Page 29 of Corey
He nodded. “SEAL training. I spent a lot of time swimming in the Pacific Ocean, especially at night. Then my team was stationed in Coronado.”
“You swam in the ocean at night? What about sharks?”
“They didn’t bother us. But if we encountered one, we were instructed to stand our ground, avoid panic flailing and go for the gills or eyes if they attacked.”
“Oh, my God. That’s awful.”
He chuckled. “After briefing us on the types of sharks in the area, they assured us no student was ever attacked during training.”
She frowned. “That’s not exactly reassuring.”
“Honestly, I was so focused on my gear, navigation and team management that meeting Jaws was the last thing on my mind.”
She sent him the prettiest smile, and he had to force himself to look away and focus on the road. He couldn’t remember the last time a beautiful woman looked at him like she was doing—with eyes full of awe, respect and, yeah, some heated interest. It made his dormant dick perk up.
Fuck.The last woman he’d had sex with had been an embarrassingly long time ago. Celibacy and rubbing one out in the shower had become routine. But Sera was making him rethink his lonely ways.
“You’re very brave,” she said in a low, almost reverent voice.
Her words should’ve made him proud and puff his chest out. Instead, they had the opposite effect. “No, I’m really not,” he said quietly, still ashamed of failing the people who’d depended on him.
“Yes, you are,” she insisted, turning toward him. “You faced down those men, and they had guns. You’re willing to help me even though you don’t have to, and you barely know me at all. You swam with sharks—in the dark.And let’s not forget you keep a wolf as a pet. I think you’re the bravest man I’ve ever met.”
His throat seemed to thicken, hindering a response, and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. If only she knew the truth. Maybe she’d change her tune. But the idea that she believed he was brave filled him with something he hadn’t felt in ages.
Confidence.
He was a failed protector. A bad call had resulted in people in his care, under his protection, dying. And no matter how badly he wished things had turned out differently, he couldn’t change the past. He had to bear that guilt until the day he died.
But, maybe, he could change the present. Because he wasn’t a complete fuck-up. He’d helped Brand find Mitch and Julia when the cartel had kidnapped them. He’d outwitted pirates and helped rescue Ellie. And most recently, he’d defeated members of the mafia when Lottie had been kidnapped.
When the shit hit the fan, he stepped up and fought alongside his brothers-in-arms. Sure, he had crushing bouts of brutal PTSD and punishing guilt, but he didn’t let it affect his competency in the field. He still worked well and thrived in a team environment. And when his friends needed him, he stepped the fuck up.
Glancing over at Sera, he swore to himself that he wouldn’t let her down. No fucking way. He’d see this thing through, no matter what it entailed, and he’d guard her with his life.
???
After putting the groceries away, Corey asked Sera what she wanted for dinner. She suggested spaghetti because it was easy, and she figured she could make a salad without messing it up too badly.
“I’m not much of a cook,” she admitted, “unless you count heating up frozen pizza.”
Corey laughed, his white teeth bright amidst his dark beard. “Sorry, but that doesn’t count. Lucky for you, I’m pretty good around the kitchen.”
“You mentioned you enjoy cooking.” She kept discovering things about him that impressed her. His kindness and protective nature, most of all. Knowing practically nothing about her, he’d invited her to stay in his home and promised to help her. She didn’t miss the way he’d watched her at the grocery store. Every single item she’d so much as glanced at, he’d added to the cart. No one had ever made her a priority, and it felt…nice.
Corey saw her, and she appreciated it more than she could express. For the longest time, she’d felt invisible. But the way he looked at her, anticipating her needs, was so sweet. He was a good man, considerate beyond measure, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he hid away up here from the rest of the world. Truth be told, he was quite a catch, whether he realized it or not.
“I noticed you bought a lot of ingredients for baking,” she said and started washing the lettuce. Nearby, Storm began eating from the bowl Corey just set down.
“Desserts take time and can be a challenge,” he said in a slow, thoughtful voice.
“Plus, they’re yummy.”
“That, too. But I don’t usually eat them. I give them to the guys.”
For some reason that made her sad. It almost sounded like he was punishing himself. And she didn’t like that. She had no idea what he felt so guilty about, but she was confident he didn’t deserve it. “Maybe we could make a dessert?”
“We?” His mouth edged up.
