Page 32 of Stealthy Seduction
“Well, if his only job is making the pizzas, he should at least feel good about it.”
They shared a smile.
Then Hudson looked deeper into her. “Izzy—”
A sudden holler from the other side of the patio was accompanied by a splash as somebody dived into the pool. Several more people jumped in.
“Hey, Steele! We could use you on our team!”
He twisted in his seat and called back, “Not tonight.”
A ball sailed over the net stretched across the center of the pool. Izzy reached for another slice of pizza—surprising when only an hour before, food had been the furthest thing from her mind.
She arched a brow at Hudson. “Pool volleyball?”
“The pool’s heated, as you probably know.”
“Does no one just sit still around here?”
“We work hard, we play hard.” He held her stare for a beat longer, making her mind dart to a different kind of play.
She chewed thoughtfully, appreciating the delicious blend of cheeses Sinner had heaped on. “That’s a great philosophy, but does no one believe in dessert? I could go for some ice cream.”
His eyes gleamed from more than the twinkle lights. “You’re in luck. Losers scoop ice cream sundaes.”
She looked toward the pool crowded with SEALs and some of the women, all laughing and having a good time.
Each woman had carved out a role here, contributing in ways that made them indispensable.
In the end, Izzy got her prize even though she didn’t compete in the volleyball game—two generous scoops topped with whipped cream and a bright red cherry, courtesy of Chase’s team losing to Con’s.
After the patio emptied and the team members drifted away. The couples murmured quiet goodnights as they headed to bed.
Izzy found herself alone. She stared at the closed French doors, uncertainty creeping through her chest as she wondered what came next—where she fit in this carefully coordinated world.
A warm, rough hand closed around hers.
She looked up and tumbled headlong into Hudson’s burning gaze, her pulse immediately quickening at the intensity she found there.
“I’ve been trying to get you to myself all night.” His tone was low and rough with promise. “It’s time.”
Her pulse stuttered. “What are we doing?”
“I’m taking you to bed.”
SEVEN
Even though Izzy had been in Steele’s bedroom before, she stood a few steps inside the door, taking it all in. From the depths of her amber eyes, he could see how she catalogued every corner.
She turned in a slight arc, staring at the footlocker in the corner that held pretty much everything he owned, then moving to the bed, the covers so tight you could bounce a quarter off them, thanks to the first commanding officer he ever had.
“You don’t have much.” Her quiet words pulled him a step closer to her.
“I don’t need much.”
“I admit, the first time I came to your room, I didn’t look around much.”
Ducking his head, he bit back a grin. “Are you surprised by what you see?”
