Page 19 of Stranded with a SEAL

“Noah, put me down!” she yelled, laughing as he crossed the kitchen.

His muscular arm snared around her waist, and then he was crossing to the living room, playfully tossing her down onto the sofa.

She bounced on the plush cushions, laughing as Noah leaned down over her, his arms caging her in.

Her chest rose and fell, and her heart pounded at his nearness. She wasn’t exactly opposed to making out with him, but she’d promised herself she wouldn’t get involved with one of Mason’s friends. That she wouldn’t let anything happen between her and Noah.

His green eyes pinned her in place, and her lips parted in surprise.

He smelled clean and masculine. And his body was so warm and so near.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, pausing just for a moment, and then he was standing back up. Holding out a hand to help her stand up. “I’m just teasing you, sunshine,” he said, his voice gruff. “But hell, if you say the word, I’m yours.”

She stared at him in surprise and then he was walking back toward the kitchen, acting as if nothing had happened.

“They should be out soon,” he said, his voice deep. “Let’s get everything prepped.”

“Mason’s the one that planned this whole thing,” she said, finally following him back to the kitchen. Her skin heated at Noah’s nearness, but she tried to ignore the memory of his hard body hovering over hers. “What are we supposed to do with the fish? I buy fillets at the store and cook them, but I have no clue what to do with a fresh catch.”

“Clean and gut them, I suppose,” Noah said, opening some of the kitchen drawers.

Bailey shuddered. “No thanks. I’ll stick to mixing drinks tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I got it,” he said easily, pulling a large knife from the drawer. “I just need a cutting board or something to use.”

He was acting casual, as if they hadn’t just been moments away from kissing, but Bailey’s gaze dropped, and she could see the slight bulge in his shorts. Pretend all he wanted, he was affected by her, too.

And what had he meant by ‘say the word, and he was hers’?

For…the night? The weekend?

They’d have a fun time, she was sure, and no doubt Noah would be amazing in bed. But she wasn’t going to sleep with him for a couple of nights when she knew she’d see him around Virginia Beach. A quick fling was one thing, but they worked best when you knew you wouldn’t run into the guy again.

When you didn’t have mutual friends.

“So is there a grill down by the pool?” she asked. “We can’t grill fish out on the balcony; I’m sure that’s against a million different fire codes.”

“Yep. There’re several grills down by the pool and picnic area. I grabbed some charcoal and lighter fluid when I was at the store. I’ll probably go light one soon just in case others are planning to use them.”

“How’d you get suckered into running all the errands anyway?” Bailey asked, slicing the limes in half.

“I offered. And I don’t mind—I was quick to shower and change, and I thought they’d want some alone time.” He shrugged. “Plus, I got to cruise around in the convertible.”

“So there was an ulterior motive,” she said with a laugh.

“Hey guys,” Mason said a moment later, walking into the kitchen. His cropped blond hair was damp from the shower, and he had on a tee shirt and shorts. “I thought I heard voices out here.”

“Where’s Taylor?” Bailey asked.

“Drying her hair or something. I told her to take her time.”

“I’m going to run down and light the grill,” Noah said. “See you guys in a few.”

Bailey finished mixing the mojitos, offering one to Mason. He took a sip and grinned. “Damn, that’s strong. And amazing,” he added with a chuckle.

“Noah picked up some good rum,” she said with a shrug. She put lime wedges on the remaining glasses and then picked up her own drink. “To vacation,” she said, raising her glass high.

“To vacation,” he agreed, clinking his glass against hers.

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