Desert Alpha: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella
Page 7
“Oh my gosh, King! Do you think he heard us?” I asked.
“If he’s been home longer than five minutes, I would say, absolutely. That’s probably why he’s shouting through the door now, so we know he’s back.”
“Lord, how embarrassing,” I said as I tried to burrow in deeper.
“Don’t be embarrassed, he doesn’t care. Do you want to go out and hang out for a while or stay in here?”
I thought about it, and even though I’d love to lounge in bed with Rip, I wanted to say hi to King too and finish our drinks. I wasn’t even remotely tired.
“Let’s go out there. Just give me a minute to freshen up.”
I gave him a quick kiss and then got up to get my bag and take it into his bathroom, very aware that I was bottomless, but trying not to let the fact that Rip’s eyes were on me make me self-conscious.
He obviously liked what he saw, so why should I worry about it, right?
Once I was in the bathroom, I cleaned myself up and put on what I brought for pajamas, which was actually just a pair of running shorts and a tank top. Now that I knew Rip and King lived together, I was happy I’d opted for comfort rather than sexy lingerie.
When I opened the door the bedroom was empty, so I padded out and down the hall. As I neared the living room I could hear Rip laughing at something King had said and rounded the corner to see them sitting on the big sectional sofa, a basketball game playing on TV.
“Thanks for getting my wine from outside,” I said when I saw it sitting on the coffee table. Then I looked at King and smiled. “How’s it going?”
He stood up, his face friendly, and moved to give me a quick hug before taking his seat again.
How sweet. He was being a gentleman and not making a big deal about what he’d probably heard coming from Rip’s room.
“I’m good, how about you? How was the rest of your tour?” he asked.
I grabbed my glass and moved to sit on the couch next to Rip.
“Not too bad, pretty uneventful. I’m sorry you guys ran into trouble.”
King gave a half shrug and said, “It comes with the job.”
I guess it was like Rip had said, they couldn’t really talk about what had happened, which I completely understood.
We watched the basketball game and had a few drinks. Well … they watched basketball and I played a game on my phone, breaking for conversation every time there was a commercial or a time-out.
Once the game was over, Rip and I said goodnight to King and went back to his room.
“I love how big your bed is,” I told him as I climbed in. “And this blanket is so comfortable.”
“Yeah, I spend so much of my life with shitty sleeping arrangements, so I thought it was worth it so splurge on the best bed and bedding I could find.”
“You did good,” I told him, moving into his arms when he got in beside me and opened them for me.
I gave him a kiss then laid my head on his chest, inhaling the spicy scent of him as exhaustion began to hit.
“Thanks for hanging out with King. I know the last thing you probably wanted to do was watch a basketball game, but we’ve all been a little on edge since our tour and I didn’t really want to leave him alone.”
“No problem. I liked being there with you guys and I don’t mind entertaining myself with a game or book. I’m pretty easygoing,” I assured him.
“I appreciate it … I appreciate you.”
Warmth flooded me at his words. Wanting more contact, I started drawing things on his chest with my finger. Hearts and flowers mostly, since that was where my head was right then, as I felt myself beginning to seriously fall for Rip.
“That feels good,” he murmured, his tone thick with sleepiness, and I knew he was about to doze off.
I kept doing what I was doing, soothing myself as well as him, long after I felt his chest rise and fall and knew he was out.
I was tired, but my mind would not shut off as I thought about when we’d met and how things had progressed between us in such a short amount of time. I wondered what it all meant and if he was falling as hard as I was.
Plus, how would it work logistically?
It wasn’t like either of us could just up and move because we wanted to. There were rules and orders and factors outside of our control.
My mind full of questions, I eventually tumbled into sleep.
Chapter 20
Rip
The next morning we went to breakfast and spent a few hours with Scotty at the hospital.
I don’t know if it was waking up with Cass in my arms or seeing her cheer up my buddy who, let’s face it, was often crass and unfit for company, all with a giant, guileless smile on her face. But sometime during the day I’d been hit with the realization that I wanted more than this trip with Cass.
Strong, funny, sweet, beautiful, and so empathetic and caring. She was everything I’d been wanting in a woman but hadn’t believed was out there. I was so sure of my feelings that I did something I hadn’t done since my divorce. I texted my mom to tell her I’d met someone.
Which was huge.
“Scotty seemed to be doing better by the time we left,” Cass said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
We were sitting on a blanket on the beach, looking out over the crashing waves and enjoying the sea breeze.
“Because of you,” I told her, taking her hand in mine and holding it on the blanket between us.
“Not only because of me, he was happy to see you too,” she replied.
Rather than argue the point I simply smiled at her.
My phone buzzed and I glanced at it, a chuckle escaping my lips when I saw my mother’s response.
“What’s so funny?” Cass asked.
“I texted my mom about you.”
“You did?” she asked, seeming surprised.
I nodded and said, “Yeah. Told her I’m met someone and in true mom fashion she went off the deep end.”
“My mom’s the same way. What’d she say?”
“She wants to meet you. Said we can fly out there to see her or she’ll come here. She asked what you’re like, where you work, what you look like, and if you’re nice.”
“Wow, all that in one text?”
“Told you she went off,” I said, leaning back to rest on my elbows.
Cass laid down with her head on my belly but faced me instead of the ocean.
“Would you want me to meet your mom? Already?”
I gazed into her beautiful eyes and told her the truth.
“Yeah, I would, and I don’t say that lightly. The only women my mom ever met was my high school girlfriend and my ex-wife. But I’m sure about you, about us and where I see us going.”
“You think we can make a long-distance thing work?” she asked, chewing on her bottom lip in a way that made me want to follow suit.
“The distance isn’t that long. Plus, it’s not like we’ll be at these bases forever. I’ve only got about another year on my enlistment and I haven’t been so sure I’d stay in. This job can be hell on your body, mind, and soul. Plus, I’ve had some job offers in the civilian sector.”
“Really?” she asked, excitedly.
“Yes, really. Especially after this last mission,” I admitted, blocking out the sounds of gunfire and men screaming.
“I had no idea you were so close to getting out.”
“Does that make you feel a little better about being more serious with me?” I asked, praying she’d say yes.
“Even if you weren’t close to getting out, or if you decide you want to stay in, I’d still want to see where things go between us. Yes, the thought of long-distance is a little scary and we haven’t known each other very long, but I’m ready to go all in if you are.”
“I definitely am. To be completely honest, I’m falling in love with you, Cassandra.”
She sat up quickly, her eyes filling, and I moved quickly to catch her when she dove into my arms,
“I love you, too,” she said again
st my chest.
Everything within me seemed to get lighter as I pushed back a bit to wipe the tears off of her cheek and whispered, “Tell me again.”
“I love you, Rip.”
I sealed our declarations with a kiss and said, “I hope you always look at me the way you’re looking at me right now.”
Cass cupped my face with her hands and pulled me down for another kiss and said, “Take me home, Rip. I’m in the mood for some homemade pizza and then … dessert.”
“You’re speaking my language, sweetheart.”
The End
More Information
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About the Author
Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.
When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.
Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!