Free Ruined: Loving An Alpha Male: BWWM Romance by S.K. Lessly

that was with me. He’s my manager-slash-trainer-slash-pain-in-my-ass.”
    I giggled and gulped the rest of my drink. As the liquor went to my head, I went to make myself another drink.
    I called out, “Where do you know him from? I remember when I was younger, I saw that guy Alex around Lou’s gym. But I never saw you.”
    He told me, “Alex and I were in the Navy together.”
    My eyebrows shot up.
    “Really? How long were you in the Navy?”
    “Ten years.”
    “Wow, ten years. That’s a long time.”
    “Nah, not really. Most career military types stay in it longer than that. I overstayed my welcome, so I bowed out gracefully.”
    “When did you get out?”
    “Oh, about a month ago.”
    I nodded.
    “So you learned how to fight in the Navy?”
    He laughed. Man, I love his laugh.
    “No, I knew how to fight before I got in the Navy. Now don’t get me wrong; the Navy taught me a lot, and I was actually able to use my fighting skills while I was in the Navy. But they didn’t teach me how to fight. It’s more like they enhanced my existing skills.”
    I frowned again.
    “I thought the Navy guys mostly lived on a ship and flew fighter planes. Where did you get to fight anyone?”
    He shook his head. He took the rest of his drink down and poured himself another.
    “Those that are in the Navy mostly work on the ship they’re assigned to doing nuclear engineering, aviation, computers, and electronic warfare; shit like that. I spent all my time as a Navy SEAL. It’s the special ops unit for the Navy.”
    Okay, now I’m officially in love. A real, live badass—not some imitation, wanna-be—is sitting before me. My eyes grew wide, like I was looking at a real life celebrity.
    “Seriously? You’re a Navy SEAL? Wow, I mean I knew you guys existed from the news and movies. But I never thought I would actually meet one.”
    Amused, he smiled at me.
    “Well, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”
    I shook my head.
    “You must think I’m a dork.”
    “Not at all,” he said simply, his gaze never wavering from my face.
    I blushed again and looked away. Control yourself, girl.
    I snapped out of my awe-ness and raised my glass to him.
    “Well, if no one has told you, or even if they did, from me personally and as a U.S. citizen; thank you for your service.”
    He bowed his head slightly and raised his glass to meet mine.
    “Pleasure was all mine.”
    We fell into an unforced silence. I don’t know what he was thinking, but I was trying to pull myself together. I mean, I just broke up with my boyfriend, and I’m already wondering how this man’s hands would feel all over my body, how soft his lips were, and if there was any way I could find out without making myself look like a whore.
    Mason cleared his throat slightly. I blinked at him, realizing I never moved my gaze from his.
    “Let me ask you a question.”
    “Ask away,” I said, simply hoping I could answer it without spontaneously combusting.
    “How did you know I was from Texas?”
    Okay, I can answer this.
    “Well, I could tell from your accent.”
    He shook his head.
    “Okay, see that’s the thing, I’ve worked hard for years to get rid of my accent. You mean to tell me you can hear it?”
    I shook my head.
    “Well, no. Like this whole time, I haven’t heard your accent until you call me ‘darling’ and ‘ma’am.’ I’ve been around my fair share of Texans to recognize that accent anywhere.”
    “Ah, okay. I was thinking I lost my touch.”
    I laughed.
    “No, your touch hasn’t been lost. What part of Texas are you from?”
    “Dallas.”
    “Yeah, wow. I have family down there too.”
    He smiled, “Yeah, who lives there?”
    “My father has been there for a very long time. And my very best friend is there awaiting my return.”
    “Yeah? Are you originally from Texas?”
    “No, I’m from Arkansas.”
    He leaned back from me and smiled, “For real? What part?”
    “Hot Springs.”
    “No shit. I’ve been up there