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

lounge chairs.  This was the stuff summer was about.  All that was missing were some cute cabana boys.  Rebecca, of course, only had eyes for Patrick.  Too bad those guys were all on base today doing drills.  They’d look mighty fine shirtless and in swim trunks, fetching them drinks.
    Including Evan, whose image was now seared into her mind.  That chiseled physique of his felt rock solid beneath his clothes.  She’d probably give in if she ever saw the man partially unclothed.  He was way too tempting—in more ways than one.   Aside from being hotter than sin, he was sweet to her.  Gentle.  And, as she decided already, way, way too young.
    Alison stepped into the pool, letting the water surround her.  Her dark green bikini made her fair skin look even paler—the curse of being a redhead.  Despite hours clocked in at the beach and pool this summer, she slathered on the sunblock each time and was pale as a ghost.  Unlike Rebecca, who looked like some sort of bronzed brunette goddess lounging on a chair.  Patrick was a lucky man.  Her best friend was a knockout, and Alison couldn’t help but feel slightly self-conscious in comparison.  She was petite and slender and wouldn’t mind Rebecca’s killer curves.  Not that Evan had seemed bothered in the slightest by her small frame.  If anything, he seemed to enjoy picking her up and hauling her around.
    Her mind skipped back to him caging her in at her kitchen counter last night, those muscular arms trapping her as his broad chest brushed up against her back.  She could feel his solid pecs, tight abs, and scorching heat.  She’d actually shivered at his closeness.  He was all man and ready to do whatever she’d wanted.  All she’d needed to do was say the word, and the night would have ended much differently.  The look of lust filling his blue gaze as she’d turned around was almost enough to make her change her mind about him.  To throw caution to the wind and allow him to kiss her senseless and drive her out of her mind.
    Almost.
    If only she was young enough for a summertime fling—Evan would top that list by a long shot.  And who was she kidding?  She’d been going through a dating drought recently.  The accountant she’d gone out with a few times wouldn’t even be on the list.
    She sighed, splashing a little water up onto her arms and shoulders to cool off.  The heat of the sun felt good on her skin.  Warm.  Comforting.  Drops of water cascaded down her arms, and she remembered shivering in Evan’s car the other night as she escaped the rain.  Without even saying a word, he’d turned down the air conditioning, noticing she was cold.  Without her even asking him for help, he’d been the one to pull to a stop and offer her a ride.
    He was a great guy that someone would be lucky to end up with.  It just couldn’t ever be her.
    “Long weekends are made for summertime,” Rebecca agreed, sipping her margarita.  “Wow, that’s strong.  How much tequila did you put in these?”
    “Enough.”
    “Guess I’ll be sticking to one.”
    “That’s okay—more for me,” Alison joked.
    “No fair, you don’t have to drive home—or work tomorrow.”
    “There are definite perks to my shift,” Alison agreed.  “But I don’t feel too bad about you returning home to a smoking hot man.”
    Rebecca blushed and glanced over to make sure her daughter wasn’t listening.  Abby was a few feet away, happily arranging her pool toys on an empty lounge chair and didn’t so much as look up.
    Alison climbed out of the water, a smile playing on her lips, and sank down onto the lounge chair beside her best friend.  She didn’t begrudge Rebecca for being happy.  But she wouldn’t mind if a little of that bliss headed her way.  Maybe Evan had an older brother or something?  Nah, that would feel weird after the surprising attraction she was feeling toward Evan.  There were other guys on his SEAL team though.  She’d have to ask Rebecca