Page 1 of Protected By the SEAL
CHAPTER 1
KANE
You’re seriously telling me you haven’t locked that down yet?” Reed’s voice cuts through the conference room as our weekly meeting wraps up.
I lean back in my chair, ignoring the knowing looks from my teammates. Not this shit…again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bullshit.” Zane points his pen at me. “You turned down that redhead from the bar last week. Said you had plans.”
“I did have plans.”
“With Morgana.” Owen grins. “Like you do every Friday. And most Saturdays. And that Tuesday when she called about her car making a weird noise.”
“Her alternator was going out.” I cross my arms. “She needed help.”
Reed snorts. “Right. Because there’s no such thing as mechanics in this city. She could have gone to Rebel Autos and seen Mack.”
“And now you’re her date for a wedding?” Zane laughs. “Woman has you whipped, and you’re not even getting any.”
“Whose wedding?” Owen looks up from his laptop.
“Her ex’s,” I admit. “He’s marrying her cousin.”
“Holy shit.” Reed leans forward. “And she asked you to be her date?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m her date,” I correct, which only makes them laugh harder. “She needs someone to be a buffer between her and her family.”
“You’ve been in love with her since high school,” Jake says, crossing his arms and staring me down.
“We’refriends,” I say, my voice bordering on anger. We’ve all had this conversation before and it’s pushing my limits that they don’t listen to what I say.
Jake’s voice goes serious. “Friends don’t turn down every available woman in the city because they’re hung up on someone else. Everything you do shows how much more than a friend she is to you.”
“I’m not hung up on Morgana.”
“When’s the last time you went on a real date?” Owen challenges.
I open my mouth, then close it. Truth is, I can’t remember. I’ve tried, but it’s been a long time since I met a woman who really made me want to see her a second time.
“This is your shot,” Zane says. “Weddings are great for hooking up with chicks.”
I ignore Zane’s comment. One day that man will look at women as more than someone to fuck and dump. “She asked me because we’re friends and she trusts me. Plus, her family is objectively horrible. I met some of them a long time ago, and all I can say is it’s a miracle people like that raised someone as grounded and kind as Morgana.”
“She’s been in love with you as long as you’ve been in love with her,” Reed says. “Everyone can see it but you two.”
My phone buzzes. Morgana’s name flashes on the screen.
Are you picking me up, or should I meet you at your place?
The guys see her name and start making whipping noises. I flip them off and type back.
I’ll pick you up. Finishing up a meeting at work. I’ll be there at 2 pm.
“If you come back from this wedding still ‘just friends,’ we’re staging an intervention,” Jake warns. “I’m serious, Kane. Open your fucking eyes.”
When I pullup to Morgana’s apartment building, she’s already waiting outside, sunglasses on, hair pulled back in a messy bun that makes her look younger. She’s wearing shorts and one of my old Navy t-shirts she stole years ago. Everything about the sight makes my chest ache.
“Right on time.” She grins as I hop out to grab her bag.
