Page 16 of Harry

“I know, love. I’ll keep it to myself, but watch your back. I’m not digging, but if I find more, I’ll have to do something.”

“Okay, but just don’t. And this guy, he’d better be worth it.”

Rory smiled to herself as warmth spread. “I think he is.”

Lucia huffed. “Good for you. Now I need to find someone. I don’t like long, lonely nights.”

Rory hugged Lucia close before she let go. They stopped by a vendor and bought hot cocoa. It was funny how people in California thought this was cold, but she didn’t mind sipping cocoa with her sister while they strolled down the Embarcadero heading back to their cars. She didn’t question Lucia about where she found people to date. It would be much better for Lucia if she found a civilian and not another military person. Of course, here she was planning on getting busy with a SEAL. She should follow her own advice on the subject.

Not once in her childhood could she have imagined a life like this. Lucia wasn’t an officer but had a great position and made good money. Lucia was well respected and worked hard. Rory didn’t want to ruin that for her sister. She would do all she could to keep Lucia out of this. Heck, she didn’t want to be involved in it herself, but she was by no fault of her own. Ignoring the information wasn’t working, not really. Eventually, she’d have to make a decision. She just hoped it was the right one.

Chapter 10

Two weeks had passed since Harry had seen Rory. He missed her terribly. He texted her on Friday afternoon, asking if she wanted to grab a pizza. She hadn’t responded by the time he finished his shower and was heading out to his car. He guessed she wasn’t interested.

He waved to his buddies and then slid into the driver’s seat of his car when his phone buzzed. He was so sure it was one of the guys razzing him that he almost ignored the text but decided to look. His heart sped up when he saw it was from Rory.

Name the time and place, and I’ll be there.

He thought about telling her to head to one of the local pizza shops, but instead, he entered his home address.

My place, I’m headed that way now. We’ll order in and watch TV. Besides, you owe me a back rub.

Text bubbles appeared and then vanished. Was she going to say no? He wouldn’t blame her. Coming over to his place was next-level stuff. If they were alone, things might go too far.

I can ask one of the guys to join us if that makes you feel better.

Rory’s reply came seconds later.

Not necessary. I’ll be there in about an hour.

Excitement bubbled through him. He needed to stay calm and not get too excited. They weren’t going to do anything other than eat pizza and watch a movie. He wouldn’t make a move on her.

Part of not making a move was jacking off the second he got home. He wasn’t one of those guys who could come multiple times a day. At least he didn’t think he was or had never been with any other woman. With Rory, everything felt different.

She texted that she was in the lot, and then his buzzer rang, indicating someone needed to be let into the building. He had to force himself not to get too excited. She was here, but that didn’t mean they would take their relationship past being friends.

He pressed the button to let Rory up, taking a moment to breathe deeply and calm down. They could do this. He was mature enough to have a relationship with a woman that didn’t revolve around sex. They could be friends. He just had to keep reminding himself of that fact and keep his hands to himself.

Chapter 11

Rory knew heading to Harry’s place was stupid. She should have called and told him she’d changed her mind, but she found herself parking in a guest spot and then ringing the buzzer to be let up. What was she thinking?

During the elevator ride up to his place, she thought about turning around and heading home, but what would she do there other than obsess about what she’d found? Honestly, she hadn’t been looking this time. The latest round of classes had ended, and she was setting up for the next session when she found a laptop computer stored under a stack of manuals at the back of a cabinet. The laptop shouldn’t be there.

When she opened the computer, the first thing she noticed was it wasn’t a military computer. Maybe someone had hidden their personal computer in the cabinet, thinking they would return for it later. But there were restrictions on what you could bring into the facility because of the information they delivered. Who would have been able to get something like this inside?

As she’d sat with the computer, staring at the screen, heat overcame her, and she grabbed a cloth, wiping down all the surfaces to get rid of her fingerprints.

Before anyone came in looking for her, she stored the laptop back where she’d found it, not wanting to delve further. If she really wanted to find out what was on that thing, she would need to go in during the weekend or early on Monday. Laelyn usually showed up at ten after seven on Monday mornings. She could arrive closer to five and say she needed to finish up with something she’d missed on Friday. Few people who knew her would believe she had missed something, but maybe the excuse would fool some.

The door opened, and she pushed the thoughts away as she stepped into Harry’s condo. The place was nice and very clean, which didn’t surprise her at all. Either he had great taste, or someone had helped him decorate.

“Nice place.”

Harry glanced around. “Thank you. I didn’t buy it myself. My father gave it to me. I thought about not accepting it, but it does help.”

“Did he expect anything from you?”

---