Finding Carly (SEAL Team Hawaii #5)(77)

Jag had touched her more in the last several days than he had in the last couple of months. He seemed more…secure in his masculinity. He kissed her longer and harder, his hands lightly roamed her body when they lay down to sleep. He smiled easier, laughed more. It was as if the weight of the world was beginning to lift from his shoulders.

No, Carly wasn’t nervous in the least, she was excited about what making love might do for their relationship.

Kenna tilted her head as she studied Carly. Finally, she said, “I’m happy for you. Jag’s really great. Kind of quiet…but I have a feeling you’re helping him slay his demons.”

“Who said he has demons?” Carly asked a little defensively.

Kenna shrugged. “It’s fairly obvious…but not in a bad way. He’s relaxed a lot since meeting you. It’s a good thing, Carly. I’m not judging or anything.”

Carly forced herself to chill. “I know, sorry. And he is great. I literally don’t think I would’ve been able to make it through what happened without him.”

“Order’s up!” one of the cooks in the kitchen yelled, making both Kenna and Carly jump in surprise.

Kenna chuckled. “Jeez, he loves to do that,” she complained.

“Yup.” At one time, being startled like that would’ve sent Carly into a panic attack. She was proud that she could laugh it off now.

Glancing at her wrist, she saw that she only had twenty-five more minutes before she was done. Jag had texted earlier. The guys were working later than usual, and Aleck had arranged for the car service to pick up both her and Kenna.

Carly knew the time would come when she needed to start driving herself to work, but for the moment, she was content to keep things as they were. She was getting better, less frightened to be out by herself, but she also didn’t want to rush things. Baker was still working on uncovering who was helping Shawn, and the last thing Carly wanted to do was be one of those “TSTL” heroines in some of the romance books she liked to read.

Thinking about romance made her thoughts return to Jag. She couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her lips.

“Oh, Lord, don’t go daydreaming again,” Kenna complained. “Get your order out, woman.”

Carly smiled. “You’re just jealous,” she taunted.

“Nope. Really happy for you, actually. But knowing you’re gonna get some tonight makes me want to show my man how much I love him.”

Carly rolled her eyes as she put two chicken sandwich meals on her tray. She turned, balancing the tray on her shoulder, and looked at her friend. “Probably a good thing for all of us to make sure our men know how much we love them. I have a feeling they’re gearing up to be deployed again.”

Instead of disagreeing, as Carly had hoped she might, Kenna nodded. “Yeah, I’m getting that impression too.”

For a second, Carly felt the familiar panic begin to rise within her, but she pushed it down. She didn’t want to think about being on her own without Jag to lean on, to make her feel safe, but she vowed to never put more stress on him than he might already feel leading up to a mission. She’d be fine. She had close friends, and if she felt she was in danger, she’d just hole up in Jag’s apartment until he either returned or she felt brave enough to venture out again.

“Everything’ll be okay,” Kenna soothed, putting a hand on Carly’s free arm.

She nodded. “It will,” she agreed. Then smiled at her friend before turning to head into the dining room to deliver the meals. She wasn’t going to think about Jag leaving. It was inevitable, but she didn’t have to make herself sick wondering when or how long he’d be gone. This was a part of her life now, and she needed to prove to herself, and Jag, that she was strong enough to handle it.

For now, she wanted to concentrate on moving their relationship forward. And tonight was going to be the first step toward the rest of their lives.





The anticipation was thick in the air, but Carly did her best to ignore it. She’d put some chicken breasts in the oven when she’d gotten home from work, taken a shower, shaved her legs, and made sure to put on more of the cherry blossom lotion than usual, because she knew Jag loved it so much.

When he’d finally gotten home, they ate dinner, talked about how their days went, and generally tried to ignore the desire building between them.

But the second the dishes were put away, Jag backed Carly against the kitchen counter. He took her face in his hands and stared at her.

Carly grabbed hold of his wrists and held on as she met his gaze.

“You ready for this?”

“Yes.” There was absolutely no hesitation in her voice.

“Me too,” Jag said with a small smile.

Carly returned his grin. He’d showered when he’d gotten home and changed into the cotton pants he usually slept in. He wore one of his Navy T-shirts, and her fingers itched to slide under the hem and touch him skin-on-skin. But she kept her hands where they were. Jag needed to be in control tonight.

Without another word, he leaned down, kissed her hard and fast, then took her hand in his and headed out of the kitchen.

Knowing she had a goofy smile on her face, Carly followed eagerly. He led them into the master bedroom and didn’t stop until they were standing next to the bed.

“I’ve got condoms,” he blurted. It was almost cute how nervous he looked.