The Elite: The Complete Series of Boomer and Player (With Bonus) by KB Winters Page A

all right.”
    Holly nodded. “I stopped to look at the window for the jewelry store back there,” she explained, pointing over her shoulder. “He spotted something and tore off like a bat outta hell.”
    I laughed. “Probably saw her. He seems to have a little crush.”
    Holly smiled at Princess and the way Hunter kept glancing up at her, as though he were posed, waiting for her approval. “I guess so. I kinda hate to break them up.”
    “Then don’t.”
    She snapped her eyes back to mine.
    “Princess and I are free all afternoon. How about you and Hunter come take a drive with us. There’s this cool spot a little way up the 101 from here. They’d love it.”
    “I—uh—I don’t…”
    “Come on. It’ll be a good time, I promise.”
    Holly shook her head but smiled politely. “Thanks for the offer, really, but I should get going.”
    She started forward, calling for Hunter’s attention. He wriggled as she reached for his leash, and Princess got down and trotted back to my feet. Holly straightened, holding Hunter’s leash tightly in her hand. “Thanks again. Maybe another time.”
    “Holly, can I ask you something?”
    She looked away, past my shoulder, before circling her eyes back to mine. “Uhm, sure.”
    “What are you running from?”
    Her brown eyes went wide again, and in the sunlight, I could see that they were ringed with an amber gold. “I’m sorry?” She sputtered.
    “The other day on the beach, when we met, you acted like you couldn’t wait to get away from me. Then, last night, I see you at Harvey’s. Now, I figure you were there for a reason. You didn’t just stumble inside. So, why did you charge out of there as soon as you saw me?”
    She paused for a moment, her eyes wildly searching mine, while she thought up a reply. She planted her hands on her hips. “I’m not running from anything, Jack. Why are you even asking me to go for a drive? I don’t even know you.”
    “My name is Jack McGuire. I’m a Lieutenant in the United States Navy where I serve my country as a fighter pilot. I’m single, I like good beer, football games, and flying. What else do you want to know before you agree to go for a drive with me? Go ahead, ask me anything you want.”
    Holly’s expression shifted, more deeply confused than before. She stared at me like she’d just heard Princess start talking. My invitation had clearly thrown her off balance, and I had to bite back a smile, finding the bewildered look on her face to be both amusing and incredibly sexy.
    After a long pause, she sighed. “Well, thank you for that thorough introduction, but, like I said—”
    “—So, then why not come with me, see what happens?” I dared, not willing to let her off the hook.
    Her full lips parted, as she readied her response, but after a quick glance at Princess and back up at me, it turned into a sigh. She shrugged. “All right. I’ll go.”
    “Okay, Princess, you’re gonna have to sit in the back seat.”
    Holly shot me a questioning glance.
    I dropped a quick look at Princess. “Her. You got claim on riding shotgun.”
    I grinned as her cheeks flushed pink, realizing her mistake. “Right.”
    Princess hopped into the backseat, and Hunter followed close on her heels, ignoring the fluffy tail that was waved in his face. Holly and I both laughed as the dogs got settled. I pushed the passenger seat upright, locking it into place, and then stepped aside, allowing Holly to climb inside, before shutting the door and racing around to hop in the driver’s side, right over the door.
    “Very smooth, Lieutenant,” she said, grinning over at me as I buckled in.

Chapter Eleven
    Holly
    Jack and I were a handful of miles north of Holiday Cove, and I was still impressed with the way he’d managed to convince me to go along with him. Between his charming smile, light dose of persuasiveness, and the conversation with Rachel that was still in the back of my mind, it had been impossible to say no.
    “This is a