LITMIR.BIZ

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glanced back toward The Sutherland. “I have some anti-bacterial foam—”

      Colossus’s lips moved as if he was trying to suppress a smile. “He’s trained to fight with worse.”

      She swallowed. Of course he was.

      “I can’t believe what he’s doing,” she said, watching the Ensign as he made a smooth dive into the waves, and swam toward the other men still treading water. “Maybe we should have waited until the paramedics arrived.” Yet with every stroke he seemed to gain more strength.

      “I’ve had combat medical training. I checked for signs of concussion. He’s fine.”

      These men lived in a different world, far away from the corresponding bridal ribbons, chocolate shavings and the waterproof bandages she would have suggested next.

      She turned away from the swimming soldier to face Colossus, and that’s when her gaze collided with the steel gray of his. Her breath hitched. Sure she’d noticed the strength of his body outlined so perfectly in his wetsuit, his air of authority and control as he’d handled the situation with the injured soldier, but this man’s eyes were something else. Something inviting and very, very sexy.

      A cool breeze from off the ocean fanned her face, her bare arms. Although she tried to fight back a shiver, her nipples tightened. She hoped he’d think her bodily reaction was due to the weather and not the hot, suddenly carnal thoughts popping into her mind about him. Like running her fingers along his arm to feel the solidness of his muscles. To lick that drop of saltwater off his cheek. Or discover just how one gets a wetsuit off a man. Zipper? Scissors? Who knew?

      No. No. And hell no. These thoughts were ending right here. She was not in the market for a fling. Or a boyfriend. Boyfriends tended to become fiancés in her world. This would make Fiancé Failure Number Four. And that she was finding someone attractive that she didn’t normally go for meant nothing. In fact, her virtually nonexistent male filtering system had probably just widened the search parameters.

      Then Hailey realized they’d both been standing facing one another far longer than necessary. A pause, a tension sprang up between them, and hung heavily in the air. His gray eyes narrowed, something deep in those depths flared. Her lips parted, and she acknowledged her urge to lean into him, get closer. His gaze flickered to her lips, then returned to her face.

      And what that brief glance at her mouth did to her.

      Go. Now was the time for him to leave. To turn around and head back to the ocean.

      “I’m glad your friend is going to be okay.” The words rushed out of her. Okay, so she wasn’t actually ready to let him go. “That was pretty impressive what you did.”

      He shrugged, obviously uncomfortable with that tiny bit of praise.

      “I liked the way you rushed to help.” Not that she’d done much, but it was nice to hear.

      She should be uttering a quick goodbye, and get back to her guests. But her gaze settled on his lips and a rush of warmth blasted through her.

       You’re supposed to kiss him.

      That heat became a fire. What would his lips feel like? Did she dare? With the fate card in mind, Hailey gave herself permission to do what she really wanted to do all along. She followed that push to be closer, and found herself tilting slightly forward. His hands raised, and—

      The sounds of giggles had her taking a quick step back. Hailey looked away from Colossus to see Amy, Tori and her sister carrying their shoes and casually making their way towards her and the Navy SEAL.

      “Oh, Hailey. That is definitely ‘first man you see’ material,” Tori teased.

      In addition to the cards, this would be the last time they served champagne at any wedding showers.

      “I’ve been keeping my eye on you, and you haven’t fulfilled your fate yet,” Amy said with faux sternness as she handed Hailey the card.

      Hailey’s gaze went to her sister who only shrugged and flashed her a smile. Why had she even bothered looking at Rachel for help? She was obviously getting a kick out of this.

      Colossus was retreating, clearly confused by the conversation, happy not to get involved. “Thanks again for your assistance.” He was all business now.

      Hailey would just have to ignore that disappointment she felt at the loss of heat between them. Well, from his side. She was still very, very hot.

      “Wait, you can’t go.” Amy’s voice lifted higher on each syllable.

      “Right,” Tori said, lifting up her nearly empty champagne glass. “Hailey hasn’t kissed you yet.”

      Colossus paused. He glanced her way. “You Hailey?” he asked, interest in his eyes.

      Did she hear a hopeful tone in his voice? Dear God she hoped so. Hailey surveyed the ladies all eyeing her Navy SEAL. Amy lifted a brow, but her lips twisted in a smile.

      They didn’t think she was going to do it.

      They weren’t egging her on because they thought it was funny or were trying to encourage her. They were goading her because it would be even funnier when she didn’t kiss him. Well, now. She was having none of that. Hailey hadn’t read a dozen self-help books on visualizing the goal and actualizing, for nothing.

      Goal = Navy SEAL’s lips.

      Now for the actualization part.

      Hailey straightened her shoulders, determinedly took the two steps to reach the man’s side and tugged on his shoulder until he fully faced her. Surprise widened his eyes, but that was the last thing she saw as she closed hers, stood on tiptoe and pulled him down to meet her mouth.

      For a moment, he stood still, his lips warm, firm and unmoving beneath hers.

      One. Two. Three seconds and she was done. Fate fulfilled.

      But apparently fate wasn’t done with her yet, because her Navy SEAL had just gripped her hips and crushed her to his chest. The water from his wetsuit seeped to her breasts, making her shiver, but she didn’t care because his lips weren’t unmoving anymore. They were opening and drawing a sweet response from hers. His tongue traced the seam of her mouth, and a deep longing flowed inside her.

      He smelled of the sea and ocean air, and tasted of salt and delicious man. Hailey wanted nothing more than to keep kissing him as she sunk her fingers into his short hair, still wet from the swim. And just when she settled into the kiss, his hands began to roam.

      Hailey’s heart raced, her legs weakened and she could think of nothing better than to keep doing what she was doing.

      So that’s why she pushed herself away.

      That shove was an effort, but she took a step back, and their gaze collided. His face was tight, and desire burned in his eyes. Desire burning for her. She sucked in a breath, but walked away. If she kept looking at the clear hunger in his confused eyes, she’d be right back in his arms. Instead, she stopped at the three stunned ladies staring at her. Hailey gave them a breezy smile. “Done.”

      The sand sifted between her toes as she ambled slowly back to The Sutherland where the rest of the guests waited for her on the terrace. She swore she felt Colossus’s gaze on her back as she walked away from him, but that was ridiculous.

      “Wait, Hailey,” she heard her sister call, but she kept on walking.

      After grabbing her shoes, she ascended the steps. She was greeted by a mixture of uncertainty from the guests. And in herself. Her self-imposed male isolation hadn’t done much by way of inoculating her from their sweet temptation.

      The maid of honor was only then leaving the Tea Room with cell phone still in hand. “What’d I miss?”

      Hailey’s fist tightened around the Fate Delivery Card for a moment before she thrust it at the woman whose fate she’d just fulfilled. “Here’s your card.”

      

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