Page 9 of Andy

Again, his deep laugh raked over her nerves, making her skin tingle. “How about we eat dinner and get to know each other first before we start negotiating sex?”

Heat filled her. This conversation was weird. “Sure. Dinner sounds great.”

“When I finish with the closing, I’ll send you a text.”

“Okay. I’m looking forward to seeing you when we don’t have the threat of being shot hanging over our heads.”

“I like you, Mel. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She ended the call and clutched her phone to her chest. Andy had asked her out on a date, like a real date. Excitement pulsed through her. She just hoped he didn’t think she was too weird, or aggravating, or awkward. Heck, she wished she could be cool and awesome for once, but she’d never been that way before. Hopefully, Andy wouldn’t dump her before dessert.

Chapter 5

When Andy was handed the keys to his house, he breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, the guys had thought it was hilarious that his closing had been delayed because of a bank robbery. He’d not thought it that funny, but laughed with them. He guessed it had been somewhat comical that a SEAL had foiled the plans of some random bank robbers.

Concern still held him. The amount of explosives the guys had with them wasn’t normal. First off, why would robbers have explosives? The whole thing didn’t make much sense.

Once outside the lawyer’s office, he texted Mel, hoping she still wanted to go with him. For a moment he worried that she wasn’t going to respond when his phone buzzed. She would be out in a few minutes.

He’d planned on texting the guys and showing his house keys, but he didn’t want to be interrupted throughout dinner. He could send the text after he’d spent some time with Mel.

She stepped out the front door of the bank and headed his way. She wasn’t voluptuous, and her curves were minimal, but there was something about her that made him want to know her. There was one point when their gazes connected, and he thought she could see into his soul. He craved that connection.

Mel’s lips spread into a warm smile. “Andy, did you close on your house?”

“Sure did. Today went a little better than yesterday.”

Mel’s laughter worked through him, making him feel lighter than he had in years. He wanted to kiss her, but that still wouldn’t be appropriate. Sure, they’d been through hell yesterday, but they didn’t know each other.

Mel stopped about a foot away from him, and he wished she would have kept coming until she was in his arms and pressed up against his body. He wanted to hold this woman close. She was small enough that carrying her everywhere would be easy. The thought of her naked and in his arms flashed through his mind, causing heat to whip through him. He had to force the image from his mind. He laughed to cover the lust pumping through him.

“Yeah, you’re telling me. I was not at my best yesterday,” Mel said.

Her words made him smile. “Neither was I.”

“Jesus, if that wasn’t your best, I’d like to see what is.”

His smile broadened. Normally, he never divulged what he did for work to people he didn’t know well. Before he’d learned the hard way that women liked to take advantage of SEALs, he’d told a few women, and it had been bad for him in the end.

Andy pointed to the shopping area across the street. “Are you good with the diner over there? I know it’s not a very romantic spot, but this way, you’re close to your car, and you can leave if I make you uncomfortable.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Are you planning on making me uncomfortable?”

“No, not today. But I’m intense, and I know it.”

Her lips opened like he’d surprised her, making her look very adorable. “Sometimes intensity can be good.”

Reading too much into her words would only get him in trouble. He nodded, wanting to be polite, but replies slid through his mind that would surely make him sound like a jerk.

“The diner is great. They have good food, or they do for breakfast. I usually pack my lunch because I don’t get much time.”

“Do you like working for the bank?” Andy asked as they started walking toward the crosswalk.

She shrugged. “It was robbed when I first started working there, and then yesterday happened. I don’t like that part of banking, but it’s a good job. It pays well enough. I get to meet a lot of new people. Usually, it’s a mostly safe job, and it’s contained with strict hours and days off.”

“That’s good.” His job was the opposite. He wondered what she would think of his work. “Have you lived in the area for long?”

She shrugged. “My parents moved here when I was six. We’ve lived all over the place, from Chula Vista to Rancho San Diego and Jamul. We even lived in Moreno Valley for a few years.”

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