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

“Aww, come on,” he said, pretending she made his jaw drop in surprise. “You doubt me?”

“Not for a second.”

“Have many sleepovers here?” Sawyer joked, following her into the living room as his curious gaze glanced down the hall.

He could see what he assumed was the master bedroom, looking light and airy with curtains blowing in the wind and a white, lacy bedspread.

It didn’t match the tougher version of Riley he’d seen earlier today, but he suspected she had several different layers. All of which he’d love to discover.

She shot him a look. “You wait here in the living room. I need to close the windows and grab my things.”

“Need any help?” he joked, waggling his eyebrows. “You could show me your bedroom if you’d like.”

“Not a chance,” she retorted, quickly retreating down the hall.

It was a retreat. She already looked flustered, that hint of a flush on her face again.

Sawyer watched her hips sway as she left, the material of her dress clinging to her ass as she moved.

Her shapely legs peeked out beneath, and even barefoot, she was graceful.

She closed the windows with quick, efficient movements, and Sawyer turned away before she caught him watching her, studying her living room instead.

Sawyer felt a weird thudding in his heart.

Normally, when he was at a woman’s place, they were kissing their way to her bedroom—if they made it that far.

He had no problem using whatever surface was available to get busy.

Riley was throwing up walls he’d fully anticipated, shutting him down before anything could possibly happen, and it somehow made him feel protective of her.

She’d invited him into her home, and Sawyer had the distinct impression that she didn’t let many people in.

He wanted her, that much was true, but he also wanted her to feel safe with him.

Riley seemed to have already formed an impression of Sawyer long before he’d walked through her front door.

Was he flirtatious? Sure. Friendly? Absolutely.

But he was selective in who he slept with.

And while he’d certainly been wilder in his younger days, he didn’t have too much of an interest in taking silly women home any longer.

A quick lay just didn’t have as much of an appeal to him anymore, especially considering there were an endless stream of tourists and local women interested in dating a military guy.

Or sleeping with one. It was almost too easy.

Meaningless. If there was one thing Sawyer liked, it was a challenge.

His eyes sparked with interest as Riley came back down the hall. She was a mystery he couldn’t wait to unravel, and the way she was looking at him right now made Sawyer think she wouldn’t necessarily mind one bit.

Riley flashed him a look and bent over to grab her purse from the coffee table.

She’d put on some strappy, heeled sandals that looked sexy as fuck.

She’d look good wearing those and nothing else.

Maybe pressed up against the wall while he bucked into her, giving her what she needed.

Taking her how he wanted. Making them both hot and desperate.

She adjusted the long necklace she wore, letting it dangle between her cleavage as she moved closer to him, then tossed her hair over one shoulder. “Should we head out?” she asked, giving him a coy look.

The scent of roses hit him straight in the chest.

Hell, she even smelled like a fucking flower. Sweet. Fragrant. Absolutely divine. Sawyer wanted nothing more than to sink into her softness right now. Strip Riley bare and kiss her everywhere. Spread those pretty legs. Bury his face between her thighs.

“Is there a problem, Sawyer?” she asked when he didn’t immediately answer, her eyes on him and clearly seeing all too much.

“Aww, come on, kitten. You’re not playing fair,” he mock-complained, falling back into his familiar routine. “You really want me to take you out when we could have some fun alone? You’re practically dressed to kill a man.”

“Who said anything about playing fair?” she asked lightly.

She breezed past him, and Sawyer clenched his fists, resisting the urge to squeeze her delectable ass.

Because damn it looked fine in that little dress she had on.

“I am. Right now. With you looking like that, I’m not sure how much of a gentleman I can be tonight.

Let’s say we call this a real date and see where the night takes us. ”

“This is a business deal,” she told him, glancing back over her shoulder. “Nothing more. Nothing less. I go on a date with you this evening, and you help me with my investigation. That’s the rule, and I expect you to agree to it.”

Sawyer chuckled as he caught up to her, heat spiking through his bloodstream.

Riley began to look slightly flustered again as he shot her a hot look.

She wobbled slightly in her heels as she reached for the door, and Sawyer caught her arm, his thumb skimming over the tattoo on her inner wrist. “Kitten, if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I never play by the rules. ”