Chapter 2

Standing in front of the long mirror fixated to the back of my bedroom door, I smiled in sweet satisfaction.  The sleek black dress I held in front of me was definitely going to turn more than a few heads tonight.  But there was really only one head in particular I was interested in turning, Mr. Tall, Dark and handsome himself. Rio Mendez.  

Carefully taking the dress off the hanger, I lifted it above my head and then let the material slide slowly down my body.   It fit me like a glove.  Running my hands down my sides I relished in the feel of the soft silk covering my body.  There was no way that I could deny how hot this dress was. The neck line plunged just low enough to tease but not so low that it showed off all the goods.  The hem line came just above my mid thigh and paired with my three inch black Vince Camuto strappy heels, my legs looked absolutely incredible. 

Stopping at the mirror, I checked out myself one last time.  I was more than pleased with the final product.  Pulling a rube of cherry red lipstick out of my purse, I added the final touch and blew myself a kiss. 

Perfection. That was the only word I could use to describe how I looked right now.  And with that being said, it was official- Operation Attain Rio has begun. 

The doorbell chimed.  Glancing down at my watch I saw that it was a little after seven.  It had to be Jay.  He was punctual as always.  The other day after my graduation party he tried to warn me away from Rio.  He saw how I looked at him and it worried Jay.  He said he didn't want to see me get my heart broken. 

Jay is such a good friend.  I love him to death but what he didn't understand was that Rio was more than an obsession with me.  He was real and that kiss we shared in my room was real.  And I know that I wasn't the only one affected by that kiss.  Rio felt something too.  That was why he hightailed it out of my room like the hounds of hell were riding his ass. 

Lifting my fingers to my lips, I couldn't help but to smile at the memory.  That single kiss was high potent.  So much so that I swear I can still taste Rio on my lips even now- days later.  All rich and spicy and especially male. 

Bringing myself back to the present, I opened the front door.  “Hey there best friend," I greeted him excitedly. 

“Hey back,” he breathed out, his eyes doing some sort of strange blinking thing. 

"Do you have something in your eye?" I asked him. 

He shook his head and whistled.  “Wow, Bailey.  All I got to say is that you look amazing!  And when I say amazing, I mean a-maz-ing.  Like sizzling hot!”

I grinned and then dramatically twirled around in a circle to give him the full effect. “Really? Sizzling you say?”  

“More than sizzling, you are one S.E.X.Y. woman.  You are going to seriously disappoint a lot of single guys tonight.  If I was straight I know my heart would be breaking right now,” he told me with the charming Jay smile I've grown to adore over the years.

“So, do you think that it's sexy enough that you know who will notice me tonight?”    

Jay rolled his eyes and snorted like a pig.  "Well if he doesn’t then someone needs to take his man card.  Every man and probably every woman too with 20/20 vision is going to drool at your feet.  And that includes me sweetheart, if I batted for your team.”

I laughed out loud.  This is why we got along so well.  Jay always knows the right things to say. “I really don’t think Nick would be to happy with me if I stole you from him.  He already has major jealousy issues when it comes to us spending time together.  By the way, did he give you any grief about tonight?”

“Not much.  Before I left I bent him over the kitchen counter and made sure that he knew who my cock really belongs to.”   

"Ew, I really didn't need to hear about that." 

Jay chuckled and held his hand out to me.  “No you didn't but I sure love seeing your face when I do talk about it.” 

"Can you blame me?  It's like you’re my brother.  Brother's and sex are TMI for me." 

"Crazy girl." Jay tugged on my hand.  "Are you ready to go?”

“Yup, I was born ready friend." Grabbing my purse, I started out the door.  "Time to go shake some booty.”

Less than ten minutes later we pulled in front of The Endzone.  It was the 'it" club in our dumpy little town and I was told by a little birdie that Rio liked to come here every Friday and Saturday night when he was home on leave.  One thing that I learned growing up was that Rio was very predictable if nothing else.  If all holds true then I would bet my favorite lacy black Victoria Secret thong that he's is inside there right this minute. 

More than ready I stepped out of Jay’s royal blue Mustang GT, stood tall and lifted my chin. What I needed right now was to keep my focus on the mission and above all else, remain confident.  Confidence is the key to everything.  Confidence is what will help me get my man. 

“You coming?” Jay asked.  Turning my attention to him I saw that he was already several feet across the parking lot. 

 I gave him one of my patent smirks, “Hells Yea!” I replied and strode forward with all the confidence in the world.  Looping my arm through his, we walked in companionable silence to the entrance.  

The bouncer taking up residence in front of the door was a burly one.  When he noticed us he flashed a seriously disturbed smile full of crooked teeth.  I tried to awkwardly return it with a forced smile of my own, but knew that it came out weak at best.  It must of worked though.  He waved us right on through the door without any problems at all.

Walking into the club I could feel the electricity humming in the atmosphere.  Bright neon lights flashed erotically around us, the bass thumped loudly from the surround sound speakers and the people... well let’s just say that gyrating bodies pressed against each other on the dance floor looked more like they were having sex than dancing.  

This is awesome!

"Do you want to find a seat first and get a drink or would you rather dance?” Jay asked from beside me.

“Hmm...” I looked around the club debating what I'd rather do when I spotted him.  Rio Mendez in all his glory.  The military definitely suited him.  Wearing a skin tight black tee I could see that his chest was definitely broader and his biceps much bigger.  He was all that and a bag of chips.

He turned that gorgeous head of his and our eyes locked.  For the life of me I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him.  I was entranced by his dark eyes.  He suddenly frowned and I finally forced myself to look away.  It didn't make any sense.  Why would he frown at me like that?  Does he truly hate me that much?

"What's it going to be?" Jay asked again, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“Dance,” I told him.  Grabbing his arm, I didn't wait for his answer and pulled him to the center of the floor.  Letting the music seep into my bones, I let my body flow with the wild beat.  I didn't have to know where Jay was, I could feel him behind me keeping up with my every move.  Losing myself to the music, I closed my eyes and let myself go.  I loved to dance.  

“He’s watching you Bailey,” Jay startled me when he whispered in my ear.

I couldn’t help but to grin at that thought of Rio's eyes on me but I refused to look at him.  Ignoring him, I continued to let the music guide my movements in a seductive dance intended to attract and tease.  Confidence was just oozing out of me.  

I turned around and wrapped my arms around Jay’s neck.  “Is he still watching me?” I asked.

Jay looked up and then turned his head. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath.

I stopped dancing.  “Damn? What do you mean damn?” I asked him, craning my head around just in time to see another blonde bitch perched happily on Rio’s lap.  Something inside me broke. “Damn,” I repeated his sentiments.

Determined not to let it get to me I reached for Jay's hand.  “Come on, let’s get something to drink,” I said to him while at the same time pulling him off the dance floor.  

Taking a seat at the bar I ordered a Long Island Iced Tea while Jay ordered a Rum with coke. Sipping my drink casually I looked at Jay thoughtfully.  “I need to step up my game,” I announced.

“What game?  I mean, what else can you do?  You look awesome and you danced like a female in heat.  He glanced in your direction for half a minute and then found a bimbo to play with.  Why not just give up, Bailey.  He's not for you and besides, you can do so much better.”  The whole time he was talking, Jay reached out for my hand and patted it affectionately.

I started to shake my head.  “I refuse to give up, Jay.  He is the one.  He is my man.  He just doesn't know it yet.  I'm telling you now, I will find a way to claim him, even if it freaking kills me.”

A loud scratchy voice boomed through the speakers.  “Contestants take your places by the pools.  The contest starts in five minutes.” 

“Hey, what contest are they talking about?” I asked the bar tender when he passed by us.

“Mud wrestling.” He barked out over his shoulder.

“That’s it!" I squealed and turned to hug Jay’s neck. “There's my chance.  What hot blooded man can resist a female wearing her panties and bra and mud?  That has to get his attention.”  I said, grinning from ear to ear.  This was just too perfect.

Jay looked at me warily.  “I’m not so sure this is the best way to get his attention,” he warned.

“Ah, come on Jay.  Where is your sense of adventure?  Your drive for the thrill?  It will be fun if nothing else,” I added.

He took another sip of his drink and muttered, “Your funeral,” Taking his glass with him he stood by me like the good friend he was while I stood in line to enter myself in the contest.  After I received my number I went to stand by the pools filled with mud. I almost had second thoughts.  Almost being the key word.  That was until I noticed Rio sitting front and center of the action.  It was so on.

I waited until they called my number and went to the plat form.  What do you know?  My opponent just so happened to be the blonde slut that was sitting so pretty just a few minutes earlier in Rio’s lap.  She held her hand out for me to shake and I stared at it like it was infected with the plague.  I was so going to enjoy running this girl through the mud.

I confidently slipped out of my dress and handed to Jay.  Again, I told myself that confidence was the key to everything.  Standing there in nothing but my lacy panties and bra I proudly stepped into the mud pool and crooked my finger at the blonde, telling her to bring it.  She raised her eyebrows and joined me.  This is going to be so satisfying.

We listened to the announcer countdown: three, two, one and then a bell rang.  I wasted no time and went at her full throttle.  I quickly realized the little hussy was stronger than I expected.  We rolled and struggled with each other continuously, neither of us willing to back down.  I pushed her face first into the mud and then she bucked me flat on my back.  Before I could sit up she was straddling me and shoving handfuls of mud into my face.

“Oh hell no!” I yelled out aloud.  I was beyond pissed.  First she sits on Rio's lap and now she thinks she's going to get the best of me.  I don’t think so. 

Reaching up I grabbed two fistfuls of her hair and pulled hard.  She screeched like a winy bitch and I took the advantage.  Throwing her to the ground, I straddled her, smashing fistfuls of mud into her mouth.  Hey, what do you know.  This was actually turning out to be quite satisfying. Before I knew it, the bell rang, signaling the end of the competition. 

We both stood and we were covered head to toe in mud.  The announcer held up our arms and called out our numbers to the crowd.  Reading the rules I knew that when your number was called the crowd would roar in response to who they thought the winner should be.  They called out the hussies number first and there was a mild level of cheers.  Then they called my number and the bar went wild.  I smiled at my achievement. 

Walking down the platform still grinning from my win I spotted Jay waiting patiently for me.  His mouth was drawn in a grim line and since I had won that puzzled me.  Getting closer to him I suddenly understood his reaction.  Rio was standing behind him and he was not looking not happy at all.  Well, at least I finally got a reaction from him.  I’m just not sure it was quite the reaction I was looking for.

“Jay?” I said and took my dress out of his arms.  "Thanks for holding on to this for me.  Looking behind him I glanced at Rio and almost winced.  He really looked like he was about to blow a gasket.  “Rio, what a surprise to see you hear,” I said, playing the dumb card.

Taking me by surprise, Rio roughly grabbed my arm and started pulling me away.

Getting my bearings, I planted my feet into the floor.  “What do you think you’re doing, Rio?” I fiercely whispered.  Being tugged along against my wishes was so not how I saw this playing out half an hour ago when I concocted this plan.

Unsurprisingly, Rio just ignored me.  He was really good at remaining stoically silent.  I rolled my eyes.  Just like a typical male.   

Before I knew what was going on we'd reached the men's bathroom.  Rio shoved the door and held it open, looking at me expectantly.  

I returned his glare with a snarky one of my own and stood stiffly in place.  I was done with his over handed tactics.

“Bailey!” He warned, “You have about three seconds to get your pretty little, tight ass in there before I start killing some innocent men for ogling you.  And believe me, I can do it.  These hands have been trained to expertly kill men.  Do you really want to have their blood on your hands?”

“Huh?” I replied looking at him dumbly.  Good job, Bailey.  That was the brightest statement of the century.

He growled low in his throat.  In the next second I was being unceremoniously jerked into the bathroom.  Stumbling, I just barely caught myself on the wall.

Rio didn't seem fazed.  He very calmly turned around and locked the door behind us.

“What is wrong with you?” I sneered at him.  All night long, he'd been completely oblivious to my mere existence.  And the few times I did catch him looking in my direction were followed with frowns.  He was beginning to confuse the hell out of me.

“You want to know what's wrong with me Bailey?  Its you.  You are my problem.  Prancing around the bar half naked with every man in the place panting after you.  What the hell has got into you?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I leaned up against the wall.  “Obviously not everyone.”

His eyes narrowed.  “What do you mean not everyone?” he said in a dangerously low voice.

Lord please give me strength to deal with ignorant, overbearing men.

Frustrated, I let out a loud sigh.  Rio was crazy if he thought I was going to spell it out for him.  If he didn’t have a clue by now, then he was a hopeless cause.  "It's nothing," I told him finally.

"Really?"  Pushing off the door, he closed the distance between us until he was standing just barely a breath from my face. “Are you referring to me, Bailey?” he asked deceptively calm.  

Closing my eyes, I stood there for a moment and reminded myself of my new outlook on life.  Confidence was the key to everything.  Opening my eyes, I stuck my chin high in the air and exuded waves of confidence.  “Maybe.”

His eyes roamed over my face and my body began to prickle with anticipation.  Holy crap.  He was going to do it again.  I could feel it in the sexual tension screaming between us.  He was going to kiss me.  

In agonizingly slow motion his head lowered and my breath hitched.  Then it happened.  His cool lips touched mine and bam.  I was so lost.  Rio’s mouth covered mine and the heat sparked between us.  His tongue enticed mine and I was eager to dance right along with him.  Rio's kisses took the art of kissing to a whole new level. When his lips touched my all I could think, breathe and taste was Rio Mendez.

But history has a foul way of repeating itself.  All to soon he pushed me back and the kiss ended.  I could feel the instant he started to pull away from me.  We stared at each other for several moments and a send of déjà vu hit me over the head.  

“No.” I told him.  “Don't you dare.  Don't do this.  You better not back away from me again Rio.  Not kissing me like that.” 

He started to shake his head and ran his hand over the top of his head.  “Bailey, damn it!, I...I don’t know what to say.”

“You could start by admitting that there is something very real between us.”

He dropped his shoulders and slumped against the wall.  “I've already told you that there is nothing between us.  It's not possible.  See, me and you would never work.”

“Why?” I asked him incredulously.  I couldn’t believe this was happening all over again.  “Give one good reason why we will never work, Rio?”

Then it was like a light switched.  The air suddenly shifted and something in his whole demeanor changed.  Standing tall, he pulled his face into a snarl and purposefully put space between us.  

“Get it thought your thick head.  It just won’t, okay.  Me and you are a no go.  Move on with your life, Bailey because I already have.”  Turning around, he stomped out the door and for the second time in my life I helplessly watched him walk away from me after another mind blowing kiss.

Dropping my head against the wall, I wanted to scream.  This was beginning to get more than just a little irritating.  

He felt it.  I know that he could feel the burning connection between us.  It was too strong for him not to be able too. I just had to find a way to make him believe in that connection.   And as long as that connection was there I refused to give up.   

What I needed was a change in my game plan.  Operation attain Rio was still going full speed ahead.