Page 33 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

Speaking of food. I glance at the counter, wondering what Christian got us. He’s busy chatting with the waiter, but as if sensing my attention, he turns.

His gaze meets mine—and just like that, the world falls away and I’m taken back to us in that waterhole, where he fingered me to my orgasm and didn’t take his relief after. I want to say that it was a moment of weakness because of the alcohol, but I’m not one to blame other things for my decisions.

And I know that when things turned intimate between us there, it was my decision to keep going despite our past. Because I felt it: that electric charge that never really went away.

I tried to fight it. So did he, but it seems bigger than both of us. But he’s holding something back…being careful, not because he thinks I’m fragile but because he seems hellbent on sticking to his one professional rule.

And he’s doing a good job at it, too, by not touching me after the waterhole incident. Heck, there’s such a polite distance between us whenever we’re in the house, which is more often than not.

And I’m trying not to take it personally.

He liked Honey Lee.

Oh, yeah. There’s that, too.

I’m trying not to regret my decisions right now, so maybe it was a good idea that we stopped where we stopped.

“I’m kind of glad you said what you said. You know, about not hooking up with him.”

I break out of my reverie and return my gaze to Aimee, who I forgot is still here. The words register just as I’m offering her another polite smile.

“Oh?”

“I mean, if you were, I’d totally respect it, but since you’re not, I wanted to say hi to him again.”

Something in her hopeful, almost giddy tone has my spine stiffening.

“Oh?”

“We kind of have a thing going on.” Her eyes sparkle. “We slept together the last two times he came back for a break. Nothing serious, but I want to see where it’s going.”

“I see.”

My smile stays in place. But I don’t think I’ve ever been more jealous in my life. It roars to life inside me, an ugly thing that makes me nauseous.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

I mind!

Except I have no right.

“No.” I hesitate, then, “Did you guys sleep together recently?”

“No, but I want to make a move on him again. But I’ll find the right timing! I don’t want to interfere with his assignment or anything like that.” She beams at me as if she’s being very generous. “But I won’t wait long. I know others have carried a torch for him…speaking of. That’s Carrie.”

I glance at the counter again. This time, Christian’s no longer alone as two pretty women sidle up to him. They talk about something that tugs a grin from his mouth, and the sight makes me ache.

When he tells them something, they throw their heads back in giggles as if he said the funniest thing. Charm oozes out of his pores, so natural. It probably should be illegal, too.

And somehow, I don’t blame the women for finding him fascinating.

“Anyway, it was nice meeting you. I hope to see you again.” Aimee winks and stands. “And you know, get the update about him.”

“Yeah. It was nice meeting you.”

But I can’t say the same for my excitement.

When Christian returns with our food, it’s as mouthwatering as I imagined, but I no longer have the appetite for it. I try to get into the burger and milkshake, though, and try to catch up to his casual conversation, not wanting to let anyone know how I feel. But I’ve never been more relieved when we finish the food.

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