Page 47 of SEAL's Paradise
Wyatt crossed his arms, eyeing Sawyer.“Sorry, Saint.It sounds like it’s just about her looks.This wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been into a woman simply because she’s attractive.I have to admit though, the fact that you haven’t slept with her yet says something.”
Hudson chuckled.“She’s got him by the balls and doesn’t even know it.”
“It’s more than just about her looks,” Sawyer insisted.“She’s beautiful, sure, but Riley’s smart.Ambitious.She’s good at what she does.She’s quiet, but—”
“Thank God since you’re such a loudmouth,” Austin pointed out.“Imagine if she was just like you,” he said.
“Opposites attract.And trust me—there’s some definite attraction between us.”Sawyer’s blood heated just remembering the way he’d kissed her goodnight.Riley had been breathless, clinging to him like he was the only thing in her world.Sawyer was certain that she’d almost—almost—invited him in to stay.It might take baby steps, but he’d get there.And Riley would be one hundred percent worth the wait.
“When do you see the future wifey again?”Hudson quipped.
Sawyer’s eyes landed on him.“Tonight.”
“She working?”Hudson asked.
“Nah.I think she has the night off.I’m planning to stop by later on.”
Aaron chuckled as he walked over.“Oh yeah?Does she know you’re coming?Women love when you show up unexpectedly—not.They want to primp and be ready before a date.”
“It’s not a date.It’s just me, her fake fiancé, stopping by to see her.What could go wrong?”Sawyer asked.
Wyatt muttered an oath, eyeing Sawyer.“A damn hell of a lot could go wrong.Now that the commander is involved in this investigation, too, don’t screw things up just because you’re into Riley.We don’t need her pissed at you after you break her heart.”
“I’m not breaking her heart,” Sawyer said, annoyed.
“The point is, your love life is the least of our problems.We’ve got real trouble if someone is smuggling out missiles.Think with your head for a change, not just your dick.”
“Got it, Wildcard.However, it seemed you were quite happy to meet your girl on an op,” Sawyer razzed.
“Callie’s different,” Wyatt immediately said.
“So’s Riley.She may even be the one.”
The locker room fell silent, and Sawyer turned back to his locker, ignoring the shocked expressions on the faces of his teammates.Fuck convention.Riley was unlike any other woman he’d met.She was special.Maybe even everything.Yeah, she was hesitant to believe he was actually into her, but Sawyer knew he’d always regret if he let her get away.If he didn’t give this a real shot.
Riley was different, and it wasn’t just because he was crazy attracted to her or because she was working undercover.Sawyer felt different around her.He wanted her to feel safe, to be happy, to know he had her back.Riley might be reluctant to jump into an actual relationship with him, but all he knew was that when she was in his arms, nothing else in the whole world felt more right.
Yeah, they’d done no more than kiss, but the electricity between them had nearly been enough to start an inferno.
The idea of being with Riley probably should’ve scared him.He didn’t date.He didn’t have serious relationships.She challenged him.Made him want to do right by her.And if their relationship ended up being not so fake after all?
He didn’t have a problem with doing it all for real.
***
COMMANDER MADDEN WASalready in the bullpen when the team arrived late that evening, his laptop open at the end of the long conference table.Now that they’d returned from their quick op, things had finally gotten rolling on the investigation into the men smuggling missiles.
“We ran the photo Sawyer took through facial recognition software again,” their CO told the team.“It took some time, and I’m sure IT could explain the troubles better than me.The point is, we have a match.”He went to his laptop, pressing a button so that a photograph of a sailor in uniform appeared on the big screen at the front of the room.Another click, and the man’s name and stats appeared beside it.“We got a name.Kurt Bengal.”
“Bengal?”Hudson asked with a frown.“I guess that explains the tiger tattoo.”
Sawyer stared at the name in disbelief, then let out a low chuckle.“Well, that’s just damn stupid.”
“Stupid or not, it’s him,” Commander Madden said, his voice hard.“Kurt Bengal has a lengthy list of infractions against him.I’m surprised he’s still active duty.Some of these appear to warrant a discharge.”
“He must have friends in high places,” Wyatt surmised.
“My thoughts exactly,” the commander said.“Even more interesting, however, is that his brother is also stationed here.”
