Page 6 of SEAL's Temptation

He surprised her as he stepped closer and took her face in his hands.“Of course I care,” he said, his voice gruff and green eyes focused solely on her.Her lips parted, but she couldn’t find the words to respond.She breathed in his scent.Basked in his warmth.Felt the hardness of his muscled body as he moved closer.This time around, he didn’t ask permission to kiss her.Ryan leaned in, and at last, his lips were on hers.

Electricity jolted through her as his mouth moved over her own.One big hand slid to the back of her head, and Ryan kissed her slowly.Reverently.His mouth was warm, and his hands somehow both gentle yet commanding.He’d taken what he wanted but was so damn careful about it.The scruff of his jaw rubbed over her skin as he deepened the kiss, and she shivered.Her lips parted, and his tongue swept in, and then she was clinging to him like he was the only thing holding her up.

Ryan immediately wrapped one arm around her, holding her close.Her breasts pressed against his hard chest, and she could feel his strength and heat as his erection rubbed against her center.Ryan didn’t try to hide it or pull back.He wanted her.

Arousal coiled within her belly, spiraling down, until she felt a pulsing at her core.They were pressed together like lovers, her body already throbbing with want.She could feel her nipples pebbling against her bra.Her panties dampening.And oh God—Ryan’s stubble was lightly brushing against her skin as he trailed kisses along her jaw.She wanted to feel that everywhere.Her breasts.Her belly.The tender skin of her inner thighs.

They were both breathing heavily when he finally pulled back, his hands still on her as if he was afraid she’d float away.Her gaze fell to her own hands, which were fisting his tee shirt.Avery felt like she was claiming him in the same way he’d staked his hold on her.

“I wanted to do that for months,” he admitted, the corner of his mouth tugging up.

She flushed, and he lightly caressed her cheek, his hand lingering at her neck.“I love how you blush around me, Av.”

“Oh stop,” she said with an embarrassed laugh.

He leaned in and kissed her again, short and sweet, before releasing her.“Can’t help it.I like what I like.”

She pressed her lips together, trying to hide her smile.Ryan was more assertive than her in many ways, and she loved it.Avery made rapid decisions all the time in her line of work.It might seem like a small thing, having him plan the hike or initiate their first kiss, but she liked not having to be in control of every little thing.With Ryan, she could just be.Maybe that was partly what had drawn her to him in the first place.She’d been at a beach party with her brother, and Ryan had offered to get her a drink.Then he’d given her a lift back to her hotel that night.It was a million little things that he did to make her feel special.Stuff she didn’t even know she’d been missing in past relationships.

“I feel like I need to jump in the waterfall to cool down,” she joked, her entire body still flushed.He’d done no more than kiss her passionately, but damn.He’d practically sent her up in flames.

His eyes raked over her appreciatively as he stepped back, and he looked pleased with himself.“Not sure I want anyone else to see you soaking wet in a light-colored shirt, Av,” he said, his gaze briefly catching on her breasts before he met her eyes again.

Her heart thudded.Ryan was clearly attracted to her yet also protective.He was different than the types of guys she usually ended up dating.The type who were all about looks and wouldn’t mind showing her off.Ryan seemed content to have her all to himself, and she loved that.He made her feel safe and secure in a way she wasn’t used to.In a way that thrilled her.

“Good point,” she said, still slightly breathless.“No unintentional wet tee-shirt contests for me.”

He licked his lips, smiling.“I’ve got another surprise,” he said, drawing her attention back to his green gaze.“I packed us a picnic breakfast—bagels, fruit, and coffee.I figured we’d be hungry after the hike.”

“Oh my God.You did not bring coffee with you.”

“I did,” he said with a chuckle.His grin was smug as he looked at her.“You might’ve mentioned your obsession with Kona coffee once or twice.”

“What?It’s good,” she said, warmth rising within her.Ryan noticed everything.All the men on his SEAL team were like that.No doubt they were trained to be observant.As a nurse, she paid attention, too, but this was different.Ryan noticed things even when she didn’t realize he was watching.He could be an intense guy, and it was flattering to be the sole focus of that male interest and attention.

Chapter 3

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