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Tyler glanced over at Melissa as they drove down the road heading out of town, amazed that she’d agreed to go somewhere with him. Not that he thought she didn’t trust him. They had mutual friends, for God’s sake. But he was sure he’d have to do a hell of a lot more convincing to get her out of the office.
There was light traffic this time of afternoon, and with the sun shining and bright blue sky, it was one of those days that sucked to be in the office.
Which was why he wasn’t headed back.
His buddies on base assumed he’d be a while at Melissa’s office. And the fact that he was now cruising around with a beautiful woman at his side?
They’d be none the wiser.
She flipped her red hair over her shoulders, some of that exotic floral scent she had on wafting his way, and he resisted the urge to groan.
Driving around with her in an enclosed vehicle was more brutal than basic training—it took everything in his power not to reach over and tug her closer. Haul her into his arms. He’d seen that creamy porcelain skin on her bare shoulders in that sexy little sweater she had on. It didn’t exactly seem like it would keep her very warm in the middle of winter, but as far as looking sexy as fuck?
It hit all the marks.
All he’d need to do was push that suede jacket she was wearing aside and he’d be able to run his fingers over her bare skin.
Feel her softness and warmth.
She looked casual yet incredibly sexy today—the woman certainly could wear a pair of jeans. Strutting around in those high-heeled boots of hers, wearing denim that hugged every inch of her curves? That perfectly highlighted her ass?
Melissa all covered up was even sexier than Melissa in those short skirts and stilettos.
And wasn’t that saying something.
Although she seemed to be wearing trendy clothes, she didn’t seem to realize how damn tempting she was. He was attracted to her without her even trying. A woman like her would look good in everything and nothing at all.
Hell.
He’d love to see her in nothing but lingerie and those stilettos she loved to strut around in.
A woman like her probably wasn’t shy about her body. She’d enjoy tempting and teasing him. And wouldn’t he fucking love every minute as well.
Still, he had no damn business dragging her away for the afternoon. Taking her down to the lake—a place where he liked to spend some alone time.
What the hell did he expect was going to happen?
They’d hang out for a few hours and life would go on. He’d be back on base tomorrow; she’d be back showing homes, driving around prospective clients. He frowned. The incident from a few weeks ago was niggling at the back of his mind. The BOLO they’d gotten on base. Nothing had been in the news about it since, but that didn’t mean it was necessarily safe for her either.
Not until he was caught.
And a single woman couldn’t ever be too careful.
“So, you’re not going to give me any hints?” she asked, looking around. “Why are we heading out of town anyway?”
“It’s a sunny winter day, I’ve got the afternoon off—I wanted a break. To go somewhere for a change of scenery.”
“And that scenery would be...?”
He chuckled. “We’re heading to the lake, beautiful. Nothing better than just hanging out by the water. We’ll enjoy some peace and quiet and pretend we’re not in the middle of the work week. Just relax and enjoy the great outdoors.”
“You don’t seem like the ‘peace and quiet’ type.”
“I’m full of surprises. You don’t seem like the type to run off with a guy you hardly know.”
“Touché. But you’re not exactly a random stranger or something. I know where you work. I know where you’re about to live.”
“I know. I just like riling you up, gorgeous. But I want you to know you don’t have to worry—you’re safe with me.”
She glanced over at him, those light green eyes of hers flickering with a hint of vulnerability for a brief moment before her shield was back in place. “I can take care of myself,” she said. “I wouldn’t have come with you if I didn’t feel comfortable.”
“I’m sure you can. I’m just letting you know you don’t have to worry about me. Speaking of safety—”
“We weren’t,” she commented dryly, shooting him a look.
He shook his head, glancing back at the road. “Aren’t you ever concerned about being alone when showing homes? That photographer of yours was prowling around outside the house. You were working at your laptop and didn’t even know he was there.”
“Of course I knew he was there. He was photographing the property,” she said, blowing out an exasperated sigh. “He gave me the photos, remember? And yes, he’s a little annoying. And also completely harmless.”
“But you met me, sight unseen, and took me into an empty house.”
“That’s not my usual practice,” she said. “I even explained that when we first met. I was doing Amy and Jason a favor. Usually I meet clients at my office, go over all their papers, get a copy of their driver’s license—”
“Have you thought about getting a firearm?” he asked, frowning.
“I have pepper spray. And not that I enjoy talking about my ex, but he did teach me some self-defense moves. You can’t date a Marine without that.”
“Well that’s something,” Tyler muttered. Worry churned through his gut, and wasn’t that a shock to his system. He took women home all the time. Or met a woman at a bar and went back to her place. He was never concerned about their safety—sure, he wasn’t a threat, but he didn’t lecture them on their personal safety either. Or tell them not to bring home a man they didn’t know.
What was his deal with worrying about Melissa?
“Why are you so concerned anyway?” she asked, echoing his thoughts. “There are lots of realtors around. Women realtors,” she clarified. “I mean, you could get kidnapped walking down the street.”
Tyler turned to her, raising his eyebrows. “I could get kidnapped.”
“Not you you. The general you. I doubt anyone would try to grab a Marine off the street. Not anyone with an ounce of sense anyway. But nowhere is completely safe if you’re a woman. Someone could grab you in the parking lot, wait in your home. I mean, goodness, Amy jogs those trails in the forest all the time. Jason is with her a lot now, I suppose. But that’s not exactly safe either.”
“I’m just worried, beautiful.”
“Well there’s no need to be. Where are we going?” she suddenly shrieked, grabbing his arm as he abruptly pulled off the highway and onto a dirt road. His SUV bounced along, some overgrown bushes brushing against the side of the vehicle until they got into a clearing. Some of the trees around were bare since it was the middle of winter, but the evergreens provided a shot of greenery along the landscape.
With the bright sun overhead and the empty dirt road to the lake ahead of them, he was feeling damn fantastic.
Not to mention that fact that he had a beautiful woman at his side.
“The lake. I told you that.”
He slowed as they went over a bump, Melissa clutching his arm more tightly. “I thought you meant we were taking a paved road. To a big lake or something. Or one of the beach areas by the river. You know, the type of place people usually go to around here?”
Tyler chuckled. “I know what you mean, gorgeous. But this is even better. Trust me.”
“How can I trust you when I don’t even know where we’re going?”
He glanced down at her hand on his arm. Her touch was so soft, he wondered briefly if she felt that soft and smooth all over. If she was still hanging on to him because she liked touching him, too. “Look, beautiful. We’re not going camping in the wilderness or something. When you said they’d accepted my offer on the house, I decided to take the afternoon off to celebrate. Hell, my buddies still think I’m at the office with you.”
“Fantastic,” she said sarcastically, finally releasing him and settling back into her seat. “I do have work to do, you know.”
“I didn’t see you complaining when we left. And it’s not like I dragged you out the door or something. Live a little.”
“Is that the new Marine motto? Live a little?”
He chuckled. “Hell, I’ve been deployed to the Middle East four times. I’m lucky as hell to have made it back. Speaking of which, what ever happened with your sister’s boyfriend?”
“Fiancé,” Melissa said, stiffening. “And he’s still missing. It’s only been a few days, but I have a bad feeling. I wanted to fly out there to be with Becky, but she’s just starting a new semester. She told me not to come yet.” Melissa shrugged. “It sucks, but what am I supposed to do? She’s a big girl. She’s just waiting to hear more and holding onto hope.”
“You’re doing what you can,” he assured her.
They finally reached a small group of trees, and Tyler pulled through them, coming to a stop at a secluded lake. The sun glistened on the water, and he let out an appreciative whistle. “What did I tell you? Gorgeous on a day like today.”
“How did you find this place? Is it on someone’s property?”
“Technically yes, but it’s owned by the relatives of a buddy of mine. They said I could come here anytime I wanted.”
“Wow.” She looked around, relaxing slightly in her seat. “It looks...nice.”
He chuckled. “Why do you sound surprised?”
“It just feels like we’re in a different place. I mean, it’s right outside of town, but it’s secluded and out of the way. Kind of like a secret little hideaway.”
He shut off the engine, opening the driver’s side door. “I hear ya. Kind of like getting away without getting away. I come down here as often as I can when I just need some time to myself.”
Tyler shut his door, frowning as Melissa climbed out of the passenger side herself. Not that he went around wining and dining women, but he had basic manners. There was nothing wrong with helping a woman in and out of his SUV. Holding the door.
Feeling her soft curves against him.
She didn’t seem interested in his help though, and in a couple of long strides, he was catching up to where she stood, looking out at the lake. She shivered slightly, and he wished he’d thought ahead to bring something warm.
Or that he was the type of man that carried around a blanket in his trunk.
Not that he’d exactly planned this little outing. It wasn’t like he’d woken up expecting to sign papers in her office. Or to bring her along with him on this little adventure.
Melissa glanced around nervously, her gaze scanning the ground. “I hope there’s no snakes around here.”
“Snakes? I haven’t seen any before. Besides, they probably hibernate or something during the winter.”
“Or something,” she muttered, shivering again. “That’s real comforting.”
“Hell,” he said. “Come here.” Not giving her a chance to protest, he pulled her into his arms, so that she was leaning back against his chest. Her smaller frame up against his body was pure heaven. Her head rested perfectly beneath his chin, her backside against his groin, and he resisted the urge to groan.
To do something that would scare her away.
Because right now?
There was something damn right about holding her here. And he was aroused as hell holding her in his arms.
“Do you take all the girls down here?” she teased, nestling against him.
He tightened his grip ever-so-slightly. “Not a single one,” he said in a low voice. “I’ve never brought a woman here before.”
She stiffened slightly against him, and he ducked lower, his lips against her red hair. “Relax, beautiful,” he said, inhaling her exotic floral scent. Feeling her tremble slightly against him. “I already said I’d never hurt you.”
