Page 11 of SEAL's Harmony
Bending over, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Holding the fluffy pooch did wonders for her mood and when she released him, her smile was genuine and not forced for the first time since Harry showed up earlier.
Harmony met Ry’s gaze over the top of Whiskey’s head and her heart flipped over in her chest at the desire she saw there. As she stood up and patted the dog’s head, she sucked in a breath and inhaled too quickly. She started choking.Way to go, Harmony.
Ry patted her on the back as tears slid down her cheeks. Totally mortified, she would have run if not for Ry’s hand rubbing up and down her back.
“Are you okay?” Concern wrinkled his forehead as he bent his head toward her.
“Yes,” she answered when she stopped coughing. “I don’t know what happened. Knowing me I probably inhaled a bug.”
Ry laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and tipped his head back. It was great that he was laughing, but she wanted the parking lot to open and suck her in. Whiskey rubbed against her side and put his head on her hand, nudging it until she scratched his ears. She never met a dog so empathetic.Maybe I could steal him from Ry when he wasn’t looking? Probably not. The government might have something to say if she absconded with one of their highly trained soldiers.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh, but you’re just so damn adorable,” Ry said.
“I am?”Is he out of his mind? How is inhaling a bug and coughing up a lung adorable?
“Yes, you are. I love that you’re so real.”
Harmony quirked an eyebrow as she tried to figure out if he was serious or just making fun of her. “Real? I’m not sure what you mean?”
“Most of the women I’ve met, except for the women dating the Black Eagle team, are always trying to be perfect. Fake, I guess. I love all the little quirky things about you.”
“You mean my impersonation of Calamity Jane? Trust me, it’ll get old.” It obviously had for Jim when he’d run off with his secretary. Besides, her father had reminded her every day for as long as she could remember, that she was worthless.
“No, I don’t think that at all.” Ry slid his finger under her chin and turned her to face him. The expression in his hazel eyes took her breath away.
“Maybe I should just go back to work,” she murmured, barely able to get the words out of her mouth. For a moment, she thought he would kiss her and time stood still, but then Whiskey woofed and broke the spell.
“C’mon, you need a break after what happened. Let me take you for coffee at least,” Ry pleaded.
Her brain said to turn around and head back to work, but her heart did that little flippy thing and was all in for coffee, lunch, or whatever he was offering. God help her.
“Okay, but just coffee. I need to get back soon.”
“I passed a Starbucks down the block. Will that work?”
“Perfect. I spend most of my lunch hours sitting outside reading. And Whiskey can come.”
“Yes, he can. Do you want to drive over?” Ry looked down at her heels.
She didn’t need to be a mind reader to know what he was thinking. But she’d already almost fallen twice and inhaled a bug. Surely, she could stay on her feet for a block. The universe couldn’t be that cruel.
“I’ll be fine. Whiskey will make sure I don’t fall. Right, buddy?”
“I’m wondering if I need to be jealous of my dog.” Ry grinned.
“Maybe?” Harmony winked and took Whiskey’s leash after Ry attached it to the dog’s collar.
They made it to the coffee shop without incident, and Harmony breathed a sigh of relief as she sat at one of the round white metal tables with Whiskey while Ry went inside to buy their coffees.
It wasn’t long before Ry pushed open the door with his shoulder while balancing their drinks and a pup cup. Two women were sitting at one of the other tables and Harmony watched them ogle Ry like he was their next meal, even though he looked more like a caveman than a Navy SEAL. As he headed over to her, she didn’t try to hide her smile at their surprise.
“One iced cold brew with a pump of classic for Harmony and one Puppaccino for Whiskey.” Ry placed her cup in front of her and the cup of whipped cream on the ground in front of the dog.
Then he pulled a paper bag out of his back pocket before he pulled a chair close to her side with his back against the building.
“What’s in the bag?”
Ry tore open the bag to reveal two huge chocolate chip cookies. “You can’t have a coffee break without a treat.”
