Page 9 of The Moments You Were Mine

“I think your idea of too much fun and mine are really different.”

He winked as he stepped back toward the parking lot. “That’s because you’ve never seen me in my Whites at the bar.”

My breath almost evaporated at the idea of it. The perfectionthat was Parker pressed into that sexy uniform, on the prowl for someone to take to his bed. A shiver ran down my spine, and I scolded myself.

He wasn’t mine. He didn’t want me that way.

In truth, he didn’t want anyone that way. At least, he didn’t want a permanent relationship. For some reason, Parker had sworn them off. He didn’t believe any relationship could last his SEAL career or didn’t believe it was honorable to be in one when he’d always be away more than he was home.

“With how tired you look, Kermit, I’m not sure even the Whites would get you action tonight.”

He laughed, and the deep sound resonated through me in the best and worst kind of way.

“I’ll call you when I come out of hibernation. We’ll hit some waves.”

“Sounds good. Be safe getting home,” I said.

He looked back, eyes drifting to the bonfire and JJ again before returning to me. “You too, Ducky.”

And then he was gone.

I felt bereft. As if, this time, I’d actually lost him. As if there was yet another barrier that had gone up between us—one of my making this time. One called JJ.

Chapter Four

Parker

I AIN’T SAYIN’

Performed by Jordan Davis

THREE YEARS AGO

HER: Are you back from your mission? I wish you were back.

A week later

HIM: What’s wrong?

HER: Momentary lapse in judgment with an idiot. I’ve recovered.

HIM: Who do I need to punch and why?

The bar was dark and loud, smelling of sweat, spilled beer, and desperation. I wasn’t sure who it was rolling off stronger—the Marines and SEALs or those who’d come hoping to hook up with someone in uniform.

Normally, after returning from a mission, I was ready to be one of the crowd, searching for someone to spend a few hours burning off the tension with. But witnessing my best friend’s struggles with his ex-girlfriend over this last deployment had taken my already recalcitrant attitude about relationships, even the one-night kind, and leveled it up. I wasn’t sure a few hours of pleasure were worth the chance of getting stuck with a woman who didn’t believe me when I said my lifestyle and my goals left no room for a girlfriend.

Just as it always did, a flash of sunny hair and gold eyes taunted me, reminding me of the one and only person who’d ever come close to changing my mind on the matter.

Except, this time, the vision of her didn’t disappear when I shook my head.

Instead, she kept staring right back at me, making my pulse skyrocket and my dick twitch.

What the hell was she doing here? In a bar everyone came to for one thing and one thing only?

I stormed through the crowd, causing grunts of objection I ignored. My complete focus was on Fallon, on getting to her and dragging her out of here.

“Let’s go, Ducky,” I growled when I reached her side, circling her bicep with my hand.