“Let’s start over. I’m Tucker McCoy.”
“I’m Penelope Kolowski.”
“Penelope, what a beautiful name.”
“To go with a beautiful woman?” she asks.
I shake my head, but immediately realize my mistake. No man should ever tell a woman she isn’t beautiful.
“Beauty isn’t only on the outside. Everyone can make themselves pretty with hair and make-up, but it’s their character that counts the most.”
“Wow, what do you do for work? Do you write Hallmark cards or something?”
I shake my head once again and look around the bar. It’s filled with Navy personnel, but mostly SEALs and officers.
“I’m in the Navy.” I leave out the part about me being a SEAL. Most women think it is a glamorous life when they truly don’t understand what it means to be involved with a SEAL. We’re gone at a moment’s notice. It doesn’t matter if it’s at the beginning of family dinner while meeting her parents or about to blow your load. You get the call you go.
Her mouth forms an O and I’m wondering if she knows what that means.
“You know you’re less than a mile from a Navy base and this bar is known to cater to SEALs, right?”
“No, I didn’t know that. I’m in San Diego on vacation and my friends said this bar is the place to be.”
Leaning to the side, I look over at her friends and wave. They giggle and whisper amongst themselves.
“They’re cute, your friends. But yes
, you’re in a Navy bar and most women come in here to pick up a sailor.”
“And a SEAL, apparently.”
“Looks that way.” I wink at her and watch as she blushes uncontrollably. I find it cute that she doesn’t know anything about SEALs. I would’ve been turned off immediately if she did. “Why don’t we take a ride down the coastline? It’s a nice night and I’ll have you back before your friends are ready to leave.”
“How much have you had to drink?”
“Just one beer.”
She looks over at her friends once more and back at me. Her lower lip is pulled in between her teeth, causing me to caress her lip away from the hold they have on it.
“Okay,” she says almost breathlessly.
I throw a few bucks down on the bar and yell at Rick, “If I’m not back in two hours with her, tell Archer to hunt me down.” I wink at Penny as I take her hand in mine and lead her out of the bar.
“Have you ever been on a motorcycle before?”
She shakes her head. After climbing on, I help her onto the seat behind me.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go slow.” I pull her arms forward and wrap them around my waist.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she whispers against my neck.
Firing up the bike, I feel her move closer to me. Her grip becomes tighter as soon as I release the kickstand and start toward the street. She may be scared now, but in a few minutes, after the wind blows through her hair, she’ll feel the exhilaration. She’ll welcome the night air against her skin and the view she’s about to see will be some of the most spectacular sights of her visit. I don’t know what her friends have planned for her, but at least tonight I’ll show her a glimpse of my life.
As soon as I hit the highway I fight the urge to show her what my bike can really do. Instead, I do as I promised and keep it slow, allowing her to take in all that she can.
Every few minutes her hands wander. They start around my waist then under my shirt, only to retreat back to the outside of my shirt.
It’s not often I bring anyone out on my bike. It’s mine and for my enjoyment. It’ll go into storage when I deploy, being neglected until I return.