Page 32 of Stranded with a SEAL

“I know,” she said lightly, feeling shivers race down her spine at his touch.

“I’m attracted to you,” he said huskily. “But I know we’re trapped here together. I know that you’re scared. My first priority is making sure you’re safe.”

“Your first priority? Well, watch out for yourself, too. I don’t want to be stranded here alone.”

“I’m good, sunshine. I’m used to roughing it. Pitching a tent in the desert. Hauling a rucksack around on deployments. Hell, did I tell you that even after you become a SEAL, you train for eighteen months? Only after that will they send you on deployment.”

“Have you guys been together long? Your SEAL team, I mean?”

“A few years,” he said, his voice low. She felt his head move behind her, as if he were nodding. “The Alpha team is stationed at Little Creek, too. Sometimes we work with them as well. But the guys on the Delta team are a tight-knit group. We’ve seen things we can’t even tell anyone about. We train together, fight together. It forges an unbreakable bond between us.”

“I guess so. I can’t imagine risking my life with my coworkers. I mean, sure, we get drunks at the bar, but that hardly counts.”

“I worry about you working late hours,” he said, briefly nuzzling the top of her head. “You’re a beautiful woman. And around all those drunk guys late at night? I don’t like it.”

“Yeah. I imagine Mason worries about Taylor, too. That’s the nature of the job when you work as a waitress or bartender. I wouldn’t be happy in a nine-to-five job. I’m a night owl, so it suits me.”

“I can’t imagine there’s ever a dull moment,” he said.

“Nope. And I don’t even have to jump out of airplanes.”

He chuckled, his deep laugh filling the air. The rain continued to fall from the sky, but sitting beneath the palm trees in Noah’s arms, Bailey felt safe. Secure. In their own little world. Part of her was terrified that it would be days, weeks, before they were found. But another part of her knew she wouldn’t want to be stranded on a deserted island with anyone other than him.

Chapter 12

Noah shifted in his sleep, his arms tightening around Bailey. Somehow after waiting out the storm and finishing off the MREs stashed in his bag, they’d fallen asleep together under the palm trees, Bailey tucked securely in his arms.

Something felt damn right about holding her close. Keeping her safe.

She’d tugged his Navy sweatshirt back on over her shirt, but her bare legs were twined together with his. And all that soft, smooth skin against his own nearly made him come undone.

His erection was pressing against her ass, and she stirred slightly, unconsciously pressing her bottom back against him.

Noah stifled a groan.

If they were together, he’d part her legs right now. Trail his fingers up her bare thighs, tug down those denim cutoffs and bikini bottoms, and sink deep inside her wet heat.

She was so small compared to his much larger frame, and she fit against him perfectly, almost as if they were made to be together. Her hair still held the faint scent of coconut, and he inhaled deeply, wishing he could pull her even closer. Wishing they’d spent the night together by choice—not because they were stranded together on an island.

Bailey stirred slightly, nestling even closer to him. “Noah?” she asked sleepily.

“Right here, sunshine.”

“I thought I was dreaming at first. Then I remembered where we were.” She yawned, rubbing her eyes.

“You thought you were dreaming that I was holding you as you slept?”

She laughed quietly, twisting in his arms so that they were facing each other. “Yeah. Is that weird?”

“Not weird since it’s true,” he said with a low chuckle. “I have to admit, despite being out here, I haven’t slept that soundly in ages. I liked holding you close all night.”

“Me too,” she said, her gaze meeting his.

He watched her for a moment, wishing they didn’t need to get up and re-light the signal fire. Wishing they had a lazy morning together where they could make love. Her lithe body beneath his would be heaven.

Stretching her out beneath him, exploring all of her, and then making her cry out his name suited him just fine.

Except for the fact that she didn’t seem interested in a little vacation fling.

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