Page 21 of SEAL by Fate

“For theory’s sake, a woman would only have reason to be jealous or upset in a situation like this if I was attracted to you.” One corner of his mouth worked a smile.

“Oh…” Her toes tingled. “I wasn’t suggesting…I mean, I don’t think that you’re attracted to me. I-I was only saying…well, this is an awkward situation.” She wondered if her cheeks were as red as they felt.

“Relax.” He had a full-blown smile now. “The only person who might be concerned is my dad, and he knows how unpredictable my routine is, not to mention he might be a little proud that I’m actually with a beautiful woman and not a criminal.”

Did he just say that I’m beautiful?

She’d been told before, but oddly when this near stranger pointed it out her body took on characteristics of a woman who was completely flattered. He was quite ruggedly handsome himself. Clasping her hands in her lap to hide the trembling in her fingers, she cleared her throat. “Does that mean you spend too much time on the job and not enough dating?”

“He’s even offered to sign over the family ranch if I settle down.” Gray stirred the pasta. He seemed very deft at working at the stove, but then again, she was more focused on his biceps than the boiling pot.

“Yet, that almost seems impossible that you could have your career and run a ranch.”

“And that’s the point. I know he’s proud of what I do, he also wants me to be happy, which for him means a wife and kids. When my mom died, he swore he’d never love anyone else, so he dates for companionship, but he’ll never fall in love again. I think he wants the same for me. To find the one woman who is my soul mate.”

“Wow. Another romantic declaration.”

“Maybe. Will your parents be disappointed that you didn’t get married?” he asked.

“They might be if they were alive.” She found it easy to talk with him, to share her life history, unlike how she’d felt with Duncan who always seemed to have one ear in and one out. Eventually, she’d stopped talking about her childhood and her parents, and the tragic day she found out they’d been killed in a car accident. Looking back, she couldn’t remember a specific time when he seemed supportive. Fairly, Stormy couldn’t suddenly paint him as a bad person with sinister intentions now that she wasn’t marrying him, but many of her suspicions were the very reasons why she didn’t walk down the aisle.

“I’m sorry.” His expression softened.

“It’s been a long time. My sister, Colette, and I were both young, but being that I’m three years older I took her under my wing. I’ve always looked out for her and I know she was only trying to look out for me.”

He tapped the spoon on the edge of the pot. “Hey, I’m not a relationship expert, but I’d say that your sister’s opinion is pretty accurate. I mean, you did leave the guy at the altar.”

“It’s possible she knows me better than I know myself, but I said something to her out of anger.” She stared down at her hands for a long moment. “I told her that she had no right to pass judgment on my relationship when she treated hers like a rotating door.”

“Here. Drink water.” He placed a bottle in front of her. “It’ll help.”

She uncapped it and drank but kept her eyes on him. “Since dating isn’t a priority for you, does that mean you’re a relationship virgin?”

“Now that’s a new one.” He winked. “Quite the contrary. I’ve been there, done that, and like you I realized it wasn’t for me. Now here I am.”

“Yes, here you are. Stranded with a stranger who has been a thorn in your ass from the very start.” She laughed, realizing it was the first time in days. Weeks really.

“Admittedly, this hasn’t been easy, but it could be worse. I could be alone. Then I’d be missing out on this enlightening conversation.”

Stormy dropped against the back of the stool. “Come on, I bet you like the peace and quiet.”

He gave a small shrug. “Now what gives you that idea?”

“Just a stab in the dark.”

“Looks like the pasta’s done. I want to head back down the mountain to your car before dark.” He must have noticed she was about to argue because he held up a hand. “I’m volunteering. Is there anything else I can grab for you while I’m there?”

“My clothes, that way I don’t have to parade around the cabin in this towel.”

“Yeah, that would be such a shame.”

*

Gray brought his fork to his mouth but kept his gaze steady on the beauty sitting across from him at the small table. The overhead light illuminated her face with a soft glow. Her still damp hair hung in ringlets around her face and neck and the towel was knotted above her breasts. Her nipples stood erect under the fabric. Her slender shoulders were exposed and looked like pale satin, making his fingers ache to glide along the feminine line. It took all his strength to keep his gaze focused on a safe region. “Where do you go from here?”

She frowned. “I don’t know. I moved out of my apartment.”

“Nothing has to be figured out at this very moment. Are you feeling any better?” He touched her arm and a jolt shot up his hand, settling in his chest.

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