Nolan looked down at the plate in front of Lynn and chuckled. She was in the middle of shoveling in scrambled eggs when she looked up at him in question.
“Wha…?” she muttered, covering her mouth with her hand she continued to chew. Swallowing, she re-asked, “What are you staring at?”
“I’m wondering how anybody as little as you can eat that much. That’s a lot more than you had on your plate last night.”
“Has anybody ever told you that it’s rude to talk about what a lady eats?”
“You’re not just any lady. You’re my… uh… you’re Lynn.”
She rolled her eyes and popped in another bite of bacon. He quietly sighed in relief, uncertainty filling him over what he’d almost said. She’s my what? Wife? Jesus, get a grip. She’s just Lynn, nothing else.
As though he was not in emotional turmoil over having almost claimed she was his, she continued to eat. “Nolan, everyone knows that breakfast food is so much lighter than dinner. You can shovel in scrambled eggs and you don’t get as full as if it was steak.”
“Maybe so, babe, but you add in the biscuits, bacon, sausage links, hashbrown potatoes, orange juice, coffee—”
“Oh, my God! Stop!”
He watched an adorable blush cross her face and added, “Not to mention the pastries—umph!” Her sandaled foot had whacked his shin underneath the table. Leaning down to rub his leg, he grinned. “Damn, girl. You not only put it away but you can pack a wallop.”
Her grin widened as she adopted an innocent expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He laughed and began shoveling in his own breakfast. It felt great to tease her and he realized he’d never had that kind of relationship with another woman. Laughing, talking, teasing, loving—whoa, not loving… just amazing sex. Washing down his toast before he choked, he asked, “So, what’s on the agenda for today?”
“I’ll spend some time going through the records, looking for the discrepancies. I had hoped I could find out more of Errol’s activities here at the casino, but now that I know he goes into the high-stakes rooms, I won’t really be able to see him in action. But we know he handed over cash to get his gambling card, so we can consider this is how he’s keeping some of his income off the books.”
“Do you think you’ll be working all day?”
“I feel kind of guilty about having this extra day at this nice resort. I mean, there’s nothing that I have to do here that I can’t do at home.”
“Good, then how about we spend some time enjoying ourselves?”
She cocked her head to the side, holding his gaze. “What are you thinking?”
Placing his forearms on top of the table, he leaned forward. “Well, we’ll definitely need to get out of the room, or I’ll keep you in bed all day—” She barked out a laugh and blushed, but he continued, “So I thought we could take a dip into the pool and maybe another walk outside.”
She leaned forward as well and placed her hand on his. “I think that sounds fabulous.”
He glanced down and his gaze snagged on their two wedding bands so close together. It was strange that they didn’t look out of place. Looking back up toward her, he caught her staring at their hands as well and wondered what she thought. No reason to go down that road. “Are you about finished, or do you need a second round of the breakfast buffet?”
That had the effect of her gaze snapping back to his face, and she pretended to scowl. “Just need to finish my coffee and then I’m all yours.”
All mine? Why the fuck does that sound so good?
14
Nolan was used to taking long hikes lugging heavy equipment, constantly scanning the area for threats. Looking at the scenery just to enjoy the view was not something he could remember doing in a long time. But walking hand-in-hand with Lynn along the path winding behind the casino that led into the mountainous forests was not only a new experience but one he thoroughly enjoyed.
“The mountains are beautiful this time of year,” she said, waving her hand toward the trees around. “These mountains are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and form part of the Blue Ridge. We used to come up here and take hikes so that my dad could take pictures.”
As they walked past some of the trees, her free hand would reach out and touch the bark on the trunks. “Birch, maple, hickory, and hemlock make up a lot of the forests. The evergreens are mostly spruce and fir. When I was younger, my favorite was looking at the flowering shrubs. Rhododendron and azaleas were what my father would always photograph when they were in full bloom.”
He cast his gaze around with a silent chuckle, realizing that he’d never cared about the flora and fauna of a place for its beauty… only if I could eat it or hide in it if necessary. But seeing the landscape through Lynn’s eyes gave him an appreciation for the area he grew up in. They fell silent as they continued to walk, fingers linked but thoughts their own.
He knew there was life after SEALs and had been truthful when he told her that once out, he wanted to come back and work with his father in the family construction business. Glancing to the side at the beauty walking next to him, he wondered when that would be and what she would be doing then. Would she still be working in the area? As much as she loved the Smokies, he could not imagine her living anywhere else. As he continued to walk, a darker thought hit him. Would she be married for real? He fought to keep his footsteps steady as he battled the idea that she would belong to someone else. But I have no claim over her. His hand tightened on hers, and he felt the cool metal of her wedding ring. Not a real claim. Startled when she shoulder-bumped him, he looked down at her smiling face.
“Where did you go? I’ve been prattling on about everything around us, and you went very silent.”
Giving her hand a little tug, he grinned. “You’re not prattling. Believe it or not, I’ve found every bit of your plant-lecture to be fascinating.”
She shoulder-bumped him again, this time harder. “Don’t make fun of me! I didn’t get the creative gene that my parents have. Sometimes I wonder if I wasn’t adopted! I seem to be fascinated by numbers, but can’t creatively write, draw, or have an eye for photographs.”
He came to a stop, and she stumbled slightly. His large hands settled on her shoulders and he pulled her directly in front of him. With his knuckle under her chin, he lifted her head and held her gaze. “Don’t ever knock your gifts. You’re smart and fascinating. You can look at a sheet of numbers and see things that would take me a long time to discern. And even if you can’t draw, you look around the world and see beauty. That’s a gift that you’re giving to me.”
Her elfish-blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight and her smile beamed. Bending, he took her lips in a searing kiss. He felt her trust as she gave him her weight, leaning in as his arms banded tightly. The kiss continued as he nipped and licked, long wet kisses alternating with nibbles. By the time he pulled back, his cock was straining against his zipper and her eyes were full of lust. Chuckling, he said, “We better get going before I’d find something else to do under these trees. I think there’s a rocky overhang up here, and we can take a little break.”
She sighed and nodded. Linking hands again, they continued up the trail until they came to a large flat rock that jutted out from the side of the mountain. Walking part of the way out, she tugged on his hand and he looked down.
“This is gorgeous, Nolan, but I can’t go any further. I’m terrified of heights.”
He backed up a few steps, then sat down on the flat rock far away from the edge and gently pulled her next to him. With his arm wrapped around her, he said, “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll take care of you.”
They sat in silence for several minutes, drinking from their water bottles and allowing the breeze to cool their bodies. Shifting to a more comfortable position, he felt something in his pocket. Shoving his hand in, he grinned as his fingers curled around a small object. Pulling the crumpled paper out, he chuckled. “Here’s something I got for you. Kind of a memento of o
ur weekend.”
Her brow scrunched adorably as she took the small package and unwrapped the little carved black bear. “Oh, how cute!” Her smile was bright as her delicate fingers ran over the carved surface.
A flash of a memory flew through his mind. Before the appendicitis attack, he remembered his cousin presenting his new bride with a diamond necklace. Suddenly, Nolan’s smile dropped as his gaze landed on the cheap tourist gift. “It’s nothing…” he mumbled.
“It’s not nothing!” she exclaimed. “I think it’s the perfect gift for a weekend in the Smokies.”
He held her gaze but found no evidence of insincerity. As cheesy a gift as it was, she seemed genuinely pleased. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close and they gazed over the dips of the valleys and heights of the mountain forests all around. The blue sky was dotted with white fluffy clouds.
Once more, he wondered if he had ever just sat and enjoyed the view and the company but came up empty. Even when his team had stopped for a break or meal, they were constantly vigilant of their surroundings for signs of danger. Today was a new experience for him, and with the feel of Lynn pressed tightly against him, he couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.
She lifted her head from his shoulder. “I’m glad we did this early because it’s already getting hot. Maybe we can take a dip in the pool when we get back.”
“Absolutely. This is the nicest time I’ve had in a long time. Thanks for coming with me.” He lifted his hand and cupped her face, taking her lips once more, this time keeping the kiss soft and gentle. After a moment, he stood and assisted her to her feet. With hands linked once again, they hiked back down the trail to the casino.
Once in their room, they quickly changed for the pool and headed back out. Finding two loungers together, they dropped their towels into her bag. He immediately jumped into the water, the temperature of the water feeling warm compared to the sometimes icy conditions he had to swim in. Turning around, he spied Lynn sitting on the side, with only her feet and shins dangling in the water. Swimming over to her, he stood, his powerful torso on display, and placed his hands on her thighs.
She shivered and said, “Oh, my God! Your hands are freezing!”
Throwing his head back in laughter, he dropped down into the water before thrusting back up again. Shaking his head, he slung water droplets over her. The sound of her squeals met his ears. “Freezing? Babe, this is like a sauna compared to what I’ve had to swim in.”
“Well, I’m not a crazy SEAL! I’m a normal person who has to slowly acclimate to the temperature of the water.”
“Slowly acclimate? What does that mean?”
“It means I’ll start with my feet and then my legs and then slowly ease in until my tummy can get used to the water. And then I’ll dip a little bit further until it gets up to my shoulders. Once I’m completely acclimated, then I can dip my head in.”
Eyes wide, he shook his head. “And how long does that acclimation process take?”
“Um… about thirty minutes.”
Barking out a laugh, he placed his hands on her waist. “Oh, hell no, babe.” He lifted her into the air, and she squealed.
“Don’t throw me in!” she cried, her hands grasping at his shoulders.
Throwing her in had crossed his mind, but the feel of her hands on his skin changed his mind. He pulled her tightly against his chest and slowly walked out into the water, away from the edge. “I’m not going to throw you, babe. I’ll keep you warm while you get a chance to get used to the water a little quicker. It’s my own personal acclimation process. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”
Safe with you? Lynn knew what he meant by those words, and she believed them. Except for my heart. I know he would keep me safe, but nothing can keep my heart safe from him.
The early morning hike through the mountains with him had been perfect. She had remembered a time as a child when she was hiking with her parents and a young couple passed by, hand in hand. She was probably only about twelve, but even then, she remembered thinking how romantic that seemed. And this morning had proven it was just as romantic as she could have imagined.
He had been sweet and attentive, listening as she babbled about the mountains, and so careful on the craggy overhang to not get close to the edge. And now, gliding through the water in his arms, she could not imagine anything more perfect. Occasionally, her gaze would snag on their wedding rings, still in place in case they ran into Errol, and the sight would score straight through her heart. She only prayed that this experience would not diminish the importance when she finally wore a wedding ring for real. And yet, she knew that she would always remember Nolan’s ring on her hand.
“Are you ready?”
Startled out of her musings, she looked around and discovered they were in the deep end of the pool. “Ready for what?”
“This!”
He bent his knees, and with his arm still around her, they dunked under the water before he quickly shot them back to the surface. She gasped and spluttered, shivered and shook, and could not hold back her laughter.
By then, she was completely used to the temperature of the water, and they swam and played for a while. Several times their faces were so close she wanted to lose herself in a kiss, but with families and children all around, they kept their actions PG.
Climbing from the pool, they weaved their way amongst others to their loungers and let the sun warm their bodies and dry their suits. She rolled her head to the side and enjoyed the view of his muscular form on display. It had not passed her attention that he garnered quite a few looks, from teenagers to older women. She fought the urge to shout ‘You can look but don’t touch!’ but just smiled as she realized he ignored all other women and only focused on her.
“What do you want to do for lunch?”
He smiled and shoved his glasses onto the top of his head. “We probably should eat light for lunch and hit the huge dinner buffet later on. We can get a sub to share and take it up to the room. I know you wanted to get some work done before dinner.”
“That sounds perfect. I even thought about a videoconference with Nancy just to let her know what I was finding out, but I may wait until tomorrow morning to do that.”
Standing at the same time, they grabbed their towels from their loungers and dropped them once more into her bag. They left the outdoor pool and headed into the resort. As was becoming another habit, their hands simply came together, linking fingers as they walked. She felt his eyes on her and continued as he made their way to the elevator. “This weekend hasn’t turned out to be anything like I thought it would, but it’s been really nice.”
“What did you think it was going to be like?” he asked.
Her shoulders lifted in a shrug, and she admitted, “Well, I thought it would go more according to plan. You know, we’d get to the wedding chapel and we’d have a chance to sneak into the office while Errol was gone and the officiant and Junelle were just waiting on us. I thought it would be a quick in and out kind of job.”
“In and out?” His chuckle rang out in the hall. “I think you can definitely say I was in and out.”
Glad there was no one else around, she playfully slapped his arm. “You know what I mean.” Unable to keep the blush from her face, she admitted, “I have to confess that your version of in and out was much better.”
They had reached the room, and he threw open the door. As soon as they entered, he whirled her around and kissed her soundly. Mumbling against her lips, he said, “Babe, being in and out of your body has been nothing short of amazing.”
They broke the kiss just long enough for him to order a sub, salad, chips, and soda. She had made her way into the bathroom to get ready for a shower, but he had other ideas. With her back against the tile and her thighs resting over his arms, he entered her slowly. Warm water pounded their bodies as her hands clutched his slick skin, and their eyes never left each other’s as his cock thrust into her sex.
Crying out each oth
er’s name as their bodies joined in a dance as old as time, they came together. Her heart pounded inside her chest, and she knew that it beat for him, but she could not find it in herself to have one single regret.
15
Used to working alone, Lynn was surprised at how easy it was to adapt to having Nolan nearby. The desk in the room was near the sofa, and while she sat in the chair and looked over the financial records from the chapel, Nolan made sure she had a plate with food and a drink close at hand. Once he had taken care of her, he settled into the corner of the sofa that was closest to her and watched TV, keeping the volume low.
She occasionally made comments about what she was finding, and he would give his undivided attention to her as they talked about the case. While working, her gaze would drift to the side occasionally and she would stare at his profile. He exuded strength, and yet the way his eyes twinkled when he laughed was what she loved the most. Glancing down at his muscular arms and torso, she remembered their time in the shower and considered amending her favorite body part.
She continued working throughout the afternoon, then finally stood and stretched. His legs were propped on top of the coffee table, and she stepped over him, plopping onto the sofa. He tossed his empty plate onto the cart and twisted to pull her closer. His hands on her shoulders, he kneaded her tight muscles.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
It was hard to think with his hands working magic on her body, but she replied, “He’s definitely hiding money. I can see where Junelle records the information about the weddings that they host. She inputs the type, including all the specifics that would involve having to pay someone else. That would be like paying for a bakery, musicians, a DJ, florist, photographer, videographer, and the officiant. She appears to be very efficient in keeping those records, but once she inputs her data, I don’t see that she has anything else to do with the financial records.”
Hot SEAL, Undercover Groom (SEALs in Paradise) Page 12