Page 15 of Loved by a SEAL

Chapter 4

Did Ryan always need to look so intense about everything? They were at a barbeque for Pete’s sake, not conducting some Top Secret military raid. Sarah’s heart unexpectedly began to race, and she resisted the urge to flinch as she stared at him. His short-cropped hair only accentuated his chiseled features—broad forehead, masculine nose, and a jaw that could’ve been carved from granite.

He looked like he could thoroughly command anyone to do what he wanted.

Briefly, images flashed through her mind of his rough hands running over her skin, caressing her intimately. Of his large body covering hers, coaxing her into whatever position he wanted in the bedroom. Unleashing some of that strength and raw masculinity on her.

Which was insane.

Even if Ryan hadn’t been her brother’s commanding officer, she didn’t date men like him.

“Navy SEALs use cold water therapy for muscle recovery,” he said.

His voice was deep. Smooth. Her insides did a funny little flip.

“Cold water?” Rebecca asked, looking confused. “How would that help her back?”

“It pushes the lactic acid out of the muscles,” Sarah said, suddenly snapping back to attention. “And helps reduce swelling. It might be good recovery after a day of vigorous SEAL training, or if you’re a professional athlete, but it’s certainly not appropriate in this instance.”

The CO raised his eyebrows.

“I’m a physical therapist.”

“You don’t think the Navy knows what it’s talking about?”

“Alison’s nine months pregnant,” Sarah said, narrowing her eyes. “She needs some gentle stretching at most. Are you suggesting we tell a full-term pregnant woman to take a dunk in an ice-cold bath? Maybe we could just dump a cooler of ice over her right now.”

A flicker of humor crossed over Ryan’s face, and Sarah blistered.

Good grief. Now the man was laughing at her?

“Oh, excuse me,” Rebecca said, her glance flickering across the yard as they heard children shrieking. “I need to go see what’s happening over there.”

A beat passed, and Sarah was standing there alone with the SEAL Captain. Navy Captain. Whatever the hell he was. He wasn’t eyeing the food on the table, though, just leveling her with a gaze.

“I didn’t know you were a physical therapist.”

“Ever since I earned my DTP degree.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“Doctor of Physical Therapy. The program you’re required to complete after college. And then you have to obtain a license in physical therapy.”

“You don’t have to recite your resume to me,” he said in a low voice.

“You seemed to be questioning my judgement.”

“No. Just curious.”

“Why would you think Alison needed cold water for her back?”

“I didn’t. I asked if you wanted to know what we did in the Navy.” He cocked an eyebrow, seemingly waiting for her to disagree with him. Why’d he have to be so damn good-looking anyway? She kept her eyes on his face, refusing to look at all the tanned, toned flesh on his biceps and forearms. Or at how his broad chest narrowed perfectly at his waist. Who showed up for a barbeque in pressed khaki pants anyway? He looked like he belonged in a country club or something. Officer’s club. Whatever they had in the military.

“Here you go,” Patrick said, interrupting them as he handed Sarah a plate. “One tofu burger just for you. On gluten-free bread. Sir, can I get you anything?” he asked Ryan.

“I hope it’s not one of those,” he joked.

Patrick smirked. “Negative. We’ve got plenty of hamburgers and hotdogs fresh off the grill. Sarah’s a vegetarian.”

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