Page 36 of Playboy
Playboy’s grin turned sheepish, and he scratched the back of his neck. “Okay, so we, the team and I were in Thailand a few years back. We had some downtime, so we decided to hit the local market. You know, get a feel for the area, try to blend in with the tourists, and all that.”
Gabby raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Oh, I’m sure blending in was your top priority.”
“Hey, I was trying!” Playboy protested, laughing. “Anyway, I got separated from the team for like five minutes. I swear it wasn’t even that long. Next thing I knew, these two local girls were dragging me into this high-end clothing shop, insisting I needed to try on this ridiculous silk robe they were selling.Before I could argue, they had me decked out in a gold robe with some scary-looking dragon running down the back of it. Looked like something straight out of aJames Bondvillain’s closet.”
Gabby covered her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter. “A dragon robe? Please tell me there’s more.”
“Oh, there’s more,” Playboy said, smirking. “Just as I’m trying to get out of this thing, the team walks in. And, of course, instead of helping me out, they’re howling and snapping pictures. Bear just shakes his head and goes, ‘Look at him, all decked out like some kind of playboy.’ And boom. It stuck.”
Gabby burst out laughing, tears forming in her eyes. “So you earned your call sign because you were caught in a silk robe?”
“Pretty much,” he said with a smirk.
“So, you are aHugh Hefner! Well, in your own way.” She giggled.
Playboy shrugged, still grinning. “Hey, I looked good in it. They couldn’t deny that.”
Gabby shook her head, still laughing. “I’m sure you did. But I think I’ll stick to your real name from now on.”
Playboy winked. “Whatever you say, Gabby. But deep down, I know you’ll always think of me as your silk-robed playboy.”
Gabby leaned in, her blue eyes sparkling. “Yeah, maybe. But only because you told me the story. Now, about those photos…”
Playboy laughed, shaking his head. “Oh no. I made sure those were destroyed. Well, I think I did.”
Gabby grinned. “I think I need to have a chat with your team.”
Playboy had no doubt she would ask his team for those pictures, and he was certain that one of those knuckleheads had kept one.
After finishing their meal, Playboy glanced at the beach. The moon was now high in the sky, reflecting its light off the water.
“Would you like to take a walk on the beach?” He asked. “We can talk a little more.”
Gabby’s face lit up. “I’d love that.”
Playboy paid the bill, and they left the restaurant and made their way down to the sand. They kicked off their shoes, and the sand felt cool beneath their feet. Playboy reached for Gabby’s hand, intertwining their fingers. The simple touch sent a jolt of electricity through him.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop. Playboy squeezed Gabby’s hand gently. “This has been a really great night,” he said softly.
“It has,” Gabby agreed, looking up at him, a smile on her lips. “I feel like I’m getting to know you in a whole new way. I mean, I knew Playboy the SEAL. But getting to know Tanner, the person, has been enlightening.
Playboy stopped and turned to face her, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “I feel the same way. I want to know everything about you. Every little detail.”
She smiled, her eyes locking with him. “I’m an open book. You can ask me anything.”
“Anything?” he quipped, leaning in a little towards her.
As if knowing what he was about to ask, she moved forward a smidge, her blue eyes meeting his. “Anything you want,”
He leaned in, his heart pounding, and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. It was soft and tender at first, but when Gabby responded, the kiss deepened, full of unspoken promises and shared desires.
When they finally pulled apart, Gabby rested her head on his chest. “I think this is the start of something really special,” she whispered.
Playboy kissed the top of her head, feeling a profound sense of contentment. “I think so, too.”
As they continued their walk, hand in hand, sharing more kisses and stories as the night stretched on, Playboy knew that this was just the beginning of something beautiful and lasting.
CHAPTER EIGHT
