Page 9 of SEAL's Paradise
Hudson:Tell me you don’t have a head injury or something.
Sawyer muttered under his breath.
Sawyer:Did you know she has a tattoo of a dagger?
Hudson:Did you sleep with her already?Tell me it’s on her ass.
Sawyer:No, asshole.It’s on her wrist.
Hudson:Well, when you get busy with her, I want the deets.
Sawyer:I’m busy making plans for tonight.Go bother your baby mama.
Hudson:Sure thing, buddy.Layton’s much better company than you.
Sawyer heard an engine rev in the parking lot, and as he looked in the rearview mirror, was surprised to see Riley gunning it out of there.The tires on her convertible squealed and gravel flew as she raced back onto the highway, speeding out of sight.
Getting as far away from him as quickly as she could.
Sawyer chuckled.
If he did end up working with her to find the alleged traitor on base, they’d be seeing lots and lots of each other.More than Riley probably realized.And that suited him just fine.
***
RILEY CROSSED THE BEDROOMof the condo she was renting, the gauzy white curtains blowing in the breeze.She felt jittery.Nervous, even.And it was all because of the man on his way to her home in a few short hours.She was in way over her head with Sawyer.Way, way over her head.Ironic, because she’d been trained to handle all situations.To deal with all types of people.To keep her cool and maintain her professionalism.
So why did she practically stumble over her own two feet when he was around?
Riley had always been far too aware of his presence.His laughter at the bar.That knowing little smirk.Even his body seemed to give off some type of masculine energy, drawing her to him.Making her notice him far too much.He was merciless when he chased after a woman he wanted.
And today?
He’d been looking at her earlier like he’d be happy to eat her right up.
Pulling open the closet door, she scanned through her clothes.The shorts and Coconuts tee shirts she wore to the bar lined one section.Her own casual, summery wear was next.And to the far right were her array of sexy little outfits.Skimpy dresses.Miniskirts.Low-cut tops.Sometimes you got more intel by dressing the part.Here in Hawaii with a bunch of sailors and vacationers, looking like a fun-loving tourist worked best.When she wasn’t working at Coconuts, that is.
But tonight was different.
Her hand ran over the hangers.She had some pretty, tropical sundresses.Beachy things.Riley wanted to “wow” Sawyer tonight though.Regain the upper hand.Maybe she’d distract him enough in a skintight dress that he’d forget to ask too many questions.Focus on their “date” and not worry too much about the help she required of him.
Riley was running out of time, and she needed to find the best angle to get him to fully agree to cooperate with her.
Sawyer didn’t fit any profile.You’d never categorize a man like him in a neat little box.He was the kind of guy who was larger than life.Friendly and flirty, but it was the keen intelligence lurking beneath his cocky exterior that got to her.He understood people.Maybe he acted like he was nothing but a womanizer and flirt, but there was more hidden beneath, and he only shared it with a precious few.
He was interesting.A dichotomy.And she knew she’d never get him to agree to help her without going along with his proposal for a date tonight.Inexplicably, nerves skittered through her again.She wasn’t going to hop into bed with him.Although she knew he’d never turn her down if she offered, Riley also didn’t think he expected that.He could’ve just as easily suggested an afternoon romp if that was all he was after.He seemed to actually want answers, and in a way, that complicated things even more.There was only so much she was willing to reveal.
Selecting a slinky black dress, Riley eyed her shoes.Some sexy, heeled sandals would work.Hopefully he wasn’t thinking they’d go for a moonlit stroll along the beach.She needed Sawyer’s cooperation, not to seduce the man.
Still, she should be prepared for whatever he had in mind.Crossing back through her bedroom, she grabbed her cell.
Riley:Where are we going for dinner tonight?
Sawyer:I can’t wait to see you either, kitten.
Riley:Sawyer.
Sawyer:Easy now.We haven’t even gotten started.No need to start crying out my name...yet.
