SEALed with a Kiss (Alpha SEALs Book 2) by Makenna Jameison Page A

Patrick and Rebecca next weekend.  It wouldn’t have to be a date, just a few friends getting together.
    “Do you want to eat inside or out?” Alison asked, her cheeks looking flushed as she poked her head out the door.  She coughed once as the smoke from the grill blew her way, and Evan frowned.
    “Inside.”
    She didn’t notice the expression on his face and ducked back in to grab the plates from the cupboard.  A cursory glance at the steaks let him know they’d be okay for a few minutes without his attention, and he slipped in the side door.
    Actually, sneaking up on her was decidedly not a good idea.  He didn’t want to cause another asthma attack.  Not that surprise caused them, did it? He’d have to do some research online tonight.  The next time she couldn’t breathe around him, he wanted to know exactly how to help her.
    “Need a hand?”
    Green eyes glanced at him from over her shoulder.  “Uh, yeah.  Can you grab that platter for the steaks?”
    “Sure thing.”
    She turned back around, and a second later he was right behind her.  She still had that insane fruity fragrance that drove him out of his mind.  What was that?  Her perfume?  Some fancy shampoo?  No matter.  He was hard as a rock—had been earlier as he watched her bend over to get the beers.
    He was careful not to let himself rub up against her sweet ass, tempting as though it was.  Like that wouldn’t freak her out.  Still, he let his chest brush up against her back, and he didn’t miss the shiver that coursed through her at his sudden closeness.  She was warm, sweet, and irresistible.  His arms snaked around her, and his hands rested on the counter, trapping her.  The cool granite was a complete contrast to his heated flesh, and he froze.
    Next move was hers.  If she wanted him, she had him.
    A beat passed with neither of them moving a muscle.  Her breathing quickened, and his own body pulsed with awareness.  She was silent, and he would’ve killed to know what was going on in her head right now.  Just a glimpse inside to see if she felt any of the chemistry and connection that he did.
    Her silence spoke volumes.  She didn’t move a muscle, but he could almost hear her heartbeat speed up with every quickened breath she took.
    “I could get used to this,” he said, his voice gruff as he ducked his head down toward her ear.  The slight hitch in her breathing told him all he needed to know.
    He affected her.  Just as she affected him.  She could deny it as much as she wanted, but she was into him, too.
    “Evan.” The breathless way she said his name was something he’d never tire of hearing.  Hell, there were a whole lotta things about this woman that he could see making part of his daily routine.  Making her breakfast in the morning.  Making dinner together in the kitchen.  Making love all night.
    “Yes, baby?”  His lips teased the shell of her ear, oh-so-close but not quite touching.  She actually shuddered.
    “We can’t.”
    “We can’t what?”
    “We’re better off just being friends.”
    He didn’t say a word, deciding how to play this.  Did he turn her around and prove her wrong?  Back off and leave?  Go with the “just friends” thing for now?
    “We’re just standing in your kitchen,” he teased, deciding on the latter. The gravel in his voice betrayed him, but he kissed the top of her head as he pulled back, leaving her space.  She turned around, and there was no mistaking the flush spreading across her cheeks or the arousal in her eyes.
    He grabbed the platter from the top shelf and handed it to her.  “I’ll go check on the steaks.”  He winked before turning around and forcing himself to walk away.

Chapter 6
     
    “You should take off Mondays more often,” Alison said to Rebecca the next afternoon as she dipped her toes in the pool under the hazy, late afternoon sun.  Ahhh.  Perfect.  Cool water.  Clear blue skies.  Margaritas perched on the table between their