SEALed with a Kiss (Alpha SEALs Book 2) (4 page)

“Yeah,” she said, breaking their connection.  “Let me just go put these in water first.”

She turned, trying to shake off the effect he was having on her.  Wow.  Had she really been so caught up in Brent last night that she hadn’t noticed how insanely attractive Evan was?  He’d driven her home for heaven’s sake.  Maybe she’d been so flustered about nearly getting stranded out in the rain that she hadn’t noticed exactly how hot her knight in shining armor had been.  Or her SEAL in a souped-up SUV.  Still.  That didn’t mean something was going to happen.  They’d get her car, she’d fix him dinner, and that would be that.  It wasn’t like she’d see him again anytime soon.

Evan followed her into the kitchen, admiring her townhome as they walked along.  Alison made a decent salary as a nurse and had been happy to invest in a home of her own.  After years spent living with roommates when she was younger, it was nice to have the place to herself.  Not that she wouldn’t mind a man here—eventually.  She just wasn’t sure the right guy was even out there.

“Sweet—you have a grill!” Evan exclaimed, grinning like a kid in a candy store as he gazed out on her deck.  “Is that a Weber?  Someday one of those beauties will be mine.”

“You don’t have one at your place?” Alison asked, glancing over her shoulder as she filled a vase with water.

“Nope—I’m in an apartment near base with pretty strict rules.”

“No grills allowed?”

“Just George Foreman’s—totally not the same.”

“I guess we could grill tonight….  I was planning to make a vegan tofu stir-fry for dinner though.”

Evan literally looked wounded as she snuck a glance his way.  Like someone had kicked his puppy dog or something.  She bit her lip as she tried not to laugh.  She could tell he was trying to be polite and think of a suitable way to respond.  He was definitely not the kind of man that would say anything to offend a woman.  And he quite likely never
ever
ate tofu.

When he finally met her gaze, she raised her eyebrows.  “Or we can have the steaks I picked up earlier.”

His blues eyes flared with amusement.  Or was that arousal.  “You’re killing me, Ali.”

He sauntered over to where she stood by the sink, looking like a predator stalking his prey.  One who would very much enjoy playing with what he caught.  Her breathing hitched as she looked up to meet his eyes.  He was tall.  Broad.  Muscular.  And grinning wickedly.  Before she could think or move out of the way, he reached down, and two large hands wrapped around her waist as he hoisted her up and over his shoulder.

“Evan!  Put me down!” she shrieked as her stomach collided with his very broad shoulder and her torso and head dangled down over his back.

“Vegan tofu stir fry,” he muttered.  “You’ve got to be kidding me, baby.”

Evan was massive—nothing but walls of solid muscle covered by smooth, bronzed flesh.  His hands gripped her securely, and their heat burned right through her clothing, sending electricity shooting from her head to her toes.  She felt small and feminine, delicate even—the exact opposite of the force that was Evan.  He chuckled, knowing exactly what he was doing as she weakly protested and squirmed, struggling to get down.  The chances of that were about as likely as her ability to scale Mt. Everest.  The man was a mountain, and she was stuck on top.

At least this position did give her a very nice view of his butt.  She hadn’t planned on inspecting it up close, yet…damn.  Was any part of this man not perfection?

He ignored her protests, turning around and loping across the kitchen as his arm snared around her waist, locking her to him.  Evan was as solid as a rock.  Even though she should be freaking out, dangling over his shoulder like this, somehow she still felt safe.  Like Evan was in control and wouldn’t let anything harm her.

He acted like she weighed nothing at all, smoothly moving around as if he carried women over his shoulder every day.  Maybe he did.  Guys like Evan had women crawling all over them.  Hadn’t Rebecca, who’d sworn she’d never date again, practically swooned over Patrick?  That sooo was not happening to her.  Ever.

“Keys?” he asked, a smile in his voice.

Damn him for enjoying this so very much.

“Evan, seriously, put me down,” she protested as he swung around again, heading toward the table.  Was he planning to carry her out to his car like this so all the neighbors could see?  How would she explain that?

“Is that your purse?” He snagged it from where it hung on the back of a chair as she laughed harder, watching his muscular grip of her cute little Kate Spade. Really.  It wasn’t every day that a macho guy like Evan walked around carrying a woman’s designer handbag.  Then again, he had her slung over his shoulder, caveman style.  Maybe that counteracted the purse carrying bit?

“Hmmm…a little girlier than what I usually carry,” Evan teased.

“Not your style?”

“Maybe if it were cotton candy pink.”

Alison laughed again, unable to get the image of Evan and a little pink purse out of her mind.  Evan tightened his grip as he turned to leave the kitchen, and her fits of laughter soon turned into gasps.  She felt dizzy and breathless from the way that he held her, high over his shoulder with her head dangling down.  Even though he’d been gentle, she struggled to catch her breath.  All the laughing she was doing was not exactly helping, either.  But it wasn’t every day that a man flung her over his shoulder.  She practically expected him to shout out, “Me Tarzan! You Jane!” before hauling her off to bed.

Her asthma had been under control for the past few years, but after fighting off a bout of bronchitis in the spring, she’d needed her inhaler more than usual.  Laughing hysterically was only exacerbating the underlying problem.  She wheezed and then pounded her fist on Evan’s back.  He stiffened and instantly lifted her down, a look of alarm crossing his face. 

“Are you okay?”

His hands rested on her hips, and if she hadn’t been in the middle of an asthma attack, struggling to breathe, she might have enjoyed the feel of his broad body looming in front of her, his large hands spanning her hips, and the concerned way he watched her.  He ducked his head lower, trying to meet her gaze.

She reached for her purse, which had fallen to the ground in the commotion, and took another wheezing breath.

“Do you have an inhaler?”

She nodded as tears filled her eyes.  Evan tore her purse open, dumping the contents on the kitchen table, and grabbed her inhaler.  She snatched it from him with trembling hands.  Sinking down onto the chair, she wrapped her lips around the contraption, holding her breath as the icky-tasting medicine filled her mouth. 
One…two…three….

“Shit, Ali, I’m sorry,” Evan said, crouching down to look her in the eye.  His blue gaze was filled with concern, and his jaw ticked as he ground his teeth.  She felt the heat radiating off his large body as he leaned closer, and he rested one hand on her thigh, stroking her reassuringly.

“I didn’t realize you had asthma, or I never would’ve—”

She nodded and dispensed a second pump of the inhaler, feeling relief wash over her as the wheezing began to subside.  She just needed to keep her breathing under control, and she’d be a-okay.  She wasn’t sure if Evan’s gentle touch was helping or hindering her.  Maybe a little bit of both.  Knowing Evan was there right at her side made her feel safe and protected, but the weight of his hand on her thigh also sped up her heart rate.

Conflicting emotions danced through her.

She didn’t respond to Evan, and he seemed to understand that she needed a minute.  SEALs had medical training, so he must have some clue as to what was happening.  He was calm and collected, attuned to her breathing, but he looked angry with himself.

A single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek, brought on more from stress than discomfort or sadness. God, how embarrassing.  First she’d had an asthma attack in front of an insanely hot Navy SEAL, and now she was sitting here crying?  What next?  Maybe she’d trip and fall down the stairs later on, landing on her butt right in front of him.  Or somehow catch the kitchen on fire when she was cooking dinner.  That might top this in terms of awkward moments.

Even if they were only friends, Evan was the first man she’d had over to her place in months.  The only man she’d offered to cook for since her ex shattered her heart.  And here she was crying at her kitchen table, barely able to catch a breath. 

“God, Alison, I’m a complete jackass.  I just threw you over my shoulder like some goddamn caveman—”

“I’m fine.”  She brushed her tears aside and made a move to stand up.

Evan collected her in his arms and gently pulled her to him.  A second later she was seated in Evan’s lap, her head tucked against his chest as he held her.  Not having the strength or desire to pull away, she relaxed into his solid warmth.  His hand rubbed her back, moving in smooth, soothing circles, and she closed her eyes.  Evan’s heartbeat pounded beneath her ear.  His clean, spicy scent surrounded her.  He was solid and warm and real.

She could get used to this, this feeling of a man holding her safe and close.  Which was dangerous.  Evan was sweeter than she’d given him credit for—he’d been interested in her last night and had flirted shamelessly with her earlier today, but this softer side?  Caring attention like this would nearly make her come undone.

He knew how to take care of a woman.  He probably knew how to drive a woman wild with pleasure, too, but he knew how to be tender.  Gentle, even.  She hadn’t expected that.  She knew all the guys on his team had that alpha male instinct to protect others, to fight for those who couldn’t defend themselves, but that was more of an aggressive fierceness.  A macho need to fight and avenge. 

But this?  This closeness and tender care she couldn’t handle.  Maybe Evan
was
the kind of guy looking for a girlfriend, not just some one-night-stand, but that didn’t mean he wanted a wife.  And she wasn’t about to spend a couple years in a relationship with a younger man only to have him break her heart again.  Been there, done that.  All that was missing were the battle scars to prove it.

Unfortunately, the wounds inside cut just as deep as any physical scars and reminders, and she couldn’t give a guy like Evan her heart.  Not when she’d barely patched it back together after her last epic failure of a relationship.

Alison let out a small sigh and pulled away.  That had felt a little too good allowing Evan to hold her in his arms as if she were something that he could cherish, and it was time to get back to reality.  Pick up her car, make him dinner, and then send him on his way.  She’d find someone boring, steady, and ready to settle down.  Maybe they wouldn’t make her heart catapult the way Evan currently was, but they’d never be able to hurt her either.

She started to stand, her hands seeking balance on his broad shoulders.  She wasn’t sure if it was her asthma attack or his closeness that had her feeling unsteady.  All she knew was that her world suddenly was off-kilter.

Evan’s hands instantly found her hips again, helping her to rise.  He was gentle.  Careful.  He didn’t release her from his grip until she was steady on her own two feet.  And it felt better than it should to have his hands on her.

He hopped to his feet in a flash, moving much quicker than she’d think a guy his size could.  Must be all that SEAL training.  Those guys moved with lightning speed.  The contrast between his gentleness and the very-real likelihood that he was positively lethal was confusing.  Intriguing.  He was a man that would fight to the death if he had to, but he was nothing but careful and considerate around her.  There really was more to Evan than met the eye.  Too bad she’d never be able to find out the half of it.  He’d make some other girl very happy though.

Evan took her hand as she gathered her things, now haphazardly scattered across the table.  His grip was solid and secure.  His large hand wrapped so carefully around her own, she realized he was more concerned about her than he was letting on.  The guy wouldn’t even let her step away from his side as she got ready to leave.  When she’d finally stuffed her belongings back into her purse, he squeezed her hand gently and tugged her toward the door.

She felt safe.  Shielded.  Dizzy—and not from the asthma attack earlier.  She was confused as all get out as to what was going on with the man standing beside her.  The man holding her hand so gently in his own.

Briefly, she met his gaze.

Why did his touch have to feel so good?

“Are you sure you’re okay to pick up your car?” Evan asked for the third time, clicking the remote to unlock the doors to his SUV.  He pulled open the door for Alison, watching her carefully.  She’d insisted she was fine, but hell if he didn’t feel like the biggest jerk on earth for causing her asthma attack.  Or at least contributing to it.  She’d insisted her illness earlier in the year had left her vulnerable to more frequent bronchial spasms.  Or some shit like that.  It turned out that Alison was a nurse at the hospital, so she sure as hell knew more than him when it came to medicine.  Not that that made him feel better at the moment.

Seriously.  What the hell was wrong with him?

She’d asked him not once, but
twice
to put her down, but he was too busy enjoying playing the role of big, bad SEAL, tossing her over his shoulder.  The way she’d laughed hysterically let him know she’d liked it, too.  He’s seen Alison checking him out when she thought he wasn’t looking.  And when he’d hauled her up against him?

She was soft and feminine compared to his tall, muscular frame and hell if he didn’t love the contrast.  The feel of her warm body up against his had made him want to haul her off to her bedroom.  Forget the damn car.  He’d take care of
all
her needs, pleasuring her until she was sated.  Then he’d order delivery so they could eat dinner together before round two.  And three.

But had he listened when she’d said to put her down?  Not a chance.  He’d grabbed her purse, prepared to head for the front door.  With Alison still slung over him.  It was only when he realized she was gasping for air that he released her.  And felt like the biggest dick in the world.

“Evan, I promise, I’m fine.  I have asthma.  Sometimes I have asthma attacks, which is why I carry an inhaler.  It’s not a big deal.”

“Maybe I should call one of the guys to meet us down there.  They can drive your car back, and you can ride with me.”

“Evan.”

He sighed.  There was no arguing with Alison now that her mind was made up.  She’d just spent the past ten minutes assuring him she was okay.  He just hoped she wasn’t putting on a brave face for him, trying to look stronger than she was.  Then again, her breathing had returned to normal.  She wasn’t gasping or coughing or whatever that was.  What the hell did he know about inhalers or asthma?  Alison was the one with a nursing degree.  Although he’d been trained in field medicine, his knowledge was more about patching up bullet wounds on the battlefield and applying tourniquets to bleeding soldiers.  But treating respiratory problems?  Not exactly.

“Fine.  But I’m cooking dinner.”

“Evan!”

He climbed into the driver’s side of the SUV and flashed her a grin.  “No protests.  I’m cooking, or we’re not eating.”

Alison rolled her eyes.

“Are you always so feisty?” he asked as he backed down the driveway.  She was cute when she was mad.  Did she think that little pout was going to change his mind or something?  No chance in hell.

“Are you always so bossy?”

Evan sighed.   “Do we need to swing by the grocery store after we get your car?”

“No, I walked over this morning and bought a few things.”

Evan nearly slammed on the brakes.  “You walked?”

“It’s just down the block.”

“But you have asthma.”

Alison laughed.  “Seriously Evan, I’m not an invalid.  Guess what?  I exercise, too.  And do yard work. And take care of patients at the hospital.”

“All right, all right.  I’m sorry.  But we could’ve gone together.”

“I was trying to do something nice for you, remember?”

He relaxed a little.  She could walk down the street.  There was no need to go all alpha male on her.  “You just really freaked me out earlier.”

“Look, I appreciate your worry.  But I know my limits.  I just couldn’t catch my breath before, and all the laughing wasn’t exactly helping.”

“Yeah, what was so damn funny anyway?”  Not that he hadn’t enjoyed her laughter.  It had spurred him on even more.  Making her smile like that had made him feel about ten feet tall.  But no way was he pulling a stunt like that again at the expense of her safety.  Illness or not, if just laughing brought on an asthma attack, he’d have to be careful.

“You looked pretty cute holding my purse.”

“Cute, huh?” He raised his eyebrows and glanced over at her, a gleam in his eye.  Was that a hint of a blush starting on her cheeks?

“Don’t push your luck.”

***

An hour later, Evan was flipping steaks on the grill at Alison’s townhouse.  Alison’s Accord was safely parked in her driveway, right next to his SUV, like they both belonged there or something.  When he’d pulled in next to her and she’d flashed him a smile, his heart had stopped for a second.  It was like some weird déjà vu, alternate universe type thing.  Like he’d done it a thousand times before.  Things were easy with her, and he’d just met the girl—officially—last night.  How crazy was that.

The lady at the impound lot had tried to charge Alison for the tow, but he’d flashed a grin her way and fed her some mumbo-jumbo about serving his country.  They’d been in the wrong, not Alison, but sweetening up the woman at the counter certainly hadn’t hurt.  Yep, the SEAL bit had the ladies eating out of his hand every time.  Alison had been oddly silent during the exchange.  Huh.

The smell of the steaks on the grill drew his attention back to the present.  They sizzled, making his mouth water, and he grinned.  He glanced around the courtyard her townhome backed up to.  Green grass, lots of trees.  Even a swing set for the kids.  He’d love a place of his own, but with so many deployments and his still-single status, it seemed a bit pointless.  Why buy a house when he had no one to fill it?

His apartment near base was all a guy like him needed.  Aside from the wife and two point five kids he hoped to have someday.  He smirked.  Who came up with that shit anyway?  A solid three kids would be cool with him.

Alison was inside the kitchen making some kind of chick salad to go along with dinner, but she’d also made some killer guacamole, so he’d let the salad part slide.  Women.

He watched her through the sliding glass doors as she worked.  She’d pulled that long, strawberry blonde hair up into a ponytail.  It swished around as she walked.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  Man, that woman was mesmerizing, and she had no clue what she did to him.  Alison grabbed two beers from the fridge, and blood rushed to his groin as he watched her bend over in those skinny jeans she had on.  Her heart-shaped ass was a sight to see, and he longed to palm it, running his hands over those sweet curves, pulling her close, and never letting her go.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he shook off that thought.  Glancing at the screen, he saw a text from Christopher.

You coming tonight, Flip?

Hell.  He’d texted Matthew back earlier this morning but kept it vague.  Anchors was a no go.  He wasn’t sure he wanted them knowing he was over at Alison’s.  Not that he had a problem spreading that news to the world, but she seemed skittish about pursuing anything other than friendship with him.  No sense in spooking the woman, especially when they had mutual friends.  Or, rather, when her best friend was dating a dude on his SEAL team.  Maybe that was his ticket.  He’d suggest they hang out with Patrick and Rebecca next weekend.  It wouldn’t have to be a date, just a few friends getting together.

“Do you want to eat inside or out?” Alison asked, her cheeks looking flushed as she poked her head out the door.  She coughed once as the smoke from the grill blew her way, and Evan frowned.

“Inside.”

She didn’t notice the expression on his face and ducked back in to grab the plates from the cupboard.  A cursory glance at the steaks let him know they’d be okay for a few minutes without his attention, and he slipped in the side door.

Actually, sneaking up on her was decidedly
not
a good idea.  He didn’t want to cause another asthma attack.  Not that surprise caused them, did it? He’d have to do some research online tonight.  The next time she couldn’t breathe around him, he wanted to know exactly how to help her.

“Need a hand?”

Green eyes glanced at him from over her shoulder.  “Uh, yeah.  Can you grab that platter for the steaks?”

“Sure thing.”

She turned back around, and a second later he was right behind her.  She still had that insane fruity fragrance that drove him out of his mind.  What was that?  Her perfume?  Some fancy shampoo?  No matter.  He was hard as a rock—had been earlier as he watched her bend over to get the beers.

He was careful not to let himself rub up against her sweet ass, tempting as though it was.  Like that wouldn’t freak her out.  Still, he let his chest brush up against her back, and he didn’t miss the shiver that coursed through her at his sudden closeness.  She was warm, sweet, and irresistible.  His arms snaked around her, and his hands rested on the counter, trapping her.  The cool granite was a complete contrast to his heated flesh, and he froze.

Next move was hers.  If she wanted him, she had him.

A beat passed with neither of them moving a muscle.  Her breathing quickened, and his own body pulsed with awareness.  She was silent, and he would’ve killed to know what was going on in her head right now.  Just a glimpse inside to see if she felt any of the chemistry and connection that he did.

Her silence spoke volumes.  She didn’t move a muscle, but he could almost hear her heartbeat speed up with every quickened breath she took.

“I could get used to this,” he said, his voice gruff as he ducked his head down toward her ear.  The slight hitch in her breathing told him all he needed to know.

He affected her.  Just as she affected him.  She could deny it as much as she wanted, but she was into him, too.

“Evan.” The breathless way she said his name was something he’d never tire of hearing.  Hell, there were a whole lotta things about this woman that he could see making part of his daily routine.  Making her breakfast in the morning.  Making dinner together in the kitchen.  Making love all night.

“Yes, baby?”  His lips teased the shell of her ear, oh-so-close but not quite touching.  She actually shuddered.

“We can’t.”

“We can’t what?”

“We’re better off just being friends.”

He didn’t say a word, deciding how to play this.  Did he turn her around and prove her wrong?  Back off and leave?  Go with the “just friends” thing for now?

“We’re just standing in your kitchen,” he teased, deciding on the latter. The gravel in his voice betrayed him, but he kissed the top of her head as he pulled back, leaving her space.  She turned around, and there was no mistaking the flush spreading across her cheeks or the arousal in her eyes.

He grabbed the platter from the top shelf and handed it to her.  “I’ll go check on the steaks.”  He winked before turning around and forcing himself to walk away.