Page 18 of Harmless Scandals

“Military upbringing.” He shrugged, then tugged off his shirt.

Good God in Heaven. She almost passed out from the view in front of her. All tanned flesh, big muscles, and several tats. His skin was damp from the rain and she wanted to touch. Just run her hands over those enormous pecs…and lick at least one nipple.

Damn.

“Serenity?”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to get another shirt. I just started a pot when you went tearing off to the beach.”

She nodded but she didn’t move.

“Serenity?”

She blinked and finally focused on his face. He was smiling at her and there was a look in his eyes that told her he had picked up on her thoughts. Her face flamed.

“Cups are in the cupboard right above the coffee pot.”

Then he disappeared to the back of the house. She drew in a deep breath and ordered each and every one of her hormones to settle down. When she was finally under control, she walked over to the coffee pot. She smiled when she saw every cup in perfect alignment.

“Military brat.”

“And proud of it.”

She jumped at the sound of his voice, then turned to face him. He had on another t-shirt and a new pair of shorts. His hair had been brushed back from his face, but with his fingers.

“Sorry. It’s just so orderly.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, there is that. No problem. I’m proud of my military brat upbringing and the years I spent in the service.”

“As you should be,” she said with a smile.

“Everything has to be in perfect order for when my folks visit. It has more to do with my mother than my father, to tell you the truth.”

He took the cup she held in her hands and poured coffee for her. “Milk? Sugar?”

She nodded and he went to retrieve them.

“Your mother is the task master?”

He nodded. “Always beware of the military mama. She’s a dangerous creature.”

She laughed enjoying him. It was nice to see a man who obviously loved his mother. “So, they visit?”

“Yeah, my parents and my sister come every now and then. She’s hugely pregnant now, so I won’t see her until the baby is born.”

She doctored her coffee as he filled his cup.

“Take a load off,” he said, motioning with his head. She walked into the living area. They had massive furniture that should have dwarfed the room, but somehow seemed to fit.

She sat down on the couch and he joined her on the opposite end.

“Is that what you do all the time? Run out in storms?”

She shook her head. “Not normally. But today was different. Plus, I’m working on a book.”

“Oh? About Hawaii?”

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