Page 307 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

His voice grew husky as his eyes caressed hers. “From where I’m sitting, it seems like we already are.” He slid his arms around her back as his lips came down hard on hers. Visceral warmthignited and spread to her toes. A tiny moan escaped her throat as she slid her fingers around his neck and deepened the kiss. She breathed in the scent of him, letting herself get lost in the wonder of being in his arms. A few minutes later when he pulled away, they were both breathing hard.

A smile stole across his lips as he pressed his forehead to hers. “Wow! I’d forgotten how wonderful that was.”

“I’ve never forgotten,” she said fiercely, as she sought his lips once more.

Chapter 17

Gracie tried to stay hidden in the shadows, while craning her neck to catch a glimpse of Brooke and Nash. They were sitting close together, with Nash’s arm wrapped around Brooke. She rubbed her hands together. They were making progress!Thank heavens!She nearly panicked earlier when Brooke saw her standing by the booth. Luckily, she managed to disappear into the crowd before Brooke could confront her. She was starting to feel like a stalker, skulking around in the dark and trying to keep tabs on Brooke, without raising her suspicions. Her job was not supposed to be this hard! Had she been able to go into invisibility mode, like she’d done when she was helping to get Alex and Dawson back together at the inn, then she would be in the center of the activity, rather than on the outskirts, trying her best to get crumbs of information.

The worst was the incident at the ranch when Brooke called her Gracie. Like an idiot, she turned around! The craziest part about the whole thing was that she’d been in invisibility mode the entire time, and yet Brooke could see her—plain as day! Gertrude was still trying to find out why Brooke could see them, but so far, she didn’t have any answers.

She turned when she heard clapping and saw Sheldon standing behind her, an admiring smile on his gorgeous face. “Congratulations.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Hey.” She’d not seen him since that day at the arena and kept hoping he would show up. He was just as handsome as always in his faded jeans and pullover shirt that clung to his well-formed chest and tapered waist. “It’s really good to see you,” she said softly, picking up where they left off. And then she caught what he’d said. “Congratulations for what?”

He motioned. “From the looks of those two, I’d say you’ve accomplished your mission. Two-for-two. Impressive.”

The admiration in his voice was intoxicating, like she could bask in his affection forever. She blinked, trying to fight the all-too-familiar attraction, pulling her like a flower to the sun. “I’m hopeful that things are moving in the right direction, but it’s still too early to call it. All they’re doing is sitting together.”

He was amused. “Really? You may call thatsitting, but we call it something different, where I come from.”

“What?” Her eyes narrowed and then bulged as she did a double-take. A giggle bubbled up in her throat when she realized what was happening. Nash and Brooke were locking lips, kissing each other like there was no tomorrow. She balled her hands into fists and shook them in the air.Goodhad gone togreatin all of a few seconds! And the fact that Sheldon was here to share in the victory made it even sweeter. “This is fabulous!”

He stepped up beside her. “It would be easier for you to see what’s going on if you get closer. From this range, we need a set of binoculars.”

“I know,” she muttered, “it’s ridiculous! I’m having to stand way back here in the dark to keep out of sight. Brooke saw me earlier, and I thought I was done for.”

He gave her a funny look. “What do you meansaw you? We’re in invisibility mode. No one can see us.” To prove hispoint, he stepped up to a man walking by. “Hello!” he yelled in his face. The oblivious man kept walking. He turned to Gracie. “See? No one can see us.”

“Brooke can see us … even when we’re in invisibility mode.”

His brows knitted. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m positive! She’s seen me several times!”

He rubbed his jaw, a speculative look on his face. “Does Gertrude know?”

“Yes, she’s trying to get to the bottom of it but doesn’t have an answer yet. We don’t know what’s going on, but it’s making my job nearly impossible, I can tell you that.”

He hesitated before answering. “I see.”

Unease trickled over her. She could tell from the strange look on his face that something was off. “What are you not telling me?”

He shook his head.

“What?” she demanded, grabbing his arm.

Compassion simmered in his light eyes. “There’s only one reason, I know of, that’s allowing Brooke to see you in invisibility mode.”

“Tell me!”

He studied her for one long moment and then shook his head. “It’s not my place. Gertrude should be the one to tell you.”

Her eyes sparked with anger as fear rose thick in her throat. “Tell me, Sheldon!”

“I have to go.” A wistful expression came over him. “And I was so looking forward to spending time with you, love.”

“No!” she cried, reaching for his arm as he vanished into thin air.

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