Free Once a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth Page A

her.
    “I know. Thanks for the apology.” She rubbed her face on his shirt and then groped in vain for a tissue. Giving up, she blew her nose on a piece of discarded wrapping paper.
    She pressed her body along the line of his and kissed him back. “I have so much to do. Let’s get it done so we can relax.”
    “It can wait until tomorrow. There’s no rush, Aria. Our life together has already begun. How it unfolds…is literally up to us.” His lips were raining caresses across her chin and down her neck. Sliding his hands past her waist, he reached around and cupped her bottom, tipping her toward him. “Let’s enjoy it.”
    Against his mouth she murmured, “We don’t even have a bed. I shouldn’t have rented my apartment furnished. I could have been acquiring stuff.” Her bottom lip pouted slightly.
    He caught it between his teeth and bit it playfully before letting it go. “Picking furniture that is new to both of us is better. It’s a fresh start.”
    “Agreed, but tonight…” she began.
    “Ah, my lady hasn’t seen our outdoor bedroom yet. Follow me.” He escorted her through the glass doors onto the patio, pointing at the concrete slab, where an air mattress and two sleeping bags—zipped together—awaited them. “Your royal chamber for the evening, m’lady.” It wasn’t the Del, but after a whole afternoon of moving stuff, he knew it’d beat the floor.
    “When did you do this?” She sounded incredulous. There it was…her natural spark of happiness sneaking through the pain. Good. He’d stoke it, help it burn brighter…and bring his bride a smile. He’d ease her out of her habit of worrying.
    “While you were bitching Mark out for breaking your favorite lamp. He must really like you to put up with that tone. I’m not sure I would have dealt with it so easily.” He hadn’t meant for the comment to come out so harshly, but he’d wanted to broach the topic ever since it happened. She had been really unkind to someone who was helping her out; that didn’t seem right. Besides, Team guys called each other on their shit. If she couldn’t hack his forthrightness, he’d need to know. It was an indicator for how she’d deal with bigger issues.
    “Dan!” There was a moment of shocked silence. “I…I don’t bitch!”
    “What would you call it?” He tilted his head to the side, curious about what she was going to call her terse display.
    “Guidance.”
    He laughed. Yeah, she’d hack it. He was proud of her. There were no tears, recriminations, or denials. She’d do just fine. Humor worked well to lighten the weight of misspoken words, and problems too.
    “Ha, ha.” She smiled and then began to laugh, too. “I guess it is funny. Crap, I’m such a pack rat. I hate losing anything. I’ll call Mark tomorrow and apologize.” She looked up at him from under her lashes. “You’re right, by the way. Damn, I just wasn’t thinking. I was in reaction mode. I hate hurting anyone and…letting anyone down.”
    Wrapping his hands around her shoulders, he drew her toward him and kissed the top of her head. “Won’t happen. Let go of the fear. Aria, we’re in it for the long haul. There will be ups and downs, yet I promise I will always listen, and together we’ll figure out the rough patches. We’re partners.” He gave her a squeeze. “Besides, if a friend cannot forgive you, is he really a friend?”
    “No. You’re right. Thanks…for being even-keeled and for being you.” Placing her hand over his heart, she rose up on tiptoe and kissed him. “I feel better.” Walking her fingers up his chest, she asked, “Now, what’s this about bedtime?” She stroked her fingers down his chest, aiming lower.
    He chuckled, and then he helped her down onto the mattress. Using his teeth, he opened her shirt one button at a time. His lips, tongue, and teeth tantalized and teased her flesh until she was pulling the rest of her clothes off herself and tugging at his.
    “Dan, am I ever going to