Page 36 of Tempted by a SEAL

“Ladies first,” he said, opening the door.

She faltered, then composed herself and walked out into the hallway. Pretended that he hadn’t affected her so with a few words. Hunter grabbed her hand, much to her surprise, weaving his thick fingers between hers. Her arm rested against his muscled forearm, and she tried not to gasp in surprise. His skin was so warm. Such a contrast to the solid muscle beneath.

“Just playing the part,” he said, his eyes bright with amusement as she looked up at him.

“Right,” she said. “You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“That I am,” he agreed.

“Aren’t you cold walking around in tee-shirts all the time?” she asked.

“Nope. I run warm.”

He greeted the older couple who ran the bed-and-breakfast, introducing Emma to them. To her utter shock, he pulled out a chair for her then asked if she wanted tea.

“Your boyfriend certainly knows his way to a Brit’s heart already, doesn’t he?” the woman laughed. “Do you drink tea or coffee?” she asked him.

“Coffee please, ma’am.”

“Oh, come on,” Emma teased. “Coffee? When in Rome—”

“Not a chance, sweetheart,” Hunter said. “And Romans happen to like coffee.”

He helped Emma sit down, brushing his lips against her cheek as she blushed furiously. His whiskers abraded her sensitive skin, and she tried to ignore the palpitations of her heart. Tried not to inhale his clean, spicy scent. His hand rested casually on her shoulder for a moment as he stood behind her, talking with the couple, and he absentmindedly massaged her tight muscles.

“I’ve been deployed all over the world,” Hunter said. “Believe me when I say dirt would probably taste better than some of the cups bad of coffee I’ve had. Whatever you have will be great in comparison.”

“Yanks don’t really seem to like tea,” the woman agreed.

“He’s just like an American friend of mine,” Emma said, trying to ignore Hunter’s fingers rubbing over her shoulders and neck. “She couldn’t fathom how I could drink tea every day.”

“Don’t worry dear,” the woman said. “We have both. And I must say, I wouldn’t mind sending you room service tomorrow morning if you fancy,” she said, smiling as she looked back and forth at the two of them. “Breakfast in bed? I’ll just leave two trays outside your door. Give you two young lovebirds a bit of privacy.”

“Wonderful,” Hunter said with a grin as Emma flushed and said, “That’s not necessary.”

“Oh, it would be no trouble,” the woman insisted.

“Thank you,” Hunter said. “And everything looks wonderful.”

The couple left them alone, insisting they let them know if they needed anything else.

“Breakfast in bed?” Emma asked. “Was that strictly necessary?”

“Just playing the part, ma’am,” he said.

“Ma’am,” she murmured. “Believe it or not, I may actually prefer ‘princess.’ Calling me ‘ma’am’ makes me think that you’re talking to my mother,” she said, watching in amazement as Hunter piled his plate high.

His gaze flicked toward hers. “I skipped dinner last night. A certain redhead caused me a bit of trouble, as I recall.”

“Right. That was me shooting at you as we rushed through the hotel corridor,” she whispered in irritation, selecting a few items to put on her own empty plate.

Hunter pulled his mobile from the pocket of his cargo pants, frowning, as he balanced his plateful of food in one hand.

“Is there a problem?” she asked.

“No problem,” he said, slipping it back into his pocket.

“Well aren’t you cryptic. The way you were glaring at your mobile, I can only assume you aren’t telling me everything.”

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