Page 28 of Summer with a SEAL

“Yeah, I even went to Virginia Tech. How’s that for original?” she asked with a laugh.

“Rebelling would’ve been going to UVA,” he joked, referring to the University of Virginia. “I’m actually from Pittsburgh. But I went out to California when I joined the Navy. I go visit, of course, but I’ve never been back to live there ever since.”

“I can’t see myself leaving Virginia.”

“Me either—I mean, I won’t be a SEAL forever, obviously. I’m getting older. But there’s a hell of a lot of good jobs down here with the Navy. Plus the Pentagon of course. Either way, I figure I’ll end up somewhere here.”

“Hmmm.”

She didn’t say anything else, and Jacob smiled, content to simply enjoy the day with a beautiful woman at his side. They’d go to dinner. Maybe walk on the beach. He’d kiss her goodnight like he promised.

And after that?

He wanted to see much more of her.

Chapter 12

“Do you want another drink?” Jacob asked as they sat at the outside bar of the crowded restaurant later that night. Twinkle lights were strung above the tables, torches strategically placed around lit up the patio area, and groups of people talked and laughed around them. Jacob rested his forearms on the bar, and she tried to ignore the way his muscles bulged in his sleeves.

And the way he casually brushed up against her. His body language made it clear they were together, and her pulse quickened every time he reached over and caressed her bare skin.

A few women walking by had certainly noticed him, and she felt slightly underdressed in her shorts and tank top. Granted, Jacob was dressed casually, too, but that hadn’t stopped the glances of other women nearby.

They were clearly on the prowl, wearing short skirts and sky-high heels. She felt almost frumpy in her flat sandals and tank top. She and Jacob had been wandering around all afternoon though—she couldn’t exactly have worn sexy high heels for a ride on the roller coaster.

“Yeah, sure,” she said, meeting his gaze. “Another margarita would be great.”

Jacob gestured to the bartender and then scrubbed a hand across the stubble on his jaw. “I can’t believe the wait’s this long for dinner tonight,” he said, stifling a yawn.

“You’re tired,” she said. “God, you just got back and have spent all afternoon with me. You must want to do nothing but crash and sleep for hours.”

“Believe me, it’s no trouble,” he said with a chuckle. “This is the best day I’ve had in a while. I do have to be back on base early tomorrow though. So after dinner, I’ll take you home. But I’d love to take you out this weekend. Maybe we can get dinner and walk along the boardwalk.”

“I’d like that. You’re sure you won’t get sent off again on some sort of mission?”

Jacob turned toward her, reaching out and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His large hand cupped her cheek as their eyes met, and her skin heated. “I’m never sure about anything in my career,” he said in a low voice. “But I will let you know the next time I’m leaving. Even if I have to send you a quick text in the middle of the night to say I’ll be gone.”

She nodded, suddenly feeling shy. Jacob was acting awfully serious for a guy she’d been on exactly one date with.

“Thanks,” she said as he pulled his hand away. “I just worry about you, you know?”

“I’m not used to that,” he admitted. “Some of the other guys have serious girlfriends. Hell, a lot of the guys on the other team are married. But I’ll make sure I let you know the next time I need to pull a disappearing act.”

“All right,” the male bartender said, setting a margarita and bottle of beer down on the bar. “Here you two go. Need anything else?”

Jacob turned toward her. “Would you like anything?

“I’m fine. Our table should be ready soon.” She took a sip of her margarita, enjoying the saltiness mixed in with the lime. A warm breeze blew in from the ocean, and she grinned. “This is so fantastic here. I swear I’m never going to want to go home after spending the summer at the beach.”

“I hear ya,” Jacob said with a chuckle. “The ocean is soothing. A hell of a way to relax. Even though we’re out on the water plenty of days, the guys and I still head down here a lot of weekends. And of course we enjoy the occasional bonfire.”

“How could I forget that?” she joked. “Thankfully you guys were around that night.”

“How’s Amy” he asked. “No issues?”

“No, she’s great,” Jessica said. “The guy she got stuck out there with headed home anyway. And she’s a bit more cautious now when we’re down by the ocean.”

“That’s probably a good thing,” Jacob admitted.

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