Second Chance with Her SEAL

by Gillian Blakely

  Why was it bare? Surely, she was married with three kids and a few dogs.

  But the more important question was, why was she staring up at him like they’d never met before?

  She didn't seem to recognize him. Hell, he hadn't recognized himself either after a makeup artist friend had finished with him. Even his eye color was different for the evening and after seeing Reya’s transformation, he understood just how much a costume could change a person.

  But it hadn’t changed Sabrina.

  “Don't tell me,” she continued, her ringless fingers wiggling between them. “Jolly Green Giant?”

  Damn if his lips didn't twitch again.

  “Nope.”

  “Hmm.” Her luscious mouth turned into a thoughtful frown. As her gaze raked up his left arm, across his face and then continued the lap all the way around again, his blood began to heat and parts he was usually able to ignore sat up and took a keen notice of the black-haired beauty.

  “Do that again.”

  “What?”

  “Clench your fists.”

  Boomer hadn't realized he’d done it the first time, but he obliged her. After all, she was the girl who'd let him cry on her shoulder after his grandfather had passed away and to her credit, she'd never told a soul about his waterworks.

  “That's it,” she exclaimed, snapping her fingers. “Hulk!”

  Damn she looked happy and supremely pleased with herself. And heaven help him, when had she gotten so...gorgeous?

  He swallowed past the lump in his throat and forced words past dry lips.

  “In the flesh. And you are?”

  He held his breath, hoping she'd give him a name that proved she wasn't who he thought she was. Who he knew in his heart, she was.

  She held up her hands in a kitty cat gesture. “Meow.”

  Meow indeed.

  Cool it, Jameson. Hundred bucks says she's spoken for, ring or not. And she didn't want you, remember?

  His bladder did what the self-lecture hadn’t, and he glanced over her head toward the restrooms.

  Her soft gasp snagged his attention. “Sorry. You were headed somewhere important and here I am talking your ear off. It was nice meeting you, Hulk.” She held out a hand.

  A voice somewhere deep in his mind told him to duck past and continue with his business. The goal was to forget his work frustrations for a few hours at least, not dredge up a past he'd never forgotten. Or gotten over.

  Don't touch her.

  In two minutes he was already more attracted to her than any other woman he'd ever met. Two minutes...

  Don't shake her hand.

  Don't be rude, his conscience warred.

  Evidently, he'd left his self-preservation at home because he closed his hand around hers, shook it once, but didn't let go.

  He couldn't. Not with the way her blue eyes widened, and his gut clenched. She felt it, the live wire connection. The room seemed to darken, and the world fell away until she was everything, his entire universe.

  Her jaw dropped slightly, and he could almost hear her sharp intake of air. Her thumb brushed over his skin, charging every nerve ending in its wake.

  What the hell?

  Stop touching her. For God's sake, stop touching her.

  Where Sabrina was concerned, he'd never been good at following his own orders.

  He'd had chemistry before. Never with her. No, she'd been safe and sweet, firmly in the friend zone, despite his best efforts.

  But this...this was something else. Until her grip loosened, and she pulled her hand back. The happiness bursting from her only a moment ago had been replaced by something far more subdued. Wariness, maybe.

  Once the connection was severed, he realized she was waiting for him to reply.

  “Likewise.”

  Her smile gone, she nodded and stepped around him. Had he imagined the sparks between them?

  He watched her disappear into the crowd and told himself to leave her alone.

  What were the chances that he'd listen to himself this time?

  2

  Sabrina was so rattled by the awareness sizzling through her that she gulped another Vampire's Kiss Cocktail and hoped that the magical mix would sooth her nerves.

  No. Not nerves. Hyper-awareness, that's what was singing through her veins.

  Mentally, she calculated the calories and how many extra miles she'd need to run in the morning. Every step would be worth it because the delicious, deep purple concoction delighted her taste-buds.

  Stopping next to the front windows, she watched the party goers on the sidewalk. Layla was around here somewhere, with her new beau. Unless, and there was a good chance, they’d decided to head home for a private party of their own.

  Not seeing her partner, Sabrina turned back to the crowded room. There was no denying that every fiber of her being was searching for the man in green. Who was he and why did he seem so familiar?

  She was positive she'd remember a man of his height. Not to mention, those broad shoulders were extraordinary. The man was built like a tank. How could she forget someone so... unforgettable?

  Not only was his size memorable, he had the most unique and dreamy voice. Rich, deep, completely masculine. She'd detected the tiniest drawl, almost as if he'd tried to train it out of himself.

  Then there was the way his hands, big, strong hands, had rushed to steady her...except his touch had left her quivering and shaky on her feet.

  Her gaze raked over the cafe, hoping for a glimpse of him. And his lips. Gracious, the way they twitched into an almost-smile did crazy things to her brain.

  Where had she seen those lips before?

  Someone bumped her on the way to the door and uttered an apology.

  “No worries,” she murmured, never taking her gaze off the bathroom door at the back of the shop.

  Surely, she'd be able to see him. He stood head and shoulders above everyone she'd ever met. Which once again made her wonder...if she'd never met the man before, why did she get the strongest sense of de ja vu?

  Sabrina shivered, her skin still tingling where he'd touched her. Heaven help her, she wanted more...needed to feel his touch again. Over and over, until she couldn't remember a time when he hadn't touched her.

  But that was crazy. The heat sizzling through her was just...nuts. Wasn't it?

  “Looking for someone?”

  Sabrina startled at the voice in her ear. Unfortunately, it wasn't the deep, velvety voice she desired.

  “What makes you say that?” she asked, certain she looked guilty as a cat with a canary in its mouth.

  Jill circled Sabrina and made a disbelieving sound. She offered a tray of Halloween cookies and Sabrina snagged one while mentally added another mile to her tally.

  The truth was, she had a serious case of lust going on.

  Four alarm, panty melting l-u-s-t.

  It had to be the cocktails going to her head. But even as she had the thought and glanced down at the remnant of purple liquid in her cup, she knew that wasn't true. Sure, the drink was delicious, and she had a blissful buzz going on, but that wasn't the whole reason she felt alive like never before.

  The energy coursing through her was almost scary. But that trickle of unease was laced with excitement. Possibilities gnawed at her.

  Was this how Jill felt with Teo? Palms sweaty, heart racing as if she'd just jogged a lap around the block, painfully curious?

  “You've been staring at the same spot for the last minute.”

  There wasn't any use in denying it.

  “Guilty.”

  “Well...”

  “What?”

  “Which one do you have your eye on?”

  Fully aware that alcohol loosened her tongue, she tried to rein in the desire to gush and/or squeal like a teenaged girl who'd just met a heartthrob.

  “He's in the bathroom.”

  “Ahh.”

  Anticipation made her stomach flutter and her knees weak. She wracked her memory and couldn't think of any
time she'd been so...affected.

  Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and told herself that it'd all work out. It'd be okay. It'd—

  “Are you okay, Sabrina?”

  She nodded. Why on earth did she feel nervous? As if the rest of her life, her happiness hinged on the rest of the evening?

  Good gracious, girl. Get a grip.

  The bathroom door opened. The air paused halfway up her throat. A broad, green shoulder appeared.

  “Him?” Jill squeaked.

  “What's wrong?”

  Sabrina’s gaze swerved to her petite friend.

  If he was gay or married, Sabrina might just finish off the punchbowl. Except, that wasn't really her style. She liked to be in control of her faculties too much to get plastered. And she was optimistic to a fault and therefore knew there were plenty of fish in the sea.

  But I want that fish.

  “Nothing,” Jill murmured, a slight smile curving her ruby red lips. “Not a thing.”

  When it came to matters of the heart, Jill was overflowing with happiness. And it was easy to see why. Teo Canalas had barely taken his eyes off the buxom brunette all night.

  Jill latched on to Sabrina's arm and gave a happy bounce on the balls of her feet.

  “What's got her so excited?” Tracy, Jill's assistant, asked as she squeezed through the crowd, cocktail in one hand, a plate of hors d’oeuvres in the other.

  “Sabrina's going to let me set her up,” Jill exclaimed. Then pivoted back to Sabrina. “Aren't you?”

  “What about me?” Tracy asked good naturedly. Ever since Sabrina had first stepped foot in Jill's Java Hut, the ongoing joke had been how hard it was to find Tracy a guy. Girl had high standards, which Sabrina could appreciate.

  “I gave you one and you said he was too tall,” Jill scoffed.

  “I could see straight up his enormous schnoz.” Tracy sent a finger up toward her nostrils and Jilly laughed.

  Sabrina watched the exchange over the rim of her glass. Despite her best efforts to not be obvious about it, couldn't keep from scanning the room. As if he was a magnet and she a piece of metal, her eyes found him easily. Almost immediately. But then he was huge and smeared from head to toe in green...was that paint? Makeup maybe.

  Whatever it was, it hadn't rubbed off on her when she'd collided with him. Gracious. She closed her eyes as she relived that spectacular moment. It'd been so nice to feel attraction again. And to experience the possibility of something new. To have a man's undivided attention.

  But it was more than that.

  She'd never felt such a fast, explosive connection with anyone.

  Flutters took up residence in her stomach and when her glass turned up empty, she redirected her attention back to the two women in her circle. It was so nice to have a circle again. Wonderful to have friends of her own, not divided among a couple. Picking sides after things went bad.

  She wanted a group. Friends. Friendship.

  “You love playing matchmaker more than anyone I know,” Sabrina said. Which was saying something because she, herself, loved fixing up her friends. She loved love.

  Hearts and marriage were her business.

  “Can I help it if I want everyone to be as happy as I am?”

  “No. And you shouldn't try to stifle that either.” Once upon a time Sabrina had been that happy, or so she'd thought. The world had been at her feet and she'd had the hottest script writer in Hollywood dragging her into his bed. But that had all been a carefully crafted illusion. Sabrina knew now, illusions were a dangerous thing.

  Cagey. Elusive. Vapor, really. And everything you thought was real could vanish in an instant.

  Without meaning to, her eyes sought him again. He was staring back.

  He was real, solid, definitely not a figment of her imagination. And the way his gaze lingered on her brought a fresh round of hope to her chest. And a tingling sensation to her breasts.

  What would he look like without the costume? If he looked that yummy covered in green... Mentally she pictured him in nothing but a towel.

  Sabrina licked her lips.

  “I think she's already got her eye on someone.” Tracy's voice cut through the mental undressing and Sabrina's cheeks heated.

  Jill made a sound of approval and the two women turned toward her man in green.

  “Stop staring,” Sabrina pleaded. “He'll think we're talking about him.”

  Jill laughed. “We are talking about him.”

  Why did it feel like she was in high school all over again? Whispers in the cafeteria, long glances in the hallway. Wait. She'd never experienced any of that. Except in her dreams…

  But boy had she longed too. But at forty-five pounds overweight, mixed race, and shy, there'd been no whispers, no glances, not that many true friends.

  Except for David. God, how she missed him.

  3

  Sabrina tugged her lower lip between her teeth. How was it that David was the only person in her high school class not on Facebook? Of course, he was the only person she wished to reconnect with.

  Jill didn't give her a moment to travel the regret express. She was too busy nodding her head up and down like a bobble head doll.

  “I approve,” she gushed, squeezing Sabrina's forearm. “But I have to warn you, Boomer's had a really rough past where women are concerned. And he's pretty much a nomad, but he's one of Teo's closest friends. You couldn’t pick a nicer guy—”

  “Or hotter,” Tracy added, fanning herself.

  “Come on.” Without giving Sabrina time to digest all that information, Jill tugged her arm.

  “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you,” Tracy said as Jill pulled Sabrina through the crowd.

  Her eyes locked with his and the connection was so tangible she felt like she was being reeled in. As it had before, the world melted away until the only thing in her focus, in her universe, was him. In all his green glory.

  She caught a flash of purple in the corner of her eye. His gaze swerved, severing the connection. Her focus widened as a purple haired woman stopped in front of Hunky Hulk. Sabrina's steps faltered as he bent his head to hear whatever the woman had to say. Irrational jealousy stabbed Sabrina and her breath stalled in her lungs.

  He nodded and turned toward Jill's boyfriend, Teo. She couldn't tell what the two said but the slap on the Hulk's back was a sure sign that he was heading out.

  With her.

  Why, of all the guys, of all the times did her libido have to perk up right now?

  Had he been waiting for the purple haired woman? Was she his date? They seemed very familiar.

  The purple haired woman flashed Teo and Dylan a smile, waved good-bye and turned toward the door.

  Hunky Hulk's gaze found Jill. “Thanks for a great party.”

  He pegged Sabrina with a long, indecipherable look. Time stood still. So did she. What was he thinking?

  Jill called out her goodbyes and he blinked. The spell was broken. He turned toward the door, squeezing between two women dressed as mermaids.

  Sabrina stayed rooted to the spot, strangely numb. Acutely disappointed.

  But then the drive that had made her a successful business woman kicked in and she stepped forward. She should go after him. After all, a connection like this didn't come around every day. Maybe once in a lifetime, if you were lucky.

  Then what? Give him her number?

  She didn't even know his name.

  But she didn't need to.

  An image flashed through her head, so real she could feel the heat racing over her skin. Except it was more than an image. A tantalizing video played in her mind, full of passion and steam as she pushed through the crowd, caught his arm.

  He turned back to her, those gorgeous eyes widened with surprise. She reached for him and he regarded her only a moment before he reached for her too. Stretching way up on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  His skin felt like a furnace beneath her fingertips. He didn't utter a word, and he d
idn't need to. Everything she needed to know was right there in his eyes.

  Attraction.

  The heavy, thick, undeniable kind that took your breath away and threatened to never give it back.

  Need.

  Desire.

  Her body responded in kind; tingling, tightening, warming. There was a moment of breathless anticipation as his palms slid around her waist. Every nerve ending was alive and focused on him, his touch, his lips.

  He stared back and forth into her eyes, almost like he was memorizing every eyelash. She dropped her gaze to his lips. Such a delicious, masculine mouth. Completely kissable.

  Shivers raced over her skin as his right hand skimmed up her side, over the curve of her breast, across her shoulder, beneath her hair to cup her neck.

  She'd never felt so small or delicate before. Everything feminine in her was put on notice as his thumb trailed over her jaw. Her eyelashes fluttered down to meet her cheeks.

  She never wanted a kiss more in her life.

  And just like that, the daydream was over, leaving her bereft and hungry. But as her vision cleared and her focus returned, she saw his broad back headed for the door.

  The butterflies in her stomach shriveled and died.

  Did she really want to be with a guy who passed her over for someone else? Then again, how many men had she found a spark with?

  None like him, none like this. That all-consuming awareness that left a tingle in some important, recently dormant, places.

  It was silly to feel dejected. She was a grown woman, she'd traveled the world, and most days she liked to think she had her shit together. Which was why moments like this threw her for a loop.

  Only, now it was worse. She glanced over her shoulder at the happy pairings.

  Jill, lips pursed, and Teo. Reya and Dylan. Baby and Joe.

  Couples. Coupledom. Once again, she was alone while all her friends partnered up. It almost felt like the story of her life.

  Just as depression nipped at her heart, a booming laugh carried across the room, rich, loud, so unique.

  Her head swiveled back around, and she saw Hunky Hulk, head thrown back, laughing with so much joy and mirth she got chills.