Page 15 of A Very Grumpy Navy SEAL

“Koa,” Ledger says, voice softer now, “she’s not a kid.She’s an adult.A smart one.She can make her own decisions.I’m not her gatekeeper.I’m not going to beat the shit out of you.Well, not unless you break her heart.Then I have to.You understand.”

“Yeah, I understand.”

“Good.Then fix this thing with Lula.The next time she calls me, I expect her to be happy and not close to tears.”

I nod even though he can’t see me.“She will be.”

“And we will never discuss sex.”

“Dude, no.”

“Good.Go get your girl.”

I feel such a sense of relief at how this conversation went.“Thanks, Ledger.”

“I didn’t do anything.I’ve got to go, but I’ll talk to you later.”

The call ends, and I sit on the edge of the bed for a full minute, just breathing.

I have Ledger’s blessing.Nothing is standing in my way now.I have no excuse not to go after her.

I grab my keys and head out, determined to pick up something she’ll love.The local pizza place is still open, and I remember her moaning over a cheeseburger like it was a five-star meal.She’s a comfort food kind of girl.I order a large pizza with pepperoni, grab a bottle of root beer, and return to the hotel.

My stomach twists with nerves as I stop outside her door.I’ve been practicing what I’ll say for the last half an hour.I take a deep breath and knock on her door.

I wait.No answer.

I try again.

Still nothing.

I shift from foot to foot, my heart racing with something besides nerves.No, this is…worry.

“Lula?It’s me.”

Nothing.

I pull out my phone and call her.

Straight to voicemail.

Something is wrong.

I call her name again, louder.Still no answer.I press my ear to the door, but it’s silent on the other side.

Did she leave her room?What if she fell or something happened?What if she’s hurt?

Fuck it.

I take two steps back and ram my shoulder into the door.The wood cracks and the door bursts open.

Steam spills out from the bathroom, warm and heavy, and hits me in the face.

“Lula?”

The bathroom door swings open, and she barrels out, wrapped in a towel, dripping wet, blonde hair plastered to her skin.A few soap bubbles slide down her arms, and I swallow hard as my body reacts to the sight of her.

“Fuck me,” I mumble.

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