Page 1 of SEAL's Paradise
Chapter 1
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SAWYER “SAINT” COLLINS’Sboots crunched the gravel in the unpaved parking lot as he climbed out of his pickup truck, the sandy earth peeking through beneath the dusty pebbles.The produce stand was buzzing with people on Saturday afternoon.Cars whizzed by on the highway, and his eyes swept the area, taking in the families, couples, and other people milling about and loading their cars.He briefly squinted in the bright sunlight, the sound of the waves from the Pacific Ocean crashing in the distance both soothing and familiar.
His gaze landed on the woman he was here to meet at the far edge of the lot, her dark brunette tresses blowing in the Hawaiian breeze and creamy skin practically glowing in the summer sun.
Hell.
Riley had on skinny jeans so tight that it looked like she’d been poured into them and a snug-fitting tank top that showed off her assets.Her womanly curves were practically sinful, and if she’d dressed like this when she’d waitressed at Coconuts, he probably would’ve tried to take her home the first night they’d met, not laughed off her blushes and not-so-secret glances his way.
The dark sunglasses she wore today made it hard to read her expression as her head swung his way, and she looked different than the flustered waitress he was used to seeing at the bar.This version of Riley was cool, confident, and collected.Not to mention hotter than sin.
His hand clenched as he moved more quickly toward her.He might’ve planned to saunter casually across the lot, but everything about this situation was off.
The sexy, form-fitting clothes she wore.The change in her normally shy demeanor.The fact that she’d texted him at all.
He didn’t stop walking until he was standing right in front of Riley.It was closer than socially acceptable given they were acquaintances at best, but this chick had been following him.Watching him.And she’d somehow gotten his contact info and asked to meet him here.
He didn’t say hello, avoiding all pretenses of polite conversation, just looked down at her delicate features.He couldn’t see her brown eyes at the moment but took in her slender nose and kissable, pouty lips.The slight flush on her cheeks.Shame it wasn’t appropriate to kiss her hello.Sawyer bet she tasted divine, and her mouth looked delicious.
“You have my attention.”His voice was low and smooth.He was curious more than anything.Confused, perhaps, but comfortable enough to let her say her piece.He gazed at her, unmoving, waiting for a reaction.
“You got my text.”Her voice was like a fucking angel singing.Feminine.Sweet.Somewhat of a contrast to her current, no-nonsense attitude.And since when did he wax poetic about a woman?Never was the answer to that question.Sawyer realized that he wanted to hear his name on her lips.Listen to Riley’s sweet cries as he thrust into her, making her explode beneath him in his bed.If he hadn’t been attracted to her before, he sure the hell was now.Ironic timing given the looks she’d been giving him all along.
Puppy dog eyes.That’s what his teammates had called it.Sawyer hadn’t really given a shit then, but this version of Riley?Sign him the hell up.
“Affirmative.I got your text.What’s this about, little Riley Roo?”he joked, trying to get a rise out of her.
A brief flash of annoyance crossed her face.“I needed to talk to you.”
“So I gathered.How’d you get my number?”He didn’t care so much that she’d texted him but was damn curious.Despite knowing her for nearly a year, he’d given her his order at the restaurant while he flirted with other women there, not giving Riley so much as another thought.He’d seen her watching him as he whisked other ladies out the door for the night.Felt her eyes on him anytime he was there.Riley was shy, even blushing around him much of the time.The icy coolness she had going on now was intriguing, to say the least.
He let his gaze rake over her, taking in her plump breasts pressing against her tank top and curvy hips—perfect for wrapping his hands around as he pulled her close.Riley was slender yet womanly in all the ways that counted.And yep, he was counting his blessings right about now.She was an eyeful of sexy woman, practically made for a man to admire.
Ain’t nothing wrong with that.
“You gave your number to one of the other waitresses months ago,” Riley said.“I was saving it until I needed it.”
Surprise washed over him.“And what’d you have to say, kitten?”
She rolled her eyes.Yep, she still had those dark sunglasses on, but the reaction was obvious.It was a look he’d seen plenty of women give him before.
“Come on now.I’m here, aren’t I?I’m all yours.”
“I need your help.”
“Yep.Figured that given your text.”He looked around.“You having car trouble or something?I know some asshole isn’t bothering you at the bar because we’re out here in the middle of nowhere at a fucking fruit stand.Everyone seems to be minding their own business,” he added, making a show of scanning the area again.There certainly weren’t any handsy, drunken sailors here.No tourists insisting they get to know her as more than a waitress.
Sawyer hadn’t necessarily wanted to chase after Riley in the past, but if a man had so much as touched her without her consent, Sawyer would end him.
“There’s a traitor on base.”
He startled, certain he’d heard wrong.“Come again?”
“I’m not a waitress, Sawyer.”
His eyebrows shot up.“Then what the hell are you doing waiting tables, kitten?Or was that your evil twin sister I saw batting her eyelashes at me at Coconuts all those times?”
