Free My Greek SEAL by Sabrina Devonshire

another hunk and raise it to my mouth. That clump of gooey, salty cheese tastes amazing. It’s been so long since I’ve eaten anything other than microwave meals and junk food I’ve nearly forgotten what real food even tastes like.
    “Yes, I can tell you like it,” he says in a husky voice.
    I blush as he watches me chew. Does my facial expression look lewd? It feels forbidden to have a hot man watch my eyes flutter shut and listen to my happy moans whenever I slip another gooey bite between my lips. My tongue slides over my lower lip, and I put down my fork. Has anyone ever come from just eating? Of course not. That’s completely ridiculous. Get a hold of yourself. I clear my throat and force my spine into an upright, under-control posture. “I was wondering about your triathlon training business. You help people train for races?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “But you don’t race in them yourself I guess?” Oops. That question would have definitely been better left unasked.
    “I was one of the fittest men in the world when I was in the Hellenic Navy. I did my training in San Diego, where they train the American soldiers. But the physicians didn’t think it would be safe for me to do deep dives after my illness. But I’m cleared to do almost anything else. I cycle, run and swim for hours most days of the week and have competed in many triathlons, even the longest ones.”
    I blush. I really need to learn to put a lid on my lips or at least think before I open them. But it’s so hard because just looking at him scrambles my brain. Obviously, he’s not too limited if he’s out here doing ocean swims and is so buff and fit looking he could well be a cover model for Men’s Health. “I figured you worked out and stuff.” My forced laugh sounds ridiculous. “But I just wasn’t sure about the race thing.”
    “I prefer swimming, but I enjoy a variety of sports.” His appreciative gaze travels up and down my body before he clears his throat and then adds, “Including running.”
    I wrinkle my nose to hide my blush. I’m wondering... Was he being suggestive or have I completely lost my mind? “Ugh. I hate running. It’s way too painful. I like the peacefulness of swimming. I love the silence, the feeling of escape and gliding on top of the water is the closest thing to flying. It’s even more amazing in the ocean when there are fish and interesting rock formations to see. I can’t wait to swim again today.”
    “Yes, but in the pool, the conditions are the same and you always have the same number of strokes to the wall. In the sea, there might be a current or large waves or jellyfish. That is the excitement and also the risk. That’s why you must stay with the swimming group and the escort boat.”
    I purse my lips into a pout. His mini-lecture grinds into my mood like coarse sand. The man’s just jealous that I kicked his ass and is trying to console himself by giving me a lecture. “Of course I’ll stay with the group.” My voice sounds more defiant than intended. Why do I feel the need to defend myself when there’s no need? “I was just having a little fun during that swim. Letting some frustration out of my system.”
    “You had good reason to do that, dear,” says Maryann. “With what that wanker did to you and all.”
    “Just don’t forget to watch out for the others when we do these swims,” says Eros.
    I jab my fork into the last hunk of cheese on my plate. “Your advice is duly noted.” Eros’ lecture irritates me for more reasons than I can count. Why did he even bring this up? Eros is dangerous. He’s chivalrous one minute and lecturing me the next. Okay, so he’s hot enough to melt the cheese we’re eating. I don’t care. I’m not going to fall for him. No way.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER NINE
     
     
     
    The Ionian Goddess ferries us back to the spot near Desimi Beach where we did our 400-meter swim. We are instructed to swim one at a time toward and away from Eros, who treads