Page 64 of The Moments You Were Mine

I moved slowly, sucking my finger into my mouth, and those gray eyes turned even stormier as he watched. I had all of two seconds before he caught on to my intent. When I popped my finger out and stuck it into his ear, his expression went from broody lust to stunned surprise. I laughed, knowing I’d likely regret reinstituting our long-forgotten wet-willy contest, but reveling in having caught him off guard yet again.

I used his shock to escape, kicking away from him. As I reached the dock, I looked back with a raised brow and said, “If I remember, Kermit, it was always you who backed away from the finish line. I had no problem finding my way across it.”

I had the intense pleasure of hearing him growl, but I pulled a card from his book and ignored the sizzling air between us. Instead, I held my arms up for Theo. “Jump, I’ll catch you, and we’ll show Parker what it’s like when two superheroes gang up on him.”

Theo giggled and took the plunge. The hook on his life vest snagged my skin, dragging along my chest, and I barely bit back a yelp. But the pain completely disappeared when the little boy wrapped his arms around my neck and whispered, “I like you.”

And just like that, I fell completely in love with yet another boy who would never be mine.

Chapter Eighteen

Parker

SO MANY SUMMERS

Performed by Brad Paisley

NINE YEARS AGO

HER: Is kissing supposed to feel like someone put wet worms on your lips?

HIM: Who the hell are you kissing, Ducky?

HER: Just answer the question.

HIM: Don’t make me call your dad.

HER: Fine. I’ll ask someone else.

HIM: If some dumbass teenager kissed you, and it felt like worms, you need to run away now. Run as fast as you can, and do not look back.

PRESENT DAY

Get a grip, dipshit.

The taunt sounded like my old lieutenant at the Academy. Or maybe it was my dad’s voice and Rafe’s and mine all combined as I had to adjust myself discreetly under the water. If Theo hadn’t called out, who knew what I would have done to those pretty pink lips taunting me. Wet and warm and ready for the taking.

How many times had she made it clear they could be mine? That all of her could be mine?

I cooled my jets by counting to thirty and reminding myself of all the reasons it wasn’t a good idea to tangle our bodies together.

I’d spent years protecting her and often failed.

Rafe would be furious if I messed with his daughter.

My dad would be disappointed.

And thecoup de grâce, I had a SEAL team waiting for me to figure my shit out so I could return to base and start training again.

When I looked back at the dock, Fallon was holding Theo after catching him with ease as he dove into her arms. She said something to him that made him giggle, and for a moment, the joy radiating around them made an idea flit around the periphery of my mind. A way of keeping them both. A way to make us whole. But the idea was so shocking and fleeting that it disappeared before I could fully hang on to it. But it left a new and unexpected craving in its wake.

Family. Home.

Fucking things a SEAL knew better than to make a reality because the mission was your life. The team was your family. The job was your focus. Not people. Not someone waiting at home, worried you wouldn’t come back.

I’d sworn to my dying grandfather I’d continue his legacy.

I didn’t have a chance to dwell on the fading vision or how it opposed everything I’d believed I wanted as two bodies launched themselves at me. Fallon and Theo pushed and splashed and tried to sink me. I fought back, careful with Theo so as not to hurt him, even more cautious with Fallon as I attempted to keep my hands off those tantalizing places on her body that had made me lose my head while tickling her.