Page 5 of SEAL’s Paradise (Alpha SEALs Hawaii #6)

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S AWYER GLANCED IN HIS bathroom mirror, scrubbing a hand over his jaw.

He’d shaved that morning but already had a five o’clock shadow.

More than one woman had told him his dark stubble was sexy, and he wondered what Riley thought of it.

She’d certainly eyed him appreciatively all the times he’d frequented Coconuts.

Not that she’d ever admit to it.

He chuckled. Sweet little Riley as some sort of undercover operative?

It made little sense. And she’d mentioned she worked with her sister.

But for who? It was hard to believe Riley had contacts hiring her out to complete undercover investigations.

Then again, if she’d worked for the government before, she might very well know all types of people.

Moving back into his bedroom, he pulled on a dark polo shirt and khaki pants.

That was about as fancy as he got unless he was in his dress uniform.

He wondered what Riley would have on for their date tonight.

Normally, she was in her waitressing uniform.

She’d looked good earlier. Those tight jeans had hugged her curves to perfection.

He itched to get his hands on her—his lips.

His tongue. Part of his interest in her was no doubt because she was so different than other women he met.

Typically, he was fine with the ladies who had no trouble coming on to him, who’d gone into the bar for exactly one reason—to meet a man for a good time.

His phone buzzed, and he grabbed it from his dresser, frowning as he saw Wyatt’s name on the screen.

“What’s up, man?” Sawyer asked.

“I just got off the phone with Ryan,” Wyatt said, referring to their teammate Ryan “Renegade” Pierce. “There’s possible intel on Luciana.”

Sawyer stilled. “What’d you find out?”

“There was a sighting of a woman fitting her description in Panama City. A few of the other Doctors Without Borders staff have been keeping their eyes and ears open. They didn’t see her directly but heard from a source there.

The woman—one of the staffers—reached out to Avery since they know that Ryan is military. ”

“Right,” Sawyer said with a nod. “It makes sense given that one of them contacting Ryan was what allowed us to rescue Avery in the first place.”

“Agreed. That nurse left Doctors Without Borders given the incident involving Avery and Luciana, but their kidnapping no doubt made everyone there more on edge and alert.”

“So, about this source,” Sawyer said. “Are we looking further into the possible sighting of Luciana?”

“Affirmative,” Wyatt told him. “It could be nothing, but I spoke with the CO. The commander is unhappy that Avery’s roommate was left behind. There’s a chance we’ll get sent out this week if we can determine the credibility of the intelligence.”

Sawyer let out a low whistle. “Understood,” Sawyer said with a frown. “I hope it’s her. Avery hates that we left her roommate down there, missing and unaccounted for. Luciana may not be an American citizen, but no one deserves that kind of life, most likely stuck in the hands of a cartel.”

“Shit. I know,” Wyatt said, his voice grim. “I just hope this potential lead is solid. Too much time has already passed. I know you probably can’t talk much at the moment. Are you with Riley right now?”

“Negative, but I’m heading over there soon.”

“What’s this about?” Wyatt asked, sounding confused. “No offense, Saint, but she doesn’t seem like your type at all. Riley is way too sweet for you.”

Sawyer chuckled and then cleared his throat. “When I find out more from her tonight, I’ll be happy to fill you in. It turns out she’s not what she seems.”

“That sounds like a story,” Wyatt commented.

“It is,” Sawyer promised. “I’ll tell you the moment I know more. I just want to make sure I can trust her first. Make sure she’s really who she claims she is.”

There was a pause, and then Wyatt cleared his throat. “Well, you know I trust your judgment. I’m quite interested to hear this one. Fill me in when you can, Saint.”

“Will do, Wildcard,” he said, calling Wyatt by his nickname. Funny given that Wyatt was pretty much a straight-shooter. Sawyer smirked as he hung up the phone. He was no fucking saint, which was exactly how he’d ended up with that moniker in the first place.

The things he wanted to do with Riley? Not exactly what you’d write home to tell your mama about.

He could just imagine Riley blushing as he whispered all his dirty thoughts in her ear.

He could be quite imaginative in the bedroom.

Just the idea of teasing and pleasuring her had his cock half-hard already.

Sawyer checked his reflection in the mirror, his eyes filled with mischief.

Riley had no idea what she was in for tonight.

***

T HIRTY MINUTES LATER , Sawyer’s gaze surveilled the area as he strode toward Riley’s condo.

He wasn’t sure if she owned or rented the place, but no matter.

It was interesting to see where she lived.

The place was a cute, little walk-up style condo building.

He climbed a flight of stairs, noting she was on the second floor.

It was best never to be on the ground level for security purposes.

It would be tough for someone to get the jump on Sawyer or his friends, but Riley was a single woman.

Maybe she was trained in self-defense, maybe not.

It made him feel better knowing someone had to climb up to get to her.

This condo complex also fit the waitressing cover she had, if it was, in fact, a cover. It was a nice area but not extravagant by any means. Something a single mom might be able to swing on a waitressing salary.

Except she apparently wasn’t, in fact, a mother at all.

An unexpected feeling of relief washed over him. Sawyer wasn’t opposed to kids in general, but he didn’t need to complicate things by dating a woman with children. Not that he and Riley were dating, per se.

He mentally ran through the last few women he’d been with.

Sawyer wouldn’t exactly call those “dates” either.

If he met a woman at the bar who was into him, he might head back to her place for the night.

The women knew the deal, that it was strictly a one-time thing.

He wasn’t looking for a girlfriend or forever.

He didn’t need complications. Sawyer wanted a fun night, and so did they.

No harm. No foul.

Just two consenting adults who’d agreed to sleep together.

Was Riley even available? He realized he hadn’t point blank asked if she had a boyfriend. A husband. If she was just in town on some job, away from her real life, maybe she had a house, man, and white picket fence somewhere.

But no woman would blush like that around him if she were happily married, content in her love life.

Riley was different than the women he was usually with.

Intelligent. Maybe even a touch vulnerable, although he doubted she’d ever admit it.

But try as she might to take control of the situation earlier, he’d maintained the upper hand.

Sawyer had insisted on a date before he agreed to cooperate on her investigation.

And she’d conceded to him.

Smiling to himself, he took the stairs more quickly.

Sawyer strode down the open breezeway and found her condo, knocking on the door without pause.

He was eager to see her, he realized. Funny because he wasn’t the type of guy to wine and dine a woman, but he wanted to know more about this particular one.

Sawyer heard footsteps inside and saw a shadow cross the peephole. Good girl. At least Riley was smart enough to look and see who it was, even if she had been expecting Sawyer. The door swung open, and the wiseass comment he was about to make died on his lips.

Riley looked...stunning. Her dark brown hair fell in waves around her pretty face, and she had on some smokey eyeshadow and glossy stuff on her lips. The dress she wore was so sexy it was practically scandalous.

Okay, maybe he was exaggerating a touch, but Riley looked fucking hot.

The slinky black dress was low cut, giving him a perfect eyeful of her creamy cleavage.

The dress hugged all her curves, and he let his gaze slide down her body, noting the gentle curve of her hips, smooth legs, and polished pink toenails.

He watched in surprise as she turned to grab a cat—a fucking cat—that had jumped up onto the table in the foyer, no doubt to prevent it from escaping out the door.

“Down, Mittens,” she said, and Sawyer’s lips quirked. He noted a rose and thorns tattoo on her left shoulder blade, the ink standing out against her ivory skin. The rose was small and delicate, just like Riley.

Exactly who was this mysterious woman?

He somehow came to the conclusion that the rose symbolized her—pretty and soft, with that slight flush he loved, but surrounded by a tough exterior to protect its beauty.

No more than a few seconds had passed as she turned back to him, but somehow his entire impression of Riley had changed in that moment. She swept her hair back with one hand as the cat disappeared down the hall, Riley no doubt oblivious as to his sudden revelation about her.

“A cat?” he asked.

She eyed him warily. “I’ve been in Oahu for a while on different assignments. I couldn’t board him for months on end.”

“A fucking cat.”

“What’s wrong with cats?” she asked, seeming perturbed.

“Not a damn thing. You just don’t strike me as the warm and cuddly type.” He nodded at the dagger tattoo on her wrist.

“What makes you think cats are warm and cuddly?” she asked, lifting a brow.

“Touche,” he quipped.

“Why don’t you come in,” Riley said, stepping to the side to let him pass. “I’m almost ready to go.”

Sawyer let out a low whistle as he moved into the foyer, letting his gaze rake down her body. “Kitten. You look incredible.”

She flashed him a knowing look. “I just need to put my heels on,” she told him. “Then we can head out to whatever place you’ve chosen. You made reservations?”