Page 27 of The Seal's Promise
Wes’s laughter filled the small space in the coffee shop. They both watched as Miles gave Brooke’s arm a squeeze and left.
“Is he just being a good uncle or is he hoping to win over Brooke and his nephew?” Dalton asked.
“Hard to say,” Wes said, “but I think it’s going to be interesting to see who she ends up with this time around.”
Dalton’s gut reaction was to say him, but that surprised him even more than the fact that his brother already suspected he wanted her for himself.
How had he been gone fifteen years and not realized the one person he needed was back in his hometown?
It was too bad he couldn’t keep her. He didn’t belong in Sandy Point—he could never stay and build a life here after what happened with his parents. Being with Brooke made him forget for a little bit, but he could never really enjoy the comfort being home should provide.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Brooke
It’s Getting Hot
Why did sheallow Tyler to get under her skin, and why was she letting Dalton teach her son everything he knew about baseball? And why did he want to?
“Mom, did you know Dalton played baseball when he was in high school?” Max called out to her from behind the fence where the ball machine lobbed balls for him to hit.
“Yes, baby, I think I do recall sitting at a few of those games.”
“That’s so cool. He’s going to teach me how to pitch too.”
She looked up to find Dalton’s arms flexing as he loaded more balls into the machine. His hair was matted from the heat, and then without warning he lifted up the hem of his white shirt to wipe his brow, and she was forced to notice his rock-hard abs. She couldn’t look away, so when he dropped the hem again he caught her staring. His smile faded and the look in his eyes told her he was thinking the same thing. He wanted her as much as she wanted him, but that was off the table. She wasn’t going to get embroiled in some hookup while he was in town and then watch him leave again.
“What happened? What’d I miss?” Max’s voice squeaked.
She broke eye contact first and looked to find Max with his helmet on, holding his bat and standing at the plate waiting. His head bounced back and forth between Dalton and her as he tried to figure out what they were communicating to each other.
“Nothing happened,” she said in a husky voice. Even she had to admit that it sounded like a lie.
“Then why were you looking at Mr. Dalton like he did something you like?”
Heat blossomed up her neck and into her cheeks.
“Your mom just likes the fact that she’s sitting over there in the shade while I do all the work,” Dalton said, after clearing his throat and fighting a losing battle with the most gorgeous playful smile she had ever seen. He winked at her before facing Max again. “Alright, little man, square up that stance. Good. You ready?”
“Let it rip!” Max yelled.
Dalton flipped the switch and then stepped out of the cage to watch. He coached Max with a few remarks on when to swing and then sat next to her. His manly sweet scent surrounded her.
“Any chance you wanna go swimming after this? We could all cool off a bit,” Dalton said.
“Not a good idea. I appreciate you giving Max so much attention, but I probably shouldn’t have even agreed to this. Now he’ll be hero-worshiping you even harder and wanting to see you more.”
“What’s wrong with that? I like teaching him about baseball and we had fun reading earlier. He’s an awesome kid,” Dalton said.
“I know, he’s amazing. But he’s already confused about the father figures in his life, and I don’t need to add one more who won’t be sticking around. I have to protect him.”
“Okay, then when can I see you again?” he asked, turning his baby blue eyes on her.
“Dalton, I rarely get time to myself and when I do it’s not to…” She didn’t know exactly what he was asking for. Was it a date? Sex? So she just waved her hand toward him.
“You don’t spend time with friends?”
“Sure, but usually it’s in the form of a playdate or my sister. I don’t date. I don’t spend time with men unless they’re my coworkers or family.”
