Teasing Her Seal

“Thanks,” he said, because he was out of words. Ashley had offered to text him a script. He should have taken her up on it.

The silence stretched out awkwardly between them. Hell. Picking up her hand, he threaded his fingers through hers, rubbing at the muscles. He should have brought flowers. Picked out a card. Lingerie. Something. Because at least then they could fill up the empty spots talking about those things.

“Why are you here?” she blurted out.

“I...” Say the words. If he could charge an insurgent position, outnumbered and outgunned, he could do this. He could at least spit it out and hear what she had to say. Worst case, she shot him down and he slunk out that door. He’d already sussed out the exit points. There was a convenient stairwell out the door and to his left; he wouldn’t have to do the walk of shame past the nurses’ desk. “I missed you,” he admitted.

Okay. That was closer to the truth.

“Really?” She sounded skeptical.

“You bet. The chopper evac with Remy—that wasn’t how I wanted things to end. Can I be honest?” What if she said no? Then what? His whole plan consisted of tracking her down and telling her that he loved her.

“I think we do honesty pretty well.” She bumped his shoulder companionably with her own.

And that was his invitation to take the plunge. “I didn’t want things to end at all. I was really hoping we’d spend the rest of your vacation together and, after that, that there would be a way for us to keep on seeing each other.” He cleared his throat. “I know you’ve got your job here and I’m based out of Coronado, but at least we’d be in the same state. I just want to spend time with you, to figure out a way to make this work.”

Next time he had to give a speech, he was writing crib notes. On his hand, on an index card, hell, he’d hire a skywriter if he had to. Because he was running dry and she was staring at his face, as if some invisible message was tattooed across his cheekbones. He just hoped it was a good message. An I love you message.

He sucked in a breath. He could do this. He’d rappelled out of helicopters into choppy waters, stormed enemy insurgents laying down automated rifle fire and aiming to kill. Telling the woman he loved the truth ought to be easy.

Nope. So the only easy day was yesterday.

She arched a brow. “What about the fantasies?”

He’d be happy to role-play every night if that was what she wanted. “If we get together, you should know I’ll do whatever I can to make you happy in bed. Or on the beach, the back of my motorcycle or anywhere else you want. I’m aiming to make all your dreams come true.”

She blushed. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Help me out here, then.”

“I wasn’t sure if what we had on the island was only a fantasy.” She shrugged nonchalantly, but her fingers tightened on his, that familiar little pucker creasing her forehead. “And sometimes fantasies don’t translate to real life. They’re gorgeous dreams and fun and they have an expiration date.”

He sure as hell didn’t feel that way.

“I’m not going to lie. I loved every minute of our fantasy nights, and I’m going to do my best to convince you to pick out a new fantasy every week for the rest of our lives if you’ll let me. But the bottom line is that I love you.” Hooking a finger in her stethoscope, he tugged her closer. “You’re my fantasy. You’re the only woman I’m dreaming about. Where I was empty inside before, now I’ve got you. You’re right there in my heart and I’d like to wake up with you every day for the rest of my life.”

Her eyes teared up. He’d screwed up. No surprise there. But he was all in and he didn’t have a fallback position.

“I’ve got something in my eye,” she announced. “That’s all.” She dabbed at her eye with the corner of his T-shirt. The sheet on the gurney crackled loudly, and he’d bet the nurse who’d shown him in had her ear pressed against the door. At least he could make the show worthwhile. Rolling backward onto the bed, he pulled Laney over and on top of him.

“Hi,” he said again, looking up at her.

A smile lit up her beautiful blue eyes. “You came all the way out here to tell me that?”

“Uh-huh. And to offer to buy you a drink.”

“I’m working.” She sounded disappointed.

“So I’ll make suggestions and you can think about it.”

She squeaked. Or maybe that was because she’d just hit his chest. “Okay.”

“So.” He tugged until she straddled him like a cowgirl. Yeah. He had plenty of fantasies about this position. He kept on pulling until her mouth was inches from his. “Can I buy you that drink?”