Page 18 of The Destined SEAL
“You’re so full of it,” Ben says, standing in one fluid motion. “You’d lose your mind if I took my clothes off.” With one hand, he reaches to the back of his neck and pulls his T-shirt over his head.
Looking away at the safe, constant ocean, I say, “Whatever. I’m not full of anything except brains.”
He laughs, but I hear his zipper, and then his pants hit the ground. “You’ve seen it all before anyway.” It’s both fact and fiction. I haven’t seen this version of Ben naked. “Look at me.” He shakes off his clothes, the fabric flapping in the wind.
I do, trying my best to seem uninterested in his sculpted body, as my gaze wanders. He has things I’ve never really thought much about. Intelligence and goals are sexy. Things that further you in life. Surveying Ben’s qualities, I realize maybe there’s something about the physicality of a man I might find attractive. Chiseled abs. Broad shoulders that curve into lean forearms and thick wrists. His boxer briefs ride low on his waist and wrap around thick thighs. “What’s the big deal?” I ask.
“You tell me,” Ben says, tucking his thumbs into the band of his underwear, teasing.
“Let’s go. You’re high on testosterone right now. It’s the only excuse I’m willing to accept. You’re not going to take those off,” I deadpan, meeting his cocky gaze.
“Oh, no?” he replies.
I start walking to the parking lot and hear him follow. No one is here, so I know he doesn’t care about being in his underwear. When we’re at his truck, I spin on him. “Do it then. You say you have no problem riding bare-assed in your truck, then do it.”
“Uhh,” Ben says, looking at me like I’m from another planet. “You want me to?”
It’s my turn to laugh. “I know you won’t put your bare asshole on your truck seat, Ben. Tell me I’m wrong.”
He thinks about it, I can tell. In the end, I’m right. Ben jumps into the driver’s side scowling, wearing his boxer briefs.
I lean my head against the window and soak in the air conditioner blasting through the vents. “I’m always right. Don’t forget that,” I say.
Ben grumbles. And then says something magical. “You’re right.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Ben
“You didn’t tellHarper about your plans?” Mom chirps from around her wineglass.
Harper glares at me from the other side of the table. We’re talking about Harper’s newest West Coast plans. Our parents are proud and excited to have her back in their lives on a more regular basis. From that, my own plans, which I was hoping to keep secret, went on blast.
I take a bite of bread. Empty carbs. I never allow myself something so silly. My diet is stringent ninety-nine percent of the time. This weekend with Harper I’ve broken every single nutrition rule I typically abide by. Stuffing another bite in my mouth, I smile around the food. “No,” I say with my mouth full. “I haven’t gotten the chance, and you know how things work. Nothing is for sure yet.”
Harper leans back in her chair and folds her pretty little arms across her chest, her tongue smoothing over her front teeth. “Tell us, Ben. What ‘maybe’ plans?”
I catch her intonation when she says “maybe.” She keeps things from me. Huge things, like serious boyfriends that she intends to move across the country with. Asshole boyfriends who swear at their girlfriends out of jealousy.
“Go on,” Harper prompts, sipping her wine.
It’s nice outside. The sun is setting, and her parents have a beautiful table out on the new deck. I shrug. “I was trying to switch coasts to…ahhh…be based over there.”
“To be closer to you, Harper,” Dad says, like he’s being fucking helpful.
I glare at him. He turns his eyes down to his plate. It’s like we’re all seven again when we’re together. I have to remind everyone we’re both competent adults.
“And for different job opportunities,” he adds.
Harper’s face changes. “Seriously? Why would you want to be over there?”
You. For you. For only you. I need you. To be close to you. For my sanity.
“Like Dad said, there’s other stuff I could do if I’m stationed on that coast. Who knows, I haven’t had to go overseas yet, so I might do that instead.”
“No,” everyone basically screams at once.
“I mean, don’t do that. I’m coming back here,” Harper says, leaning toward me, cutting everyone else off.
