A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(9)

She reached out to touch him, needing to offer something, but thought better of it and pulled back, curling both hands around her cup. “Still have trouble, huh?”

One shoulder hitched in half-hearted fashion. He sat back in his chair and shifted his gaze to something behind her. “It comes and goes. I don’t sleep much.”

His gaze took on a faraway look, his eyes going glassy and unfocused, an expression she’d long since learned to recognize. Trent often got lost in his memories of the war. Was he lost now? Or just remembering? Recalling what his mother had told her about his disorder and how to gently pull him out it, she drummed her fingers on the table. “How’s your leg?”

He’d broken the femur of his right leg in two places when an IED went off. They’d pieced him together with plates and screws, his mother had told her. She recalled months of physical therapy. To this day, he walked with a slight limp.

Trent’s gaze returned to her. He blinked; then recognition dawned in his eyes. He reached beneath the table, and experience told her he was rubbing his right thigh. He did it often, though she’d never been certain whether it was a habit or because his leg still hurt.

“It aches when it rains. I’m looking forward to summer and a little dry weather for a change.” A sudden grin broke across his face, and he pointed a finger at her. “You don’t get off the hook that easily, you know. You never answered my question. Why use a dating service?”

She shrugged. “I want to lose my virginity before I’m too old to enjoy sex, and I’m kind of picky. I’d rather my first time be with a nice guy and not the selfish pricks I’ve managed to find. Mandy and Steph think I’m nuts, but….”

She let her words trail off as Trent froze in front of her. Like she’d told him she was from freaking Mars, he stared at her wide-eyed. “You’re a virgin? At twenty-seven?”

Lauren rolled her eyes. Out of everything she’d told him, of course he’d focus on that. As if it were the most absurd idea he’d ever heard. Hell, it probably was.

She hiked her chin a notch, determined not to give in to the urge to shrink back and blush. Steph wouldn’t. So tonight she’d pretend to be a little more like Steph. “I wasn’t supposed to be after tonight.”

He studied her for a long moment. Then his brows rose practically into his hairline. As if he’d suddenly gotten her none-too-subtle hint. “Wait a minute…Were you planning to seduce your date tonight?”

Another statement spoken like he couldn’t believe it was even possible.

Deciding to grab the proverbial bull by the horns, she held his gaze. It didn’t make her feel any less like she glowed toxic green, but she felt stronger at least. More fortified. “Right out of his uniform.”

Tension moved over Trent. He jerked his head to the right, looking down the street, and mumbled something under his breath. She didn’t quite catch what it had been, but it sounded an awful lot like, “Lucky son of a bitch.”

Every inch of her tingled with sudden awareness. While some part of her brain told her to leave this conversation alone, the part of her that secretly crushed on him refused to let it go. Tonight was supposed to be about stepping outside her comfort zone. If she wanted to get laid, she’d have to learn to do this. Right?

So she stared at his profile, drew a deep breath, and sent up a silent prayer. “Excuse me?”

His gaze darted in her direction. He rubbed the back of his neck and shifted in his seat. “I said I find it hard to believe that you’d need to try so hard to have sex. If I were your date tonight, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.”

Her heart thumped a hopeful beat. Surely he hadn’t admitted he was attracted to her?

God help her. She had to know. “You are my date tonight, and that’s a non-answer. What if I told you I’m glad I ended up with you tonight? What if I made you that offer? What would you do then?”

Maybe it was the wrong thing to say to him, but hell, if she was going for broke, she might as well put it all out there. Maybe he’d do something really crazy and admit he was attracted to her, too. Or take her up on her indecent offer.

Trent turned his head, looking off down the busy street. “That’s flattering, doll, but I’d have to turn you down.”

When her heart sank into her toes she realized she’d spent the last few moments hoping. Seeing the impassive expression on his face made her chest hurt. Clearly she really was just a friend to him. The woman no man seemed to want. To hear it from him, of all people, only made it sting more. Maybe it was a stupid schoolgirl’s crush, but it still stabbed at her heart to see the rejection on his face.

“Thanks for the coffee. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” Too embarrassed to stay any longer, she pushed away from the table, wobbling her way toward the light on the corner. What a complete and utter disaster. Maybe she was better off as a virgin. No man to let her down at the end of the night.

Behind her, Trent let out a quiet curse, but Lauren ignored the sound and kept walking as fast as she could on what felt like stilts. When she was halfway down the sidewalk, he darted in front of her, forcing her to stop. She made to sidestep around him, but he caught her arm and ducked down to look her in the eye. “What did you want me to say to that? You’re my sister’s best friend. Not to mention I’m ten years older than you.”