Page 12 of Stranded with a SEAL

“We’ll have to do it soon—it’s already cold at night.”

Mason shrugged, watching her with a smile tugging on his lips. “So we’ll stay the night at your place, and I’ll wake you up nice and early. Make it worth your while. How does that sound?”

“Shhh,” she said, her face turning pink.

“Sweetie, don’t worry,” Bailey said. “We all know you two are sleeping together. You’re a couple.”

“Bailey!” she hissed, balling up her napkin and tossing it across the table. Noah instinctively reached out and snagged it from the air, Bailey watching him in surprise.

“Habit,” he said easily. “But how about you, sunshine? Can you handle me for another couple of hours if we head down to the dock after brunch?”

“Oh, I can handle you,” she assured him, pursing those glossy pink lips. She innocently lifted her mimosa and took another sip, knowing he was watching her. “It’s about time someone put you in your place.”

He took another swig of his beer and shot her a grin. “Honey, you can put me wherever you want me.”

Chapter 5

Bailey walked down the dock with Taylor, the men following behind. She could hear their low voices—talking about a recent mission, it sounded like. Mason had gotten a text from Hunter, their SEAL team leader, and the men had briefly huddled together to discuss something.

Interesting how they could be carefree and laughing one minute and then serious and no-nonsense the next. As big of a flirt as Noah was, she got the idea that he was one hundred percent committed to his career.

He had to be she supposed—lives were literally at stake.

She didn’t know exactly what becoming a SEAL entailed, but she did know most men never passed the training.

A brief hint of worry washed over her.

Noah and Mason had dangerous jobs—of course he could never tell her about his missions or what exactly he did, but they were sent to bad places. Deployed to God knows where, length of time unknown. They fought against the bad guys and did things she could never even dream of.

Taylor had told her small bits of the types of things Mason had said he did—the things that he could share, that is. She got the idea that Taylor and the other girlfriends didn’t know the half of it.

And her best friend seemed okay with it.

It was silly for her to worry about Noah anyway. He was a big boy who could take care of himself. He was a freaking Navy SEAL for crying out loud. The thought of him in harm’s way didn’t sit well with her though, and that was somewhat of a shock to her system.

She was casual about her relationships, content to move from one man to another without much thought.

And maybe they’d spend a long weekend together down in Florida, having a good time, but she was planning to keep things between them friendly and nothing more. Flirting was okay, but as for making out or sleeping with him?

Not a chance in hell that was going to happen.

“Hey ladies, wait up!” Mason shouted a moment later, and the guys jogged forward to catch up with them. Mason’s blond hair gleamed in the sunlight, and he ducked down, catching Taylor in a kiss.

After a delicious brunch and a second mimosa, Bailey was feeling pretty carefree at the moment. She let all her worry about the guys’ careers as SEALs drift aside.

Noah had his trademark aviators on, but she could tell he was watching her. The breeze ruffled her sundress, and she rested her hands on her thighs, holding it in place. His gaze dropped to her legs, and she felt heat rising within her.

Just a glance from him seemed to send her up in flames.

That was part of the appeal she supposed—she’d never be with him, so all the innocent flirtations were that much more exciting.

They could look but not touch.

And goodness, did he seem to enjoy looking at her.

Noah slung his arm around her shoulders, tugging her close. “Stay next to me so your dress doesn’t blow too much.”

She nodded, shifting slightly closer to him. It felt good feeling his solid strength beside her—to feel the weight of his muscular arm across her shoulders. “Have you ever been fishing before?” he asked as they walked to the edge of the dock.

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