Page 2 of Ex-SEAL Bad Boy

Even in the super-elite and highly select U.S. Navy unit, my general attitude meant I was always this close to losing my spot on the team. In fact, that’s very likely what would have happened, but for a freak training accident that wrecked my back.

A closed compression fracture of the L-3 vertebrae, according to the doctor that treated me. He assured me I’d be back to normal eventually, at least mostly. Only not enough to allow me to remain with the SEALs.

When I went off to training, I’m sure Sophia was overjoyed. I would be away from her brother for a while, and while she knew that I’d eventually return, hopefully the time I spent in the military would change me for the better. It didn’t.

For the time being, I’m staying at the family compound in Lighthouse Point, along the Virginia coast. It’s a small town, and I guess my folks are what would be considered big fish in a small pond, but their influence extends far from our little slice of paradise. Their hands are in quite a few pies, some of which extend right up to the president of the United States.

By now all of Sophia’s friends had crowded around her, making sure she was OK. At least she had thanked me for saving her life. Given her attitude, I begin to wonder whether she would have preferred that I let her drown.

I must admit my views regarding the value of human life are somewhat colored based on my past military experience and maybe were formed even before that. The taking of lives doesn’t affect me in the slightest, particularly if they wouldn’t hesitate todo the same to me given the chance. My moral compass might be slightly wonky, but I wasn’t about to let some innocent young woman die needlessly, even if said woman is an annoyance.

Thinking back to how I had admired the long, lean young body laid out on the sand, it’s hard to imagine that this was the same awkward teenager I remembered her being just a few years ago.

I won’t say there had never been a spark that passed between us, however briefly.

The year before I left, Liam and I were at a Christmas party at a friend’s house down on the beach. He and I had both had a few drinks, and I was feeling pretty good. We had stepped outside to smoke a joint on the back deck when I noticed this girl in a form-fitting green velvet dress chatting with a friend down on the beach.

She was partially obscured by a stand of sea oats, and it was hard to make out her features. Sure, she was a little young, but who cared? From what I could see, she was smoking hot.

As she started walking back toward the house, I thought it was going to be my shot to talk to her.

“Hey, Liam, you’d better save some of that for me,” she called out, appearing from around the corner of the dune.

“Holy shit! Had I really been checking out the sister of my best friend?” It had been several months since I had last seen her. Liam had his own apartment, so she wasn’t around anymore.

Man, she had really grown up.

Embarrassed, I cleared my throat and stood up straight.

“Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning up her nose at me. “Shoulda known.”

Liam handed her the joint, and she took a long drag, looking at me as she exhaled.

My face must have betrayed what I was thinking about, despite my efforts.

“What are you looking at?” she sneered sassily before walking off.

Liam broke out laughing. “Man, I’ve never seen any girl talk to you like that.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I huffed. “She’s your little sister. Besides, she’s always hated me. What’s new.”

I took one last hit before tossing the remains of the joint onto the sand.

I glanced back into the room as Liam wandered off, only to see Sophia grabbing her purse as if preparing to leave.

I had never seen her in that light before, looking all mature with her hair pinned up and curves in all the right places.

I pull myself out of my reverie. Well, I’m glad she’s alright, and it’s pretty clear nothing has changed between us. Just as well.

I notice a few of her friends looking over at me admiringly as I get back to my run, a thin sheen of sweat already beginning to form on my well-toned body. I don’t have to work too hard to get female attention.

“See you around,” I say as I walk off, trying to at least keep it civil.

“I hope not,” she replies coldly, staring daggers at me.

2

SOPHIA

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