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  Jimmy chuckles in response, “Your beer is on me.”

  He hands me my purse and jacket as I head out the door. I can hear Cowboy’s buddies laughing hysterically at one of the pool tables as the door swings shut behind me. Thank god the door swings shut before the tears start to fall.

  3

  Logan

  I watch my hellcat take off out the door. Jimmy just shakes his head at me as I approach the bar for another round of beers for the boys.

  “Can I get four Arrogant Bastards, Jimmy?”

  “Sure thing.” Jimmy reaches down to grab the bottles out of the cooler.

  “Came on a little too strong there, Logan.”

  I swear I must have shock written all over my face. Katie wasn’t the only one I was hoping wouldn’t remember me around here.

  “Take a look over my right shoulder, boy.”

  I look up and see an old and faded picture of our recruiting class, but right there front and center, are Ryan and I raising hell.

  Jimmy hands me my beers and continues talking,

  “I have been watching recruits come in and out of this place for years, even taught a few of them how to be snipers. But no one has been as memorable as you and Ryan. I’m shocked that it has taken your ass so long to get back here. Ryan always said that if something ever happened to him, you would be here to get his Katie. He always said that the only man that loved her more than him was you.”

  It really is dusty in the bar tonight. I clap Jimmy on the shoulder and say,

  “It's great to see you again, old man. How much do I owe you?”

  Jimmy attempts to stare me down and says,

  “These are on me. Just make sure you take care of Katie. She needs someone to look out for her. She has been hiding from life for too long now. If you hurt her, Navy SEAL or not, you have me to answer to, you hear?”

  I am not very scared of Jimmy, but he was a SEAL Team 6 Sniper back in his day, so I am a little worried about being on the other end of his rifle.

  “You got it, Jimmy. I will take care of her. For you and Ryan.”

  With a nod of his head as a seal of approval, I head to the back of the bar where the guys are crowded around the pool tables. As I place the four bottles on the high top in front of Charlie, I hear Newb start to spout off at the mouth.

  “Damn, Doc can’t even pick up a fat girl. Maybe he really is batting for the other team.”

  Before he even has time to blink I have him pinned up against the back wall of the bar with my knife resting tightly against his Adam’s apple.

  “You will NOT disrespect my girl like that again. Do you understand me?” I don’t need to yell because I’m sure that I smell piss coming down his legs now. I can be a scary motherfucker when I want to be, or so I have been told.

  “Easy there, Cowboy.”

  Charlie places his hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear, “You don’t want to end up in the brig. You’re no use to Katie if you’re discharged and in jail for murder. He’s drunk, and well, pretty much too stupid for words. We still don't know how he made it through SEAL training. Let it go.”

  I take a deep breath and release Newb. “You’re lucky Charlie’s here. He probably just saved both our lives. Again. Now go clean yourself up, you smell like piss.”

  I take a seat at the high top facing the door, wishing she would walk back inside.

  Charlie sits down next to me and slides a beer over before taking a swig, “So you struck out, huh?”

  I release a breath I didn't even know I had been holding.

  “I just can't control myself around her. I damn near had sex with her on the dance floor after one kiss. This is why I stayed away for so long. I’ve been in love with that girl since I was 20 years old. Since before she belonged to Ryan and we both knew it, she just happened to love Ryan as much as he loved her. So, I stayed away. However, now I have the one thing I have wanted my entire life, right in front of me, and I’m expected to be patient. FUCK!”

  I slam my hands down on the bar top and the whole table rattles. Lucky for us Charlie can save the beers, I do not know if I can make it through the rest of the night without more beer.

  Just as I look up to grab my beer, I see Jimmy walking toward us swinging some keys around his finger.

  “Tonight is your lucky night. I happen to know a lady that may be searching for these keys out in the parking lot. If you hurry, you may…”

  I didn't even let him finish. I grabbed those keys, my hat, and jacket, and was on my way out the door. I think I may have heard the guys chuckling at my enthusiasm before it shut.

  4

  Katie

  “Stupid, stupid, Katie. Sexy Cowboy making you think silly things. You know better.”

  I mumble to myself as I stomp toward my car. I angrily swipe at the tears that fall down my cheeks. I am not crying over some stupid man I just met. Nope, not me. Nor am I crying because, yet again, I have been made a fool of, because I let someone make me believe that I am more than just the fat girl.

  Why do I always fall for this shit?

  It’s because I had such a bad day at work. I let my guard down for a sexy voice and those gorgeous blue eyes.

  Ugh, stop thinking about him! He's a weirdo.

  If I repeat that enough, maybe I will eventually believe it. I just need time for the fire that he reignited in my nether regions to cool, looks like my trusty bullet will be getting a workout tonight.

  I reach my car, but I can’t find my keys. Fuck, just what I need. As I bend down to dump the contents of my purse out on the ground, I hear someone behind me say,

  “You should have your keys out before you get to your car. Standing here, digging around in your bag leaves you vulnerable to an attack.”

  Why is this happening to me? Can’t he just leave me alone to wallow in embarrassment?

  I swing around to come face to face with my cowboy.

  When the hell did he become mine?

  “I'm aware of that!” I can’t help but snap back at him.

  I’m frustrated with myself for not having my keys out before storming out of the bar and with him for following me so he can continue to humiliate me.

  “For one, you’re not the first SEAL I've met. Two, I'm not exactly small. Therefore, I'm much harder to kidnap. Three, I'm loud, which means I'll draw attention to the situation, which is the exact opposite that an attacker will be looking for. I'm not an easy mark.”

  “You think I wouldn't be able to incapacitate you before someone noticed?” Cowboy says with a challenge in his voice.

  “I'm sure you could. However, most criminals don't have SEAL training. I'll take the risk.” I roll my eyes at him and continue to dig around looking for my keys, “Where are they?!?”

  “Are you looking for these?”

  I look up and there at the end of his finger hangs my keys. I must have left them in Jimmy’s key bucket. I did have every intention of drinking away my sorrows for the week. How the hell did he know which ones were mine?

  Jimmy better not have sold me out.

  I didn't think the SEALS had an all for one, one for all motto. Isn’t that the Three Musketeers? Damn if I know.

  “Alright. Can I please have my keys, so I can head home? I’ve had a shitty day, and you and your buddies have gotten your laughs for making the fat girl cry. I just want to go home.”

  That did it. The dam broke. I couldn't stop the tears from falling anymore. All the emotions of the week, reminders of Ryan after being with Cowboy tonight, it has all just been too much. I don’t care how I look right now. I’m a mess, so he can just deal because this is his fault. Maybe he and his friends will think twice before they mess with another woman.

  Once again, Cowboy surprises me. He wraps me up in his arms and rests his cheek on the top of my head. I can't help but bury my nose deep into his chest and breathe in his manly scent of sea air, sandalwood, and leather.

  “Hush now, Darlin’. I don’t know where you got the idea that my bud
dies were having any laughs at your expense. If you want the truth, I almost slit Newbs throat for speaking out of turn about you after you left the bar, I made him piss himself. So, it’s safe to say, I will defend you whether you want me to or not. Please don’t cry. I just want to spend some time with you. Anything, we can sit in this parking lot and talk. Get a cup of coffee and watch the sunrise. I just don’t want my time with you to come to an end, Katie.”

  He lifts my chin up and places a chaste kiss on my lips.

  “Please, Katie,” he whispers.

  I have never heard so much longing in two words in all my life. As I look into his eyes, there is only one answer I can give him.

  “Okay.”

  5

  Katie

  His face lights up with a smile, makes me glad I agreed.

  “I just want to stop at home for a minute, change out of my work clothes, turn the chili off, so it doesn’t burn.”

  “Chili?” he asks as his stomach growls.

  I can't help but laugh, “I guess I’m feeding a hungry SEAL. Get your liberty buddy, let’s go.”

  Cowboy runs off so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t leave a vapor trail. A second later he’s coming back with one of his buddies,

  “We’ll follow you, Darlin’.”

  As the two men head towards another car, they appear to be having a very serious conversation. Cowboy is talking, and the other guy is agreeing to whatever it is.

  We get to my condo, and only Cowboy gets out of the car,

  “Isn’t he coming?”

  “Nope.”

  “Why not?” I ask with a raised eyebrow, hip cocked, and arms crossed.

  Cowboy hesitates and seems to be picking his words carefully, “You’re not going to accept ‘it’s a SEAL thing’, are you?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Damn,” he says, running a hand through his chestnut brown hair and steps closer, leaning down to whisper in my ear.

  “Because I plan to explore every one of your amazing curves with my tongue and I don’t think you want an audience.”

  Oh, sweet Jesus.

  I need a minute to relearn how to breathe and slow down the wetness currently drenching my panties.

  “Hey! I’m hungry! Can I at least get some chili?” the man hollers from the Jeep.

  After clearing my throat, I ask, “Is he single?”

  Cowboy narrows his eyes, “Why?”

  Huffing out a sigh, I say, “Just answer the damn question.”

  “Yes, he is, but that doesn’t mean he’s coming in.”

  I ignore him as I dig my phone out of my bag, flip through my contacts, and find the number I’m looking for. After three rings, it’s answered,

  “Hey bitch, whatcha doin’, boo?”

  The greeting makes me smile, just the tornado I was looking for.

  “Hey love, I need you to do something for me.”

  “Anything, you know I gotcha. Am I bringing booze, a shovel, or ice cream?”

  “You don’t need anything except your sexy ass. There’s a lonely SEAL in need of some company, he’s sitting in a black Jeep Wrangler in front of my house. Think you can keep him busy for a while?” Cowboy has figured out what I’m doing, and a sexy smirk now covers his face.

  “Say what now!?! You have a SEAL waiting for me? Those things come in pairs, don’t they? Oh, girl you better be ready to dish in the morning!”

  I hear some mumbling on the other end before she comes back again.

  “Girl! You give me the best presents! Say no more, I’m on it!”

  “Hey! He’s leaving in a few days so don’t break him! He must be able to function! You hear me?”

  “Aww man, that’s no fun. Fine, but I make no promises.”

  I hear nothing but a dial tone. Damn, she is lucky I love her. I send up a silent prayer for Cowboy’s friend before taking hold of his hand and heading for my door.

  Once we get inside, I set my bag down, and the butterflies take hold in my stomach. I’ve never done anything like this before, and now I’m nervous. Do we just start taking clothes off and do it right here? Should I offer him food first?

  WHAT DO I DO?!?

  “Darlin’, you’re thinking too hard. Relax.”

  Cowboy is standing behind me, pressed against me. I can feel his hard-on pushing against my ass.

  “You said you wanted to get out of these work clothes, let me help you with that,” he says as he slides my sweater up.

  “Wait,” I stop his hands with mine, and whisper, “I’m scared.”

  He turns me around, lifts my chin and asks, “What are you scared of, Dollface?”

  There are so many things I can list off, but mostly that he will see what is underneath the clothes and run for the hills. I look better with the lights down low and my clothes on, everything tucked into place. I look up, meeting his eyes and notice the desire in them as he stares back at me,

  “Fuck it. Just kiss me, kiss me, and make me forget everything,” I say as I reach up, pull his head down to mine and crush my lips to his.

  Cowboy pushes me against the entryway wall, using the wall as leverage, I jump up and wrap my legs around his waist. I can feel his growl of approval as he unsnaps my pants and slides his hand into my panties, all while he ravages my mouth with his. Nipping my lips, stroking my tongue with his, and grinding his hard dick against my thigh.

  I’m riding his hand like I’m afraid it’s going to disappear and leave me wanting. He’s circling my clit quickly, bring me to the edge of orgasm, my wetness making his fingers slippery. I pull my head back to try to catch my breath, and he moves his mouth to my ear, nips my earlobe and says, “Fuck, you’re wet, Dollface.”

  That’s all I need to fly into bliss, just as I’m cresting the climax he bites my shoulder hard, causing me to scream my pleasure. The pain of the bite heightens my pleasure, and I drench his hand as I ride it out. Cowboy continues to stroke my clit until he rings the last bit of pleasure out of me.

  I’m still breathing heavily when I say, “That was...wow…” talking into his shoulder. Turning my head, I kiss his neck, knowing that this show isn’t over yet. The best is yet to come.

  Thinking about him filling me, rocking my world, and making me forget my own name re-energizes me. I reach for his shirt and rip it open, the snaps making a very satisfying popping sound.

  I stop for a second to admire his tan, muscular, and tattooed torso. Tattoos cover one peck, and there's script right above his pants which are riding very low on his hips. SEAL training has kept him in amazing shape, he's all muscle, and I lean forward to lick his nipple.

  He shutters and hisses a breath in, “Where's your room, Dollface? I need to fuck you on your back so I can watch your face as I slam into you.”

  “Upstairs, first door on the right,” I tell him, expecting him to put me down. To my surprise, he pushes off the wall, grabs hold of my ass, and stalks through the living room, then jogs up the stairs while I pull his shirt down his shoulders and out of his pants.

  Fuck does he look sexy half dressed. I will explore all those tattoos with my tongue later.

  Seeing me staring at his chest, he smirks before leaning me against the wall, “See something you like, Dollface?”

  My cheeks flush red at being caught ogling him. “I'm trying to decide how long it will take me to trace all that ink, with my tongue. Especially these ones,” I say as I run my finger lightly over the ink that sits just above his erection. His abdominal muscles tighten, defining his six pack.

  “Trust me when I say, there will be plenty of time for your mouth to be on me, but it ain't gonna happen tonight.”

  Lifting me back off the wall, he finds my bedroom door, flicks the light on and stops.

  “This bed frame will work perfectly.”

  He sets me down then gives me directions, “Once I get you naked, I want you on your knees, ass in the air, hands wrapped around the bars.”

  “I thought you wanted me on my back? Something abo
ut watching my face while you fuck me.”

  He grabs ahold of my jaw and kisses me with a bruising, punishing kiss. I'm pushing his limit on control, and it's exhilarating, knowing that I can get to him this way.

  My hands are fisted in his hair, I accept his kiss, let him control my mouth with his. Knowing that I pushed him to it makes me wetter if that's even possible. I'm pretty sure I've left a wet spot on his jeans.

  He strips me of my clothes, only taking his mouth off mine to get the sweater over my head. He has a very talented tongue, one I can't wait to feel everywhere. He's mimicking sex with his mouth, in, out, in, out, and I'm ready to combust.

  Cowboy swats my ass, just hard enough to sting as he says, “On your knees.” His voice is gruff and sounds like a growl.

  I get on my bed, not bothering to stop to pull the quilt back, swaying my hips a little more than necessary. I wrap my hands around the wrought iron bars of my bed frame, lower my face and chest to the pillows, arch my lower back and spread my thighs wide.

  I fight with myself about being embarrassed, he can see everything, I am completely open and vulnerable to him.

  He knows you're not a toothpick, just go with it!

  A growl from Cowboy lets me know I made the right decision. I feel the bed dip and his hot breath against the skin of my ass just before he nips me at the crease where thigh meets butt, making me jump. “Don't worry, Dollface, I'll take care of you,” he says with his lips against my skin.

  The scruff of his five o’clock shadow scrapes against my skin, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my body. As he crawls up my body, nipping and dragging his stubble along my skin, I can't help but squirm beneath him. My clit is swollen and aching, my wetness is dripping down the inside of my thighs, and my pussy is clenched tight.

  Finally, he's fully pressed against me, his cock cradled between my cheeks, hot and heavy. He's tall enough that he can whisper in my ear in this position.