Page 69 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

And Raven?

She laughs along with everyone and makes some jokes, too, already accepted into the fold as if she’s been playing with them for a long time.

And I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a wonderful sight.

Chapter 22

Raven

I’ve never been surrounded by this much testosterone in my life, which should make it awkward for me since I normally don’t hang out with groups of men. But I don’t feel awkward. In fact, other than the times I’ve spent exploring alone with Christian, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this much adrenaline and joy surging in my system, brought about by the discovery that I can be competitive in the right setting.

After boot camp, Christian decides to take everyone out to a nearby open-air restaurant, where we get a long table and pretty much just sit wherever there’s space. I sit in between Stacy and Christian, with Stacy getting enthusiastic when I reveal that I’m a preschool teacher.

“Oh, that’s awesome! My sister-in-law is also a preschool teacher. She has so much patience with kids, it’s unbelievable—and with my brother and our other siblings.”

Jack leans over from her other side. “That’s because Stacy and her siblings are also kids.”

She elbows him hard, but he laughs it off. I bite back a smile, already noticing that despite their cat-and-dog dynamic, Jack makes sure her plate is filled and his teasing doesn’t go below the belt. I wonder…

“I know what you’re thinking.”

I turn to Christian, who’s eyeing them, too, while he whispers to me.

“What am I thinking?”

“That they’ll hook up and the fighting’s just a warped type of sexual tension. But I know the others have made a bet over the years, and so far, nothing has happened between those two.”

“Maybe they’re just stubborn and want to prove everyone wrong.”

“He’s friends with her brothers. I don’t think he’ll touch her out of respect for them.”

I smirk. “You weren’t supposed to touch me, either, because I’m your client. But look what happened.”

A hand lands on my thigh, squeezing. Tingles shoot down my core while his warm breath brushes my ear. “I can’t help it. You’re too tempting.”

I shiver, then try to focus on the subject. “I’m just saying, it happens to the best of us. Even with the best of intentions, people often give in to their desires.”

“I always thought I had a bit more self-control than the average person,” he says. “Prided myself on it.”

“Well, now you know you’re no different than the rest of us mere mortals." I bump my shoulder to his. “It’s okay. You’re in good company. I’m down here too,” I tease.

Christian laughs. “Great company.”

We keep teasing each other in low voices while more food is served and everyone dives in, hungry after all the physical activities. Halfway through my macaroni and cheese, I get a queasy feeling in my stomach and excuse myself, then run for the bathroom when my insides push at me. I reach a stall just in time to hurl my food in the toilet bowl, then stay there when my stomach keeps churning.

“Raven? Is everything okay?”

At the sound of Ingrid’s voice, I flush the bowl and leave the stall, then wash my hands on the long sink. I study myself in the mirror, then nod at her.

“Yeah. It must have been what I ate.”

“Take it easy. Drink some warm water. Do you want mints?”

I take her offer and rejoin her at our long table, but I can’t finish my food. Instead, I try to act as normal as possible, not wanting to interrupt the jolly vibe and make a big deal out of it, but Christian notices my plight and cups the back of my neck.

He frowns. “You’re sweating and cold.”

I shrug. “It’s probably just something I ate.”

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