Page 13 of Summer with a SEAL

“Okay,” she said, feeling confused.

“You know all the guys you met at the bonfire? We’re two different SEAL teams. It’s not exactly a secret or anything—I mean, hell, the locals all know who we are. But I tend not to go around advertising the fact, you know?”

“That makes sense,” she said.

Jacob reached over and rested a large hand on her bare knee, sending shivers racing through her entire body. His thumb lightly traced circles on her skin, and she resisted the urge to squirm in her seat. Because goodness if his touch wasn’t arousing as hell.

Her nipples pebbled beneath her sundress, and she was relieved it was dark out here.

“It’s possible we’ll get called up at any time,” he continued in a low voice. “We don’t always know where we’re going or for how long. But I’d love to take you out later this week. Why don’t you give me your number and we’ll make plans? Unless you just want me to show up unannounced one day.”

“We can exchange numbers,” she hastily said, flushing as he chuckled. He seemed to know just how much he affected her, and something about that was unnerving.

As was his large, muscular arm resting on her leg. The weight of it made her imagine his large body hovering over her—he was a man used to commanding attention. To being in charge. What would it be like sleeping with a guy like him?

Not that she was planning to fall into his bed or something. A little kiss goodnight, maybe. But he’d already told her that he and his buddies liked to hang out at Anchors—and that was a pick-up joint if she ever saw one. It had been filled with military men and flirtatious women. If Jacob hung out at a place like that all the time?

She certainly didn’t need to get seriously involved with him. Or involved in any way, for that matter. Dinner, yes. But after that?

Her heart fluttered nervously in her chest.

Jacob shifted in his seat, removing his hand from her leg much to her dismay, and pulled his phone from his pocket. She instantly felt the loss of his heat and strength. “Tell me your number, and I’ll text you right now so you have mine, too.”

She recited her number, watching as he thumbed it into his phone. He sent a quick text, but since her own cell phone was inside, she didn’t know what it said.

Jacob tucked his phone back into his pocket and took another swig of his beer. “Your friend seemed really into Ryker,” he commented.

Jessica laughed. “Michelle? She’s into all sorts of guys. Amy and I aren’t like that at all.”

“I can tell—and that’s a good thing, angel. You’re exactly my type.”

She looked over at him doubtfully. “What?” he asked with a chuckle. “I know what I like. There’s something to be said about the thrill of the chase, but I don’t need a woman who’s a total tease.”

“She’s not always like that,” Jessica said.

“I know—it’s part of the game. Ryker loves women like that. But me?” He shrugged, settling back into his chair.

Jessica shifted, crossing her legs, and took a sip of her cold beer. “We barely even know each other.”

“I’d like to remedy that.”

“Well, I’m only here for the summer—not that I mean this should go anywhere,” she added hastily. “I’m just not like that—I don’t go home with a man I just met.”

“And yet here we are,” he joked. “But I understand. And I respect the hell out of that. I’d never ask you to do something that made you uncomfortable.”

“I appreciate it,” she said softly.

The sound of car doors slamming outside drew her attention, and a moment later they heard the door opening. “It sounds like the cavalry’s arrived,” Jacob quipped, standing up. He reached over and held out a hand, and she took his much larger one in hers, letting him help her to her feet. Jacob smelled clean—like soap and saltwater from the ocean breeze. He held onto her hand a beat too long, and her mouth parted slightly in surprise.

“I know this wasn’t a date—but it was a hell of a lot better than plenty I’ve been on.”

She flushed, and he ducked down and quickly brushed his lips across her forehead. Heat began to seep through her, but he was already backing away and dropping her hand. Michelle burst into the front door, talking loudly, and whatever spell had been between them on the deck was broken.

She moved through the open door, feeling Jacob’s large frame behind her. Forcing herself not to look back, she hurried across the room to check on her best friend.

Chapter 5

Jacob scrubbed a hand across his jaw the next morning, pouring cereal into a bowl as his coffee brewed. The scent of his medium-roast coffee filled the kitchen and had him feeling more and more alert, but his mind drifted.

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