Page 7 of SEAL's Tempest
Tempest stopped at the passenger side of his truck and put her go bag down on the driveway. She looked damn good in her jeans, hiking boots, and the pale blue T-shirt that matched her eyes.Probably did it on purpose. Josh doubted she did anything without analyzing the options first. Every action seemed deliberate.
“I figured I’d get the plants a quick drink since I didn’t know how long we’d be away,” Josh said.
Tempest’s icy-blue gaze met his. What it would be like to have them burn with desire? Would they get darker or just melt the ice she seemed to wrap herself in?
Fuck. The last thing he needed to think about was making Tempest scream his name as she orgasmed in his arms. And where the hell had that thought come from anyway?
With a nod, she leaned against the front of his truck and waited. Her arms were relaxed at her sides instead of crossed over her chest while she watched him. Maybe they were making progress, since her ever-present resting bitchface was nowhere to be seen.
It didn’t take more than a few minutes to take care of the plants. After Josh pulled out of his driveway and on the road, the urge to make conversation became overwhelming. His mom had raised him to be polite, and silence just seemed rude. What could he ask that wouldn’t trigger her bitchy side?
He could almost hear his mom’s voice chastising him.“She wouldn’t be that way if you were the sweet boy I know you are.”
“What’s funny?” Tempest asked with genuine curiosity.
“Nothing really, just a happy thought about my mother.” Unlike some of the guys, he’d had a wonderful childhood and still loved to go home to visit whenever he had a chance.
“I see,” she said with a nod. Her thick black hair slid against the side of her face like a silk curtain.
“You don’t get thoughts like that?” It was Josh’s turn to be curious.
“My mother was murdered when I was ten. I don’t have a lot of happy memories of her.” The words were said with absolutely no emotion, like it could have been a stranger instead of the woman who gave birth to her. The thought of the pain she must have experienced at such a young age triggered a strong surge of compassion. He had to forcefully keep his hands on the steering wheel and not reach for her.
“I’m so sorry,” he said instead. “I can’t even imagine how hard that must have been. Is that why you left Marikistan?”
Tempest nodded, but he couldn’t see her face. She’d turned her head toward the window while spinning the gold ring on her right hand. She’d done the same thing during the briefing. Maybe there was a weakness to her stoic personality after all.
Tension filled the air, and Josh wasn’t sure how to dispel it. He was used to his friends picking up the conversations, he’d never been a one to talk a lot.
“My parents live in Martinsville, Virginia,” he said. “It’s a few hours from here in the southwestern part of the state. I grew up there with my sisters and brother. My family has owned the land and stables for a couple of generations.”
“You have horses? Do you ride?” Tempest asked with wonder. The tension evaporated instantly.
“Yes, I think I was riding horses before I started walking. Well, probably not really.” Josh grinned.
“That’s amazing. I’ve always loved horses, but I’ve only seen them in photos.” Tempest stopped twisting the ring on her finger and some of the stiffness in her shoulders loosened. Had he finally found something to thaw the ice queen?
“I’d be happy to take you to home for a visit after this mission. No strings, but you’ll get to see the horses and ride one if you’d like.” Josh couldn’t keep the hopefulness out of his voice. He had no idea why, but it was important that Tempest say yes.
“Really? Even though all we’ve done is snipe at each other since we’ve met? Besides, wouldn’t it be awkward with your family? Unless you bring women home with you all the time…”
Josh could feel her gaze on him as he thought about his words. The last thing he wanted was her to get the wrong idea about his intentions. For some reason, bringing some happiness to Tempest’s life was imperative.
“I’ve never brought a woman home to meet my family. But you’re not just any woman, you’re a fellow sailor. I’ve brought my teammates home with me plenty of times. They won’t think anything of it.”
Or would they?
“That might be fun. Unless we kill each other on this mission.” Tempest grinned at him when he turned to look at her. He hadn’t believed his ears and that smile was like a punch in his gut.
“I guess we’ll see how it goes.” Josh returned her grin. “But I have to warn you, I’ve got moves you’ve never seen before.”Fuck.He’d officially lost his mind and was in deep shit now.
* * *
Prakeiktas!Did Josh mean fighting moves? Or was it truly an inuendo for something more? How was Tempest supposed to respond to that?
Ugh.This was why it was easier to hate the man even if it was wrong. Hadn’t she already decided to keep away from him and his teammates? The whole disastrous Sinbad incident should have been enough of a lesson for dating for a very long time. Yet she’d told Josh she’d go meet his family.Velniop—fuck!
At least she had left herself with an out. If she killed him, it would be a non-issue. She’d end up in the brig but wouldn’t have to go home with him.
