She wasn’t paying. No way. It might be a little chauvinistic of him, but he was the guy, he paid for their meals. Period.
He listened with half an ear as she ordered their dinner. She gave Phantom very detailed directions on how to get to the restaurant, as if he was going to get lost and somehow drive his way to Seattle or something, which was impossible, as there were no roads in or out of the capital city. It was cute how she constantly forgot he and his friends were Navy SEALs. They’d navigated their way around the most remote cities and jungles with nothing but a compass, and sometimes not even that.
Bubba had a feeling Phantom would take longer to return simply to give him some time alone with Zoey.
The second the door had closed behind his teammate, Bubba took Zoey into his arms and backed into the living area. He fell onto the couch, Zoey still in his arms, loving how she giggled at his antics.
“Mark! Let me go. I need to get up and see about this disaster of a house.”
“In a minute,” he said, nuzzling the skin behind her ear.
Zoey turned her head, giving him room while saying, “We don’t have time for this. The restaurant isn’t too far away, Phantom’ll be back before too long.”
“We won’t go too far,” he told her. “I’ve been around you all day, but I still miss you.”
He felt her melt in his arms. “That was sweet,” she said softly.
“It’s true. Now…kiss me, woman,” he said, purposely lowering his voice so he sounded gruff.
She laughed again and sat up in his lap so she was straddling him. “With pleasure,” she said before lowering her lips to his.
They made out on her couch for several minutes. Bubba knew he’d never get enough of her curves under his hands. He loved everything about her. Her shape. The little moans she made deep in her throat. The way she couldn’t sit still as he teased her nipples—
Bubba froze when his thoughts sank in.
“What? What’s wrong?” Zoey asked, looking worried.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he reassured her quickly, hating that he’d scared her for even a second. “I just…I love you, Zo.”
She blinked at him. Her eyes wide as if she couldn’t believe what he’d just said. “You do?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Bubba laughed. “You want me to list all the reasons?”
She shook her head. “No, that came out wrong. I mean, are you sure?”
Zoey was freaking adorable, and Bubba felt freer and lighter than he had in a long time. “I’m sure, sweetheart.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Because I think I’ve loved you since we were stuck in the woods together. Which is insane, but honestly, with how much your dad talked about you and how awesome you turned out to be, how could I not fall in love with you? He had a picture of you that you sent him on his mantel, and every time I walked by it, I imagined what it would be like to see you again, even though I knew you weren’t coming to Juneau anytime soon. Then your dad got sick, and I went to visit my mom, and…there you were. I didn’t know what to say to you in the airport and just knew I’d made a fool of myself.” She paused and winced. “Just like I’m doing right now.”
“You’re not making a fool of yourself,” Bubba said.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head at him, and Bubba couldn’t stop the laugh that burst forth.
“I even love it when you roll your eyes at me. You did that back when we were stranded, you know. I loved it then, and I love it now.”
“You should know, I don’t deserve you. But I swear that I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy. Most of the time I feel like I’m out of my depth around you. Like I’m this naïve little girl and you’re this larger-than-life hero. But just know that I’m trying to toughen up. To get more worldly.”
“Don’t change, Zoey. I love you just how you are.”
She stared at him for a second, then tears filled her eyes.
Bubba drew her down against him and didn’t bother to tell her not to cry. He was overwhelmed with emotion as well. Zoey loved him back. He was going to spend the rest of his life with her, come hook or crook. No one would take her from him, and he wouldn’t do anything that would make her want to leave him.
Easing her back so he could see her eyes, he said, “Being with a SEAL isn’t easy, Zo. When I get called on a mission, I have to go. I can’t tell you where I’ll be or how long I’ll be gone. Can you deal with that?”
“Yes.”
Her answer was immediate and heartfelt.
“I appreciate that, but I want to make sure you know what you’re getting into with me before we make this permanent.”
Her eyes widened. “Permanent?”
“Yeah. If, after a few missions, you still feel the same way about me and my profession, I’m gonna ask you to marry me. Our relationship has been fast, and while I’d marry you tomorrow, I want you to be sure.”
“I’m sure,” she said without any hesitation. “Mark, I’ve crushed on you for over thirteen years. You just said you love me and want to marry me. I’m not going to let something like your job get between us.”
“Caite and the others will always be there when we’re away,” he told her. “You need anything, you can absolutely call them.”
“I know. They’re awesome. They’ve all been texting me nonstop since the barbeque. I’ve never had friends like them. They accepted me without reservations. Unlike anyone else I’ve known in my life, aside from your dad. I’ve always been the newcomer. The outsider. But to them, I’m already one of their inner circle. It’s crazy, and so nice I can’t even describe it.”
“I’m glad. Zo?”
“Yeah?”
“How much longer do you think Phantom’s going to be?”
She smiled. “At least another ten minutes, I’d say.”
“Good. Time enough for me to get you off at least once.”
“Mark! No, I—”
Her words were cut off on a groan when Bubba’s fingers deftly undid the button on her jeans. He turned and dumped her on her back on the couch and slipped his hand inside her panties, groaning when he felt how slippery she already was.
As it turned out, it took Phantom another thirteen and a half minutes to return, but by then, Zoey was sitting primly upright on the couch once more with Bubba by her side. Her cheeks were a little flushed, but otherwise no one would be able to tell minutes ago she’d been writhing and screaming his name as she came all over his fingers.
Surreptitiously licking his finger, Bubba winked at Zoey when she blushed once more. Being with Zoey was exciting…and fun. He couldn’t remember the last time being with a woman had been fun. He couldn’t wait until later that night when they went to bed. He wanted to be inside her more than he could explain.
Forcing himself to be patient, Bubba went to the sink to wash his hands and help with setting up dinner.
The seafood smelled delicious, and Bubba realized his stomach was growling. This trip to Juneau hadn’t turned out so bad so far. Tomorrow, he’d take care of his inheritance, then he and the love of his life could get back to California and get on with their lives.