Chapter 8 Kayla
KAYLA
It’s got to be fate. When I opened the door to find the hot seagull guy on my doorstep, I knew the universe was trying to tell me something.
Not only is Seth hot, but he’s also smart and awkwardly sweet.
I’ve caught him looking at me intensely a few times in a way that makes my body heat up. But he’s been nothing but respectful, keeping eye contact and making conversation even though I can see it’s an effort for him.
I was beginning to think the attraction only went one way until he asked me out. Even then, I’m not sure if he means it as a date or as grabbing some food while he’s on a job. I don’t care. Any time I can spend in Seth’s presence is good.
He’s the first person I’ve met here who I feel totally relaxed around—relaxed and safe.
“You never told me how long you’ve been in Temptation Bay,” Seth asks as we stroll along the pier.
My hands clasp the warm paper that my fish and chips are wrapped in, the greasy smell making my stomach rumble.
“About two weeks.”
He nods thoughtfully, something he does a lot.
“What brought you here?” he asks.
Now that’s a very good question. I was suffocating under my dad’s overprotectiveness. I couldn’t stand seeing my mother cry. I missed my sister even though I was so proud of her when she went back to college this semester.
“I needed a change of scene.” I settle on that because it’s the truth, just not all of the truth.
“I know what you mean.”
We stop by a bench that faces the water. I notice the awkward way Seth eases into the seat. He walks with a slight limp, and he rubs his leg as he sits.
I want to ask him about it, but it feels rude.
“When I got back from the military, I felt lost,” he tells me.
“You were in the military?”
I can’t hide my surprise. I had him pegged for a computer geek. I give him an appraising look.
When I think about it, he is buff for a computer guy, with broad shoulders and a hard chest hiding under his t-shirt.
My eyes run over his muscular arms, and there’s instant heat between my legs. I wonder what it would be like to have those arms wrapped around me, to be pinned down by them.
He turns to me, and I hope he can’t read my thoughts.
“Special forces. They need all sorts of, ah, specialist skills.”
Oh wow. He was some kind of elite force, probably hacking into systems or making fake passports.
“Oh, that sounds”—it’s my turn to be awkward as I search around for the right word—“impressive.”
He ducks his head. A modest hero.
“Nah, just a bunch of guys doing what had to be done.”
Wow. He’s as modest as he is hot. And that’s making me hot.
“Thank you for your service.”
I feel humbled. I’ve done nothing with my life, and here this man is serving our country and getting injured along the way.
Our thighs knock together on the seat, and he turns to look at me. Our faces are so close I can see the different shades of blue in his eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
Seth’s eyes flick to my lips, and I know without a doubt that he wants to kiss me. And Lord, do I want him to kiss me.
My lips part and I lean into him. His mouth touches mine, tentatively at first and then firmer.
White heat courses through my body, and the twinge between my legs grows into a throbbing need as his tongue finds mine.
With one kiss, Seth’s making my whole body come alive in a way that I’ve never felt before. Sure, I’ve kissed guys, but never like this. It’s never felt this electric, this intense, this…right.
His hand slides into my hair, and I feel every nerve ending stand on end as he cradles my head, pulling me toward him and deepening the kiss.
A salt breeze whips around us, whipping my hair into my face and tangling us together.
There’s a loud caw, and something tugs at the wrapped food I’m clasping on my lap.
We break away, and I feel the loss of him like a cold wind on my body.
“Hey!”
Mr. Red is flapping above me. He ducks his head and pulls at the takeout wrapper.
“All right,” I laugh. “Wait your turn.”
Seth stands up and shoos the seagulls away, and Mr. Red divebombs his head, swerving away at the last moment.
He flaps his hands and we both laugh.
“Guess they’re impatient for their lunch.”
My lips tingle at the memory of the kiss, but the moment’s gone.
We unwrap our lunch and eat it with our thighs pressed together and a comforting warmth radiating off Seth.
We talk about everything and nothing. I ask him about the military, and he asks me about my life. It seems paltry next to what he’s done.
After lunch is finished, we hold hands all the way back to my apartment. I want to invite Seth in, but it’s too forward.
I don’t know if the kiss was just a kiss to him or something more. And I know I should get to know him more before I invite him in, but I know in the deepest parts of my body that he’s safe and he’s the man for me.
Instead, he pecks me on the cheek, and I watch him walk away, dragging his bad leg behind him.