SEALs of Summer 2: A Military Romance Superbundle Read Free Page B

him on the moonlit path. “I didn’t expect to win.”
    “Well, you did. So now we’re roommates for a few days.” She yanked her arm out of his grasp, ignoring how warm his touch was as his fingertips slid down her forearm, lingering on her skin as long as possible.
    “I can stay in the main house if you’d rather.”
    “No. Don’t make this into a ‘Larken is uncomfortable’ thing.”
    “But Larken is uncomfortable,” he said softly, still far too close to her for her to think straight.
    “That’s because you’re in my space,” she hissed at him.
    “Really? It’s not for any other reason?” His dark eyes glittered down at her, suddenly so familiar. She knew that look. The last time he’d pinned it on her, they’d stolen into a supply closet and he’d been freshly shaved. She could feel the dewy softness of his aftershave under her fingertips.
    Now he was stubbled and smelled faintly of saltwater and lime. Of beer and victory and the freedom of a guy who had the world in the palm of his hand.
    She whirled away and stalked toward her cottage.
    It wasn’t really hers. There were two of them, this one to the west of the main house, the other to the south. That one was still under construction, so most of the team stayed in the main house. But Larken liked the solitude of the cottage, and she’d won it from Mats in a poker game soon after she arrived on the island.
    She hadn’t been foolish enough to put it on the line before.
    At least she hadn’t actually put up permanent residence. Just a week. Or a weekend. Whatever. Just enough time for her to lose her mind, clearly.
    He was right behind her as they closed over the last dozen yards. She could feel him. Her heart beat faster as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, warning her he was about to touch her before he did.
    His arms slid around her waist, hauling her against him just in front of her porch. The light was on, as she’d left it, and she wondered if he’d waited until they weren’t in the dark to grab her. “Wait a damn minute, woman.”
    “Let go of me.”
    His breath puffed hot against her ear, and his voice slid inside her, rough and warm. “I would if I thought for a second that you’d stay still long enough for us to talk.”
    “I don’t want to talk.” God, he felt good. Hard muscles. Strong arms.
    “Then what do you want?”
    She wanted to not hate him quite so much. “Why are you here, Vince?”
    “Because everyone let me win at cards.” His lips were actually brushing against her earlobe now. “Why did they let me win, Larken?”
    “I’m a terrible cook. Nobody wants my breakfasts.”
    “I’ll cook.”
    “That wasn’t what I meant.” She jabbed her elbow back, nailing him in the gut, then spun around and shoved her hands square against the brick wall he called a chest. “Why are you on my island?”
    He worked his jaw from side to side and narrowed his gaze as he looked at her. “I need a job with more flexibility than being on the teams.”
    “Why?” She yelled the question, shaking with anger now.
    “I think the more pressing question is why are you so mad at me? Is this seriously about a shooting competition?” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. What else do you want to hear?”
    “That is such a stupid boy thing to say. Sorry. Like, oops, I broke your favorite mug while doing dishes. Sorry.”
    “I…I broke your mug?”
    Well, when he said it out loud it was stupid. Which made her want to throw things at him. Which really pointed to the real source of the problem. But she hadn’t want to throw anything yesterday or the day before. “No. But now that you’re here, you’re…” She waved her hands in the air. “You know. Bringing up a lot of stuff.”
    He moved closer again, undeterred by her flailing arms or irrational anger.
    “Stop it,” she whispered.
    “Stop what?” he asked, his voice quiet now, almost a whisper, too. But he didn’t sound scared and small, like she did. He