Page 74 of Body Shot

“Yes.”

“I might need to inspect it. Make sure all your skin is as glowing as your face.”

She makes a small choking noise. “Um . . .”

I continue to caress her silky legs.

She chokes out a question. “So your skydiving was good?”

“Yeah.”

“Where do you do it?”

“Place in Jamul. Suncoast Skydiving.”

“I don’t understand how risking your life can be fun.”

“I’m not risking my life. I’m a well-trained, experienced professional. I know what I’m doing. And it’s a total rush. You really know you’re alive when you’re feeling that rush of air on your face.” Hayden wrinkles her nose and I smile. “Besides, I do it for a good cause, not just for the rush.”

Her forehead puckers. “How so?”

I explain the fundraiser. “The Trident Foundation. It supports Navy SEALs and their families in times of need.”

“Oh.” She looks at me with wide eyes. “I didn’t realize that’s what it was for.”

I shrug, stroking one soft calf. “Yeah.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“I’m a nice guy.”

“Well.”

I frown, my hand going still. “What? I am.”

Her smile is knowing. “Sure.”

“Hey.”

“I’m teasing you.” She reaches out and touches my lips with her index finger. “What I mean is, you look like a very sexy bad boy with your long hair and tattoos and beard. But I’m coming to see that you are, in fact, a very nice guy.”

“Yeah, well, don’t tell too many people. Wouldn’t want to ruin that bad boy image.”

Her smile makes heat pool in my groin. “You’re the one who was claiming to be a nice guy.”

“Just to you.” Because for some crazy reason, I want her to know that. “Hey, have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Want to go get something? We could go to Conquistadors.”

She sucks on her bottom lip and regards me warily. “I actually have work to do . . .”

I consider that. “Look, I don’t want to be that guy who distracts you from shit you have to do. Really. I know your work is important to you. But you have to eat, Hayden.”

She nods slowly. “Yeah, that’s true. So we could just go for something quick . . .”

That’s not what I want. At all. But I really don’t want to be an asshole. I respect what she’s doing. Maybe I pushed in the past because I just wanted what I wanted, but now . . . I know how important her work is to her. “Sure. We’ll just grab a bite and I’ll bring you home. Or would it work better for you if we order something in?”

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