Page 88 of Nails

He tightened his arm around and pulled her back against his chest.She wiggled a little and then rolled over slowly to face him, being careful with her shoulder.Their noses were almost touching, and she snuggled closer.

“You okay?”he asked softly as he brushed a stand of hair from her face.The tenderness in his voice melted something inside her.

“A little sore,” she admitted.

His brows pulled together with concern.“Damn it, Riley.Maybe we shouldn’t have—”

She placed a finger gently on his lips.“Hey.Not a bad sore.I just used some muscles last night that I haven’t used in a while.And maybe a little sore from what happened at the club.”

The bruises on her cheek and the ache in her shoulder were still very real reminders of what she’d survived.But last night with Nails?She didn’t regret a second of it.

“I don’t regret it, Nails,” she added.“At all.”

His expression eased a little, though his thumb continued to trace along her hip with careful reverence.“I don’t like seeing you hurt,” he murmured.

“I know,” she whispered.“But I’m okay.”

They lay in silence for a few more moments, the comfort of their tangled limbs enough to quiet the lingering heaviness in the room.

“So, I have a question for you,” he said, his voice still sounding sleepy.

She quirked her eyebrow.“Yeah?”

“Wanna go on a date with me?”

She laughed.“A date?”

He nodded.

She smirked.“You mean you want to take me on a date after we’ve already slept together?”

He grinned.“Well, I figured I’d change things up.You know, sex first.”

She laughed, rolling her eyes.“Okay, I’m listening.What’s your big romantic plan, SEAL?”

“The carnival,” he said, grinning.“Down by the docks.It’s in town for the weekend.I thought we could sneak over for a bit and stuff our faces with junk food, listen to music, and ride some crazy rides.”

Riley stared at him for a beat, trying to figure out if he was joking.But then he arched his eyebrow as if telling her that he was waiting for an answer.

“You want to take me to a carnival?”

“Yeah,” he said, his grin softening.“I figured you could use a fun day out.”

She felt a little ache in her chest.“I haven’t been to a carnival since I was a kid.My mom took me once, the year before she died.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed it.“Then let’s make a new memory.”

Her smile was slow, but full.“Are you sure that you’re okay with it?I mean, crowds and noise are not exactly SEAL-approved environments.”

He shrugged like it was nothing.“If I start hyperventilating, you can protect me.”

She laughed, but then looked into his eyes.“I’d love to go to the carnival with you.I mean, Adam gave me the day off.So, it’s not like I have anything else to do.”

Nails furrowed his eyebrows.“Asshole,” he muttered, making Riley laugh.

“What’s so funny?”he asked.

Riley sat up a little, propping herself on her elbow.She arched one of her eyebrows.“Are you jealous?”