  The bartender brings over wine and sets it in front of the woman. Far too inquisitive, the asshole checks out her tits with open-mouthed hunger. I want to lean over the counter and smack the prick for being such a flagrant asshole. There’s a thin line separating admiration and flat-out disrespect; one this guy crosses by miles.

  “You headed out soon?” Gus empties his beer. This time, instead of letting his belch rip, he covers his mouth and lets the burp slip out quietly.

  “Nope.” She glances at me but makes no attempt to introduce herself.

  Gus, being the ass he is, doesn’t make introductions. Regardless, I hold eye contact and give her a tip of my head. In a second, I’ll take care of Gus’s oversight. She stares at me with curiosity flickering in the depths of her baby blues, but she dismisses me to continue her conversation with Gus.

  “I’ve got a couple of weeks off.” She sips from her drink. “Although, I may have to change that. Lost my on-time bonus with the storm.” She leans close and places her hand on Gus’s thigh. “And guess what?”

  I can’t keep my eyes off her delicate fingers and wonder what it might feel like to have her hands on me. I’m starting to hate Gus.

  “What, darling?” Gus eats up her attention.

  “You know the rig that capsized?” Her delicate voice rises in pitch.

  “It’s all over the news.” Gus gives a vigorous shake of his head. “They said it could’ve been the worst spill of the century if not for the guys who capped it before it tipped.”

  “Well, those guys spent a week in a lifeboat, and I picked them up.” Excitement lights her face with a rosy glow.

  “You don’t say?” Gus leans back and crosses his arms. “I’m impressed. Haven’t seen anything in the news about that, but I’m not surprised. You’re a real angel.”

  “I don’t know about that, and that rescue cost me my bonus.” She takes another sip, peeks at me out of the corner of her eye, then focuses back on Gus. “Know of any work?”

  “As a matter of fact…” Gus slaps his palm down on the bar. He turns to me. “Looks like I found you a captain.”

  I jerk, not expecting the conversation to head in that direction.

  “A chick?”

  The brunette gives a slow, disappointed shake of her head. “Yeah, dickwad, this fucking chick is a captain. Welcome to the twenty-first century, mate.”

  She certainly has the mouth of a sailor. Now, why does that turn me on?

  “Look, I didn’t mean to offend—” I hold up a hand.

  “Oh, you offended pretty damn well.” She gives me the back of her shoulder. Smooth and bronze from the sun, her flawless skin practically glows.

  I lean toward Gus. “Look, I need a captain with experience, not a—”

  “Not a what?” She turns back around, showing me how poorly I keep my voice down. “You don’t think girls can pilot boats?”

  “It’s not a little boat, and yeah. I don’t need a chick piloting a damn boat. I’ve got a real ship out there.”

  Gus giggles. It’s an odd sound coming from such a large man. The laughter turns into a wheeze and evolves into a coughing fit. The brunette gives me a sideline glare as she smacks Gus on the back until he can breathe again.

  “You don’t look that good.” She thumps him again.

  The bartender brings Gus’s fifth beer over, but the woman picks up the glass and sets it out of Gus’s reach.

/>   “He’s done for the night,” she states, completely at ease taking control and speaking for Gus.

  “You took my beer, Brie.” Gus gives a little whine. “Give it back.”

  She peers into his eyes. “How many have you had?”

  “One or two?” Gus lies, but the chick isn’t having it.

  She looks to the bartender, who holds up five fingers.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Pour him water and keep it coming. You’re drinking two glasses of water, then I’m taking you home. You still with Stella? Or did she leave your ass?”

  “Still with Stella,” Gus says with a grump. “She won’t leave me.”

  “Okay, give me your keys and I’ll get you home.”

  Gus tugs on my shirt. “Brie’s your captain. If you really want to shove off in the morning, she’s your man.”

  “Not a man, Gus.” Her gaze cuts to me, full of challenge rather than the curiosity I saw before. “I’m better than a man.”

  Well shit.

  I stepped into that wrong. Not to mention, there will be no twisting in the sheets with this chick, not after pissing her off in what can only be called an epic failure.