Page 51 of SEAL by Fate

After fifteen minutes of talking about everything from the weather to movies she liked to watch and skirting around the heavier issues like bad guys and killers, they ate in comfortable silence. An hour later, their dishes were set aside, and he asked, “I’m going to grab another beer. Can I get you another glass?”

“That sounds perfect.”

He wasn’t sure if it was because she was safe or because of the wine, but she seemed much more relaxed. Once he grabbed the drinks he stepped back out and sat down at the glass table. She had her feet propped up on one of the chairs.

“Dinner was delicious,” she said with an engaging smile.

“So was the companionship.”

“Ah, are you trying to sweet talk me?” She brought the glass to her lips and took a sip.

He took a long swig of his beer. “Maybe.”

*

Stormy sipped at the expensive red wine, enjoying how smooth it went down. Unfortunately, she could imagine drinking several glasses easily and once she stood up she’d be tipsy. The wine was just that good. It eased the tension and soreness in her body and the easy conversation between she and Gray relaxed her back into the comfortable cushion of the chair.

“So, what was it like growing up rich?” She rolled the tip of one finger around the rim of the glass.

“Don’t get caught up on the rich thing. Trust me, I’m not spoiled.” He smiled and his eyes sparkled.

“I didn’t say you were, but let’s face it, this place is amazing.”

He shrugged, stretching the cotton of the T-shirt to capacity. The wine must be breaking down walls because, for the life of her, she couldn’t think why she hadn’t jumped his bones yet. He was sexy, smart, and when he talked they had easy conversation. And his hands…oh brother, his large hands. What ground they could cover on her body in such a short span of time.

“I guess.”

“Oh, come on. Are you modest?”

He laughed out loud. “That’s the first time I’ve heard that word directed toward me.”

“At least you’re laughing now and not in that crabby mood still. It was insufferable.”

“In my favor, I have been turned on only to be shot down at least a dozen times over the last few days.” His eyes twinkled in mischief.

“You’re cute.” She winked, feeling her cheeks warm and her inner thighs tremble. “I won’t fall for that. I know the real reason. You’re itching to get out there and find the bad guy, and instead, you have to stay here and babysit me.”

He gave his head a sharp shake. “Not true. I’m here, just where I want to be.” The soft lilt to his voice made her nipples tighten. Remembering how his cock pressed her bottom made her mouth salivate.

“Sure. We’ll leave it at that, but you’re allowed to love your job. My mom always said, “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’.”

“I love that saying.” He eased back into the chair, bracing his feet on the bar under the table.

“I must have thought about us…in bed…at least a hundred times.” Had she just said those words? Or did she imagine that she’d voiced her thoughts. When a grin lifted the corner of his mouth, she knew immediately that she’d allowed them to slip past her lips.

His eyes darkened and she felt the pull between them grow stronger. “I like this side to you. I don’t have to wonder what’s on your mind because you speak it.”

“Oh, you don’t find it childish?”

He blinked. “Childish? Whatever for?” He brought his bottle to his lips and drank thirstily.

“Duncan didn’t like when I was, well, vocal.”

He snorted. “And you were with the guy why?”

She laughed. “Good question.”

“I think we need to stay busy.” He stood and strolled toward her, his eyes staying upon her. She swallowed hard, wondering if “stay busy” was code for “sex”? Lord help her, if he made one move in that direction she’d forget protocol and dive right in. He held out his hand, palm up. She stared, and he laughed. “You have danced before, right?”

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