“All my life. Was one of those kids that played too many video games, decided I wanted to be a genuine badass, so I took up swimming and football and track, kept my grades up.”
“What happened that you didn’t do it right away?”
“I knew I needed a degree anyway, so I played the game and majored in architecture to make my parents happy. Chances were slim of making the cut anyway, so at some point I realized joining the SEALs was probably a pipedream anyway. And then I met Blaire, and she hated anything military. She wasn’t thrilled when I came home one day and let her know I’d signed on to join the Navy.”
“Without asking?”
“Not going to say I wasn’t looking for her to bail, and I didn’t have the balls to say it out loud.”
“I know this isn’t a happy ever after.”
“Things were pretty tense, and I’d start looking forward to getting shot at. Safer anyway. About a year in, I was called away on an op. Last minute, deep cover, no contact with home. By the time I got back, she’d already packed. Decided she didn’t fit the patiently-waiting-at-home role. Needed a man to have her back, not the other way around, this isn’t the 1950s.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, me too. No way some woman’s dragging me down another damn aisle for some superficial vows that don’t mean shit.”
And the sympathy was wiped out by that fury again. She scoffed and sat up in her seat. “Some woman?Blaire didn’t understand you, that’s pretty clear. But because one woman refused to share in your dreams,allwomen are selfish and out to dig their claws into you and not support you?”
Slowing, he pulled into the carport, his jaw clenching tight as he shut off the engine. Holding steady, he climbed out and closed the door with a click so he wouldn’t slam it and show just how easy it would be to let his temper take over. “Not what I meant,” he muttered through gritted teeth.
“No? What did you mean?”
“Dammit, Freya. I’ve got two friends in this world. Your cousin, who’s seen me at my worst and I’ve seen him at his worst and we know when to leave well enough alone. And the other is ground to dust in a tin can in my fucking closet. That’s it. Because I’m always doing or saying something stupid.” He hesitated at the base of the steps to his apartment. “Hell, my foot’s in my mouth more often than not. So I try to just keep my damn mouth shut.”
She reached into the truck and grabbed the bag with his breakfast that had gone cold long ago. A soft smile on her face, she stopped inches in front of him. Those fierce blue eyes danced with that mystery he just couldn’t place.
Stepping close, her hand burned into his chest as she anchored him. Holding his breath, his skin prickled in anticipation. She brushed her lips over his and pulled away before he could kiss her back.
“I’m sorry I got defensive. I’ve been thatsome womanand latched on to someone that didn’t want me. More than once. Asher was right to bring you here. Give it another month, then tell me how many friends you have, and how many people have your back.”
She flashed him a sultry smile, handed him his food, then turned away. An extra swing in her hips, her skirt swaying with each confident step, she seemed intent on tormenting him. What was that kiss all about?
Unsatisfied, craving more, he resisted the urge to run over and drag her back against him and taste her again. Yep, that had been her precise intent. His temper dissolved and nothing but lust was left buzzing in his veins.
The corners of his mouth turning up, he didn’t fight the smile.
5
Virgin Alarm
Freya chucked the charcoal over the hillside, the stubby thing disappearing into the shrubs like a frightened bunny. She’d just managed to whip together a moody sketch for the damn wedding, but had spent the rest of the day madly sketching and resketching until she was satisfied.
Growling under her breath, she glared at the easel in front of her. Coming up from behind her, an unmarked beer bottle covered her vision. Sophie laughed, “Getting frustrated?” Settling onto the bench next to Freya, Sophie nodded to the sketch.
Taking a swig, Freya scowled. “Yes.”
“I think it’s a great portrait. What don’t you like about it?”
Gesturing to the sketch that didn’t quite capture the restrained fury that Zane worked so hard to keep in check, Freya bitched, “Look at him. He’s all rugged SEAL meets Norse god meets Italian model.”
Sophie leaned back and took a sip of her own unmarked brew. “He is a looker, I’ll give you that. But he seems really nice. Quiet, but decent.”
Snorting, Freya leaned back, keeping her eyes on her sketch. Why couldn’t she get that face out of her brain? Those earthy green eyes were so haunted, lips so freaking savory and generous. And that jawline. “I have to go to my cousin’s wedding.”
“Which one? Asher didn’t mention anything about a wedding.”
“My dad’s side of the family. At Lake Tahoe.”
