SEAL's Second Chance (A Navy SEAL Brotherhood Romance)

by Ivy Jordan

  I hadn’t digested the information she’d just fed me yet, and my heart was still fluttering.

  “So, you must be Lark. Lark and Willow; those are a couple of beautiful names for two beautiful ladies,” his eyes lingered on mine while his lips curled into one of the sexiest smiles I’d ever seen.

  “Yes. Willow wanted to meet you. Benny said it was fine to come by tonight. I hope you don’t mind,” Lark said.

  “Saturdays don’t get busy in here until around ten. Now, if you’d come by last night, you could’ve seen me play,” he said, his eyes moving towards the stage.

  “You’re a musician?” I asked, suddenly less attracted to the handsome man.

  “Sure am,” he said proudly, his smile growing as his eyes stared into mine for a reaction. Did he expect me to squeal like a groupie, maybe wet my panties?

  “I dated a musician,” I snapped, quickly lifting my beer glass to my lips.

  Lark gave me a quick apologetic glance. It was bad enough that she knew he was a bartender, but a musician? Ugh!

  “You act like that’s a bad thing,” he said, his smile slipping from his face.

  “Oh, it is,” I laughed.

  “Not all musicians are bad,” he said, sliding his long fingers through his hair.

  “Yeah, right,” I rolled my eyes.

  “Aww. That’s not fair. I can change your mind,” he said.

  “You have your work cut out for you, there,” I chuckled.

  A tall blonde was standing at the other end of the bar, her breasts falling out of her Barbie-doll dress and laying on the wood. “I better take care of her. Do you still want to hear about the room?” he asked.

  I swallowed hard. Did I?

  My thoughts drifted to Mac, my ex. He was the typical rock-star type. He’d spent more time practicing, playing shitty gigs, and tuning his guitar than he ever had with me. The only thing he loved more than his music was his groupies. I wasn’t sure anyone could ever change my mind about musicians, especially this smooth operator. Could I live with him?

  “Wow, you’re really pondering that question,” he laughed.

  A smile crept up on my face. “Okay. Sure. Doesn’t hurt to get the information,” I said sternly.

  I watched him lean in and smile as he took the blonde’s order. “Wow, he is really hot,” Lark sighed.

  “Yeah. Why the hell didn’t you tell me he was a bartender and a freakin’ musician?” I screeched.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think it would matter. I honestly thought he’d be more like Benny,” Lark said quickly.

  I’d never met Benny, but Lark had mentioned he was a computer tech. I had just assumed Theo would be a computer geek from that one statement, so I couldn’t blame her for that, I guess.

  “I just don’t know if I can handle this,” I said.

  “You’re not dating him. You’re just going to be roommates. Benny said he’s hardly there,” Lark insisted.

  Theo talked to the other bartender, pointing in my direction. He walked around the bar and took a seat beside me, smiling wildly. “What?” I asked nervously.

  “So, you are just moving out of Mom and Dad’s?” he asked with a smirk.

  “Don’t do that,” I said quickly.

  “Do what?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows high on his forehead.

  “Try to read me,” I snapped.

  “Oh? Like you did me?” he smiled.

  “Touché,” I said.

  “Seriously, though. First time on your own?” he asked.

  “No. I finished college last year. I moved to New York a few months ago,” I replied.

  “You been staying with Lark? Two birds nesting in the big city?” he chuckled.

  “No. A friend from college, and her two other roommates,” I sighed.

  “Ouch,” he scrunched his face and then laughed.

  “So, what are you looking for?” he asked.

  “Mainly, a place closer to the city,” I replied.

  “Okay. My place is just a couple blocks from here. You work in the city?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I replied, not offering any further details about my life. “So, tell me about the place. The rent sounds pretty cheap for the city,” I said.

  “Oh, so you’re afraid it’s a dump?” he laughed.

  I fought my smile, but lost. A laugh rolled through my throat, and my cheeks were burning with embarrassment.

  “It’s okay. I would be worried too,” he said sweetly.

  He reached across the bar, grabbing a napkin and a pen. “Here,” he said, scribbling an address on the paper.

  “Come by tomorrow around two. If you like it, we can talk logistics,” he said as he slid the napkin towards me.

  “Okay,” I agreed.

  When he got up from his barstool, my eyes looked upward, taking in his muscular, tall frame. His eyes caught mine, causing me to blush.

  His smile was warm and soothing.

  “I’ll see ya tomorrow, Willow,” he said softly and walked back around to the working side of the bar.

  I finished my drink quickly, ready for my exit. “You’re gonna go?” Lark asked as we waved goodbye to Theo.

  “I’ll check it out,” I said sternly.

  Her smile widened on her face, and her eyes glared at me with judgment.

  “Like you said, we’d just be roommates. We wouldn’t be dating,” I insisted, not sure who I was trying to convince—her, or myself.

  Chapter Two

  Lark had a wedding to shoot, so she couldn’t go with me to Theo’s. I was a little uneasy about showing up alone, but figured if I was considering living with him, I’d better get used to being alone with him.

  The cab pulled up to the address Theo had given me. I double-checked the napkin. “This is the right address?” I asked, showing the napkin to the cabbie.

  He nodded, seemed annoyed at my hesitance, and motioned to his meter. “Twelve dollars,” he said quickly.

  I handed him a ten and a five, opened the door, and stepped out onto the cobblestone sidewalk. The tall, red-brick building was scrunched between two others that looked just like it. A wide set of stairs led to a pristine white door with a majestic gold, curved handle. Thick, gold numbers hung on the brick, slanted to read 582. “This can’t be right,” I whispered to myself, taking a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.

  The chimes sounded, echoing a tune that was familiar. Stairway to Heaven?

  I stood there for what felt like an eternity, waiting for someone to come to the door. I was certain it was the wrong address, or that Lark had misunderstood the rent amount.

  I heard shuffling on the other side of the door, and then it opened. Theo was sliding a t-shirt over his head, and my eyes couldn’t help but notice the rippled abs as the material fell over them. Holy shit!

  “I’m sorry. I was getting in a quick workout,” he boasted.

  Yeah, perfectly timed to show off his body to me.

  I tried to act unimpressed, even though the tingle between my legs was stating otherwise. “That’s cool. I thought I had the wrong place. Was that Stairway to Heaven?” I was rattling.

  “Right place, and yes. I had it custom made,” he smiled. “I’m sorry. Come in,” he said, moving from the doorway and motioning me inside.

  I hoped my nerves weren’t visible, but the heat on my cheeks told me they most likely were. “Thank you,” I said softly, walking past him and taking in the scent of his testosterone and whatever cologne he was wearing before he started his workout.

  The place was impressive, too impressive for what he was asking. I must’ve gotten bad information from Lark. I stood on white granite at the entry, staring out at the large main room. A spiral staircase swirled with curves so unique they made me dizzy to follow, and a large hall opened into what looked to be the kitchen. The only thing that seemed properly in place was the pool table in a room to the right that had large French doors, most likely an office or den. Everything else in the home looked too stylish for a bartende
r, a man, a musician. “This place is amazing,” I stammered, my mouth still hanging open in awe. “I’m not sure I can afford the rent here,” I admitted, feeling stupid for wasting his time.

  “Didn’t Benny tell you the amount?” he asked.

  “Benny told Lark, but I think she may have forgotten a zero at the end,” I laughed.

  “What did she tell you?” he asked.

  “Eight-hundred,” I said softly, feeling the number was offensive.

  It wasn’t the best neighborhood. I mean, it wasn’t Madison Avenue, but it was still the Upper West Side. I’d priced studio apartments in the city, ones that were not even large enough for a full-size bed, that were triple that amount.

  “That’s what I’m asking. Is that too much?” he asked.

  I shook my head, unable to speak. I swallowed hard, realizing it was loud enough that he probably heard.

  “Good,” he smiled.

  “That just seems really low,” I said, looking around the large home.

  “Well, that’s what it is,” he grinned.

  My shoulders loosened staring at him. His smile was amazing, too amazing. He had to know what effect he had on women, on me. Of course he did; he was a musician, a conceited rocker, a womanizer, just like my ex. I could see it in his beautiful blue eyes.

  “Let me show you around,” he said, clearing his throat.

  I followed him around the place, starting with the main room. “I’m never in here,” he admitted. The large sectional looked like a pile of clouds that you could get lost in while watching movies on Lifetime. “I could live in here,” I laughed.

  Next, he showed me the den, where his pool table was the focal point of the room. There were a couple rock band posters on the wall, but not much else. “This is where I have a beer and cool off after a show,” he smiled.

  He led me through the large hall and past the spiral staircase, showing me a closet, a half bath, and a pantry on the way to the kitchen. “Another room I’m never in,” he laughed.

  I stared at the granite countertops, the beautiful crystal light fixtures that dangled like diamonds from the tall ceilings, and the island complete with sink, stove top, and two cute bar stools next to the counter space. “Do you cook?” he asked.

  I shook my head. I wished I did.

  He showed me the laundry room, which was piled with dirty clothes, and then opened a door off the kitchen that led to a small gym. This must be where he worked up that deliciously dangerous scent that oozed from his body.

  “You would be welcome to use the gym anytime you wanted. Benny never did, the fat, lazy bastard,” he laughed, obviously being playful about his friend’s lack of interest in fitness.

  “Out here, there’s a small patio, and a narrow ladder to the roof. I don’t recommend using it, though. Safer to get to it from upstairs,” he said.

  I peeked out the kitchen door to a small brick patio. A worn table with a missing glass top sat in between two less-than-impressive chairs. “That’s cool,” I said, trying not to show my excitement. A patio, the roof? Eight-hundred dollars? I was beaming inside.

  “Okay, I know it’s only the second time we’ve met, but would you like to see the bedrooms?” he asked with a smirk so hot it burnt my cheeks.

  “I usually don’t move so quickly, but sure,” I laughed.

  Oh my God, was I flirting? Stop it, Willow.

  He walked to the staircase and then stopped, motioning for me to go first. I took the first step, and then the next, until finally realizing that he was probably only wanting to check out my ass. My steps started to move quicker, making it to the top of the stairs in what felt like record time. “Okay. Straight down the hall is my room,” he said softly.

  That tingle between my legs returned, and my panties started to cling to my skin. “That is a bathroom,” he said, pointing to the door on the left.

  As I walked by, I peeked inside. It wasn’t very big, but it was clean. “There’s no tub, but the shower has some amazing jets,” he informed me, lifting his eyebrows high on his forehead as he spoke.

  I missed having a tub, but the jets did have me intrigued. Were we sharing a bathroom? I wondered.

  “Your room would be right here,” he said, taking a step ahead of me and opening the door just past the bathroom and across the hall.

  The room was larger than I expected it to be, and had a window that overlooked the sidewalk. “At night, you can see the city light up,” he said.

  There were boxes everywhere, and clothes strewn all over the king-sized bed. I was excited to finally sleep in a real bed, and not the worn, itchy couch that poked springs into my sides where I lived in estrogen hell.

  “Benny will be getting the rest of his stuff this week. I have to help him move the bed,” he said, crushing my dream of sleeping on what looked to be the softest bed in the entire world.

  “Okay,” I said softly, masking my disappointment with a smile.

  It’s okay. I’ll buy my own bed. I have some money saved.

  I walked deeper into the room, staring out the window and imagining what it’d be like to see the city lights while I edited my photos at night. Heaven. It would be like heaven. Theo’s doorbell sounded in my head. This truly was the stairway to heaven.

  “Holy shit!” I said, quickly slapping my hand over my mouth in shame.

  Theo moved towards me, smiling, and his eyes dancing as they pushed into me. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong. It’s this closet. It’s larger than most apartments’ I’ve looked at,” I exclaimed.

  Yes, I was exaggerating, but it was huge.

  “It’s not that big. But, hey, good to know you’re easily impressed,” he chuckled, letting his tongue slide to his top lip and linger just long enough for my tingle to return.

  “Okay, last room,” he said, moving towards the bedroom door.

  I followed him out, and then down the hall towards the door he said led to his room. “I don’t need to see your room,” I said, hesitating.

  “There are two things you may find useful in there,” he said with a smirk.

  I stared at him, struggling to figure out if he was teasing, being serious, or coming on to me. “Maybe three, but from your face, I’m gonna stick with two,” he laughed.

  His eyes narrowed, creating a cat-eye shape that only made them sexier. “Lighten up. I’m just teasing,” he assured me.

  I smiled nervously and followed him to his bedroom. As he opened the door, my heart raced, fearful, maybe excited, about why he wanted me in there, and what would happen next.

  “Don’t mind the mess,” he said, picking up clothes from the floor, and tossing them into a basket as he walked inside.

  My eyes lingered on his bed, unmade, messy, huge, and plush. The thick mattress stopped at my hip. “Wow. If you date short girls, they’d need a step stool to come to bed,” I laughed.

  His laugh echoed through the room, somewhat nervous, possibly just surprised by my candor. “I like my women tall enough to get into bed without help, but not so tall that they don’t have to tiptoe to kiss me. That’s fuckin’ hot,” he sighed.

  I could feel myself lifting to my toes to kiss Theo. He was tall, maybe six-foot-five, and I was only five-foot-six. Yes, I would have to tiptoe to kiss Theo. Stop it, Willow. You’re doing it again.

  “So, what is it I would find useful in here?” I asked, quickly changing the subject.

  “First,” he said, moving towards the back of the room.

  His arm stretched outward, motioning me to check out whatever was behind the door he just pushed open. I moved towards him, peeking into the door. We were close, so close. His strong, manly scent was oozing with pheromones.

  My eyes shifted around the bathroom, noticing first the messy sink with hair product, cologne bottles, and an assortment of creams all over the counter. I quickly glanced past the toilet, happy that I didn’t have to share with Theo, and then noticed what it was he wanted to show me. “A tub,” I sighed pleas
antly.

  “Yes. I know how you girls like to take bubble baths. So, you can use it anytime you want,” he said.

  I noticed his language was changing from could use, would be able to use, to can use. Was he ready to offer me the place? If he did, was I ready to accept?

  “That’s one thing; what’s the second?” I asked, almost afraid he would pull out his cock. That would be something Mac would do. The asshole.

  Theo moved to his back wall, pulling open a thick set of curtains that instantly allowed the sun to blast into the room. “I like it dark when I sleep, especially since it’s usually during the day. Blackout curtains are amazing,” he smirked.

  A French door was situated in the center of a large window that opened to a small metal platform that looked like a fire escape. “This is the only way to get to the roof in one piece,” he said playfully, flinging open the door and stepping outside.

  The metal platform he stood on shook as his weight shifted, causing me to let out a squeal. “It’s safe,” he said, extending his hand for me to take.

  “I dunno,” I shuddered.

  “Trust me,” he said sweetly.

  I took a deep breath, took his hand, and stepped out onto the rickety platform. There was barely enough room for us both. His hands rested on my hips, steadying me as he laughed softly, letting his warm breath hit the back of my neck. “You go first,” he insisted.

  I wasn’t afraid of heights, but I’d never been a big fan of them, either. This shaky platform seemed more of a threat than the two metal stairs that led to what appeared to be solid concrete. “Okay,” I sighed, taking the first step.

  The stairs rocked a little, or the platform did; either way, it made me squeal. I quickly made the steps, stopping on the concrete platform and taking in a deep breath.

  Theo was laughing. His eyes turned almost gray in the sunlight, hypnotizing me the longer I stared into them. “It’s not funny,” I whined playfully.

  “I know. It’s just, well, you squeal a lot,” he chuckled.

  I rolled my eyes, not pleased with his amusement. “This isn’t safe,” I scorned.

  “Sure it is,” he said, taking the two steps without hesitation.