Page 9 of Protecting Bree
Bree frowned. “Uh…yeah. Why?”
“Just wanted to check in. This probably wasn’t what you had in mind for your morning. Getting dragged down to the beach and being bored out of your mind, watching me and my teammates work out.”
Bree couldn’t stop the small chuckle. “Oh, yeah. It’s tough, but I think I can manage,” she said sarcastically.
Smiley tilted his head as his brows furrowed, clearly trying to figure out what she meant.
“Smiley, it’s fine. Trust me. Watching you and your friends roll around in the sand and flex your muscles isn’t a hardship. Not at all.”
She could practically see said muscles relaxing at her words.
“Other than wishing I had a cup of coffee, this is the perfect way to start the day. The sunrise, the beach, the beautiful weather, and watching guys I admire and respect put their bodies through hell, simply to stay in the best shape possible so they’re ready at a moment’s notice to go off and save people? Yeah. It doesn’t suck.”
“I’ll see what I can do about the coffee thing tomorrow. We’ll stop on the way back to my place and get you one this morning though.”
“That’s not?—”
“You want coffee, you’ll get coffee,” he interrupted. He wasn’t smiling, was still staring at her with the same intense look he always wore. “I just wanted to make sure you were good. I know this can’t be all that exciting.”
“Smiley, I’ve been living in my car. The only thing to do was people watch—and those people rarely looked like you guys.Thatwas boring as hell. This is perfect.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” she echoed.
“Have to say…I’d do just about anything to see that carefree smile on your face every day. Just wanted to come over and see what caused it, so I can replicate it in the future.”
Bree was stunned. She wasn’t sure how to respond.
“Shit. And now it’s gone,” Smiley muttered.
“Smiley! Get your ass back over here!” Kevlar shouted. He was standing with the rest of the guys near the surf. “We’re gonna do some shuttle sprints before heading back.”
“Oh joy,” he sighed.
Bree’s lips twitched.
Smiley’s gaze locked on her lips. He gave her a chin lift, then turned to head back to his morning workout. He turned around after a few steps and warned, “We’re all on watch, but keep an eye out, just in case.”
That sobered Bree up. He was right. Here she was, pretending she was on some sort of vacation or something, when in reality there was a reason her ass was on this ATV and Smiley didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
Looking around, she saw nothing but a few die-hard morning runners along the beach and the beautiful coastline. His words were a good reminder that her life could change in a split second. She knew that better than anyone.
PT that morning was shit. Smiley hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything except the woman riding the ATV alongside them as they ran. Every time he looked over at Bree, she was smiling as if she was having the time of her life.
By all rights, she should be a mess. Someone was after her, wanted to lock her up and force her into a life no man, woman, or child should ever live. And yet, she was able to find pleasure in the smallest things.
And when Smiley had stopped on the way back to hisapartment and gotten her a vanilla latte, she’d acted as if he’d bought her a freaking diamond or something. But again, that smile on her face was enough to ensure she’d have her sugary coffee drink every morning from here on out.
He’d slipped up that morning with his comment about seeing her smile every day. On top of his assertion last night that they’d have a future together…he was pushing her too hard, too fast. Shit, she’d only known him for a fucking day. But he felt as if he’d knownherforever. He’d spent so much time looking for her, finding out as much as he could about her life, being with her in person felt like the natural progression.
Thank goodness she hadn’t questioned him. Or told him that he was being ridiculous. Or obsessed. Hewas, of course…but he was relieved she hadn’t called him on it. With every second he spent with her, it was getting harder to keep his hands to himself. To not throw her onto his kitchen table, his couch, up against the nearest wall, andbegher to give him a chance. To let him love her the way he ached to after all these months.
Taking a deep breath, Smiley tried to ignore the small sighs of satisfaction she made while drinking her latte…the memory of hearing his shower this morning, and knowing she was naked inside…the thought of her addictive smiles.
He assumed once he’d found this woman, his obsession would go away. Instead, it had only increased tenfold.
“Why are we meeting with your commander again?” Bree asked, as she and Smiley walked down a long hallway toward the room the team usually used for conferences and meetings.
