Finding Carly (SEAL Team Hawaii #5)(75)

“If you’re asking if that’s okay with me, it definitely is,” she said. Then she sobered. “But I want you to be sure you’re ready. I accidentally brought back a lot of awful memories for you the other night, and the last thing I want is for you to do something you’re not ready for. It’s only been a few days, Jag—”

“I’m ready,” he told her. “I regret what happened because I hurt you, but honestly, I’m also glad it happened. It forced me to finally face my past and take steps to move on. With you. You are not that bitch who hurt me. I love you, Carly, and there’s nothing I want more than to show you how much. I can’t promise I won’t have setbacks, but I know being with you will be nothing like it was with her.”

“You weren’t ‘with’ her,” Carly said fiercely. “And you’re right, it won’t, because I love you and you love me and I’d never, ever hurt you. I don’t expect or want you to be perfect in bed, Jag. I just want you.”

“So…tonight?” he asked.

“Yes. A hundred times yes.”

They smiled at each other. Jag closed his eyes for a moment, wondering how he’d gotten so lucky. Then he felt her hand on his cheek. He opened his eyes and got lost in the ocean-blue depths of her gaze.

She went up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. It was a brief caress, but Jag still felt his cock twitch. It was obvious he wasn’t going to have any issues getting hard, which was a relief. He’d gone through a period years ago where he couldn’t get aroused no matter what he did to try to stimulate himself.

“Jag?” she asked softly.

“Yeah?”

“You stink. You need to shower.”

He laughed. “Not surprised, considering how many burpees I did and all the running up and down the beach Mustang tortured us with this morning.”

But Carly didn’t pull away from him. She just smiled.

“Angel? If I’m gonna shower, you need to let go of me.”

“Fine,” she mock-huffed before slowly backing away. “By the time you get back out here, the cinnamon rolls will be done.”

“I can’t have carbs and sugar for breakfast,” he reminded her.

“Right, because that’s only for us mere mortals,” she joked. “Fine. I’ll make your protein shake. You can wash down your cinnamon roll with it.” She winked.

Jag laughed out loud once again as he turned to head down the hall to the bedroom.

“Jag?” Carly called out.

He turned. “Yeah?”

“Love you. And I’m so damn proud of you. Tonight’s gonna be amazing. Unforgettable.”

Her words made him feel complete. “Yes, it is,” he agreed. “I hope you’re ready for me,” he warned. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been with a woman…and I have a feeling I won’t be able to get enough of you.”

At least ten feet separated them, but Jag still felt the electrical current that he’d felt the first time he met her. He glanced down and saw her nipples, hard under the cotton T-shirt she had on.

“Bring it,” she said with the same chin lift he used with his friends.

Jag wanted nothing more than to stalk back into the kitchen, throw her over his shoulder, and haul her into the bedroom. But he needed to get to work, and Kenna would be there to pick her up soon. So he merely smiled and forced himself to walk away.

After showering and changing—and eating not one, but two cinnamon rolls, along with his protein shake—Jag had to get going. No matter how much he wanted to stay and hang out with Carly, he had a job to do.

Carly walked him to the door, and he couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms once more.

“Be careful at work today,” he said.

Her head tilted as she looked up at him. “I will, but…do you know something you aren’t telling me?”

“Not really,” Jag said. “When I talked to Baker earlier, he said he’s dug up some more stuff on Jeremiah, stuff from his past that’s concerning. We both agree it would be good if you kept an eye out for him and if you see him, immediately let me know.”

“I will,” Carly promised. “I feel more comfortable being out of the apartment, but every now and then I still feel as if I’m being watched. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but…” Her voice trailed off.

“Don’t discount your feelings,” Jag told her. “I can’t tell you how many times paying attention to something that simply felt off has saved our butts when we’re on a mission.”

Carly nodded.

“You’re still carrying the pocketknife I gave you, right?” Jag asked.

“Yes.”

“And the handcuff key?”

Carly smiled, nodding.

“And you’re paying attention when you’re walking, not looking at your phone?”

“Yes, Jag. I swear.”

He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, it won’t always be this way. There will be a time when you can relax and not worry about someone jumping out from behind a car or something.”

“I know,” she said with only a hint of concern in her voice. “It’s taking a while, but I’m slowly getting more confident about being able to protect myself.”