Page 27 of Summer with a SEAL

“Training we go through. It stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL. Seven months of hard work—if you can’t pass that, you can’t be a Navy SEAL.”

“I’d probably fail the first day—it sounds grueling.”

They moved forward in the line, the Ferris wheel starting and stopping to let people on and off. The scents of funnel cakes and cotton candy drifted toward them, mixed in with the salty scent of the ocean. Before long, they were finally climbing into a basket on the ride. Jacob sat down right beside Jessica, wrapping his arm around her shoulders again as she settled against him.

“Where do you want to eat later?” she asked, glancing up at him.

“There’s tons of awesome seafood places nearby. But what are you in the mood for?”

“Anything, really. I skipped lunch today.”

“Aw, you should’ve said something. We could’ve eaten first and then headed over here.”

“I’m fine. I would’ve gotten a snack or something if I was starving.”

“I would’ve gotten you a snack,” Jacob said. “This is a date, so I’m buying. Funnels cakes, ice cream—whatever you want. And then we’ll grab some real food and drinks later on.”

The Ferris wheel began to move upward, and Jessica leaned closer into him, her bare leg brushing against his own. Jessica pressed up against him felt damn good. He had a vision of her snuggled up against him back in his apartment while they relaxed on his sofa together. Funny because he never really brought women home. He had on the rare occasion in the past, but generally they went out on a couple of dates, had a good time, and then parted ways.

To want to have a woman in his space was somewhat of a surprise.

Especially since he was envisioning her next to him on the sofa, not sprawled out naked on his bed. Not that he’d mind that either.

“On my God,” Jessica breathed as they crested the top of the Ferris wheel and saw the Virginia Beach oceanfront stretched out before them. The sun gleamed off the water, hundreds of people walked up and down the boardwalk and spread out on the sand, and it felt like the entire world was at their disposal.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” he asked in a low voice.

A sailboat sailed by, and several jet skis raced around further down the beach.

“This is amazing! Wow, I never even knew about this place. Even if I did, I doubt I would’ve stopped to try it out. Who knew the Ferris wheel had the best view in town? Well, aside from you I guess,” she added with a laugh.

“It’s older but still popular with the tourists. There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned boardwalk at the beach, complete with a carnival and games.”

They began to lower, and Jessica clung to him again, her brown waves blowing gently in the breeze. “I kind of like you snuggled up against me like this,” he said gruffly, brushing the top of her head with his lips.

She giggled. “I didn’t take you for the snuggling type.”

“Don’t tell the guys,” he quipped.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said dryly. “Besides, I’d rather have you all to myself.”

“Fair enough,” he chuckled. “I think Ryker is going to call your friend Michelle tonight. We’ll see. He’s not really the dating sort.”

“I don’t think Michelle is either,” Jessica admitted. “She’s always up for a good time.”

Jacob shrugged. “Nothing wrong with that I suppose. You’re only young once.” They rode past the line and went up again, circling around once more. “It’s weird being off in the middle of the day like this,” Jacob admitted. “I kind of feel like I’m playing hooky.”

“Same here. Usually I teach summer school. What do the rest of the guys on your team do when they get back?”

“We’re all off,” he explained. “We get some time to decompress. Back in the old days we’d all go hang out at Anchors a lot. Most of the guys have girlfriends or wives now though. They want to get home to see them.”

“And what—you just aren’t interested in that sort of thing?”

Jacob lifted a shoulder. “I hadn’t met the right woman I guess. No sense in forcing something that isn’t there.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. A few of my friends back home are married already, but as for me? I’m not going to rush into anything.”

“Are you originally from Blacksburg?” he asked.

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