Page 35 of My Grumpy SEAL

She smiles at meand leaves. I stare at the flower and note, and my heartskips.

Pushing the pack asideI bid my time. Night time seems to always be when we have our tiffs, so I wait till after office hours, when I’m sure Samantha will have left. I smile when I see his office light is on from afar. Jake’s work ethics never disappoint.

I am going to set things straight tonight.

I’m almost at the door when Samantha steps out. I freeze.

She smiles at me and gestures at the door. “I’m leaving now. He is all yours.”

She leaves me standing in front of Jake’s door. What was that about?

Stilling myself, I walk into his office without knocking but this time Jake gives me a bland look. He looks tired and I almost want to comfort him.

“Miss Ortiz,” hesits up. “How can I help you? Did you need something?” His sudden care makes me uncomfortable.

“I…I,” what the hell is wrongwith me?

“You should sit down,” he gestures at the seat in front of him.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll just stay here.”

He raises a brow. “Is something wrong?”

I take a deep breath.“I thought about it and you are right. There is nothing going on between us and nothing should happen between us. So this is me taking matters into my own hands.” I walk up to his table and drop the paper. “That’smy resignation letter. This isn’t going to be Daxton all over again.” He doesn’t give me a reaction and I take that as an acceptance. I turn around and leave.

I walk back to my office and pick up my bag. I look around the office. There is no personal artifact to hold onto here.

I walk out absentmindedly. I should probably tell Jessica about this and just go ahead and let her know what has been going on between Jake and I. I feel apprehensive just wondering what her reaction would be.

I let my legs lead the way and find myself on the beach. I smile slightly. This was where it all started. I had somehow managed to fall for my arch nemesis and boss here. I sit on the sand, not caring about my skirt and sigh deeply. It’s a wonder how I somehow manage to be so unlucky in love, and end up falling so deeply in love with men who don’t want me.

I suddenly scream into the wind. I stop, and then scream again, letting my frustration and tears go.

“Fuck you, Jake! Fuck you, Daxton! Screw you all!” The rushing wind swallows my words but I keep screaming, “I am more than enough you fuckers. Y’all are justtooblind to see it and as a matter of fact not worthy enough!”

I let my pain wash over me in waves. I keep screaming as I search for relief, and when that doesn’t work I start beating the sand with my fist. Imagining it as Jake’s hair, I grab the sand and throw it around. “You think you are the only one with dashing black hair? I’ve seen better!”

“That is not how you speak about your boss,” I hear someone growl behind me and whip around to see Jake glowering at me.

“Fortunately, I quit a few minutes ago. And now I can happily say fuck you, Jake! You are an asshole with a heart as hard as stone and I hope you never find someone better than me!”

He stalks towards me and I am forced to take a step backas he steps right up to my face. The way he looks at me, in the most menacing manner possible, I half expect him to hit me. He looks away, closing his eyes before talking. His voice is oddly calm for someone who looked ready to kill just now.

“One, you cannot quit without a proper notice, Miss Ortiz. Two, you are in the middle of organizing an event and cannot abandon an unfinished project. These were all stated as your terms of working in your employment letter, but if you insist on leaving then we will meet in court.”

“Fuck you, Jake!” I hit his chest in frustration. He doesn’t stop me and I pummel him.

When I am out of breath, I let my head fall on his chest from exhaustion. I’m too tired to even cry and I am reduced to sniffles.

Jake’s hands suddenly come around me and he starts rubbing soothing circles on my back. “Your constant change of mood is giving me whiplash,” I tell him and he chuckles.

“I intend to act on my threat, Miss Ortiz, but not for the reason you think.” He lifts my chin so I am looking at him. “I want you by my side at all times and will absolutely lose it if you leave me.”

I frown in confusion. “I thought you couldn’t wait to getrid of me.”

He sighs. “I’m scared, Bella. I’m scared of getting hurt again. But I’m more scared of losing you.”

“What are you saying, Jake?” I want to hear him say it.

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