Page 10 of Tempest

“Are you going to show her your best effort, or are you just going to stare at her all the time and throw thinly veiled insults at her? For the record, no one is fooled.”

“Shit. I can barely breathe when I’m around her. I feel like I’m twelve years old again.” Shaking his head, he laughed. “I’m a retired fucking SEAL and I can barely get out of my own way when she’s around. She’s not even my type.”

“Don’t worry. It only gets worse,” Grady responded with a laugh. “I haven’t had an easy breath since I kissed Sara. I don’t expect to until I have her legally bound to me and pregnant. Even after that, it’s going to be iffy.”

“As far as pep talks, that’s the crappiest one I’ve ever heard.”

Shrugging, Grady laughed. “May not be something that I excel at.”

“You think?” Ryan laughed and signaled to the waitress. He was surprised to discover the heavy feeling that had been sitting on his chest seemed lighter. Maybe just admitting that Ivy had him twisted was enough to lessen the weight. This whole sharing thing that the Navy doc was always talking about might not be total bullshit. Not that he was going too carried away or anything.

They were about to leave when Grady got a text from Sara. Laughing, he showed him a picture of the shoes that the ladies were buying. “Seems like they were successful. Maybe we should run over there and offer to carry their bags.”

“Are you missing your girl, Grady?” Ryan checked his watch and laughed. “It’s been only four hours.”

“Fuck you. Are you coming or not?”

Maybe he needed to do something about the attraction that was simmering between him and Ivy. “I’m coming.”

***

Ivy pulled Sara into La Perla and swept her arm around like a hostess on a game show. “Welcome to paradise. There are no prettier bits of silk and lace on the planet.”

“I want everything in here,” Sara responded as she moved toward one of the racks.

Ivy held up a pale pink camisole and sighed. “I can’t resist.”

“Nor should you,” Sara said, as she held up celadon-green bra and matching thong. “If I wore this, then I would have to remind Grady that he couldn’t rip them off me. I’d have to make sure that he knew the difference between Target undies and these.”

Walking closer, Ivy studied her new friend. “Is that how it is between you two?” Holding up her hand, she shook her head. “Never mind. I can’t believe that I asked something so personal.”

“I’m the one who brought it up.” Sara laughed. “And to answer your question, yes. The way Grady feels about me isn’t pretty and polite. He’s not restrained when he expresses his feelings, and I couldn’t be happier.”

“I’m asking because I see what you two have together, and I would like to have something like that someday. I’ve never had a man show me more than polite and civilized attention. Or at least, anyone I was interested in. I decided last year that I was tired of wasting my time dating people who were less exciting than a dime-store novel. I may end up alone, but it’s better than settling.”

“I noticed you and Sam hit it off at lunch last week. Maybe he’s a candidate.”

Ivy moved her finger over the lace of the camisole and shrugged. “Could be.”

“But?” Sara said.

“But…nothing.” Ivy laughed.

“Oh, my God, you like Ryan. I noticed you two staring at each other when you think no one is looking. Maybe he’s the one for you.”

“Ryan doesn’t know what he wants, and he isn’t even my type.” Throwing her hair over her shoulder, she started going through the racks.

“Grady wasn’t my type either…until he was.” Before she could say more, her cell phone beeped.

Ivy watched a smile cross her face. It must have been a text from Grady. “Has he hit his limit of separation?”

“Yes, he and Ryan are here, and they want to know where we are. He said they came over to carry our bags. A man who wants to carry your shopping bags is a man who’s interested.”

“Ryan isn’t interested.”

Laughing, Sara shoved the phone back in her bag. “I’m going to meet them out front.”

Ivy grinned and moved toward another rack. “I’d better shop quick, then.” Moving through the racks, she started to pick out a couple of things. There was a periwinkle lace body suit that would be perfect for one of her dresses. Holding it up, she studied it and wondered if the straps would work. A deep voice rumbled over her shoulder. Turning, she stared into Ryan’s deep green eyes. Damn, he was handsome. Doing her best to pretend his presence meant nothing, she smiled. “Are you here to help me pick out some bits of lace?” She figured the best way to get rid of him was to advance. He didn’t seem like a man who understood anything else.

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