Finding Carly (SEAL Team Hawaii #5)(59)

“They aren’t that new,” Kenna protested. “Like Lexie said, our guys have a pattern. They fall hard and fast and they don’t fuck around in moving forward with their relationships.”

“I guess that’s why I’m kinda confused,” Carly admitted.

“About what?” Elodie asked gently.

“I’m attracted to him. And I think he likes me too.”

“He does,” Monica interjected.

Carly looked over at her. The reassurance somehow felt like it meant more coming from the usually quiet woman, than if it had come from Kenna or one of the others.

“Once or twice, I was the one who stopped him when things got too intimate. But I feel as if, had I not…he would’ve. He’s said a few things here and there that make me feel as if he’s not sure he wants to be intimate,” Carly admitted. She couldn’t believe she was talking about this, but she really needed some advice. “He gets hard, so I know he wants me, but he never pushes me for more. And I kind of want him too, now. But he seems content to just kiss and cuddle.”

“He probably isn’t sure if you’re ready for more,” Elodie suggested.

“He’s told me over and over again that he won’t move faster than I’m comfortable with,” Carly said. “But now that I’m sure I’m ready for more, I’m not sure he is.” She took a large sip of her drink, needing the liquid courage to continue. “I’m afraid he doesn’t want to do anything more.”

“I doubt that’s true,” Lexie said with a frown. “Maybe he’s trying to wait until your situation is resolved?”

“Well, shit, if that’s the case, we might be waiting forever,” Carly grumbled.

“Have you told him you want to have sex?” Kenna asked. “Sometimes guys are clueless. Especially ours. They’re super observant about what’s going on around them when they’re in SEAL mode, but when it comes to women…sometimes not so much.”

“I haven’t come right out and said anything like, ‘Fuck me, Jag, I’m ready,’” Carly said, knowing she was blushing.

“Maybe you should,” Kenna added with a shrug.

“That’s not me,” Carly protested. “I mean, heroines in books and movies say that stuff, but it just sounds so awkward in real life.”

“Then maybe you need to show him that you’re ready,” Lexie suggested.

“Yeah,” Elodie said, nodding. “Like strip off all your clothes and walk into the living room while he’s cooking and spread yourself on the table. He’ll get the hint then.”

Everyone laughed.

“I’m guessing that worked really well for you at some point?” Lexie teased the other woman.

Elodie blushed but nodded. “Oh, yeah,” she said dreamily. “It worked out very well for me.”

“We haven’t been naked with each other yet. There’s no way I could just nonchalantly walk around the apartment without any clothes on,” Carly said.

“You guys are sleeping together every night though, right?” Kenna asked.

Carly nodded. She’d confessed as much to Kenna recently. “Yeah. We usually have dinner, hang out and talk for a while, make out. Then we cuddle on the couch, I go to bed, and he comes in later.”

“You need to change that up,” Kenna told her. “Maybe invite him to come to bed at the same time you do. Yeah, the bathroom thing can be awkward…you know, peeing, brushing your teeth, changing. But maybe seeing you take off your clothes and putting on the T-shirt you stole from him to sleep in will give him a nudge in the right direction.”

“Or you could go down on him when he gets in bed,” Lexie suggested. “Guys love that.”

“I’ve never…I’m not sure I want to do that our first time,” Carly said awkwardly.

“What if you straddled him?” Kenna asked. “You said he pulls you close when he gets into bed, so why not just keep going, throw a leg over him? When you’re on top, look him in the eye and tell him you’re ready. That you want him.”

Carly blushed just thinking about doing that, but the more she considered it, the more she liked the idea. Jag had always been very careful not to push her too hard, but maybe if she made the first move, he’d feel more comfortable. He’d finally understand she truly was ready to make love with him.

“You guys are really good together,” Ashlyn said. “Anyone can see that you’re crazy about each other. Sometimes it’s just a matter of going after what you want.”

Carly nodded.

“So when are you going to go after what you want?” Lexie asked the other woman.

Ashlyn looked surprised. “Me?”

“Yeah, you,” Lexie said. “You said it was obvious that Carly and Jag are crazy about each other, and the same goes for you and Slate.”

Ashlyn blew out a long breath, shaking her head. “We can’t stand to be around each other most of the time,” she protested.

“Which usually just means you’re denying the obvious,” Elodie said.

“Don’t go thinking me and Slate are gonna end up married or anything,” Ashlyn said.

“Who said anything about getting married?” Kenna asked. “There’s nothing wrong with good ol’ fashioned fucking.”