Page 41 of SEAL's Fake Girlfriend

Eric broke free. “Rhianne, I have to tell you something.”

She didn’t panic, didn’t anticipate the worst and go over her well-laid escape plans, she merely breathed, “What’s that?”

“That I’m falling in love with you,” Eric confessed.

“Well, that’s a relief.” She couldn’t keep the smile from her face and didn’t think she ever could again. “Because I’m already in love with you.”

22

“So.” Eric took Rhianne’s hand in his. He liked holding her hand and had done it whenever he could in the two weeks they’d been together…although that hadn’t been much. They hadn’t seen each other enough for his liking, managing only a couple of evenings when their schedules allowed.

Their FaceTime talks went a long way toward making up for it, Eric had to admit. They’d talked about everything, the connection between them strong. And the intense heat between them, a blaze that burned hotter as the days passed, was something Eric had never expected to feel.

He was thankful they’d spent last weekend at Rhianne’s…making up for their enforced absence. And abstinence—both of them had been pent-up, ready to explode. Eric couldn’t say he knew Chula Vista any better than he had before, seeing as they’d barely stepped foot outside Rhianne’s small apartment. And still the days had gone too quickly.

He was determined to make the most of this weekend that Rhianne was spending with him in his La Jolla one story as much as he longed to not let the beautiful blonde who he still couldn’t believe was his out of his bed.

“So?” Rhianne repeated teasingly. “So, what? As in what do you have planned for us now?”

Eric had to grin at that. He had organized a few things. “Go inside and get changed for an early dinner in the village? There’s a great jazz place, or I know a rooftop restaurant I think you’d like.”

“I’ve liked it all so far,” Rhianne told him, dropping a tiny kiss on his lips in thanks. “The hiking trail in the reserve was great. I really love getting out into the hills when I can.”

Eric knew. It was something she’d mentioned in their nightly chats, and he remembered everything she told him about herself. This morning, he’d whisked her to the Torrey Pines State National Reserve as soon as she’d arrived at his place first thing, taking her on his favorite hike. She exclaimed over the views as he’d hoped she would.

They’d returned to his house to pick up the lunch he’d prepared, and the synchronicity of him having made a pasta salad he knew Rhianne enjoyed and Rhianne bringing him the Danish carrot muffins he’d mentionedheliked had made them both laugh. They’d taken their lunch to the beach along the curving coastline of the Pacific Ocean that he loved best, a spot he wanted to share with her.

“I loved the kayaking,” Rhianne continued. “Though I admit you just might have the edge over me there.” They’d both enjoyed competing with the other. “I still can’t believe I’ve never explored the caves before.”

“I love seeing you in the water.” Eric’s voice was husky and he had to clear his throat. He didn’t mean just the sight of her in a swimsuit, although her long, lean body displayed in a deep blue bikini was a sight he’d never forget. But seeing her in her element, her long, toned limbs cutting cleanly through the ocean, had been wonderful. Knowing that she was as at home in the water as he was meant the world to him. They’d gone snorkeling, and Eric promised himself he’d take her scuba diving next time.

He opened his front door, waving a hand to a neighbor who lived a few houses down the row, a neighborhood that Rhianne had described as nestled into the hill. “So, dinner?” he prompted.

“So…” Rhianne joked again. “Well, a shower’s a great idea.” She brushed a trace of sand from his arm, her touch heating his skin. “But do we have to rush?” His heart picked up speed as she tilted her head down to look up at him through her lashes and continued, “I might need help in there. Finding where things are kept, I mean.”

The little minx. Just being near her was intoxicating, and the thought of sharing a shower together was enough to get him hard. A half-smile twisted one side of his mouth as he ushered her ahead of him into the bathroom. Inside it, Rhianne yelped when she caught side of herself in the mirror.

“As much as I love the ocean, I don’t love what saltwater does to my hair,” she commented. “I spend a fortune on products designed for long blonde hair and…” She trailed off, her attention caught by the shower.

Or more precisely, somethinginthe shower. She’d caught sight of some turquoise and silver bottles, neatly ranged on a ledge sticking out from the shower’s tiled wall. “That’s the same brand I use!” she exclaimed, diving in to see them, then whirled on him, her eyes narrowed. “Which I hardly believe you do.”

“No, I don’t.” Eric replied calmly. They’d discussed this, Rhianne’s difficulty in trusting, in never believing people were there forher, and how she’d always fled for the hills at the slightest hint they weren’t.

“But then that means…” She turned back to the short row of products. If she picked them up, or even examined them closely, she’d see they were all brand-new, not relics of a previous girlfriend.

But Rhianne didn’t do that. She turned to the line of bottles, yes, but only for a micro-second before she was facing him again, searching his face for answers instead. “That you bought them for me,” she whispered. Not answers,confirmation, that he’d been thinking about her and her comfort, what she would need after spending hours in the water and under the hot sun. He nodded.

Her eyes starry now, Rhianne cupped his face, scratching her fingernails softly into his beard. It was something she liked to do, and Eric liked her doing it. He liked even more how she stretched up a little to kiss him, her lips soft and warm on his. She tasted of the ocean and the sun, and he opened her lips under his to deepen the kiss.

He grinned. “And another advantage is that when you get an apartment in this area—”

“That you’ve spent all day selling to me,” Rhianne interrupted wagging a finger at him to show him she was wise to his tricks.

“And run out of hair detangler and hair protein—whatever that is—you can hop on over to my place and borrow some!” Eric finished.

“Eric!” Rhianne hit the back of her hand into his upper arm. “Not again.”

He’d mentioned the idea—his wish—of Rhianne getting an apartment nearer to him. It might have seemed premature, a mere two weeks into their official relationship, but it was a lot less than what he wanted, which was her moving in with him. Having her living closer than Chula Vista was a compromise…and hopefully a gateway. And as for too soon? There was no such thing once you found the one, which Eric knew he had.Theyhad.

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