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Shine couldn't believe how easy it was with Rowan. Way back when they'd first met that week at the camp, they had gotten along well. But they'd been kids. Now they were older, and life had changed them. He'd never been the type to even try to make a relationship work. No one had measured up. Now he wondered if he’d just been waiting for Rowan.

There was no way he would have sat around with any of the women he had one-night stands with and played cards. He also would have never chatted with them like he'd talked to Rowan. There was something refreshing about being with her, and he wanted to see where it led.

Maybe he'd been a jerk before, but he went into any connection telling them he wasn't there for a long time, only a good time. He should have looked Rowan up before and found her. She was the one he wanted.

After dinner, he helped Rowan clean the kitchen. It was nice to have someone help him with dinner and cleanup. He was so used to doing it on his own .

“You’re being quiet now. Everything okay?”

He flashed a smile. “Yes. Sorry. I’m used to being alone and was just thinking.”

Her chuckle warmed him. “I get that.”

“Having someone to talk to is nice. But I also need time to think.”

“It’s healthy to know what you need.”

“So what about you?”

"I have a book club that I'm a member of and a group that gets together once a month. I try to keep up with friends, but honestly, it's difficult at times. We're all busy, so I don't get a chance to talk to them as much as I like."

He flashed a smile. "I get that. There were a few people who I was great friends with when I first joined the Navy. Then life happened. I try to keep up, but it's hard. I'm a SEAL now, so I have certain responsibilities they don't."

"I guess you can't have meet-ups with everyone."

He shook his head. "No, not with us stationed all over the world. A few guys have quit. Well, more than a few. The military isn't for everyone, and they opted out. I think I'm in it until retirement, but I don't know. Maybe I'll leave, but I like it."

She shrugged. “Yeah, the military is not for everyone. I see that in my practice.”

“You see a lot of people.”

“Yes. But it keeps it interesting. I like the variety. It’s also rewarding to help people find success after they’ve come to see me. I like the success stories.”

“Same for my line of work.”

He liked that she laughed at his comment. He had seen guys destroyed when their significant others couldn't hack the realities of being married to someone in the military. There were plenty of guys who screwed up their relationships, but there were also their spouses who couldn't handle being left alone during deployment or couldn’t deal with the danger military members faced overseas. Being in the military or associated with the military was a harsh environment to live in.

“Based on tonight, I think we’re doing good in the getting along department.”

He reached for her and led her over to the couch. When he sat, he pulled her onto his lap and nuzzled her neck. The small noises she made turned him on. He kissed his way up to her lips and liked how she plastered her body against his. If he wasn’t careful, they’d end up without their clothes on.

He ended the kiss and pulled her against him so his face was in her hair. He wanted to feel every part of her body up against his, but he shouldn’t. They hadn’t been together that long. He had to leave before it went too far.

“I should go.”

Now it was her turn to sigh. “I know you should. Doesn’t mean I want you to.”

“I enjoyed spending time with you. How about you come over on Wednesday evening?”

Rowan climbed off his lap and then turned to look at him. “Wednesday would be good. I have book club on Thursday.”

"This weekend, the guys might want to get together and meet you."

“That would be fun.”

Her words brought a smile to his lips. He stood and placed a quick kiss on her nose. “I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“Wednesday.”

He left her apartment, not daring to stay longer. The second he got home, he needed to get some relief from being close to her all evening. Everything about her was attractive, from her smile to her body and her intelligence. Rowan really was the whole package. Now, they just needed time to get to know each other before they took their relationship to the next level.