“What do you think you’re going to do about your diminished capacity?”
A.J. answered after the waitress set down a chicken salad for Sienna and a steak for A.J. “You make me sound like I’m ready for the old folks’ home.”
Forking up a bite, Sienna gave him a cheeky smile. “You know what I mean. You’re far from the old folks’ home. Damn, A.J., you are a hunk.”
He laughed, looking down to cut his steak. The slight tinge to his skin made warmth curl inside her. He blushed. It was so sweet.
“Am I? So if I quit the SEALs, I should go into modeling?”
She paused in reaching for her drink. “You’d quit?”
“If I can’t perform my job a hundred and ten percent, then I don’t belong on missions where peoples’ lives hang in the balance,” he said quietly.
“There are so many men who wouldn’t admit this to themselves, let alone someone else.”
“To tell you the truth, this is the first time I’ve said it out loud. I’ve been trying to deny it for a while.”
“If you admit it to yourself, then you have to do something about it.”
A.J. shrugged. “I learned to be honest with myself a long time ago. Sometimes it’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s good medicine.” A.J. threw down some bills and rose. “Let’s get out of here.”
Could he possibly make her admire him more? And his words about honesty made her squirm inside. She was honest with herself, she told that jeering little voice.
They exited the diner. It looked like rain was threatening again.
“Have you talked to your sister?” A.J. asked. “In case you’re confused on this part, you need to contact her.”
Sienna sidestepped him, amazed at his ability to see more than she wanted him to see. It was almost more unnerving than his ability to make her want him.
“I made another fitting appointment for tomorrow afternoon. So you see, I make room for my family.” She told that jeering little voice to shut up.
“Making appointments and keeping the appointment are two different things,” A.J. said.
Sprinkles of rain peppered her skin. “This time, I’m going.”
“I can see that you’re determined.”
They stared at each other for a moment.
“We’re standing in the rain,” Sienna pointed out.
He looked up and smiled. “So we are. Isn’t it great to feel the cool drops against your skin? I love rain on a mission. Not only does it shield us from the enemy eyes, but the sensation of being real, concrete, gives me an edge.”
He lowered his head and pressed his mouth against hers. She still marveled how his could be so soft, so clever as his lips moved over hers with a sensual, seductive slide. He cupped her cheek, moving his thumb rhythmically around her skin as if he couldn’t seem to believe it was so soft.
She kissed him back because she couldn’t help it. It wasn’t like taking at all. It was like succumbing.
She’d been so careful for so long, she couldn’t believe she was being seduced by a rogue, one she invited to her bed.
But invite him she had, and she didn’t want him to disappear out of her life, but she didn’t see any way around the huge problem of his dangerous and demanding job.
“I’m getting all wet, Camacho.”
He lifted his hand and smoothed it over her hair, his eyes softening to tenderness. “Live a little, Parker. It won’t kill you,” he whispered.
“Are you sure about that?” She pulled out of his arms and headed for the car. His talk about living brought raw emotions to the surface. Sienna didn’t care for chaos, but the more she tried to order those feelings, the more they slipped through her defenses.
“Living is a rush, Sienna. Taking what you want with both hands and breaking out of your safe little world feels good,” he said, slipping behind the wheel.