Page 41 of Summer with a SEAL

“I told you it could work out,” Amy protested. “You live across the state, not across the country. If you guys end up getting serious and want things to continue, they absolutely can.”

Jessica gazed out the window, watching the waves crash on the shore. It was ironic how something so simple as two people wanting to be together also seemed so complicated. “Yeah, I just—I don’t think he’s looking for that. We both know I’m leaving, so that puts an expiration date on this little romance.”

“You should talk to him,” Amy said gently. “See where he stands. I swear, the way he looks at you is not the way a guy looks at a woman he intends to say goodbye to.”

“Well what about Michelle and Ryker? He’s here all the time. I can’t see them continuing things.”

Amy shook her head. “It’s not the same. Neither of them look at each other that way. It’s just a fun little game to them—they’re both teases and love it.”

“I don’t know,” Jessica said with a sigh.

“Talk to him, Jess. Maybe not tonight or tomorrow, but before too long. Give him a chance to mull things over. Think about the future. He could be wondering about the same things too and just not be ready to admit it yet.”

“You’re right, I should talk to him. Especially before we have sex.”

“Wait—you’re not sleeping together?”

“Oh, we’re sleeping together,” Jessica assured her with a laugh. “And we’re doing everything but having sex. It’s good, I promise. I like that he’s willing to wait until I’m ready.”

“Such a gentleman,” Amy said with a wink.

“He’s almost too perfect,” Jessica sighed.

“No such thing.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Nobody’s perfect. And I will talk to him. I just need to figure out exactly what I want to say.”

***

Jacob gripped the steering wheel, pulling back onto base after a quick meeting down in Norfolk. He drove down the tree-lined street, the sunlight peeking through the branches dancing across his car. His hands tightened as he maneuvered into a parking spot, his jaw clenched.

Jess had sent him a text responding to his earlier one, and his cock had been hard ever since.

What makes you think I’d want to get out of bed?

Jesus Christ.

For being so shy most of the time, she sure knew how to dial up the heat when she wanted to. Holy Hell. This weekend with Jessica had been…beyond words. Seeing her in that sexy lingerie, spread out like some sort of temptress, when he’d already resigned to waiting a while before taking her to bed?

No. Words.

She was everything he could want in a woman—smart, funny, sweet. Gorgeous. A little bit shy, which he had to admit he loved, but when she’d let herself go in his arms?

It was tough to imagine ever being with another woman again.

And wasn’t that quite a shock to his system.

“Yo, Joker!” Hunter called out as Jacob climbed out of his vehicle.

“Hook,” Jacob said with a nod as he shut his car door. “Where’ve you been all morning?”

“Doctor appointment with Emma.”

Jacob nodded, assuming it had to do with her pregnancy. “Are we still doing water training this afternoon?”

“Affirmative. It’s on the schedule, so we’re moving forward as planned,” he said as the two men walked to the building. Jacob breathed in the salty ocean air, muttering to himself as he pulled open the door.

Jessica was probably sunbathing on the beach right about now, or maybe relaxing in that hammock of hers. Hell if he wouldn’t love to take the day off and spend it with her. But real life called—he needed to get back to his duties. Back to reality.

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