Page 14 of Summer Heatwave
“And what can I get you to drink?”Before they could answer, Antonio continued.“The chef suggests pairing this meal with an Amarone.Would you like to taste?”
Mike saw the flash of interest in Kam’s eyes.“We’ll take a bottle.”
“Excellent.I’ll be back in just a few minutes with your wine.”Antonio disappeared into the back.
Kam crossed her arms over her black gi.“You don’t need to wine and dine me.This is not a date, remember?”
He gave her what he thought of as his evil grin.“Who said I was going to share the wine with you?”
When her jaw fell slightly, Mike had to laugh.“Damn, I enjoy teasing you.”
She dropped her hands to the table.“You’d better share that wine with me.I can hurt you.I went easy on you today in class.”
“I know.I watched you kick ass in the class before mine.”Mike remembered he was there for a purpose and jumped in.“That’s why I invited you to supper.”
“And here I thought it was my overwhelming sweat smell that made me irresistible.”She pulled the gi to the side and took a whiff.Cringing, her eyes met his.“I’m sorry.I do stink.”
“Kam, I spend my days around men who believe they are not working out hard enough unless they soak through every piece of clothing.”He purposefully inhaled deeply.He could smell her from across the table.Although it registered as sweat, it was so different from what he experienced every day.It was lighter.Fragrant.Female.
Mike’s body took notice and his cock started to harden.
Fuck.This is not a good time or place to stand up and salute.It hadn’t been that long since he’d been balls-deep in a woman.And Kam wasn’t his type.“Actually, I like the way you smell.You’re not doused in perfume.You are simply…you, and only you.”
Chapter6
Kam wonderedif most of Commander Mike Gallagher’s dates involved beautiful women dressed up for fine dining?Of course, why else would a woman douse herself in perfume?
You are simply…you, and only you.What the fuck did that mean?So far, this was the weirdest date she’d ever been on.
But this was not a date.It was a business meeting, or so he’d said.
Kam had occasionally joined the other instructors in getting something to eat after an intense class and they’d often talked about the classes they taught.That could be considered business.When she’d joined the men from the martial arts academy, they all stank and most often tried to find a restaurant with outdoor seating so as not to gag the customers nearby.
She was also well aware of Commander Mike Gallagher’s light perspiration, but it was his masculine scent that had drawn her attention while she’d been up close and personal with him during the class.She’d never taken notice of the other men she’d used to demonstrate moves, but Mike was different.
So was this meal.Kam couldn’t remember the last time she’d been out to supper with a man, first-date style.
No.This is not a date.
“While we’re waiting, you said you wanted to talk to me about something.”She picked up her water and slugged down half of it.She really needed to hydrate before she drank wine.“I’m waiting with bated breath,” She teased.
He sat silently and stared at her from across the red-checkered tablecloth.He nodded once.“You know that I’m a SEAL.We’re constantly training and that includes hand-to-hand combat fighting.The methods we’re currently using are tried and true but a bit old-school.”He took a sip of his water and covertly swept his gaze to the tables around them.Leaning forward, he spoke softly.“We deploy SEALs all around the world.They come in contact with multiple fighting styles.Our new captain believes that our men should be able to counter any moves that are put on them.”
“A lot of law enforcement are starting to learn Brazilian jujitsu.”She finished her water.“You saw how I was able to control your body even though you’re taller and outweigh me.”
“Yes.And that’s why I like this style of fighting.”He gave her a self-deprecating grin.“Although people would like to think that all Navy SEALs are over six foot tall, we actually have lots who are considerably under that height.”
Okay.What was it that he really wanted?
Antonio showed up at that moment and dramatically presented the unopened bottle to Mike who took all of three seconds to examine the label.
“I trust your chef.”He gave the server a small smile.
Antonio popped the cork and poured a tiny amount into Mike’s glass.He picked it up and expertly rolled it around the bowl.
His eyes met hers.“Have you ever been up to Napa and done a winetasting tour?”
“No, not yet.”She admitted.“I’ve only been in California for about eight weeks, and I’ve been a little too busy getting established in my new job.”
