Page 6 of SEAL's Providence
Their hands brushed as she took it from him. The buzz he’d gotten when they’d shook hands hithim again.Damn. Life just got a lot more interesting.
“I have a couple of chairs reserved over there if you’d like to join me?”
Providence glanced from Tony to Tempest, who shrugged her shoulders.
“Go ahead. I’ll help Grace with Hope. That child makes enough of a mess for four kids.”
“Okay then, looks like you’ve got a lunch date.” Pink rose in Providence’s cheeks. She turned quickly and added food to her plate.
Adorable. Although Tony figured she’d rip his head off if he said it out loud. But it didn’t mean she wasn’t. From what he knew, the woman was a conundrum. Her soft southern accent made her seem sweet and delicate, but her service record said something else entirely.
Tony followed her and loaded his plate high with ribs, macaroni, and potato salad. He rarely ate like this, but when he had time to join his team for their post-mission barbecues, he always enjoyed himself. From the look of Providence’s plate, she enjoyed the selections, too. Although instead of ribs, she’d grabbed chicken and fruit salad.
As they walked away from the table, Providence asked, “Where is this reserved seating you spoke of?”
Tony pointed toward the large tree at the back of the yard. He’d dragged two chairs and a small table under the tree so they’d have some shade. Providence raised her eyebrows, then stepped down the deck stairs and walked across the lawn.
He trailed behind her, and he didn’t check out her ass once. Nope, not him. Good thing it was a clear sky, or lightning might have struck him dead. But who could blame him? It was a damn fine ass.
“Don’t you want to eat with your team?” Providence asked as she settled into a chair and cut up her chicken breast.
“Oh, I see them plenty. Eating with them is definitely not a necessity. Besides, it will give them something to gossip about. They’re worse than any woman I know.” Tony smirked.
“Are you making derogatory statements about women, commander?”
“I’m not, and you know exactly what I’m saying.”
Providence met his gaze with a wide-eyed grin. “Maybe. But seriously, why would eating lunch with me make them gossip?”
“Oh yeah. They’ve never seen me with a woman other than their wives or girlfriends. I don’t bring dates when we hang out.”
“You don’t bring one, or you don’t date?”Providence asked. She tipped her head slightly, like she was trying to figure him out.
Adorable and forthright. A winning combination in his book. Tony hoped she’d agree to going out with him. Whatever time they had this afternoon would never be enough time to get to know her like he wanted.
“I don’t bring one or date much, actually. It’s been a few years since I went out with anyone. My job keeps me busy. It never seems fair to the woman.”
She popped a piece of watermelon into her mouth and nodded as she chewed. “I totally get that.”
“Are you dating anyone?” He might as well let her know he was interested. Life was too short to hold back. He’d learned that the hard way.
“Um, no, not for a while, either. Plus, I just got here a few months ago. I’ve been settling into base life. I’ve been at sea for most of the last eighteen years. At least it seems like it.” Providence’s smile lit up her face, the corners of her eyes crinkled. The fine lines a testament to the years she lived. But her crystal-blue-eyes took his breath away. They sparkled like the Mediterranean Sea.
“So you’re planning on retiring soon?”
“I figured I’d put in my twenty and see how Ifelt. After a lot of back and forth, I chose Virginia to serve out the rest of my time.”
“What made you decide on Little Creek?” He loved it here, but not everyone did.
“A couple of the officers I served with on my last deployment talked about Norfolk non-stop. By the time we docked, they’d convinced me. I was lucky command gave me my pick of duty stations.”
“I’m not surprised after so many deployments. But why not choose the Keys or somewhere closer to home? I know you’re not a Virginia girl.”
Providence laughed. “Nope, you’re right about that. Born and bred in Mississippi. Hell, I would have spent my whole life there if I hadn’t joined the Navy. There’s nothing there for me now. Besides, I’m enjoying it just fine so far, and no one’s treated me like a red-headed stepchild yet.”
“A red-headed stepchild? Too funny. I like you, Providence.” Tony couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun just chatting with a woman.
“I like you, too. You’re not at all what I expected.”
