Page 45 of SEAL's Paradise
“The briefing ran late.”
She searched his face, noting the dark circles under his eyes and several days’ worth of stubble on his strong jaw.He looked exhausted.And rather than going home to crash, he’d shown up here.
“You could’ve called or texted later.You look tired.”
“Maybe I just wanted to see you.”His voice was gruff, and his blue eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t name.Possessiveness, maybe, but protectiveness, too.He didn’t like what had happened the other night.
“Sawyer.That guy with the tattoo has no idea that I’m on to him.He thinks I’m just some plain old waitress.He’s a regular here, and as far as he knows, everything is just business as usual.”
“You think I’m taking a chance when it comes to your safety?”he asked, sounding slightly incredulous.
Riley looked at him in surprise.“I don’t need you to watch out for me.”
“And yet here I am,” he said, planting himself on a barstool, clearly not intending to leave.“Waiting.Watching.”His gaze ran over her, and she felt her body heat.“It’s a mighty fine view,” he said, licking his lips.
Riley flushed, feeling both flattered and annoyed.She liked Sawyer’s attention and eyes on her.She just didn’t like the fact that she liked it.Every time she was near him, it was like Sawyer ignited something inside her.And she didn’t know what to do with this other side of him—the side where he showed up for her, texted her, and made sure she was safe.
“You look exhausted.Are you sure you wouldn’t rather head home?We can talk tomorrow.”
“Nope.I’m gonna walk you to your car when your shift is over.I don’t like how you park in the back lot in the dark.”
“I walk myself out all the time.”
“Doesn’t mean I like it.”Sawyer reached for her, and Riley let him pull her closer.His big hand squeezed her waist, and he gently brushed back some of her hair.Electricity coursed through her, sending goosebumps covering her skin.Even just being near this man practically had her trembling.She wanted to both pull away and pull him closer.Take whatever he offered her.Security.Pleasure.Someone to have her back.
She didn’t resist as he leaned in and kissed her, the moment slow and gentle yet still earth-shakingly hot.
“You’re in uniform,” she protested when she finally pulled back, her heart galloping in her chest.“What about no PDA?”
He cocked his head, his grin dazzling.“When have I ever played by the rules?”
“You’re impossible,” Riley said with a laugh.
“Yep.We already established that, remember?Impossible to resist.”
He kept one hand on her waist, his other dropping to his side.“My buddies are planning to have a bonfire this weekend.What do you say you come with me?”
“To hang out with your friends.”
“To hang out with my friends,” he agreed.“We’re engaged, after all.Maybe I’ll do the big proposal there—get down on one knee and all that.”
“Sawyer.”
He grinned.“You don’t want a fake show to go along with the fake marriage?”
“We both know we don’t need to get married.We have a photograph and some leads.Your commander and team are involved now.This will all be over soon.”
He sobered.“Maybe I like hanging around you.”
“But...this is all just pretend, isn’t it?”
“I’m attracted to you,” he said, his voice low and husky.“I’m intrigued by you.I want to know more, and it doesn’t feel so pretend to me.”
“You don’t date,” Riley protested.“All of your teammates have girlfriends and fiancées—real relationships,” she clarified.
Sawyer shifted his hand, edging beneath the hem of her tee shirt.His calloused thumb trailed in little circles on her skin, and she shivered.“You feel it, too,” he said huskily.“You can deny it all you want, kitten, but I’m not giving up.I want you.”
