Page 37 of Tempted by a SEAL

“Just some info from my SEAL team,” he said, carrying his place back to the table. Eggs, sausages, beans, tomatoes, and fried bread filled his plate, and he groaned in appreciation as he took his first bite.

Emma placed a scone, fruit, and some eggs on her own plate, then took a seat beside him.

“No wonder you’re so small,” Hunter said. “That’s not a full meal.”

“It is for me—you’re nearly a foot taller than I am. If I ate what you did, I’d never fit into my clothes again.”

He chuffed out a laugh. “You, walking around naked—I’m not sure I’d consider that a bad thing. Especially since we’re staying in the same room.”

“Very funny,” she chastised. “I’m sure you chat up women all the time and take them home with you. But me? Never.”

“You don’t chat up women?”

“Oh never mind,” she said.

“You’re too easy to rile up,” he said. “Must be that famous red-headed temper. Although I kind of enjoy how easy it is to make you blush.”

“What can I say? The curse of being so fair-skinned. Oh, this tea is heavenly,” she said, taking another sip. “I know what you’re thinking,” she added. “My friend Lily was amazed by how much tea I drank every day.”

“I guess you don’t have anything like iced tea here in England.”

“Iced tea? No, definitely not.”

“I figured as much,” he said, taking another bite of his food. “I ordered a soda at the pub last night and they gave it to me without any ice.”

“This isn’t America,” she pointed out. “There aren’t 7-11’s on every corner with massive drinks the size of an entire pitcher.”

“It certainly isn’t the U.S.—no ice in your drinks, you drive on the wrong side of the road, and you serve black pudding for breakfast.”

“I notice you didn’t try any.”

“Not when I know why it’s black. I’ll eat damn near anything, but I don’t think you could pay me to try that. I’d rather eat a damn MRE if I had to.”

“What’s that?”

“Meal ready to eat. It’s a U.S. military thing. Tastes like cardboard, but they’re loaded with calories. They’re for out in the field—and trust me, there were times I was damn glad to have them. Nothing like pitching a tent in the middle of nowhere with nothing to eat. MRE’s did what they were intended to.”

“Sounds delicious,” she said sarcastically. “A cardboard tasting meal loaded with calories and sodium I’m sure.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers.”

“No, I’d imagine not. So, I don’t suppose you can tell me anymore what’s going on? You sent off the documents last night. I’d imagine your military has looked them over.”

“That they have,” Hunter agreed, taking a sip of his coffee. “I need to give my CO a call after we eat. Finalize some plans. But as you said, the information is out of your hands now. It was brave of you to grab those documents you found.”

Emma shrugged. “It’s what anyone would have done.”

“I’m not sure just anyone would go sneaking into Kabul on a visa they had no intention of actually using for legitimate purposes. Especially a single woman traveling alone to that part of the world.”

“I’ve always loved to travel and had a flair for adventure I suppose. Archeology is interesting because I get to study new cultures, discover ancient worlds. And the aid workers I met were lovely. They were there for different reasons than me, certainly, but I’d have kept in touch with some of them later.”

“Where’s your American friend from?”

“I think somewhere outside of Washington, D.C. Not too far from you I’d imagine if you’re in Virginia. Why, are you looking for me to set you up with a date when you return to the States?”

“No, I’m not looking for a date,” he muttered. “I think I have my hands full with you at the moment, wouldn’t you say?”

“Right. Sorry to be such trouble.”

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