Page 13 of SEAL's Temptation

“That’s enough,” Ryan ground out.Teammate or not, Ryan’s loyalty had shifted somewhere along the way.He’d defend Aaron with his life in battle, but the rest of the time?Avery was his priority now, whether his buddy liked it or not.

“You knew I was considering this, Aaron,” Avery said, regaining her composure and sounding frustrated.“I’ve been talking about accepting a full-time position with Doctors Without Borders for months.I’ve been thinking about it for even longer.An opportunity came up that I couldn’t refuse, and I’m pouncing on it.I’ve already accepted the job.”

Emersyn looked sympathetic.“It sounds like a good career move.Risky, of course,” she added, casting Aaron a sidelong glance, “but the experience would be incredible.She already has experience volunteering with them, so she’s familiar with the ins and outs.The risks and rewards.”

“Exactly,” Avery said, casting her a grateful look.“Managing the other nurses and volunteer staff to help a steady stream of people in desperate need of medical care is exactly the stepping-stone I need to further my career.It’s an experience that will be invaluable to me.I could get a job in so many places after this, in nearly any pediatric nursing position I want.It will balance out my skillset and make me more marketable.I’m thrilled to have been offered the job.Those children don’t deserve the life they were handed, and I can be there to make a change for the better.”

Aaron huffed out a breath.“I’m proud of you, too, Av, because I know how hard you work, but damn.Please reconsider this.There are other places medical care is needed.”

“Aaron—”

“Just think about it,” he pressed, eyeing her speculatively.“You’re not there yet.You’re on vacation this week in Oahu, right?Take a breather to think it over.Take some time to really consider what you’re doing.”

Avery huffed out a sigh, exchanging a glance with Ryan.The dinner had gone exactly as he’d expected.Aaron had begrudgingly accepted that Ryan was there as Avery’s date, and they’d had a fun time enjoying drinks and a delicious meal.Fun until Avery dropped the bombshell that she was moving to South America.

Aaron shook his head.“And what about you two?You’re looking awfully cozy.If anything, I’d figured you’d want to move here, Av.I wasn’t jumping at the idea of my teammate dating you, but even I can see that you both look happy.Come to Oahu for an adventure.”

Ryan exchanged another look with Avery, and he didn’t miss the flush that spread across her cheeks.She looked so damn pretty, he wanted to lean over and brush a kiss across her pink mouth.

Except her brother was right there.

“Well,” Avery said, flicking her gaze back across the table.She clutched more tightly onto Ryan’s hand, and he felt something in his chest clench.Something about this girl felt like it could be everything.Sure, he’d kissed her for the first time today, but the wild way his heart was pounding didn’t usually happen when he was with a woman.He felt protective and possessive of her in a way that surprised him.It only intensified with her right at his side.

“No shit.You’re moving here?”Aaron asked, not missing a beat.“Just not until after the job is over.”

“Not until then,” Avery agreed.

The siblings faced off across the table, seeming to silently continue the conversation.

Emersyn perked up, however, her gaze darting between Ryan and Avery.“Wait, you’re seriously moving to Honolulu after this job?That’s great news!Think of how much fun we’ll all have together.More double dates,” she said, playfully nudging Aaron.His gaze softened as he looked at her, but Ryan could tell his friend was still riled up.

“It makes sense for me to eventually move to Oahu,” Avery said, looking slightly relieved to have Emersyn’s support.“Ryan can’t exactly up and leave.”

“Not without going AWOL,” he quipped.

She smiled.“Exactly.If we want to see what could happen between us without being long distance forever, I have to take the leap.I love it here, and there are a number of great opportunities career-wise—”

“Which is why the Darien Gap should be out of the picture,” Aaron pointed out.

“This will be my next step,” she said lightly.“It’s been a career goal of mine to take a paid position with Doctors Without Borders.After that?I’m free to do what I want.”

“You’re actually free now, Av.”Aaron shook his head.“I’m kind of shocked by all of this.Your move.Ryan sitting there holding your hand.”

She shrugged.“Life moves on, big brother,” she joked.“I make my own decisions.Always have, always will.Besides, you’ve got Emersyn now.Your life has done a complete flip recently, too.”

Emersyn beamed.“I’m happy for them.And you should be, too,” she gently chastised.

Aaron ran a hand though his hair, eyeing first his sister and then Ryan.“I’m happy you both are happy.Let’s be real—I doubt I’d think any guy was good enough for my sister, but I guess you’ll do.”

Loud male laughter interrupted them, and Sawyer came striding over, a longneck in his hand.He was tall, with dirty blond hair and a gleam in his eyes and mischievous smirk that always seemed to attract the women when the team went out.At the moment, however, he was alone.“What’s up, fellas?Ladies,” Sawyer added, giving them each a subtle nod.“I see the better-looking Nielsen sibling is back in town.”

“You got that right,” Ryan said.

Sawyer’s gaze dragged from him to Aaron.“If you’re upset that Ryan is hooking up with your sister, imagine if it were me,” he joked, waggling his eyebrows.

“I’d rather not,” Aaron quipped.

“Sawyer, you need a woman to whip you into shape,” Avery interjected before Ryan could respond.He’d stiffened at her side, and she sensed he was annoyed.Sawyer was always ribbing everyone else yet was as single as they came.

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