Page 5 of A Very Grumpy Navy SEAL

“Oh, it’s okay.I’ll be fine.”

I want to argue, but the server comes back with my takeout and the check.I pay in a hurry and stand to offer Lula my hand.

“Come on.I’m headed to the hotel, too.”

We leave in silence, and I walk her to her car.I wait until she’s safely inside before jogging across the parking lot to my car and climbing behind the wheel.I pull out of the lot behind my girl and follow her to the hotel.

We park next to each other, and I take a deep breath as we both climb out.Every fiber of my being wants to stay close to Lula.I want to touch her, to map out every inch of her body, to mold her curves in my palms.I want to learn all about her.What does she want out of life?What are her hopes, dreams, and goals?What can I do to make her happy?

How can I convince her brother that no one will ever treat her better or love her more than I will?

This vacation isn’t going how I thought it would.I thought that finding Lula would be the hardest part of this trip.Turns out my biggest problem might be keeping my dream girl at arm’s length.

THREE

Lula

We headinto the hotel in silence, and I try to calm my racing heart as we step up to the counter.

“Two rooms,” Koa orders.

“I can pay for my own room,” I tell him.

He shakes his head.“I’ve got it.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I argue.”

“I want to.”

I sigh, deciding to let him win this one.

He turns back to the clerk.“Two rooms, please.”

I stand next to him and look around the old hotel as he gets us checked in.It’s supposed to be a historic site, and it seems like it.The place is all rocks and wood.It has charm, but it’s not really my style.I doubt that it’s Koa’s, either.Too bad for us, it’s the only option around here.

“Thanks,” I tell Koa as he grabs our keys and hands one to me.“I’ve never stayed somewhere that had a real key before.Usually, it’s a key card.”

“Me neither.”

I tuck the key in my pocket, and we head back out to our cars.

“I’ve got it,” Koa says, reaching past me to grab my suitcase.

“I can get it.”

“You don’t need to.I’m here to do it.”

“How gentlemanly of you,” I say drily.

He grunts, missing my sarcasm.

I trail after Koa inside and up the stairs to the second floor.Our rooms are right next to each other, and he sets my suitcase down in front of my door.

“Thanks again,” I tell him.

“What’s the plan now?”he asks.

I look away from him.“Uh…just relax.Take a shower.That sort of thing.”

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