Page 12 of Fall of the Trident
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me.I’m a widower and I don’t even date.”Trevor glanced to the back of the plane where the only other passenger had on headphones and was watching something on his laptop.
Here’s your opening.Take it.
“I want to apol?—”
“Stop right there.”Marta put her hand up, palm facing him.
He captured her hand and laid it on the table, leaving his on top.Her skin was so soft.
“I lied to you earlier today and I want to apologize for the lie, not for the kiss.Not for the hug.”He closed his eyes.“Those were wonderful.”When he opened his eyes, he watched his thumb slowly rub the back of her silky hand.His gaze met hers.“And I don’t regret either the kiss or the hug.”
“Kisses.”
“What?”If she wanted him to kiss her, he would.Happily.
“Kisses.There were two kisses.The first was in the conference room while we were celebrating and the second was when I kissed you in your office.”She grinned.“And just for the record, I’m still not sorry for either.Over the past eight months I’ve gotten to know you.You’re such a good man.I’d like to get to know the real you, not just the man who wears the uniform with stars.”She shrugged.“Maybe it’s because all I’ve seen the past several years are conceited assholes, and you’re such a breath of fresh air.I began to wonder if there were any good men left in the world.Americans, especially women, tend to put SEALs on pedestals.We want a hero.And when we find out some are flawed men who think they’re above the law, like those arrested a few months ago, our expectations for all men are crushed.”
Trevor had never thought about that before.He had no idea that women held him and his men in such high regard.Being a SEAL was his job.He believed to the bottom of his heart it was a calling.Otherwise, why would they endure such physical pain and mental stress to earn the right to wear the Trident?Why would they put their lives on the line to complete the mission, most often without a thank you or recognition?True, more was expected of them than the average soldier, sailor or Marine.Underneath, though, they were all just men.
“I’m glad you think so highly of me.”He rolled her hand over and laid his other one on top.“Because I think you’re amazing and I’d like to get to know you better.Marta Merkel the woman, not just the outstanding administrative assistant.Would you have dinner with me on Saturday night?”
“Yes.I’d love to have dinner with you.”Her lips flattened into a straight line.“But, Trevor, you were right earlier today when you said I’m your administrative assistant.Working together is going to complicate things.”
“Okay, let’s set ground rules right now.We go out to dinner on Saturday and see how it goes.We agree, though, if either of us decides not to have a second date, we’ll be honest and tell the other.We then go back to working together as we have been.”
Marta added, “If we decide to continue dating, we keep it separate from the office.”
“Agreed.”
Her beautifully arched eyebrows pulled together.“I’d like to suggest that we stay as private as possible for this first date.Coronado is small and I don’t want tongues wagging just because we share a meal.It would be very embarrassing if someone saw us, and after that initial meal we decided to remain boss and admin.”
“Good point.”Trevor’s mind was scrambling for a place they could go where no one would recognize them.“I’d invite you to my house and I could pick up something on the way home, but the admirals on either side of me have very nosey wives.I’d end up with a call from the Secretary of the Navy before noon the next day.”
He knew she had an idea when pure silver flashed in her eyes.“Why don’t you come to my house?I’ve always wanted to try one of those executive chefs who comes to your home, and they cook your meal right in front of you.”
“That sounds perfect.That way you don’t have to cook for me.”
She cocked her head to the side playfully.“I’ll have you know, I’m a very good cook.”She squeezed his hand.“I just wanted something special for our first date.”
Trevor found himself grinning.“My son is going to be so proud of me.”
“Why?”Marta raised one eyebrow.
“While I was packing, he told me that I have at least two more decades of life, and I shouldn’t live it alone.”He held her gaze.“He told me I needed to start dating.You’re my first.”
“I’ve never been anybody’s first anything.Thank you.”She grimaced.“Now, I just hope I don’t fuck it up.”
Trevor burst out laughing.“Well, I’ve learned something new about you already.You’re as salty as I am in private.”
“Oh, I speak fuck very well.I’m able to use fuck in all its various forms; as a noun, verb, expletive, adverb, and adjective,” she explained with a straight face, but Trevor couldn’t stop laughing.
He couldn’t remember when he’d last laughed this much.
Chapter5
Earlier that dayMarta had been ready to give up any hope that Trevor Maddox had one iota of interest in her.Since then, he’d been running hot and cold all day.Now that they were alone, she liked hot Trevor.
That deep laugh of his made her female parts rumble.Their conversation had been so easy she hadn’t realized hours had passed until the pilot announced they were landing.
