Page 6 of Impossible Thrills

Nick was the one smiling now. “Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” he said, meeting Captain Lemuel’s gaze and receiving a level glare.

The men reached them on the dock, and each extended their hands. Darcy released Nick’s hand to shake. He felt an intense letdown from not touching her. Odd and concerning. He had to keep his guard up better around her.

Lemuel stayed in front of him and looked him up and down. “You work with Captain Porter?”

“I’m his top specialist,” Nick countered, pride filling him.

Lemuel cracked his knuckles and nodded with a satisfied smile. “Good. Porter earned our respect, and we gave each other a lot of bruises. It’ll be a pleasure to destroy you.”

Nick grinned. The only thing he liked better than taking down drug lords and traffickers was a little ‘friendly’ competition. “Can’t wait.”

Lemuel chuckled softly.

“Captain Lemuel will be competing directly against you,” Bridger explained. “Lieutenant West will be setting up each event with our staff, checking for safety, and assisting Miss Saint.”

West gave Darcy what could only be termed as a ‘shy smile’ and ‘puppy dog eyes.’ Like a little boy experiencing his first crush. Nick didn’t like it. He would’ve preferred the guy flirted openly with her or leered at her. Then Nick could shut him down. How could he counteract a tough Navy SEAL who appeared shy, approachable, and relatable?

Nick shouldn’t even care if West was after Darcy.

He did.

His spine got even stiffer when Darcy smiled back. “I’m glad I’ll have a friend watching out for me,” she said. “We’ll let them beat each other up for the sake of their pride, and you’ll keep me safe. Right?”

“That’s right,” West said, his shy smile becoming a large, happy grin.

Nick’s competitiveness flared. He wrapped an arm around Darcy’s waist and tugged her closer. The towel she’d had wrapped around her fell to the dock. He let it fall. He was shocked by how incredible it felt to cup her trim waist with his palm and fingers and how she leaned into him. It felt as if her body was created to mold with his. Warm tingles broke out across his skin. Forget competitiveness. He only wanted to cuddle this woman closer.

“I’m protecting, rescuing, and fighting for you. I’ll be the one to help you win a million dollars. Right?” He gave her the patented smoldering look he’d learned from watching Aiden get women to swoon the world over. Yet Aiden never had any serious intentions about any woman. Nick never had before this point. He still shouldn’t. Trattori’s traitorous ex, he reminded himself. The title felt disrespectful and incorrect regarding Darcy.

“How could I forget that?” She blinked up at him, those blue eyes sparkling like gems. “You rescued me when I fell in the water.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Have you already explained to Lieutenant Jacobs the different events I’ll be besting him at?” Lemuel interrupted their exchange. Curse him. Nick would beat him this week, just as Aiden had last week. Nobody could beat Aiden but his brother Ike, but Nick was very close. Very, very close. Lemuel had no idea what was coming.

“Briefly.” Bridger Hawk watched them all as if slightly amused. Nick assumed with his second child on the way and a beautiful and accomplished wife, he didn’t get much into posturing or competition anymore.

“There are only four events, so tonight you can relax and get to know each other while the yacht takes you to your first location.” Bridger smirked, as if ‘getting to know each other’ would only ramp up the tension between the men.

If only Nick could be alone with Darcy and get to know her. It would be great research, or maybe it would just be great.

“Just as Ramsey and I did, you’ll start with a free dive. Hays and Darcy will be waiting fifty feet down with a scuba regulator. Whoever reaches Darcy first and cuts her free from the anchor tied around her ankle wins the day.”

Darcy tensed against him and at the same time wrapped her arm around his waist and hung on tight. “Fifty feet? An anchor? With a what kind of regulator?”

“You’ll be okay,” West hurried to reassure her before Nick could. “As a SEAL, I’m an expert diver. I’ll take good care of you.”

Nick’s gut tightened.

“And as a SEAL, I’ll have you out of there in no time,” Lemuel said, grinning and giving Nick a challenging look.

Nick wanted to taunt back, but he decided to keep his cards close to his chest. They didn’t need to know where his expertise lay or how widespread it was.

“On Wednesday,” Bridger continued, “you’ll compete in skydiving.”

Darcy clung even tighter to him.

“You okay?” he whispered against her hairline.

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