Page 18 of Triton

8

Aria

Everythingabout this night had been heavenly. From the crunchy taco shells which cradled the perfectly seasoned poke, the tangy punch of my blood orange Cosmo, to this moonlit stroll with my handsome date. But Erik had upped theante.

He had granted me access to the place I dreamt about every night—where I would be spending six months of mylife.

The coveted SEAL base. I had been this close to the “O” Course. He had even promised that he would let me tryit.

And that kiss. It was like one of those mythical first kisses that you read about in books or saw in movies. Perfectly choreographed. His lips had been soft, but his grip on my neck had been firm. He was sweet yet rough, loving yet forceful, innocent yet dirty. Oh so dirty.

But instead of enjoying this blissful moment, my stomach lurched in guilt.

I hadn’t been honest withhim.

His hand caressed the front of my dress, and he gently thumbed my nipple through the fabric. “Let’s go back to my place. I live in a condo overlooking thebase.”

Every part of me wanted to scream yes. Go home with this sexy hunk. I imagined him throwing me over his back like some caveman and fucking me until I couldn’t stop coming.

“I can’t. I have to get home, walk my dog, and go to sleep. I teach tomorrow at eight, and I need to wake up early so I can put in a three-hour workout before class.” The second those words left my mouth I realized how ridiculous they sounded.

“You’re crazy. The only people I know who work out that long are SEALs.”

And those training to be SEALs. “And Olympians,” I countered. Goodsave.

He nodded. “Spend the night with me, and I’ll work out withyou.”

My body posture perked up. That would be great! He could fuck me all night, and then in the morning we could run, do an ocean swim, and maybe he’d let me try the “O” course.

But that wouldn’t be fair to him. If I was going to hook up with this man, I had to tell him my plans. “I have to decline. But I’ve had a great time tonight. This has been the best date I’ve ever had. But I really do have togo.”

I stood up and brushed the sand off my dress, the ocean breeze flipping down the strap of my tank top, revealing my bra. Erik grinned as his gaze dropped to my breasts. I pulled up the strap and laughed, grateful that I wasn’t wearing a dress. I remembered the scene in the Marilyn Monroe movie, Seven Year Itch. She had filmed Some Like It Hot on this very beach. I loved being here, surrounded by history.

Pulling me to him, he gently cradled my cheek in his palm. “Can I see you tomorrow night?”

Dammit, Aria. This guy was great. Super hot, sexy, smart. “What did you have inmind?”

“Wonder Woman is playing at the local theater. Let me takeyou.”

Wonder Woman? I was dying to see that flick. She was an Amazonian warrior who could fight alongsidemen.

And this would be a perfect way to gauge how receptive Erik would be about female Navy SEALs.

“I’d loveto.”

“Okay. Give me your phone.”

I reached into my purse and handed him my phone. He entered my number and then called his phone, thus getting my number. “I’ll text you and let you know what time it starts. Let me walk youhome.”

No. I wasn’t ready for that. I couldn’t resist him being that close to my bed. “I’m fine. It’s a beautiful night.”

He took my hand. “Aria, I insist. You are beautiful. Some guy could grabyou.”

And I could protect myself. “I feel safe in this touristtown.”

“Fine. But I have to walk you offbase.”

I agreed, and he walked me off base and back in front of theDel.

He leaned down and gave me another kiss. This one was sweeter than the last one but still laced with urgency. Like a magnet, I fought to separate my body from his, our attraction pulling us together.

“Good night, Erik.”

“Good night, Aria.”

As I walked through the picturesque Coronado Village, I marveled at my luck. So far, Erik had behaved like a perfect gentleman, and I didn’t suspect he has some ulterior motive as my mom believed he had. Maybe he could be the right guy for me after all. “Everything happened for a reason,” my hippy mother used to say when she was pretending that she was so spiritual and kind. Maybe Erik had been sent to me, to guide me through this path. Maybe he would accept my goals and help me reachthem.

Either way, I would know soon. I planned to tell him tomorrow. If he were the right guy for me, he would understand my dreams and supportthem.