Page 33 of California Wild

But Jesse was looking at her.

Looking at her like he wanted to pull her in.

Like he wanted to erase the space between them and kiss her the way he used to—like he needed her more than oxygen.

His fists curled tighter, like it was physically painful not to touch her.

Hayley’s whole body lit up, remembering what it felt like to have his hands gripping her hips, his mouth trailing down her body, his tongue drawing screams from her… he hadn’t just been addicted to her—they had been addicted to each other.

She still saw that in his eyes—that dark, restless fire, the Jesse who wanted to throw her around, to ruin her, to tell her she was his.

He leaned forward, like he couldn’t help himself.

Her breath came short, fast, unsteady. But she didn’t move. Neither did he. His fists clenched at his sides, tendons tight, like it was taking everything in him not to reach for her.

And for the sole reason that all she wanted to do was throw her arms around him and fall into his mouth—

She knew.

They could never just be friends.

Hayley swallowed, forcing air into her lungs. “I should go back.”

Jesse’s jaw tensed, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts like he was physically holding himself together.

Then, finally—he nodded. Understanding. That was as close to closure as they would ever get.

Chapter 5

Naval Base Coronado – Friday Afternoon

The air inside the team room was thick with anticipation, the kind that always came before a deployment. Maps were spread across the table, mission briefs stacked in neat piles, a whiteboard covered in scribbled notes about logistics, insertion points, and contingency plans.

Jesse stood with Zach, Isaac, Dominic, and a few of the other guys, arms crossed, listening as LPO Colson Shaw ran through the operational details. They were supposed to ship out in a week. High stakes op. South Pacific. Clean in and out.

This was the part he lived for.

The buildup. The weight of something bigger than himself. The knowledge that in a matter of days, they’d be boots on the ground, executing with precision, every breath counting.

Except—

Something was off.

Jesse felt it before Colson even looked his way.

Felt it in the way Colson’s voice was controlled, deliberate, like he was leading up to something Jesse wasn’t going to like.

Felt it in the way Heath kept his arms crossed, gaze unreadable.

Then—

“Navarro. Hang back.”

Jesse’s stomach coiled.

He kept his expression impassive, unreadable, the way he’d trained himself to be.

But inside?

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