Lily's Outlaw (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 2) by Kori David Page A

it’s like working for the largest company in the world. You steal a computer someone is going to notice. You steal a stapler, no one really cares.”
    “Guns aren’t noticeable?”
    “Not like a jet or a tank. And when there isn’t a war going on, those weapons get stored. Some get lost and never found, or found in a different warehouse in the wrong country because a lazy supply clerk put the wrong paperwork with the wrong crate.”
    “So reallocating military weapons to a drug warlord would be a lucrative money maker for a sleazy General looking to pad his retirement?”
    “Smart and beautiful. Marry me.”
    “The rich girl and the maid’s son? What a scandal that would cause in our little community.”
    “Yeah, but the hot sex on a nightly basis would be worth it.”
    When she threw her head back and laughed, Jesse knew she thought he was joking. But he wasn’t. He wanted her in his life, not just in his bed. However, now wasn’t the right time. He’d let her know soon enough that he was dead serious about his feelings for her. And he’d be fine with throwing her across his shoulder, caveman style, and carting her home to Arizona with him. Forever.
    “That sounds delicious.”
    “Damn right. Besides, I’m all grown up, served my country, and have a thriving business. Even your mother would approve.”
    “I don’t care if she approves or not. I think you’re an amazing man and that’s all that matters to me.”
    “Well, my family already adores you and it will get my mother off my back.”
    “Oh, I see, you want to marry me to stop your mother from nagging you.”  
    He liked the way her eyes crinkled in the corner when she smiled and the way she tossed her hair. If they hadn’t been sitting in a car, she would have had both hands on her hips as she tried to glare at him.
      “You have to save me from buck-toothed Beatrice Jones.” He winked at her. “And my mother.”
    She shook her head and wagged a finger at him. “That is a terrible proposal.”
    “Even with all the sex thrown in?”
    Her glare faded as she lowered her eyes and checked him out. Damn if that hot look didn’t make his body respond faster than an inflatable pool. He saw her nipples pucker under the shirt she wore and had to glance away before he wrecked the minivan and killed them both.
    “I’ll do better next time. With the proposal, I mean.”
    “Maybe I’d consider it then. As long as the sex is still thrown in.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The look in those dewy green eyes was as serious as his own. The words would come later, but it was enough to know that she was even jokingly considering it. And he would do better next time. Because deep down he was an old-fashioned guy. He’d get down on one knee with ring in hand and beg her to marry him.
    He didn’t worry that she would say anything but “yes.” He was a Marine, and failure was not an option.

Chapter 11

    Lily thought they would have checked into one of the hotels in Sweet Hill, but Jesse drove them fifteen miles south to his sister’s ranch. It was a ten-acre spread with a couple of cows, some milking goats, and chickens. They’d put their bags into the mother-in-law casita that sat about one hundred yards away from the main house. Jesse’s mother liked to stay there when she came to visit the family.
    Brian, Jesse’s brother-in-law, was out working with the animals and Jesse was in the house talking with his sister. They’d had a nice lunch together, while the kids clamored for Uncle Jesse to show them some attention. They clearly adored their uncle.
    Lily made her phone calls and found out that her stepfather had been holed up in his office since before the store opened. His secretary knew better than to disturb him when his door was closed so she hadn’t seen him all morning. He was there, she assured Lily, because his brand new BMW was parked in his spot.
    “I’d like it if you stayed here while I go and talk to your stepfather.”
    Lily spun from