Page 16 of Unlocked

Marley pulls out a laptop and makes a Zoom meeting call with Ashley and Hillary. Marley says this is so we can all discuss the upcoming party and ‘make our plans’. I listen to them chatter on about games we can play at the bar and what we should wear. I try to join in, but my heart just isn’t into it. After about thirty minutes, I stand up drawing all of women’s attention.

“I think I’ll go on to bed,” I tell them. I bend down to smile and wave at the women on the screen. “See you girls soon!” I leave the living room to make my way to the staircase. I’m about half way up when I sense someone coming up the staircase behind me. I glance over my shoulder to see Bo following me up. I turn away, rolling my eyes but continue on my way, even though I’m now very nervous. What is he wanting? Is he even coming up to the room I’m staying in? Or is he just going toanother room? That last thought makes me sad. I don’t want to know if he’s sleeping in another room away from me, even though it’s none of my business. I open my bedroom door and enter. As I push the door closed, I meet resistance. Turning I come face to face with Bo.

“Oh!” I exclaim, gasping my chest. “You startled me.” His expression softens.

“I’m sorry, sweet girl. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Bo murmurs softly. “Are you feeling okay?” I nod, not understanding why he has remained so concerned. “You’re turning in early?” Again, I nod as I stare up at him. We stand there awkwardly. I can hardly breathe, his presence overwhelming me. “I should let you get some rest.” His hand comes up to cup my face. My eyes drift closed, relishing the feel of his skin on mine. “Good night.” His lips ghost my cheek, then all his warmth is gone. I open my eyes to see him going down the stairs. Disappointment floods me as I watch his retreating back. I close my door and ready myself for bed.

Sometime during the night, I wake to feel the bed dip as someone climbs inside. At first, I’m a little frightened, but then I smell Bo’s manly scent when he scoots closer. His hand snakes around my middle pulling me flush with his naked body. I stifle a moan as he spoons me from behind. “My sweet girl,” he mumbles into my hair. He breaths deeply. I wait for more, but his breathing evens out, and his body relaxes. I snuggle into his arms and fall asleep again.

I wake to the feel Bo’s lips on my head. “Good morning, my sweet girl. Thank you for the best night’s sleep,” he whispers softly just before he slips out of bed. The sky is still dark outside the French doors. I lay still pretending to be asleep. I don’t know what to make of his words…his actions. I hear him in the bathroom, emptying his bladder. Seriously? What’s with leaving the door open when he pees?

The shower begins to run. I almost groan as I imagine him in the shower. His naked body gleaming as the water flows over his muscular body. I sigh. I really need to get a hold of myself. I can’t let this attraction and his kind attention allow me to let my guard down. I check my phone to see it’s only four thirty in the morning. Minutes later, I hear the water shut off, followed by his opening drawers on the dresser. I keep my breaths even and don’t move a muscle. I sense him next to me on my side of the bed. His hand smooths through my hair so softly. I’m tempted to open my eyes to be sure what I’m feeling is real, but fear of how both of us will react keeps my eyes tightly closed. I can’t risk that I’ll give in to my desire, that I’ll let myself care for him even knowing that is a mistake. “Sleep well, sweet girl.” I feel his lips on my temple.

When I open my eyes, he is gone. Regret floods me. Ugh! I’m so fucked up it isn’t funny. I don’t want his attention, but I do. I flop onto my back, knowing I won’t get any more sleep. I might as well get up and prepare for the day. I head into the bathroom. Bo’s scent permeates the room from his shower. I groan, breathing him in. I’m so screwed that just his scent has me craving his touch.

I make quick work of showering and dressing. I find my way to the kitchen, pleased to see there is already coffee in the pot. I prepare myself a cup. The house is quiet. I presume everyone else is still sleeping. I decide to enjoy the rising sun over the ocean and take my cup out to the patio. I ease the sliding glass door open and step out only to find Bo has had the same idea. He’s stretched out on one of the loungers. His long legs crossed at the ankles. A coffee cup in his hand.

His head pivots my way at the sound of the door. I turn around intending to head back inside, not wanting to disturb him. “Where are you going?” he calls, throwing his legs over the side of the lounger to face me.

“I don’t want to intrude,” I reply, reaching for the door again.

“Please, join me.” I pause, indecision getting the better of me. On one hand, I’d love to watch the sunrise with him, but is it wise? He’d been gone for five days without any explanation or a goodbye before he’d left. I mentally roll my eyes at myself. I’m nothing to him. He had no reason to say goodbye to me or tell me where he was going or when he’d be back.

Yesterday had been intense. He’d seem to come out of thin air when I needed him most. He’d doted on me after my episode and then, once again, came into my room to sleep in bed with me, naked— Again, I might add. However, he hadn’t reeked of alcohol last night. He’d known exactly what he was doing and then his sweet words when he’d woken up before he left me alone in bed.Is it possible he might be sincere?

“Shelby.” Bo’s powerful voice draws me out of my head. I lift my head to see him staring at me. “Come here,” he commands. My feet begin moving of their own accord, the traitorous bastards! When I reach his side, he pulls me down onto the lounger with him, seating me between his legs, pulling my back to his front, settling me against him. A contented sigh escapes me before I can contain it. “Mmmm, I agree,” he murmurs in my ear. I relax against him, sipping my coffee and listening to the pounding waves on the shore in the distance.

There’s a slight chill in the predawn air despite it being mid-summer. I shiver, and Bo’s arms, which have been loosely draped around me, tighten briefly. He leans to our left, snatching a blanket from a drawer I’d never noticed under the lounger next to ours. He drapes it over us, cocooning us under it. We remain this way a while, just enjoying one another’s company.

“You’re up early,” Bo comments, just as the sky begins to lighten signaling the coming of the sun. Faint pink, purple,orange, and yellows begin to paint the midnight blue of the sky. He takes a sip of his coffee while waiting my response.

“I could say the same about you,” I counter not wanting to admit I’d been awake when he left our bed.Wait! Our bed?I wonder why he did get up so early.

“I’m used to getting up early,” he responds, not seeming to be irritated that I hadn’t answered his unspoken question. “I was in the Navy for twelve years. Hard habit to break.” I soak in this bit of information about him.

“Thank you for your service,” I reply sincerely. I’m fully aware that men and women like him who are willing to volunteer to serve, are the ones who makes it possible for the rest of us to continue to live in a mostly free country, not being oppressed or threatened with war from opposing countries. His arms wrap around me, giving me a gently squeeze. I find myself wanting to know more, more about him. “Do you miss it?”

“Sometimes,” he admits. “But I’m glad I left when I did. Luke’s company was growing busier and he needed the help. Rosco left the Navy around the same time. I knew if I stayed in when he left he would feel like he’d abandoned me. He needed to get out when he did, so I needed to leave to help him transition back into civilian life.”

“You make it sound like it’s difficult leaving the military and returning to everyday life,” I comment, noting the strange undertone in his voice. I feel him nodding behind me.

“It can be for some,” he agrees. “Rosco was one of those. I’m not saying I didn’t have days where I felt lost, adrift after I first left, but not nearly like Rosco. He has the strongest sense of responsibility. He told me once that he felt like he’d abandoned his team, leaving them behind. He had a hard time dealing with those feelings the first couple of years. Sometimes I think he still does, but he’d never admit it.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’ve never thought about what it must be like for servicemembers when they leave.”

“In the Navy, every moment of my day was planned out for me,” Bo informs me. “P.T. at five a.m., breakfast at seven, and then drills and meetings the rest of the day, unless we were deployed on a mission.” I frown at his words, considering not only the words but his tone, too. I have so many questions I want to ask, but he continues before I can voice them. “When I got out, I didn’t have the structure the Navy provided, which led to my feelings of disillusionment. I decided to make my own structure. I still wake most days around four thirty. When I’m home, I work out before having breakfast around seven.” He chuckles. “I may be a former SEAL, but I’ll never not be a SEAL.” I gasp, turning in his arms to glance at him over my shoulder.

“You are…were a Navy SEAL?” The awe clear in my voice. He nods with a cocky grin. I’ve always respected servicemembers for their sacrifice, but I’ve seen episodes ofSurviving the Cut.Just knowing he endured all of that to become a SEAL.

“You’re a frog hog?” Bo asks incredulously.

“What?” I raise up out of his embrace. I know the term, and I take offense he would ask me such a thing. Perhaps he’s hoping I am, so he can fuck me and move on. It dawns on me he’s only interested in me, because I’ve denied him. He’s used to women falling at his feet, eager to suck his dick. I move to get up, but Bo’s arms clamp around me. He’s shaking with laughter, but I’m shaking with rage.

“Don’t be angry sweet girl,” Bo finally manages to say when his laughter subsides. “I didn’t mean it offensively. It’s just a term used around base.”

“I know full well what it means,” I growl out. “I assure you I’m not a woman who’ll sleep with someone based on their job title.” I again move to get out of his hold, no longer interested in watching the sunrise with him.

“Sweet girl,” Bo murmurs, pulling me back against him. His hand clutching my head to his chest. “Please don’t be upset with me. I would never think badly of you even if you had slept with someone just because they are a SEAL. Hell, I’ve slept with women because they only wanted to add me to their list.” I tense, hearing his confession. White, hot jealousy spears me. I think I’m going to be sick, but Bo continues his professions. “I’m sure Marley and Daisy have warned you to stay away from me because of my bad reputation.” I don’t respond, because it seems he already knows the answer to his unspoken question. He sighs heavily.

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