Page 141 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Color blotched up Corbin’s neck, his eyes shooting daggers at Delaney. She just laughed and winked at him, loving putting him on the spot for once instead of the other way around.

“Ooh, she’s good,” Addie cooed. “Keeps you on your toes, bro. Better hold onto her.”

Corbin pulled her closer. “Oh, don’t worry. I intend to.”

The sure promise in his voice reverberated through Delaney like the hum of an ocean current … steady, permanent, and all-consuming.

“Okay,” Addie said impatiently. “Tell me the story.”

Delaney’s brain raced to come up with something sensible. Corbin worked at a bar in Denver before taking on her assignment, meaning it would be logical that they would’ve met there. She turned to Corbin, whose eyes were sparking amusement. Was he really going to sit there and let her flounder?Help me, she pled silently.

Corbin grabbed her free hand, linking his fingers through hers. Her pulse cranked up a notch. When he started rubbing circles over her thumb, her heartbeat shot through the roof. How in the heck was she supposed to concentrate on the conversation with Corbin touching her this way? “Like Dee said, we met at a party,” Corbin said with a straight face. “She teaches music at a middle school. Dee hosted a party for her kids, a reward for their performance. I was working security for the school during special events.” He flashed Delaney a very convincing affectionate smile as he squeezed her shoulders. “I looked at her, she looked at me. The rest is history. Right, babe?”

Delaney forced a smile. “Right.” Dang. Corbin was good. She could almost believe the story herself. She didn’t know if she should be impressed or concerned at how smoothly the fabrications flowed from his lips. Another reason why she needed to be leery of him. How could she ever be sure that the man she was seeing was the real deal?

Addie untucked her leg, shifting to get comfortable. “So, you teach middle school kids? I’ll bet that’s a challenge.”

“You have no idea,” Delaney said, causing everyone to laugh.

“What do you have planned during your stay here?” Addie asked.

Delaney looked to Corbin to answer that. Addie seemed nice enough, but the barrage of questions was getting a little tiresome, especially after the long drive.

As if reading Delaney’s thoughts, Wallace touched Addie’s arm. “There’ll be plenty of time to talk later, after Corbin and Dee have had a chance to rest.”

“Rest?” Addie wrinkled her nose. “They only had a two-and-a-half-hour drive.”

Delaney fought the urge to roll her eyes.If only.

“Yeah, sis. You’re right. But Delaney had to get up early this morning to teach her class before we could head out of town, andI had a late night at work the night before.” He yawned. “Like Pops said, we’re worn out.”

Addie cocked her head like she’d just thought of something. “Who’s watching your classes while you’re here?”

Geez!The firestorm of questions was getting old. Delaney fought to keep her voice pleasant. “I got a sub.” She smiled adoringly at Corbin. “As much as I hated to leave my students, I wanted to come here and meet Corbin’s family, see where he grew up.”

Addie’s eyes sparkled. “You should go to the sweetheart dance this weekend at the ski resort.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Corbin. “Show Dee off.” A wicked grin curved her lips. “Madison Wells will be green with envy. She was asking about you the other day.”

Sweetheart dance? Certainly not something Delaney wanted to attend under the circumstance. She felt Corbin tense, realized he was looking at Addie like he wanted to stuff a sock in her mouth. “Who’s Madison Wells?” she asked before she could stop herself.

“Nobody,” Corbin muttered.

Addie laughed. “His ex-girlfriend. They broke up before Corbin joined the Navy, but Madison’s still got a thing for him.”

The stab of jealousy that went through Delaney came as a surprise. Then she had to laugh at herself. Why did she care who Corbin’s ex-girlfriend was? She realized Addie was watching, waiting for her reaction. Let’s see … how would a real girlfriend react? She arched an eyebrow, putting on a touch of a wounded expression mingled with frustration as she looked at Corbin. “You never mentioned Madison.”

It was fun watching Corbin squirm. “That’s because it was over a long time ago.” He shot Addie a frustrated look. “Ancient history. I assure you, there’ve been plenty of other girls since Madison Wells.”

“Really?” Delaney arched an eyebrow. “That’s good to know.” This time, her irritation was real.

Wallace stood, shaking his head. “All right, Addie. That’s enough grilling for one night.”

Addie thrust out her lower lip, smirking at Corbin. “I was just getting started.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Corbin said dryly. “Little sis has been sharpening her knives.”

“Only because you never come home,” Addie retorted.

This was the second time Addie mentioned that. Delaney made a mental note to ask Corbin why he didn’t want to come home. Wallace seemed great. And yeah, Addie was a little annoying, but it was obvious she was just needling Corbin so he’d pay attention to her. Even through the teasing, Delaney could tell Addie adored her brother.

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