“I really wanted that tat, though,” I said softly, sounding so weak and like I was making an excuse. “And you said he’s the best, so…”
“He is, and so is Gigi. She’s amazing. If you want the best tattoo possible, Inked is the place to get it.”
“Well, I certainly don’t want a shitty one.”
“What do you want to get?”
I gazed down at the blanket, embarrassed. “I don’t want to tell you. You’re going to laugh.”
He lifted his hand, dragging his fingers over his heart. “I swear I won’t laugh.”
“No. You’ll have to wait and see. I’m not letting you kill my dreams ahead of time.”
“I’m not a dream-killer, sweetheart. I’d never laugh at you about anything.”
“Liar,” I told him, raising my eyes to look at him.
He lifted up on his palms, bringing his body so close to mine, I could feel the warmth from his skin. “You know what I want?”
I gulped, blinking slowly, unable to drag my gaze away. “What?” I whispered.
He sat up, pulling his shirt off, giving me a full view of so many muscles, my mouth instantly watered. I wouldn’t stare. I wouldn’t stare. I kept repeating those words in my head as I stared.
“A swim.” He raised an eyebrow, cocky sinful smirk firmly planted on his face. “You game?”
“It’s dark.”
“And?” He stood, unfastening the button on his jeans.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his body, flicking my gaze to his crotch one too many times. When I finally looked at his face, he was watching me, smiling, knowing I was looking way too hard. “Have you ever seenJaws?”
“Are you scared, little girl?” he teased.
I growled and jumped to my feet, yanking off my tank top, revealing my sports bra. “I’m not scared of a little water. I’m more worried about a handsy SEAL.”
He lifted his hands in the air, stopping from unzipping his pants. “I’ll be nothing but a perfect gentleman.”
I shimmied out of my shorts, pushing them down my legs before kicking them to the side.
“Nice panties.” He smiled, his eyes roaming my body.
“Shut up. They’re comfortable. What about you? You a tighty-whitey guy?” I laughed, covering my mouth with my hand while I stood there practically naked.
He barked out a laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous.” A second later, his pants were gone. He stood there with his long, muscular body and only a pair of skintight black boxers.
Even in the dim lighting from the parking lot, I could make out the outline of his cock. I had to run. I couldn’t stand there, staring, wanting, gawking. “First one to the water is a rotten egg!” I yelled as I took off toward the waves.
God, I was an idiot. But a second later, he was on my heels, chasing me into the warmth.
Chapter Eight
Austin
I lay in the sand gasping after my morning run. I’d pushed myself too hard, needing to get some of the frustration out of my system from last night.
I wanted Mak so badly, but I kept my distance, careful not to cross anymore lines. I promised her we were only friends, knowing we had limited time before we parted ways. Even if I were stationed here, we wouldn’t work. We couldn’t due to our difference in rank—not without being in a heap of trouble.
“Fuck!” I shouted into the damp morning air as the rays of the sun filled the sky overhead. I closed my eyes, resting my hands on my stomach as my breathing began to stabilize.
