Badge of Honor (The Town of Pearl 9)

“I didn’t. This has been my route for the better part of a year. My team and I own a ranch four miles from here.”

“Your team?” she asked.

“Yes. We all served in the SEALs together. We’re more like brothers. We share everything,” he said and eyed her over.

She immediately got the goose bumps and her nipples hardened from his innuendo. She knew there were a lot of ménage relationships in town. She had a friend who’d married two men back in New York. They loved her dearly.

“That must be interesting. You never fight?” she asked and started walking. He walked alongside her as they made their way from the woods and into the clearing. She wished he would put his shirt on so she could concentrate. But she also hoped he wouldn’t, because he was so beautiful.

* * * *

Harper couldn’t help but to remain close to Lauren. He felt this instant protectiveness over her and he was trying so hard not to show it. He would surely scare her away if he indicated exactly what he wanted to do with her right now. He wanted so badly to take her to the ranch, to explore her sexy body and find out why she favored her side so much. Was she hiding out here in town? Where did she live anyway? Who was she staying with? He hoped not a man or men. God, he instantly felt sick and jealous all at once.

“Where are you staying while you’re visiting Pearl?” he questioned, and felt his voice shaking. He prayed Lauren couldn’t hear it or sense his anxiousness.

“Harper, I think you should understand that I need my privacy. I’m afraid I shouldn’t have let you kiss me like that back there. I got caught up in the moment and well.” She had stopped walking, turned away from him, and was wringing her hands together in nervousness. It just made his mind ask more questions about her and her denial of this attraction between them.

He reached out and touched her shoulder, turning her back toward him. He then placed his one hand on her hip and the other hand, palm against her cheek.

He held her gaze. Her blue eyes appeared sad, yet they sparkled.

“We need to get a few things straight here, baby. For one, I don’t plan on that kiss we shared being our last.”

She tried to step back but he stepped forward and then eased his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his chest. She gripped his forearm. He cupped her he

ad.

He held her gaze as his eyes trailed over her lips, the desire, the need to kiss her becoming impossible to ignore.

“You say you’re only visiting, so be it. Let’s enjoy this time together. Let’s see where it goes.”

“I can’t, Harper. Please understand that I can’t. It’s bad timing for me. I have a lot on my plate and I’m probably going to have to leave sooner than later.”

He shook his head. “I want to get to know you better. You have to feel what I’m feeling. This sensation, connection that seems so special.”

“Harper.”

“Lauren, admit to it. Tell me that you feel the attraction.”

“I do. I’m not denying it but there are things going on in my life. Things I don’t have control over that make it too difficult to pursue this right now.”

“What things?” he pushed.

“Harper, please.” She applied a slight bit of pressure to his forearms but barely enough to think she meant it.

He smiled softly down at her.

“Lauren, how about we just enjoy one another’s company, and just take it minute by minute, hour by hour, or whatever?”

He gave her hip a squeeze then leaned down and brushed his lips gently over hers. She closed her eyes and even when he released her lips she held her eyes closed a little longer. She locked gazes with him.

“Are all Navy SEALs such good kissers?” she asked.

His lip curled up into a smile. “Baby, you can be the judge of that.” He leaned down and kissed her again, until that kiss grew so wild, so hot, she forgot what he said, and they both parted to catch their breath and slow things down.

“I think I should go now,” she told him, stepping away.

He reached for her hand and held her in place. “Where can I find you? How do I get in touch with you? When can we meet up again?” He was shocked at how desperate he sounded.