Page 31 of My Grumpy SEAL

And I do, grateful for having someone I canfinallyunburden this load I have been carrying around. I tell him everything. And when I am done, I feel so much lighter, though a little apprehensive at how he would react.

“So you had a one night stand with the boss without knowing he was the one, and then you proceeded to have two more one night stands in his office which you tag as mistakes.”Helooks to me for confirmation.

I nod. “That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”

“Sounds to me like you guys are in love, but you are both just too bullheaded to realize it.”

“Love is too extreme a word. I prefer attraction.” He gives me a deadpan look and I look away embarrassed.

“You are definitely in love with him. The only doubt is if he feels as strongly about you as you do him.” Tristan insists, “You should confess to him.”

“What? And give that arrogant bastard an advantage against me?” He gives me an incredulous look. “You don’t know Jake like I do. He would rather chew nails than confess heactually feels something more than irritation towards me.”

“Okay,” he shrugs. “Go ahead, and keep shooting in the dark and getting frustrated when you miss.”

My temper spikes, not because of his words but because I know he has a point. I can’t continue with this back and forth between Jake and me. One minute we are at each other’sthroat, and the next we are having passionate sexin his office. I can’t keep up.

I return to the resort apprehensive. How the hell did I land myself in this kind of situation? I spend the rest of the day buried in work in my office so I don’t notice when time flies by. A knock on my door draws my attention, and I look up to see Jake standing at my door.

“Mr.Hunt, how can I help you?”

“I noticed the lights were still on in your office.” He walks in and closes the door behind him. “Thought I’d checkonyou.”

I look at my watch. Sure enough, it’s past office hours. “Didn’t realize what the time was saying, sir. I’ll round up my work and close soon,” I tell him and he raises his brow at my attitude. I’m not stupid. I see the hunger in his eyes, and I know what he really wants.

He walks up to me and plants himself behind my chair. He wraps his hands around my shoulders. “You are tense,” he says, massaging my shoulders and I can feel my body responding to his touch. Suddenly, I feel his warm lips on my neck and sigh. That feels so good; I didn’t realize how much I have been craving his touch.

Swiveling my chair around to face him, he smirks at me with dark eyes. “I should help you relax.” I can’t help myself. My body reacts ofitsown accord and my legs willingly spread for him as he bends down to their level.

* * *

“That was amazing.”I collapse on top of him as we both ride out the ecstasy. Somehow I ended up straddling him on my chair with my gown raised past my waist and my panties probably under my table. He squeezes my thighs in response, too spent to say anything.

I stare at his face and smile at how they have returned to a lighter shade of blue. Few minutes ago they had been darkened by hunger.

“I love you, Jake,” I suddenly blurt out and we both go still. Knowing this could go either way I continue. “I want more than this.” I gesture between us. For a second he looks at me with such longing I expect him to confess too, but he suddenly frowns.

“Don’t do that.” He pushes me off him and it feels like I’ve been slapped. I quickly get off him and put space between us. We dress in silence, neither of us wanting to say anything. I adjust my dress and find my panties under my table.

I pack mythings as Tristan’s words from earlierkeep ringing in my head.

“Keep shooting in the dark…”

“Do you need a ride back home?” I look up to see him waiting for me at my doorway. Before I can refuse he adds, “It’s pretty late and getting a cab home might be hard from here.”

I have no choice but to accept. The car ride is silent, unsaid words lingering between us. We soon reach my apartment complex and I reach for the door but his words stop me.

“Miss Ortiz.”First name basisisgone now, isn’t it?

I know I shouldn’t, but I stay back. “Let me guess, you already have a million and one reasons why we can’t work.” I look at him. “Didyou use the ride here to puttogether your points?”

He grunts andIgive him a sad smile. “Your biggest fear is probably Jessica and that bugged me to no end too Jake, but I can’t deny what I feel for you.”

“This, what is going on between us, should not be happening.” He starts and my face falls. “Jessica isn’t the only factor coming between us. I am your boss with over a ten year difference in our age, and the scandal could ruin my business.” He turns to me and I look away so he doesn’t see the tears brimming in my eyes. “There are too many reasons why we shouldn’t be together and it would not be a logical thing to insist on this, whatever this is between us.”

I keep my gaze out the car window. “I would appreciate it if we both avoided each other from now on, Mr. Hunt.” I immediately reach for thedoorand as calmly as I can muster, walk away. I walk into my apartment complex shoulders high.

CHAPTER14

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