Her Next Breath (Uncharted SEALs Book 2) (11 page)

“She’s pretty, right?”

“Yeah.” He straightened, knowing his cheeks were turning red, because Suri already knew he thought Piper was hot.

“Ask her where she’s from…” she whispered, while she waved at Piper, “…and how long she plans on staying. Find out what she’s seen while she’s been here.”

He rolled his eyes. “Suri, I don’t do small talk.”

“Then ask her to go to bed with you.”

His eyes widened, and his gut clenched.
If only it was that easy
.

She snickered. “Yeah, you can’t start with that.”

He got her point and took a deep, fortifying breath before turning back to Piper and his two friends, who were all chatting amiably together. He stepped beside her and passed the beer.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Deke looked at Jax, who looked behind Wolf, no doubt at a wildly gesturing Suri.

“We better check on the steaks,” Jax said. “And despite what any man will tell you, only two guys are required to man a grill.”

Piper laughed, and then turned her gaze on Wolf. “Suri warned me you’re a man of few words.”

“I spend a lot of time alone.” He shrugged. “I don’t get much practice. Especially, with women.”

“That’s okay. I’m not a huge talker either.”

Her gaze held his, boldly, maybe with a hint of challenge, and more of his tension eased. He might not be a great conversationalist, but he was very, very good at reading people—although usually from eight hundred yards. But standing inches from Piper, and locking with her pretty green gaze, he knew one thing for certain. She was attracted.

A slight blush colored her cheeks, and her gaze slid away toward the water.

Wolf raised his bottle and clinked it gently against hers. “Nice to meet you, Piper.”

“You found your tongue.”

“Can you blame me for losing it?” His gaze swept her body.

She arched one dark auburn eyebrow. “I’m wearing more than a lot of girls wear when they’re on the beach.”

Wolf’s chest was rising and falling faster, and he wished for his scope to still the excitement racing through him. The sight of her, so close, so golden, was only slightly more alluring than her scent. “You smell amazing,” he said, drawing in a deep breath.

She laughed, and then blushed brighter. “I don’t think a man has every said that to me before.”

“Sorry if it was too personal, but it’s hard to think.”

“Because I smell so good?”

“Because I want to kiss you.”

She shook her head, but she didn’t step away or look particularly alarmed. “Think Suri might stop staring through the window if you did?”

The corners of his mouth kicked upward. “I didn’t scare you?”

“You’re…kind of intense. But I’m not scared.”

He liked the even tone of her voice. She hadn’t gone all breathy like most women. And her gaze was steady. So he took a chance. “Maybe we should just get it over with.”

She held her hand against her chest and fluttered her eyelids. “You are a romantic man.”

He grunted. “You know I’m not.”

“And it seems I don’t care,” she said softly. “Let’s do it.” She set aside her beer and raised her arms to place her hands on his shoulders.

With his heart beginning to pound, he set his drink beside hers, and then eased closer, smoothing his hands over her ass, hoping she’d allow it, daring her to protest.

Piper’s blush was a brilliant red, but she tilted her face. Inviting him.

Dayum.
As he bent, something inside Wolf seemed to click. The girl. The moment. One shot. He’d better not miss.