Free Tempting Target: Heart of a SEAL by Carmen Faye Page B

covering her face.
     
    “Can I get you started with anything?” The waiter came along at just the right time because he didn’t know how to answer that question. Is there way to contact me? Of course there is. However, he didn’t want to be contacted. He knew that she’d put most of the things in her life off for this thing or that, and he didn’t want her to have to wait for him. His life was hard, and this job was tough. He got through each day knowing that if something happened to him, he wasn’t letting anyone down. He didn’t have a girlfriend, a wife, or any children who depended on him. When his father had stepped away from the family before he got his life together, it had hurt him that his father didn’t do better for him and his mother. Until he was free to do what he chose, then he would be faithful to his job and his country.
     
    They ordered, and he kept the conversation going, talking about the fun things they’d done on the trip. It was working, and he had her laughing about learning how to swim and splashing around on the beach.
     
    “I’m glad you saw my list. I don’t think I’d have gotten half of that done by myself.” She had eaten the last bit of cheesecake, and he was ready to shake her around on the dance floor.
     
    “It’s one of the services I provide.”
     
    She laughed like he’d said the funniest things ever.
     
    “What?” he questioned.
     
    “You always say that when I compliment you about something. Like you don’t want to accept that you’re just a nice guy and take the thank you just as it is being offered.”
     
    “Then, you’re welcome.” He got up and moved to the back of her chair. “Are you ready to party, Ms. Roth?”
     
    “I am ready to party, Mr. Perrier.” She got up and spun in front of him and that lifted her skirt and showed a bit more of her leg.
     
    The dance area was outside near the beach, and it was a beautiful night.
     
    “Nice to see you guys here.” Marcus stepped out of the shadows, and Emmy actually squealed.
     
    “Hey, Marcus. What are you doing lurking here in the shadows? The dance bar is over there.” Matt had been trying to be civil to this guy, but for whatever reason, he seemed to freak Emmy out—and that wasn’t cool. It didn’t matter that she wouldn’t tell him why; it only mattered that there was a reason.
     
    “I was just watching out for Emmy. When we went shopping for her dress together, I didn’t get to see that one on her, so I wanted to make sure I got a chance to see it. I like the way you look when you twirl in in. You look lovely.”
     
    “Marcus, I’ve been trying to give you a break. I know you have the hots for Emmy, and I’ve got no problem with that. She’s a beautiful woman, who’s smart and curvy, so I get it. I want to keep her myself, but I don’t like the way you’re going about this. Emmy isn’t interested in you, and you need to leave her alone.” Matt didn’t want to scare Emmy with the moves he made when he was protecting his country, but it didn’t look like this man was going to back down.
     
    “Emmy tell him we went shopping together.” Marcus looked around Matt to see Emmy, and that made Matt almost snap.
     
    “You were waiting for me in the last store like an ambush, but we didn’t go shopping together. You just wanted me to know that when Matt moved on, you’d be there so you could pick up the pieces. That’s the conversation I remember.” Emmy was speaking her mind, and Matt hoped that she could see the strength she had. It was clear to anyone who happened to be hearing this.
     
    “Well…,” Marcus began.
     
    “I don’t want a play by play or any excuses, just keep your mind and your eyes off of Emmy.”
     
    The noise Matt heard in the semi-darkness was familiar to him, and he wondered why the man would bring a knife to a fight. It was probably planned, and it was unfortunate, but Emmy was going to have to witness this drama.
     
    “Emmy, go wait for