“You shouldn’t. You’re a beautiful woman.” He paused as if considering his words carefully. “Never put yourself down. Tonight, you stood up for yourself. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Beautiful? Cute maybe on a good day, but not beautiful. “I still don’t get it. Why me?”
His teeth flashed white in the darkness. “Spend Saturday with me and let me show you.”
She stumbled and he cupped her elbow to steady her. Tingles of awareness shot through her entire body. “Saturday?”
“You okay?” He tucked her hand through his arm and continued their slow walk toward campus. “Yes, I’d like to spend time with you tomorrow. What do you say?”
“I-I don’t know. What would we do?” How would she keep up a conversation with such a handsome man?
“Don’t know. How about we decide tomorrow? Do something spur of the moment.” He thought for a moment. “I don’t get a lot of down time with my job. Plans tend to get broken at a moment’s notice. So, I’d like your phone number in case we have to go wheels up with no warning.”
“Wheels up?”
“Sorry. That means we caught a mission and are probably on a plane headed out of the country.” He shrugged. “We’re on call pretty much at a moment’s notice. Therefore, I try to live in the moment.”
She couldn’t imagine leaving with no warning. “I don’t know if I could live that way. I prefer order and structure, being able to make plans. How does your family feel about your job?”
“They don’t say too much. We’re all busy with our own lives and touch base when we can, but they aren’t surprised if they can’t reach me.” He stopped and turned toward her. “You’ll have to lead the way from here.”
She looked around in surprise. They’d reached the edge of the university campus. “Uh. Yeah. This way.” She pointed in the direction of her dorm building. “So, if I agree to spend the day with you, can you give me an idea of what we might do. I’ll need to know what to wear.”
“Dress casual. Something comfortable. I like to keep things simple. Less stressful and more fun.”
“More fun? How do you know we’ll have fun if you don’t know what we’ll be doing?” She was tempted to say yes and didn’t know why. Was she really living or just going through the motions? For the first time ever, she’d met a man who was interested in her. One who made her feel…. Whatever these sensations were, she wanted to let things play themselves out. Time to take a chance. “Okay. I’ll spend tomorrow with you, but I want to stay in public places.”
A big grin split his face. “Deal. I get that you don’t know me, but we can still have fun. I’ll text you a list of possibilities in the morning. You can think about what you might want to do before I pick you up. How does that sound?”
“Okay.” The text would give her time to figure out what things on his list would be the least embarrassing. Being athletic or even coordinated wasn’t something that came naturally to her. She stopped in the circle of light from her dorm entry and turned to face him. “Give me your cell.”
When he handed over his phone she typed in her name and phone number, then handed her phone to Heath. “Now add yours to mine, so I’ll know who’s texting me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He added his information. “I look forward to seeing you later today, Cassie.”
Later today? She glanced at her watch and did a double take. One o’clock. Where had the time gone? Had they taken a detour and she’d missed the difference in scenery? Or had they slowed their pace to a crawl? “I guess I will see you later. I didn’t think it was this late.”
“Well, we did seem to take a rather circuitous route to your dorm.”
“We did?” Obviously, being around Heath wasn’t good for her observation skills. His presence scrambled her brains. She shook her finger at him. “You’re definitely a distraction. I’ll watch for your text. Thanks for walking me home.”
“You’re welcome.” He leaned forward and kissed her check. “Sleep well.”
She touched her fingers to the spot. “I-I’ll try. You-you too.” Great. Now her stammer made an appearance. When she stepped back, her foot awkwardly hit the bottom step and she stumbled. Heath grabbed her hand and jerked her toward him. She crashed against his firm chest. All the air rushed out of her lungs and warmth surrounded her. Heath’s mouth was less than a breath, from hers.
He inched closer and his warm lips slid over hers. Pure sensation swept over her, leaving her off-balance and shaky. Granted, she’d been kissed less than half-a-dozen times, but none could be called a kiss when stacked next to this one. Cassie leaned into his chest and raised to tiptoes to deepen the sensation. Heath eased his lips from hers, cradled her face into the vee of his neck and took a deep breath.
“You okay?”
The rumble of his voice vibrated through her. “Ye-ah, I’m fine.” Damn, did the pitch of her voice raise higher? “Uh.” Great start Cassie, come on get your act together. “Thanks for catching me.”
Heath tucked his forefinger under her chin and lifted until she looked at him. “You’re welcome. I wouldn’t want you to injure yourself before our big date.”
Shaking her head, she chuckled. “Thank you for saving me.”
“My pleasure.” He released her and stepped back. “I’ll let you get inside, then I’d better get home. I’ve got plans to make.”
Feeling bereft from the loss of his arms around her, she hesitated, then turned and climbed the stairs. She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a small smile. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Yes, you will. Good night Cassie.”
He gave her a brief salute, then turned and headed back the way they’d come.
Cassie headed for her room. She wouldn’t get much sleep tonight, she was too wound up to relax. What had come over her? Why had she agreed to see him again? Since she had his phone number she could cancel, but did she really want to? Honestly, the answer was no. She wanted to see him again and that scared her most of all.
#
Heath picked up the pace on the last stretch of the team’s morning run. Even after only three hours of sleep, he was still doing better than Dev and a couple of the other guys.
“Alright you sadistic bastard, just because you were a saint last night and didn’t have a drink doesn’t mean you need to kill the rest of us for having some fun,” Dev said between moans of pain. “Ease up, bro.”
“Speak for yourself. I think he’s taking it easy on you idiots.” Wade said as he passed them to take the lead.
Heath grinned as Wade set a blistering pace. Today wasn’t a good day to be nursing a hangover. He glanced at Dev who was sucking air and sweating like the fires of hell burned him alive. Even at oh-six hundred the air temperature was over seventy. Today was shaping up to be blazing hot. He needed to rethink the options he planned for his day with Cassie. With her fair skin, she probably burned easily.
He’d send her his list when he was done with PT. There were several places around the area he hadn’t seen, and some favorites he’d enjoy visiting again. A glance showed several of the guys were struggling. Taking pity on them, Heath retook the lead and brought the pace down to a reasonable tempo. This was the first time in years he looked forward to spending time with a woman.
They finished their six miles and headed toward the field for calisthenics. While he moved through the exercises his mind roamed. He remembered his first glimpse of Cassie from across the room last night. He couldn’t put his finger on what drew him to her, but once he’d spotted her practically hiding in the corner, he’d been intrigued. Her long blond hair, trim figure and quietly elegant clothes struck him as out-of-place in the rowdy college crowd.
He’d watched for thirty minutes, and she hadn’t left the corner. A couple of guys had approached and each time she’d taken a step back and bumped the wall behind her. Both guys had changed course and moved on to easier targets. A small smile escaped his control. Her reactions had
been a major deterrent for the other men but had pulled him toward her. Showing him her inner strength made her even more attractive.
“Hell, Lawe. You’re drenched in sweat, crawling under barb wire and grinning like an idiot. What’s your problem?” Dev started to shake his head, then cringed.
“Nothing. Can’t a guy smile?”
“Not like that. And not while crawling in the dirt.” Dev gave a mock shudder. “It’s not normal. People might think you’ve been possessed.”
“Nope. They’ll just wonder what I’ve been up too.” Heath widened his grin. “Besides most people are attracted to happy or positive people. You should try it, grumpy.”
“Grumpy.” Dev shot him a dirty look. “You try being ‘happy’ when you have two competing drum lines outplaying each other in your head. See how smiley you are then.”
Heath finished his crawl and sprinted to the rope climb. Halfway up the obstacle, he looked back. “Hey no one held a gun to your head to make you drink.”
“What fun is going to a party and not drinking?” Dev started his climb. “That’s unamerican.”
“Not everyone drinks, yet we still manage to have fun. Heath glanced at his watch. He needed to pick up his pace.
He pushed through the last three obstacles, then did his stretching routine.
“Who was chasing your sorry ass?” Dev collapsed on the ground, squinting up at him.
“I’ve got things to do and people to see.” Heath finished the last of his warm down and grabbed his gear.
Dev opened one eye to peer at Heath. “Are you meeting the cute gal from last night?”
“Yup.”
Rolling to sitting, Dev narrowed his gaze. “I didn’t think she liked you.”
“I think my behavior showed her that I wasn’t a one-night stand kind of guy. She agreed to spend the day with me. I’ll see all of you later.” He saluted his team, then jogged to his truck and climbed in. He had a date to plan and a beautiful lady to see.
#
Cassie glanced at the list again. Heath had provided the descriptions for what each choice involved. There were several she’d read and thought no way. But there were many others that sounded fun. Typing quickly, she put together her approved list and hit send. He responded with a smiley face, and he’d see her in an hour.
Going somewhere she hadn’t been made her nervous, but the sense of security she had felt with Heath last night made her less apprehensive. Opening her closet door, she scanned the contents. If she wanted to look good her options were limited. Most of her clothes were casual, so they would be comfortable. Finally, grabbing a colorful tropical flowered skirt, royal blue tank top and matching long-sleeved shirt, she dressed quickly.
She still had half an hour before Heath arrived. After another ten minutes of pacing, and she’d had enough. She grabbed her small purse and headed downstairs.
She burst through the front door and stopped in shock. Heath stood at attention on the sidewalk like he’d been positioned there for some time. “What-how long?”
He smiled and lifted one shoulder. “I didn’t want to show up before you’re ready, so I waited. I got everything ready for two of the events on your list.”
“How did you manage all of that before you got here?” She hoped he didn’t talk on the phone and drive.
“SEALs know how to multi-task. I called for the tickets while I was getting dressed, then swung by my favorite deli and picked up lunch. A quick stop at the store for ice and drinks which I stored in the cooler in my truck.” Moving toward her, he offered her his arm.
“Chivalry isn’t dead, huh?”
“No, ma’am. This is just good manners,” he drawled.
‘Uh-huh. I don’t remember you having a really bad southern accent last night.” Where had this playful, dare she say flirtatious banter come from? So not how she usually acted around men. She placed her hand in the crook of his arm.
Once they were headed toward the ocean, she shot him a questioning look. “Where are we going?”
“Most of what you chose are at the pier in Long Beach. I thought we’d tour the Queen Mary, then eat our lunch at the park before we visit the aquarium. Afterward we can stroll the pier. Or we can check out the Pelican Pier Pavilion and take a ride on the carousel.” He drew a deep breath and continued in a rush. “Or we can take a ride on the Ferris wheel, walk around the Japanese gardens, take a Gondola ride around Naples Island or anything else that catches our attention.”
“Wow, you’ve been busy. I need to take a SEAL training course to learn your organizational skills.” A quick glance his way showed his dimples when he smiled. The more time she spent with Heath, the more she found to like.
“I don’t think you’d like the rest of the training. Especially the obstacle course, hand-to-hand combat or weapons training.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t. I’d flunk out of those three.” She’d never really thought about the kind of training he’d had. Or how dangerous his job must be. Did his training make him dangerous?
“They’re not one class as much as they’re multiple classes over a number of weeks. We spend a lot of time learning how to protect ourselves and others. I get the impression you don’t like idea of guns and fighting.” He glanced at her before returning his attention to traffic.
How should she reply to that question? Did she like guns, no? Or did she like fighting, no? Basically, his job was all about things she didn’t like. Maybe not answering would be better. “I have to admit, I’m not big on either. I’m more of a lover than a fighter.” She cringed, that hadn’t come out quite as neutral sounding as it had been in her head. “I realize the world needs people willing to protect the rest of us who….”
“Who?” His one eyebrow raised when he looked toward her.
Great, now she’d really put her foot in her mouth. Make that both feet. “Those of us who don’t know how to protect ourselves let alone anyone else.”
He chuckled. “Nice save. My job isn’t for everyone. Unfortunately, it is necessary to protect our country and innocent people who end up in bad situations.” He paused as if in thought. “Is my job a deal breaker?”
Was it? She didn’t think so, but then she didn’t really know a lot about what SEALs did. Maybe finding out more would help. “Tell me about what you do. What is a regular day like? Help me understand.”
“My normal days would bore you to tears. We get up early to do anywhere from a six to ten-mile run. Some days we just run, others we run in full gear or with a fifty-pound backpack. After that we move on to calisthenics, obstacle course or we do some weightlifting. Most days we do paperwork, follow up on situations we’ve been monitoring, or we’re in briefings. What’s your normal day like?”
“Even more boring, and a lot less physical.” That was an understatement. “I’m not very athletic and an absolute klutz. I can literally trip over my own feet.” She considered what to say next. “Most days I’m in class, at the library doing research or studying or in my dorm room passed out from trying to cram more knowledge into my overcrowded brain.”
A boom of laughter exploded from him. She joined him. The sound of his low voice sent an electric charge through her system. His huge smile made him appear young and carefree. The more she learned the more she liked.
“What do you do to have fun?” Heath shot her a quick, wary glance. “Do you belong to a sorority?”
She sighed. Now he’d realize how boring she truly was. “No sorority. I have a few friends I go out with, but those times are few or far between. I’m not a real big people person. I tend to get nervous in crowds and I can’t do public speaking without being physically sick.” She bit her lip to avoid adding to her pathetic life story.
“Do you have to do a lot of public speaking?”
“Not real public speaking, but like doing a presentation or even being called on in class is hard. I hate feeling like everyone’s looking at me, then I stammer and start getting sic
k to my stomach.” She really needed to stop talking. Everything she said made her sound like a loser.
“Have you tried hypnosis? Or speech classes geared toward helping you overcome your fears?” The look he gave her was sympathetic.
How could he not wonder what kind of an idiot she was? “No, I haven’t. I’ve learned to avoid those situations as often as I can. Unfortunately, there are times I can’t. Like when Kristina begs me to go to a party with her. I can only handle so much whining before I cave.” She shot him a rueful smile. “She’s learned how to manipulate me.”
“If you know her methods, then why let her get away with it?”
“She’s family. Plus growing up she ran interference when I needed it.”
“In other words, you feel like you owe her.”
“Something like that. She was there when I didn’t feel comfortable talking to my dad.” She raised an eyebrow. “There are some things that a girl needs to talk to another girl about.”
“Don’t most teenagers confide in other kids before they do their parents? I told my brother things that neither of my parents ever knew about. That makes you a typical kid. Even hating being the center of attention isn’t unusual. I had a friend who was super smart, but he’d never raise his hand in class. He’d get so nervous he’d almost pee his pants. One of our teachers talked him into a drama class and it helped. He learned how to project his voice, how to ignore the audience and focus on what was on stage with him.” A small smile turned up the corners of his mouth, like the memory he shared was a good one.
“Are you still friends with him?”
The joy vanished. “No. We moved, and I lost touch.”
“I’m sorry. Good friends are hard to come by.”
“Yes, they are.”
They pulled into the Queen Mary’s visitor’s lot and Heath glanced at his watch. “We’ve got about forty-five minutes before we board. What would you like to do while we wait?”
“What are my options?”
“How about a walk along the harbor? See what we find.”
Yesterday's Promise Page 6
