Page 35 of SEAL's Providence
“Yes. Thank you. You’re being too sweet.”
“Really? I don’t think that’s a thing, is it? Can someone really be too sweet?” He smiled sending a surge of welcome heat straight to her core.
“No one would believe it either. Not anyone I work with or my family.”
Providence took a sip of her tea and grinned behind the mug. Just being near him helped to ease the gray numbness covering her like a shroud. After another sip, she set her mug on the coffee table and snuggled against Tony’s side. He hummed his approval and pulled her closer.
“Is this okay?” She didn’t want to overstep. Hell, she really didn’t know how to do this. The whole weird numb thing didn’t help either.
“The only thing that would make it better is to have you on my lap.” He waggled his eyebrows and grinned.
“I think I might be a little too old to sit on anyone’s lap. Except for Santa, maybe. I might be tempted to do that.”
Tony chuckled. “So, you’re saying I have to dress up as Santa Claus to get you to sit on my lap?”
“Hmm, maybe? Remember, I said Imightsit on his lap. Nothing definite.”
“God, woman, you’re killing me. Are you still cold?”
“A little, but I’m warming up. You’re like my own personal heater.”
“Happy to be of service, ma’am,” he teased and tipped an imaginary hat.
Providence giggled and pinched his side.
“Ouch. I didn’t deserve that. But I’m glad you’re not staring into space anymore. Want to talk about it?”
“No. Maybe. Why do I feel like you’re always trying to pry shit out of me?”
“Because I want to know everything about you. I’m going to make it my life’s work to learn all your secrets and find out your deepest desires. Then I’ll do my best to fulfill each one of them.”
Providence leaned back so she could see his face. He looked completely serious, but how could he be invested in a relationship when they’d only known each other a bit over a week? She’d heard of people meeting and falling in love, but she never believed in it. She wasn’t sure she believed it now either. “Why would you want to know everything? Are you saying you’re in love with me?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m in love. Would you believeextreme like? Though, I’m not ruling out the other four letter ‘L’ word.”
“You might be a little crazy…”
“Crazy for you, maybe. The need to protect you and keep you safe is riding me hard. And before you freak out, no, I won’t ever tell you what to do. Or stop you from doing what you want, but I’d hope we could discuss it like adults.”
Providence listened to his words. Maybe he wasn’t entirely crazy. In the short time she’d been cuddling with him, her senses were waking up and the fog was dissipating. No one in her life had ever worried about her like him.
“Okay. I’m on board with extreme like.”
“Thank fuck. How do you feel about some kissing while we ignore what’s on TV?”
“Hmm, you might be able to persuade me.”
Tony slid his hand beneath her knees and kept the other one tight around her shoulders as he lifted her onto his lap.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
“Putting you in the perfect kissing position.” Tony waggled his eyebrows.
Before she could respond, he leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “I have it bad for you, Providence. Please don’t break my heart.”
Providence blinked back tears at his whisperedwords. She didn’t know if she could make that promise. Hurting him wasn’t in any plan she could imagine. She was even pretty sure he’d already stolen a piece of her heart.
He slanted his head and rubbed his lips against hers. The kiss started out gently. When she moaned as desire flared over her skin, he slid his tongue into her mouth, rubbing against hers. She sucked on his. He tasted like sweet tea and mint. Inhaling his scent of fresh air and spiciness, made her rub against him.
