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Shine kept his eyes on Rowan for the first few minutes, making sure she was okay. It seemed like she was getting along with Danika and Nichole, which he hadn't really worried about. Both Danika and Nichole were good people. The guys seemed to be okay with her, too.

Once they had the meat on the grill, Sharp turned toward him. "You ready for whatever they throw at us tomorrow?"

Shine shrugged. “I’m ready.”

Griz was right there. “Any idea what they’re talking about?”

Sharp’s lips twisted up to one side. “Maybe. It might be in relation to the unrest that is happening. We’ll find out soon enough.”

Shine agreed. They would find out soon enough. He liked being a SEAL, but part of the gig was not overthinking things like when they would be called out and where they were going. The people that drove those decisions were a much higher pay grade. He’d learned that his thoughts about circumstances shouldn’t play into how he felt about a mission. They were there to carry out orders, not make them.

Griz angled his head toward Rowan. “Everything going okay with your new girlfriend?”

Shine couldn't help the smile that came to his lips. "Oh yeah. It's great."

“So you think you’ll last?”

Shine wasn't sure how to take Griz's question. Was the guy asking it flippantly, or did he want a deeper answer?

“I think so. I mean, who knows, but I have a good feeling about Rowan.”

Griz nodded slowly. “You haven’t really known her for long.”

Shine slowly shook his head. “No, I haven’t, but there’s this intensity between us.”

Jay stood beside him and threw his arm around Shine's shoulder. "Intensity is good. I think you two will be good together."

He shrugged. “I hope so.”

They wanted a life together. Now, they just needed to spend time with each other. He didn't want to speed things along, but he knew slowing them down by leaving town wouldn't be good for either of them.

Rowan seemed to be having a great time. They ate, played frisbee, and spent some time just relaxing. By the end of the day, Rowan was giving everyone hugs. Griz said he wanted to take Thario home and talk some stuff over with him, so after making sure Thario was okay with that, he and Rowan left and headed to his house.

They unpacked the picnic supplies and were in the kitchen when the air seemed to shift. The sexual tension grew thick, leaving him with the urge to touch her. He reached out, running his fingers down the center of her body. She caught his hand, and for a second, he thought she was going to stop him, but she moved his hand over her breast. The invitation was clear. She wanted more.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want you. I want to feel you.”

His thumb grazed over her hard nipple, making it even harder. He pinched the nub, pulling lightly as she gasped. He wanted to see her reactions and leaned back. Her eyelids had lowered and looked half-hooded. A blush covered her cheeks. Her breasts rose and fell with each breath.

He wanted to see her nipples, so he tugged at the hem of her shirt, and she moved fast, pulling it over her head and tossing it to the floor. He watched as she pulled off her bra and tossed it on the ground. Her pale breasts were perfect and tipped with hard nipples that were rosy. The sight made him harder.

He cupped one breast and ran his thumb over her nipple, loving how her upper teeth sank into her lower lip. She was so responsive, and he wanted to keep watching, but he also wanted to taste her.

He pinched her nipple and tugged. “I bet you’re real reactive when you come.”

Her eyes rolled up in the back of her head, and her mouth dropped open. He had little doubt she would be a firecracker.

“Do you want more?”

"Yes," she moaned.

“Take off your pants and underwear.”

She moved quickly, stripping off the rest of her clothes. His cock was painfully hard, and a part of him wanted to push her up against the wall and take her. Instead of rushing, he pulled her into the bathroom and turned on the shower while he stripped. They'd been outside, and though the weather wasn't too hot, he'd gotten sweaty and didn't want to stink the first time they got together.

He checked the water and stepped in, pulling her in with him. He helped her wash her hair, and condition it before cleaning her body. His soaped up hands felt good running over her body, especially since her hands were on him, grazing lightly over his chest and abs. He liked how she explored him with her tentative hands that were becoming more sure with each touch.

When he slid his fingers between her legs, finding her clit, she arched toward him and groaned. He didn't let up and had her panting in minutes. He played with her clit until she was gasping and begging for release. Watching her come undone was like watching a beautiful sunset or a field of flowers blowing in the wind. When she gasped at him tugging at her nipple, her eyes grew brighter.

The sight of her, ready to burst from her orgasm, was beautiful. She began rocking her hips against his hand. Her gasps were sharper, and her moans longer.

When she finally came, he almost took her right then. But patience would get him more, so he finished rinsing off and turned off the water, then grabbed a towel, drying her thoroughly.

He picked her up, and laughter bubbled up as she settled into his arms. Once in the bedroom, he placed her in the center of the bed and stared down at her. She went up on her elbows, her legs spread just a little. She looked like a siren in a beautiful painting as she stared invitingly at him.