Page 25 of SEAL's Temptation

She nearly snorted, blushing as she read over his text.Only Ryan.He was both sweet and flirty, and ever since they’d slept together, he seemed even more protective of her.He’d not only driven her back to her hotel but walked her to her room before kissing her goodbye and telling her to lock the door behind him.

She’d reluctantly had to change her flight, heading back to California that very day to get the packing situation straightened out.It had been an impulsive decision to book a last-minute trip to Oahu, but it was one she’d never regret.

Not when it had changed everything between her and Ryan.

Her fingers trembling only slightly, she texted him back.

Avery:My boyfriend likes to make me blush.

Ryan:Sorry not sorry.You look damn pretty when you do.

Ryan:I know you’ll do amazing things in South America.Promise me you’ll be safe.

Avery:I will, but you have to promise me the same.You’ll know exactly where I am.I’ll have no clue when you deploy.

Ryan:I’m going to send you my CO’s contact info.If you ever need me but can’t get ahold of me, I want you to contact him.

Avery looked up as the gate agent announced that boarding was about to begin.She thumbed one last text to Ryan.

Avery:About to board.Talk when I’m settled in.xoxo

Ryan:Safe travels, baby girl.xoxo

Avery stood, hefting her backpack up and over her shoulders again.She swiped the screen on her phone, pulling up her boarding pass.Her stomach fluttered with nerves.She was heading into the unknown, but that wasn’t what worried her.She and Ryan might live in separate states, but for the first time, she felt like she was leaving someone she truly cared about behind.

Chapter 12

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RYAN MUTTERED A CURSEas he read over the last text Avery sent him from the airplane.She still hadn’t told her brother that she was flying to Panama today.Aaron no doubt thought she’d be catching a flight soon—to California.

The team had been busy this week with training.Aaron hadn’t asked about Avery again, probably assuming she was with Ryan every night.Since Avery had wanted to be the one to let Aaron know she was definitely taking the job in South America, he’d tried to respect her wishes.Except the entire team was getting together today at Wyatt and Callie’s for a BBQ, and Aaron would notice her absence.As far as her brother knew, she had one more day left in Honolulu.

Except she was gone.

“Hope Aaron doesn’t kill the messenger,” he muttered, climbing into his SUV.

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