A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(36)
“Not if you really don’t want me to, but…you have them hidden away like they’re something dark and hideous when I think they should be put out on display. You took something painful and turned it into something truly beautiful. You should be proud of them.” Hoping somehow to sooth the wound she’d clearly just poured salt into, she shrugged and shot him a playful grin. “If they don’t sell, you can tell me I told you so, and I’ll keep them for decoration. Because I love them.”
Finally, he rolled his eyes, the stiffness leaving his shoulders. “Fine. Six pieces.”
She rubbed her hand over his chest, serious now. “Give me your favorites. The ones you’re the most proud of.”
His gaze narrowed, and he leaned down, touching his nose to hers. “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Hayes.” He kissed her cheek and pivoted, waving a hand behind him as he strode for the front entrance. “See you in an hour.”
Exactly an hour later, Trent pulled up out front, not in Will’s silver BMW, but in Skylar’s red Mercedes. Lauren watched through the front windows as he climbed from the SUV, moved around to the rear, and popped the hatch. He pulled out a dolly cart and set it on the ground, then hefted out the carved bear. This was one of those days when she sincerely wished it was warmer. She was sure under the bulk of his leather jacket, those biceps of his were bulging, and God how she would have loved to watch.
Elise came to stand beside her, resting her hands on the glass surface, and nodded in Trent’s direction. “What’s he got?”
Lauren answered without looking. “My birthday present. He carved that. Can you believe it? I’m having him set it up by the front door. An impromptu welcome sign if you will. I think it’s adorable.”
Trent came through the front door then, pushing it open with his behind as he wheeled the dolly in.
Elise gave a hum of appreciation beside her. “Nice backside, that one.”
Lauren jerked her gaze to her friend, who’d never once in the five years she’d been working here made such a blatant remark. “Elise!”
Elise gave a lighthearted laugh and winked at her. “I’m old, sweetie. Not dead.”
Elise turned her gaze out front again. They stood for a moment, watching Trent heft that not-small bear into the corner by the front window. When he had it in place, Elise let out a low whistle, then turned and headed to the back room, leaving Lauren giggling in her wake.
Lauren rounded the counter, moving toward Trent as he adjusted the bear to face the window. “You better have brought the others with you or you’ll be having dinner on your own this evening.”
“Slave driver.” Trent chuckled. Bear in place, he straightened and closed the space between them, standing this side of too close. His scent swirled around her, fresh air and something uniquely him. His eyes narrowed, glinting with a heady mixture of amusement and heat. “I have ways of convincing of you to have dinner with me, you know.”
Never one to back down from a fight, playful or otherwise, Lauren straightened her shoulders and took a step toward him, until her belly brushed his. Not that she could resist the urge to tease him. The play between them was addicting. He was sexy as hell when that mischievous gleam lit in his eyes. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
He darted a glance behind her, then hooked an arm around her waist and dragged her flush against him. “Oh, that’s a promise, doll.”
Lauren’s breath caught, and for a moment she could only stare at him. Oh, she hadn’t expected him to do that. Trent was mightily aroused.
He leaned down, turning his mouth to her ear. “I’ve been hard for three days thinking about you.” Just as quickly, he pulled away and pivoted, leaving her to stare after him as he headed for the front entrance. “Come on. You can help me bring the carvings in.”
Ten minutes later they stood staring at the shelf where she’d set the carvings up on display. Turned out a few of the pieces he’d brought over were the ones he’d told her he’d carved for her—a set of three female garden gnomes. One of them was a dark-haired baker holding a cupcake and wearing an apron, another, an older female with a basket of flowers, and finally, there was a cute little gentleman asleep leaning against a mushroom.
He’d also brought an old-fashioned Santa, which she knew his mother collected, and two dogs, a beautiful German shepherd, and a Labrador retriever. Tomorrow she’d make him a sign, letting the public know they were carved by a local artist.
Trent’s hand slid into hers where it rested at her side, his long fingers threading through hers. “I appreciate your faith in me, you know.”
She squeezed his fingers and looked over at him. “So where are we headed?”
Not that she cared. She only had a month with him like this. She intended to enjoy the time she had. Letting him go would be hard. She’d have to let him put her back in that safe little box he seemed to keep her in. It would be worth it, though, because for a month he was hers.
He finally glanced over at her, blue eyes relaxed and searching her face. “I have to give Skylar back her car and pick up my bike first, but I thought we’d take a ride to the waterfront. We could stop somewhere along the way and get some takeout, bring it to Chism Park?”
She smiled and nodded. “Sounds good.”
An hour later they stood staring out over the waters of Lake Washington. Dinner had been Chinese. They’d sat in the grass, eating from paper cartons, and talked about their days while staring out over the serene lake. Trent stood behind her now, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her right shoulder.