Page 30 of SEAL's Tempest
“No, you don’t. Your co-workers are the ones who owe us both an apology. It was just a misunderstanding, and I’m sorry you were hurt by it. Oh, and Ry is definitely getting his ass kicked.”
Tempest nodded but still looked way too serious. “I’d like to help with that. Then I need to have a word with my coworkers, too.”
“Now that that’s cleared up…Itiscleared up, right?”
Tempest grinned. “Yes, it is.”
“Good, because I want to keep seeing you. This thing between us is special. I’ve been looking for a long time, and I don’t want to lose you. Do you think you could handle dating a real Navy SEAL this time?”
ChapterTwelve
Josh looked so sincere as he sat on the horrid orange couch, waiting for Tempest answer about their relationship. Somehow, over the last two days, he’d decided she was what he wanted. Tempest wanted to believe him. She really did, but she’d learned the hard way how easy it was to lie.
As she searched his expression for any sign of deception, the ice around her heart cracked a bit. How could he be so sure? It was still all too new. Sure, their chemistry was off the charts, and the sex had rocked her to her core, literally.
Even though she could feel his frustration and worry as he waited, he didn’t move, didn’t reach for her, didn’t try to coerce her. Instead, sat on the couch turned slightly so he could face her. He’d crossed his right leg over his left, and his hands rested over his calf. Deceptively relaxed, but she knew better.
“It’s complicated,” she said. “You realize that, right? I won’t be able to work with your team. And don’t forget how much you hated living next door to me before. If we break up, it would be even worse.”
She knew he heard her. Nothing she said seemed to matter to him. Though Josh’s expression changed from worry to determination as she voiced her concerns. His hazel eyes gleamed as they met hers. Suddenly, she felt like prey, and he was ready to pounce as he scented her capitulation.
“Nothing could be worse than these last couple of months, and I’m not worried. I know you don’t believe me yet, but I know this is right. I just hope you give us the chance.”
Okay, so he was Captain America with an enormous ego. But she couldn’t resist his grin either.
“As for not being on the same team,” Josh said, “I don’t see that as a problem, either. My focus would be to keep you safe, instead of the on the mission. It would be too dangerous—for you and the team.”
The man had an answer for everything, and that was part of the problem. He’d sworn he wasn’t a player, but he had all the right answers. Plus, he was just too damn beautiful. The two day’s growth of beard accentuated his chiseled jaw, giving a rougher edge to his Captain America good looks.
The urge to give in to him pulled on at her. Grace would tell her to go for it, to enjoy the sex,. Then when it got old, move on to the next guy.
That was how her sister operated. Grace rarely dated anyone more than once. She was the queen of one-night stands and loved her freedom. But Tempest was her opposite, and Grace was constantly calling her a prude.
“Is there anything you don’t have an answer for?” Tempest asked.
“Of course—plenty—-but not where you’re concerned. When I know what I want, I go for it, and I don’t give up until it’s mine. And I want you, Tempest Miller.”
Šventas südas—holy shit. Heat pooled in low in her belly as his words sank in, further weakening her resolve. Maybe they could take it slow and see how it worked out. It wasn’t like she was moving in with him. And no more sex—not yet.
But even as the words swirled in her mind, she knew she wouldn’t be able to resist Josh. One or two of those toe-curling kisses and she’d melt into his arms.
Ugh.Where was her inner badass when she needed her? With a sigh, she hoped she wasn’t making a huge mistake., Tempest nodded despite feeling like her heart would pound out of her chest.
“I need your words, Tempest.” He used the same commanding tone when he’d told her not to move during sex.
Her cheeks flushed at the memory. Oh God. For a moment, she almost changed her mind. Fear raised goosebumps on her arms as she thought about how she’d believe her ex too and been fooled. Could Josh just be another Bob?
Josh’s hand grasped hers and squeezed gently. “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not going to happen.”
It was like he could read her mind. Did her expression give that much away? She’s spent years working to keep her thoughts from showing on her face. But he was right. Why deny them a chance at happiness? If it didn’t work out, she could always move. She was only renting.
“Okay, yes. We can try, but we need to take it slow. And we’ll have to report whatever this is as soon as we get back to base.”
“It’s a relationship, baby. I promise you, contrary to your previous experience, this time, it won’t hurt.” Josh tugged her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it gently, then flipped it over so he could kiss her palm.
The butterflies came back in full force, fluttering around inside her stomach. Tempest was out of her depth with Josh. He was too good to be true, and everyone knew how that always worked out. “One roll on a couch doesn’t constitute a relationship, Josh,” Tempest said. Sure, he turned her insides into a puddle of goo, but it didn’t mean she was a pushover even if her inner badass was hiding.
“I’m not going to rush you, sweetheart. We’ll move as slowly as you need. Okay?” Josh said softly as he held her hand.
