Page 25 of Flint's Battle

“Trust me. Flint’s not like any other man I’ve ever dated, either. He actually listens. And when he was backing me up last night, he didn’t try to take control. Well, not until my life was on the line. But even then, he simply did what I would have done if I’d been the one trailing behind. No macho maneuvers. No judgment. Just him being my partner.” She looked back at him. “I actually think he respects what I do. Which is a first.”

Moana snagged her, nearly toppling her backwards off her board. “What do you mean, when your life was on the line?”

“Long story that I can’t really discuss.”

“Wait. That usually means it’s a police matter.” She inhaled. “You let him tag along on a call? One that put your life at risk? Is that why his arm’s all bandaged? Why Bowie got some stupid video call from his CO in the middle of the night that he couldn’t talk about? What hap?—”

“What happened doesn’t matter. The takeaway is that Flint’s unique.”

“Oh. My. God. You’re in love with him!”

Emery groaned. The last thing she needed was Moana humming that kissing song under her breath whenever Flint was around. Because the woman would do it. Find ways to work it into any situation. “I didn’t say the L word.”

“You never say the L word. Not that it matters. It’s written all over your face.” She pointed at Emery. “You’re blushing. And glowing. And from more than just a night of great sex. You’re crazy about him.”

She glanced back over at Flint, wanting to insist she wasn’t anywhere close to love where he was concerned, but she couldn’t get her tongue to form the words. As if it knew she was lying. Instead, she waved at him, beckoning him to her.

Moana laughed. “Oh, I hit a nerve.”

Emery looked over her shoulder. “Maybe I don’t want to jinx it?”

Her best friend leaned in, nodding toward Flint as he walked toward them. “Sweetie, that man is completely head over heels in love with you. Whether he’s ready to admit it or not. So, I don’t think you have to worry about jinxing anything. And for what it’s worth, I haven’t seen you this happy since we were teenagers. Since that night…”

Moana trailed off, but Emery knew she meant the accident. Since she’d all but retreated inside herself because she hadn’t known how to live and be happy.

Moana smiled. “That’s gotta mean something.”

“It means I’ve been an ornery bitch for twenty years.”

“I wasn’t going to say it but…” She laughed when Emery tried to tip her off her surfboard. “Go get your guy.”

Her guy.

It sounded so juvenile and yet so freaking perfect.

Emery rolled her eyes then paddled in, meeting Flint on the beach. He already had her other surfboard tucked under his arm, nothing but a set of trunks covering his body, and damn, hewas ripped. All strong bulging muscles on top of smooth skin but with a scattering of scars that made him look rugged and tough. Exactly the kind of guy Moana claimed she targeted.

Except where he wasn’t anything like the other guys Emery had wasted her time on. Flint O’Connell was so much more.

He arched a brow as she stopped in front of him, looking devilishly sexy with his hair all messy. The sun making his skin gleam. “You’ve got that look, again, sweetheart.”

God, she loved the way he called her sweetheart. As if it was natural. And all in that low, gravelly tone that sent shivers skittering down her spine. “The one that says it’s high time you got your ass in the water?”

He smiled, nearly blinded her with the sheer beauty of it, then leaned in. “The one that says surfing might not be what’s on your mind.”

She closed the scant distance between them, running her finger along his chest, doing her best to ignore the purple smear across his skin. “I can’t help it if the mere sight of you has me thinking all sorts of wicked things.”

“We could leave early?”

“And let all that practicing you’ve been doing in secret go to waste? That’s crazy talk. But I’m willing to amend our deal a bit.”

“I’m listening.”

“You give me two or three SEAL-worthy attempts and we can pick up lattes and bagels to go and get to the rest of our scheduled activities.” She let her hand trail down to the top of his trunks. “I believe I promised to bring you to your knees.”

“You already have. But you’re on. So, get that sexy ass back in the water so I can fall on mine.”

She already had?

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