6. Chapter 6
Chapter six
Warlock
Several days later, I’m still thinking about Tallahassee. Strategizing a game plan not only to earn her trust but finding a way to get her to agree to go out with me.
I know I can’t chase her or storm through her barriers.
If I scare her, she’ll run from me. My approach has to be different to have any chance of lowering her defenses.
I have to be subtle and sneak through covertly; chip away at her walls one piece at a time so she doesn’t realize what I’m doing until it’s too late.
As usual, the six of us and Peanut are starting our day with a run on the beach.
Peanut rounds out our team. A Belgian Malinois, he’s eighty pounds of deadly, well-trained muscle and barely contained energy wrapped in fur. He’s as much a part of the team as any of the rest of us.
We’ve only gone a few miles when I spot a woman jogging ahead of us. A woman I’d recognize anywhere.
Tallahassee.
I can’t believe my good fortune. This is my chance to begin razing her walls and breaking through her defenses. I can’t control my grin. “Give me a minute, guys.”
I lengthen my stride and catch up, keeping enough space between us so I don’t spook her.
She has earbuds in. Her face is flushed, and there’s a light sheen of sweat along her forehead.
She senses my presence and twitches, jerking her head in my direction.
The scowl that flashes across her face transforms into one of surprise, and she stutter-steps when she realizes it’s me.
It’s so slight, I almost miss it. After a fleeting glance, she focuses straight ahead, ignoring me and concentrating on her run.
She doesn’t speak, so neither do I.
After a hundred feet or so, her head tips toward me again.
When our eyes meet, she looks away once more.
The third time her attention turns my way, she assesses my running gear, taking in my shorts and t-shirt with the Navy emblem.
I remain silent but quirk an amused eyebrow so she’s aware I witnessed her blatant perusal.
A blush that has nothing to do with exertion flushes her cheeks, and she quickly averts her eyes.
My patience pays off when several minutes later she finally tugs out her earbuds. “Are you following me?”
I don’t take offense at her accusatory tone, keeping my response calm and casual, “No. Are you following me?”
“What? Pfft. No.” She sounds indignant, and I fight to control my smile. “What are you doing here?”
I hook my thumb over my shoulder. “PT. Running with the guys.”
She cranes her neck to glance behind us. All five of my teammates and the dog are there, trailing us at a distance.
They grin and wave at her. “Hey, Tallahassee!” they collectively call out.
She gives them a tentative wave back.
Our strides fall into sync. “So, come here often?” I tease, hoping to draw her out of her shell.
“Now and then.” Her response is frosty, but she’s communicating, so I’ll take it as a win.
“How far are you going today?”
“Five miles.”
“That’s a decent warm-up,” I say with a smile.
“How far are you going?”
“Ten miles. Then we’ll hit the gym.”
I can see that I’ve caught her off guard again when her brows lift. “What are you, some kind of masochist?”
I huff out laugh. “Not a masochist. It’s part of the job.”
She tries to hide her interest from me. “Do you do this every day?”
“Most days. How about you? Do you do this every day?”
“Most days,” she repeats. She lets a few beats of silence hang between us. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course. You can ask me anything.”
“You guys aren’t regular Navy, are you? You’re some kind of special ops?”
“We are.” I’m thrilled she’s engaging with me, and don’t see the harm in telling her the truth. “We’re SEALs.”
She nods as if my admission confirms her suspicions. “That explains a lot. That’s a high-risk, unpredictable job.” There’s a level of unease in her voice and worry in her eyes.
Her concern touches something fundamental deep within me.
Relationships with SEALs aren’t easy. Most fail.
It takes a special kind of woman to handle the secrecy and long absences.
But it’s too soon for that conversation.
I don’t want my job to be an obstacle between us when I’m finally beginning to make progress with her.
“Tallahassee, look at me.”
Those big blue eyes find mine without hesitation.
“We’re well-trained. We know what we’re doing. Our goal is for all of us to always come home whole.”
“But it’s still dangerous.”
I tell her the truth because I don’t want to lie to her. “Yes. It is. Are you worried about me?”
She turns her attention away from me. “Maybe.”
Even spoken so softly, that single word sends my heart racing.
“I want you to know,” I say casually. “After I finish my run, I’m heading to the coffee shop for my morning caffeine fix.” I point at her. “Don’t follow me.”
She ducks her head, trying to hide it, but I feel victorious when I catch the faint curve of her lips.
It’s only a tiny chink in her armor, but I can live with that. While I’d rather stay and keep talking, I don’t want to push her too far or damage the delicate progress I’ve made. It’s best to leave while I’m ahead.
“Enjoy the rest of your run, Tallahassee.”
She inclines her head. “Yeah, you too.”
Lifting my left arm, I give the guys a hand signal and veer away from her. They’re quick to catch up, and with a chorus of “See you, Tallahassee,” we pick up the pace and jog away.
It takes effort, but I don’t look back.