“You just want to see me without my shirt.”
“Added bonus and not part of my original plan. Scout’s honor.” She held up two fingers. “Chop, chop, because we’re losing the light.”
She started directing the pair, having Ashley walk down the rose-petal-strewn “aisle” that was a pretty stretch of white sand. Having obediently stripped off his shirt, Mason took her arm. He handed her over to Levi with an audible “Behave.” Honestly, Maddie wasn’t sure which one he was talking to. There was a glint in Levi’s eyes that promised mischief. She didn’t know the man, but she recognized trouble when she saw it.
As the minister spoke, she moved around the trio, shooting.
“Good thing they’re not doing this for real,” Mason muttered as Ashley elbowed Levi in the ribs when he didn’t add his “I do” fast enough. “Most of us aren’t marriage material.”
He could add her to that number. She could feel the heat of him behind her as he followed her easily, steadying her with his hands on her hips when she leaned in to capture a particularly tantalizing moment. At least Ashley and Levi had chemistry, even if they didn’t have happily-ever-after in their future. She and Mason had that kind of spark, too, although without the animosity.
“You ever think about getting married?” she blurted, the words flying out of her mouth before she could take them back. Darn it. Now she probably sounded as if she was ring hungry. And it wasn’t that. Not really. It was just that sometimes she was lonely and it would be nice to have someone around. Nicer still to wake up with that someone in the morning and go to bed with him at night after sharing the day’s highs and lows. It was all too easy to imagine Mason being that guy.
On the other hand, she was pretty good at being on her own. Not having a permanent guy in her life meant she didn’t have a chance to get lazy. She took care of herself.
“Are you proposing?” Dark eyes glinting, Mason wrapped his hands around her waist. “Because I’m definitely flattered. Hold on.”
Before she could protest, he lifted her onto his shoulders so she could get some overhead shots. And holy wow...he didn’t even have to strain to lift her over his head, and that was damned sexy because she wasn’t tiny or small boned by any means. It took her a couple of moments to catch her breath. One minute, she had her feet on the ground and the next, her thighs were draped over his shoulders, his large, warm hands wrapped around her thighs as he steadied her. Her new position had other parts of her pressing against his neck as her dress billowed around her.
“Are you crazy?” she hissed at him. Damn it, he didn’t even have enough hair to grab on to. She settled for digging her heels into his chest. The man was insane.
Are you proposing? His words echoed in her head, like some kind of crazy subliminal suggestion. Except it wasn’t subliminal, was it? Not if she was thinking about it deliberately. He tucked her dress beneath her knee and patted it.
“You’re good,” he said, turning to point her toward the beach action. He did that a lot, made sure she had what she needed. He was such a sweet guy, and...just maybe he could be something else. Mason would take care of her, if she let him. It was a strangely seductive thought. He was big and safe, and clearly she could lean on him. Or sit on him. She patted his shoulder and snorted. He was strong enough to handle the pressure.
“I won’t let you fall. Take your pictures,” he said calmly. Ashley looked over and winked at her, and of course it was the perfect shot.
11
HE WAS 100 percent crazy. Watching his fellow SEAL fake marry Ashley Dixon made Mason fantasize. It was embarrassing but, since the daydreams were all in his head, he didn’t have to admit the truth to anyone else. What if it was him and Maddie standing there, hand in hand on the beach, getting ready to tackle life together? Whoa. Stand down, sailor. Their relationship wasn’t real—it was an illusion he was selling so he could play bodyguard on the down low. Their relationship wasn’t any realer than the “marriage” happening in front of them.
Tick-tock, his internal clock reminded him. After Santiago was eliminated, Maddie wouldn’t need a bodyguard, and SEAL Team Sigma had their extraction orders anyhow. He was almost out of time with her, which meant he needed to make every minute count.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” The minister announced the familiar words with a flourish and more than a hint of a Caribbean accent. “You may kiss the bride.”