Page 17 of A Soldier's Temptation
“Nope. But don’t feel bad, most people don’t realize that.”
“Your father must be so proud of you.”
“I like to think so. We lost him before I graduated from BUD/S.”
“Oh no. I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago.” He covered her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze. His touch startled her and she fought the urge to pull her hand away. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she answered, hoping he couldn’t hear the too-fast beating of her heart from his touch. “That was more than one question though.”
“It’s okay.” He poured more wine in her glass. When had she finished the last one? “My turn. What do you do for a living? I know you can’t be a full-time plant sitter.”
Relieved it was a ‘safe’ question, she took a sip of the Pellegrino water this time, determined not to get any tipsier. “I work in technology for a Naval contractor on base. But that’s all I can tell you.”
“Or you’ll have to kill me?”
“Yeah, kind of like that.” She softened her words with a wide grin. His answering smile went all the to his eyes and she’d swear they twinkled. Too sexy for his own good, that’s for sure.
“Thank you,” John said, still grinning.
“Huh?” What could he be thanking her for?
“You said I was sexy.”
“Shit, I said that out loud? Oh my God, no more wine for me.”
“I confessed earlier that I’m attracted to you. I’m happy to know the feeling is mutual.”
It seemed sudden. They’d had casual interactions for months but that’s it. Naturally suspicious, after all the shit Paul put her through, her instincts raised goosebumps on her arms. It didn’t add up. Was he really interested in her? Or was something else behind all of this?
“I guess I just don’t understand why the sudden change. Our interactions have been just neighborly. Nothing more. Then tonight you tell me you’re attracted to me. What changed? And for the record, I don’t do one night stands.”
When he didn’t answer at first, her stomach knotted and her mouth could have passed for the Sahara Desert. Grabbing the glass of water like it was a lifeline, she downed it.
As soon as she put the empty glass back on the table, he refilled it. His gentle smile went a long way to calming her frayed nerves. It had to be the wine. Normally, she wasn’t this unsettled. Shira would be surprised to see her like this. Calm under pressure was her mantra or one of them no matter how much shit hit the fan. So why was flirting with John affecting her so much? Maybe it was because of the email she’d gotten earlier.
The last thing she expected was for him to burst into laughter. He tried to muffle it behind his hand after a few of the couples at the other tables closest turned around.
Chapter 5
Every moment they spent together pulled him further under her spell. No matter how hard he tried to focus on her safety, all she had to do was smile and he was lost. How he’d managed to get through the meal without having to excuse himself to rearrange, he had no idea. It took all of his will not put her onto his lap and kiss her until neither of them could breathe. And the desire didn’t stop there. They barely knew each other, yet he couldn’t imagine not having her in his life. She was perfect, or as Elwood liked to say, ‘the whole enchilada’.
Inside her short, curvy, body was a heart of gold and a sense of humor and a stubborn streak a mile wide. But losing control would put her in danger. The FBI had her under surveillance. It would have been impossible to miss the black car sitting across the street from the restaurant even if he hadn’t known they were watching. He’d bet anyone that whoever sent her the email earlier also had their eyes on her. If he didn’t find a way to make her open up to him, he’d have a hell of a time keeping her safe. Yeah, Colin wanted him to back off once he was cleared hot and joined Charlie Team, but he couldn’t have walked away even if he wasn’t falling for her.
Still chuckling about the one-night stand remark, then the slight flush on her cheeks and look of confusion sank into his thick brain. Was she serious? Why the hell would she think that’s what he wanted? Sure, she’d mentioned his “other women,” but she must not have been paying attention. There hadn’t been a woman in his apartment or bed in over two months.
“I’m sorry, Baby. I didn’t mean to laugh. But that was the last thing I expected to hear you say.”
“Baby? I don’t think we’re quite to that point, are we? It’s only our first dinner. And why was that so surprising? Don’t you think I’m attractive enough?” Ari’s voice wobbled, close to tears or possibly anger, he wasn’t sure.
“Dammit, Ari. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve been sitting here for the last hour wondering how you’d taste, what you’d feel like in my arms, and in my bed. So don’t for one minute even think that.”
Her mouth opened and then closed without saying a word. Her cheeks had turned a bright pink and her eyes were wide with surprise. Those blue-green eyes, sweet baby Jesus, it was like swimming in the waters of the Caribbean. But continuing down this path was dangerous for them. As much as he loved teasing her it was torture on his body. He needed to focus. Swearing under his breath, he chastised himself. He needed to rein it in if he was going to get her into a safe house.
“You say all that and then wonder why I think that’s what you want?”
“There is no way one night would ever be enough. A thousand nights won’t quench my thirst for you.”
