Covertly Strong (The Strong Series Book 1) (21 page)

He is immensely relieved from this reaction.

“Sit,” he instructs as he pulls out a chair from the kitchen table.

“I really don’t have time,” she quietly states, yet her ass still manages to find its way to the chair.

“I’ll be quick,” he adds as he starts pulling out a skillet from an overhead cabinet.

“I’m pretty sure those are three words a woman never wants to hear.” The words fall from her lips before she can even process their flirtatious meaning. A petite hand covers her mouth in shock.

Nix glances over his shoulder and a knowing smirk encompasses his face. He chooses not to add to that comment after seeing her stunned expression, but his heart doubles in size from getting a small glimpse at the fiery girl he used to know.

“So tell me more about Project Smiles,” he offers as a change of subject.

The relief is obvious in the audible exhalation of compressed air from her lungs.

She begins to tell him all about the charitable organization that she runs in mundane detail, her voice not showing any signs of passion or obvious happiness. It’s apparent that she takes pride in helping children in desperate need of medical assistance, but it’s also apparent that this job, this career, is not her calling.

Nix throws together a quick lunch of grilled chicken, asparagus, and baked potatoes while she continues to tell him about her current life in San Diego.

They sit at the kitchen table inside Nix’s apartment enjoying a friendly meal together.

The conversation is easy—not forced or uncomfortable—but he still can’t deny the overwhelming tension that hovers over them in a thick, emotional fog. Their responses and the occasional knowing glances that pass between them do not go unnoticed. Their familiarity is obvious and it leaves him wondering how much longer they can continue acting like two strangers.

He knows the dam will eventually burst.

He’s not sure
when
it will happen, but he gets the overpowering sense that everything is about to change sooner rather than later.

“I’LL PICK YOU UP TOMORROW at quarter till eleven. Be ready. And don’t forget to wear a swimsuit.”
Nix’s words from yesterday roll around in her brain.

The gorgeous, megawatt grin etched on his face is ever present in her mind, those deep blue eyes of his still having the power to make her heart skip a beat. There is just no resisting him. He’s been back in her life for less than seventy-two hours and every single time he’s asked her to do something…she’s said yes with hardly any resistance.

If she could physically kick her own ass, she’d do it.

Fifteen minutes and he’ll be here, ready and waiting to spend the day together. She has no idea what his plans are, but the excited gleam he had in his eyes has her wondering…wishing…hoping…dreaming…

And then she snaps out of the fantasy once she realizes the ridiculousness of those thoughts.

She is unnerved that he’s practically knocked down her ironclad walls without much effort. Whenever she’s in his presence, her years of CIA training and need for self-preservation seem to go out the window.
How can one man still have this effect on me nearly sixteen years later
?

Yes, she loved him. As a teenager, she loved him hard and fast, nearly to the point of obsession, but she was sixteen years old.
What sixteen-year-old girl doesn’t think she’s madly in love with her first crush?

But it was different with him—with them.

It didn’t feel young. It felt right. It felt real. The love she had for Nix felt more real than anything else in her entire life, and the fact that she’s never found anything like that again has made it nearly impossible to get over him.

Sloan throws on a simple, black bikini paired with cut-off jean shorts, a white tank top, and a comfortable pair of flip-flops. And for the first time in ten years, she’s going to go somewhere unarmed. Maybe this is a huge mistake. Maybe she’s going to put her entire life at risk. But she’s not worried. She’s not worried in the least because of the person she’ll be spending the day with.

And as much as she hates to admit it, she knows he can protect her. Nix has been through far more rigorous defense training than she has. He’s a goddamn Navy SEAL for goodness’ sakes.

Did he really have to pick such a hot profession?
Every woman in America can admit to having at least one fantasy involving a Navy SEAL—the ultimate bad boys of the military. What red-blooded, American woman hasn’t fantasized about a bad boy dressed in military fatigues? Just the thought of Nix in fatigues with an M-4 assault rifle strapped around his neck has her bikini bottoms wet with arousal.
God bless America.

The intercom buzz resonates in the silence of her apartment, pulling her abruptly from her dirty fantasies.

“It’s me.”
Nix’s voice fills her ears.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” she answers quickly and ignores the fact that he just said ‘me’ like they’ve known each other for years.

He decided to drive her to Solana Beach. It’s the one place near San Diego that reminds him of their old favorite spot in Hawaii—Diamond Head. Solana is an ideal spot for surfers, and it’s only thirty minutes from downtown San Diego. It’s been a few months since Nix has had the chance to surf, and he figured today would be the perfect opportunity.

Maybe he decided to bring Sloan here because he loves this spot…or maybe he’s hoping to stir up memories. Probably the latter, but he’s not going to worry about his motives at this point. He’s just going to focus on spending time with her.

Nix pulls into a parking spot across the street from the public beach. After they hop out of his SUV, he leads the way towards one of his favorite spots near San Diego. He doesn’t miss Sloan’s wistful smile as she takes in the steep bluffs of Solana Beach. His heart nearly doubles in size as he witnesses that beautiful expression on her heart-shaped face.

Nix carries both of their small bags—and his board—in his strong arms as they make their way down the long staircase encased in one of the large bluffs that overlooks the Pacific. He loves that she packed so light. A small bag carrying only a few items is all Sloan brought for their daytrip. He has never understood the need for the female population to lug around giant purses full of random shit.
What in the hell is the point?
His mom still does that to this day, and Nix would wager that she utilizes ten-percent of the crap that fills her ridiculous bag.

Sloan is different, a perfect little minimalist. A no-frills, straight-and-to-the-point kind of woman who emulates his opinion on just bringing the essentials.

Rays from the strong California sun hover over them. He glances over at Sloan and notices her brow squinting—trying like hell to block the sun out of her eyes. He slides his aviators off his head and gently places them on her face before she can refuse.

She grins up at him, the sunglasses shielding his ability to see her chocolate eyes. “Thanks.”

“You owe me, sweetheart,” he responds jokingly as he sets their belongings down in a discreet spot beside a large bluff.

The ocean waves glisten delightfully from the attention of the sun.

A petite eyebrow is raised in his direction. “I owe you? What exactly do I owe you?” she asks with a cajoling tone.

“I’m sure I can think of something.” He doesn’t miss a beat and loves the stunned expression that encompasses her perfect mouth.

Her gaze hones in on his chest, a small smile forming in response. “Polite as fuck,” she reads the saying on his shirt.

“What?” He questions rhetorically. “The world needs to know that my mother taught me impeccable manners.”

His sarcasm steals a laugh from her lips, making him feel like a fucking king.

He busies himself by laying out their beach towels on the sand, and then proceeds to take off his T-shirt and sandals. His hands grip his board. “You wanna catch some rays or waves?”

Sloan’s eyes take in every inch of his muscular physique—his broad shoulders, his thick biceps, and that oh-so-perfect V that dips down towards his swim trunks. She’s thankful for the aviators that hide her obvious gawk in his direction. “Huh?” she asks once she takes in his questioning expression—his handsome face cocked slightly to the side, his brown hair sexily disheveled by the breeze that is flowing in from the water.

Nix chuckles lightly. His fingers brush across the five-day-old scruff that accentuates his strong jaw. “Surf or tan, sweetheart?” he asks again.

“Uh...” She mulls over her options. “How are we both going to surf?” Her head nods in the direction of his board—the only board.

“I have no problems with sharing. I’m generous that way.” His tone is playful as he shoots a wink in her direction.

She slides her cut-off jean shorts down her legs before toeing off her sandals. Her tank top follows suit. Sloan doesn’t miss the appreciation that shines behind Nix’s eyes once he takes in her bikini-clad form.

“You know what?” he questions as he grabs her hand. “I’m feeling generous and demanding today. Come on, pretty girl. We’re going in,” he voices as his hand pulls her with him, heading straight for the water.

Sloan is too lost in memories to refuse.

The beach, the sweet sentiments that roll off his tongue—all of it reminds her of the past.

They make their way into the warm sea—hand in hand—until they’re both waist-deep. He immerses his body in the water and runs a strong hand through his wet hair. She raptly watches droplets drip down his face as they make the tortuously slow descent down his muscular form.

Her tongue swipes across her bottom lip, fighting the urge to reach out and lick those damn drops of water off his broad chest.

His strong hands grip her waist, lifting her up towards his board. “Straddle the board, sweetheart,” he demands, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

The memories continue to flood her mind—everything reminding her of that first day at Diamond Head Beach.
Is he doing this on purpose?
She can’t help but wonder if his actions, his words are all part of a bigger plan—a plan to get her to tell him the truth.

She forces it all to the back of her mind and decides to just enjoy this time with him. Her long legs hang off the board as she looks out towards the horizon in search of waves.

“It’s been a while since I’ve surfed, but I’m more than up to the challenge.”

His hand gestures towards the rising water in the distance. “Put your money where your mouth is.” Nix’s eyebrows waggle suggestively.

With a determined expression creasing her brow, she paddles out, ready to bring her surfing skills out of retirement.

The wave rises. Her body is pressed against the wet board as her hands move quickly through the water. She more than steps up to the challenge when she stands to her feet as the wave’s momentum pulls her board with tenacity. A giant smile kisses her mouth as intense exhilaration rushes through her body.

“Hell yeah!” Nix shouts behind her as she continues to ride the wave towards the sand. His muscular form swims towards her once both of her feet are firmly planted into the ocean floor. Once he reaches her, he stands to his feet, the ocean water only reaching his waist.