Page 31 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
“I know that. But there’s a big difference between knowing that you shouldn’t worry about something in your head, and not really being worried, Allison. I can’t help it.”
“I understand that because I feel the same way.” I know that he has his reasons for feeling like this. The thought of Maddie needing and crying for me but not seeing me breaks my heart, but I know she’s in the hospital and that’s the right place for her right now. They will take care of her, and we could be with her by morning tomorrow. “I have an idea! Something that won’t take our minds off Maddie, but will just keep the worry at bay.”
Jake gives me a wry look. He shakes his head. “I’m not up for a drink right now, Allie, and I don’t think that will help.”
“I ask you to pick up wineone timeon the grocery haul—”
“I mean, you asked for two bottles,” he grumbles, and I roll my eyes, holding up a hand. His lips twitch ever so slightly.
“I wasn’t suggesting that at all. How dare you?” I’m satisfied when my words bring a small smile to his face, tugging his full bottom lip to the side. “What’s actually on my mind is a game.”
His expression brightens. “What game?”
“Let’s start with something basic,” I hedge, remembering how competitive this man is. “Like rock paper scissors.”
“You know there’s a version of that we used to play. The loser gets slapped on their clasped hands.”
“That’s horrible, and barbaric. Why would you do that?”
Jacob is smiling, and he is probably in the middle of a flashback to an episode of his harsh twist to this simple game. “It was fun, I guess. It was also a chance to increase your reflexes. Trust me, nothing will give you greater motivation to be quicker and nimbler than the sandpaper palms of my SEALs.”
“Caveman.” I tease. “I’m not doing any of that with you. Just the normal game, okay?”
His expression is lighter, so I feel good about this somewhat juvenile distraction. “Sure thing.”
We play eight rounds of rock paper scissors, and when I win five of them, I get the horrible idea to try out his suggestion. “Whoever wins this round gets to slap the other. Only this one time.” I am determined to win this round, so I might as well get the chance to teach him a lesson before we move onto something different.
“Are you sure, Allie?” He has lost five of the eight rounds we have played so I understand his reluctance.
“I’m sure. Let’s start.” I wiggle a bit in my seat, getting comfortable before we play. “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”
I have been hustled.
Jacob spreads his hands in the sign for paper and his wicked smile grows when he pokes at my clenched fist. “Paper trumps rock, Allie.”
My smug expression has turned into horror.Surely he won’t slap my hands?
When he grins, his eyes bright, a leap of joy surges through me.
I jump off the couch and I’m on my feet in a split second. My heart is pumping not from any real fear, but because I have a strange excitement that has adrenaline flowing through my entire system. “Please, please, please. Let’s play another game?” I clasp my hands in front of me in humility.
Jacob thinks about it for a long second before he gives me an imperious nod, looking like a resplendent imperial ruler as he does so. “I’ll let you get away with it this time, on the condition that you say pretty please another five times.”
My glare is flat. “No.”
“Yes.” He is just as stubborn as I am, if not more. “And add a sir to it every time. Get to it!” He shoots me with a dismissive wave of his fingers.
“You’re ridiculous,” I snap.
He just grins.
I heave a pained sigh before I start my penitence. “Pretty please, sir. One. Pretty please, sir. Two.”
My eyes catch his. His gaze is sharp. There’s humor there, but the longer our gaze is matched, the darker his eyes grow.
I swallow. “Pretty please,” I say softly. “Sir.”
A shudder goes across his face. He’s still smirking, still holding a light expression, but I can see that inside his gaze, he’s feeling this moment as it becomes more charged.
