Marshall smiled. Then he kissed her, licking the salt from her lips before he put his hands on her biceps. “Ready for a break from the water?”
Kenna nodded.
“Me too. And now since I’ve been sitting here, I’ve got sand in my shorts.”
Kenna couldn’t help but giggle at him. She scooted backward off him and stood, holding out her hand. “Come on, you big baby. I can’t believe you’re a SEAL, whining about the sand as much as you do.”
“Hey, I learned that being a sugar cookie in BUD/S wasn’t my idea of a good time. There was chafing. Lots and lots of chafing,” he said as he put his hand in hers.
He stood and didn’t even stumble as a wave crashed against his legs. He truly was completely comfortable in the water, and Kenna thought it was sexy as hell. A vision of them making love in the ocean flicked across her mind before she pushed it away. Today wasn’t about sex, it was about getting to know each other better. But she was fairly sure sex wasn’t too far in their future.
Marshall grabbed their boogey boards and they walked back to their lounge chairs. He insisted on going to get her a fresh, cool water and another snack without her even having to ask.
As she watched him go, Kenna thought about what he’d said in the water. She had no idea what he thought she might find out about him. She knew he was a SEAL. Knew he’d killed people. Knew he wasn’t always a happy-go-lucky person. But it had to be something big, since he was so worried. She couldn’t imagine anything making a difference in how she felt about him, but if that time ever came, she’d keep her promise to discuss it before making any snap decisions about their relationship.
Pushing the odd conversation out of her mind, she got settled on her chair and sighed in contentment. This beach was perfect. Everyone had been polite and friendly and she hadn’t seen even one piece of trash. She hadn’t worried about someone stealing their stuff while they were in the water either, which was a relief. Having money couldn’t be all bad if it meant having a place like this to hang out in your off time.
Closing her eyes, Kenna relaxed. The day would end soon enough, but for now, she was going to enjoy every second she had left to spend with Marshall.
They’d stayed longer at the beach than she’d planned. Marshall had stopped at a Wendy’s on the way back to her apartment so she could get a hamburger and fries for dinner. He’d offered to take her somewhere nicer for dinner, but she loved fast food. She couldn’t eat it as much as she wanted, but she was a sucker for fries. It meant she needed to go for a longer run in the morning, but it was a price she was willing to pay.
Besides, she wasn’t dressed appropriately to go to Helena’s or any other sit-down restaurant. She was still in her suit, her hair was an absolute mess with the salt and wind, and she didn’t feel like talking to anyone other than Marshall.
Yes, she was an extrovert, but she had her limits with people. And today had been so amazing, with just her and Marshall, that she didn’t feel like bringing anyone else into her circle at the moment.
Kenna desperately wanted to ask him to come up. They could eat their meal—he’d gotten a burger too—then maybe she could suggest they jump in the shower to clean up. Not that they’d fit together in her tiny shower, but a girl could fantasize.
Shaking her head, Kenna knew she wouldn’t do any of that. The day had been perfect and she didn’t want to mess it up. Not that spending more time with Marshall would mess it up, but it didn’t feel like the right time to get physical.
“What are you thinking about over there?” Marshall asked.
Maybe it was because she felt so mellow and had such a great day, but Kenna found herself being completely honest. “Whether or not to ask you to come up. And maybe to suggest we conserve water by showering together. But then I realized that we wouldn’t fit in my shower together anyway, and I decided that it doesn’t feel like the right time for anything more, physically, right now.”
Marshall reached for her hand and she gladly wrapped her fingers around his.
“I think we both know where this relationship is heading. At least I know where I want it to go. But I agree, today’s not the time.”
Kenna sighed in relief.
They didn’t speak for the rest of the trip to her apartment, but it was a comfortable silence.
Once they arrived, he pulled into a parking space, turned off the engine, and turned to her. “What’s your schedule like this week?”
“I work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday,” she said. “I’ve got some errands I need to do, but tomorrow I’m gonna go for a long run first.”
“Don’t jump on any unsuspecting scuba divers,” Marshall teased.
Kenna chuckled. “I didn’t jump on you, and I think I’ve learned my lesson on that one,” she said. “What about you?”
“PT and meetings. There’s a chance we might have to ship out, but we’re waiting to see how things go. Hopefully everyone can get their heads out of their asses and we won’t have to go anywhere.”
Kenna’s belly clenched, but she merely nodded. “I hope so too.”
“Did you know that Lexie works at Food For All downtown?” he asked.
Grateful for the subject change—Kenna wasn’t ready to think too much about Marshall and his friends heading into a dangerous situation yet—she nodded. “She said something about that the last time she texted me. Talked about one of her favorite people who frequently visited. I think his name was Theo?”
“Yeah, that’s him. Anyway, she’s going to be in charge of a second location of Food For All out in Barber’s Point and will be moving this week. The guys and I will be helping with some of the big stuff, but if you have the time, and you want to, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind help with organizing the new space. Elodie’s going to be volunteering there as well. Making healthy and somewhat gourmet box lunches for people.”
“I’d love to help,” she said honestly.
“Awesome,” he said with a smile.
Kenna eyed him for a second, then said, “It’s important to you that I like Lexie and Elodie, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “First off, they’re awesome, and I know you’d click with them once you really get to know them. But second, they’re around the guys and me a lot. And like we talked about before, I think they’ll be a great help and resource when I get deployed.”
Kenna smiled.
“What?” he asked.
“I just love that you’re talking long term.”
Marshall leaned over and once more put his hand behind her neck. It was obviously his go-to way to get her attention. And she loved it.
“I was already pretty sure I wanted something serious with you, but today clinched it. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman, Kenna. You’re funny, outgoing, kind, friendly, fun to be around, and I can’t deny that I’m physically attracted to you. And before you say it, I know you aren’t perfect, and we’ve already been over how I’m not. But your good qualities shine through so strong, I can’t imagine ever getting pissed over something silly, like you not wanting to do the dishes. Lexie and Elodie are not only my friends’ women, they’re my friends too. I desperately want you guys to all get along.”