Page 7 of The Princess and the SEAL

Of course he went there. I scowled at him. “Is that all you men think about? Sex? There’s more to a marriage than intercourse.”

He grinned and then gave me a wink. A wink that slayed me. Mischievous, sexual, dangerous. He reached his hand across the table and took mine. “Trust me, baby. Sex is the most important aspect of a marriage. It’s the glue that binds you together and makes your relationship different from your relationship with anyone else in the world. My buddies love their wives so much, they would do anything to get back to them. Their sexual connection is the reason they last through long separations. Without that chemical attraction, that lust, that hunger, you have nothing.”

His words hit me like a bolt to my chest. What if he was right? What if I was repulsed when Miguel touched me? Or what if Miguel didn’t enjoy sleeping with me? What then? Would I just wait at home while he found pleasure with other women, knowing full well we would never be granted a divorce?

I pushed that image out of my head. “Then why aren’t you married?”

“Because that life’s not for me. I don’t want to be tied down to anyone. I want to be free to come and go as I please. All I care about is being a SEAL. Nothing else matters.”

“Well, that’s depressing. At least I’m giving love a chance. Your life sounds lonelier than mine.”

He bared his teeth at me but didn’t speak, instead downing his glass of wine like it was a shot of whiskey.

Gotcha.This bad boy Navy SEAL was just as messed up as I was.

The waiter brought our meals, and we ate together in tense silence.

This was ridiculous. What had I been thinking when I’d agreed to go to dinner with this man? Our worlds couldn’t be more different.

Despite the awkwardness, we shared a delicious dessert of figs, pralines, and ice cream. When the bill came, Ryan quickly paid, I thanked him, and we exited the restaurant.

We walked a few blocks, the moonlight guiding our steps. For a second, I pretended this wasn’t a pity date, and we were madly in love newlyweds on our honeymoon. What would that be like? To marry someone I was truly crazy about, who couldn’t keep his hands off me?

I would never know.

The wine had relaxed me, and I forced myself to live in the moment. I turned to him under the stars. “Thank you for dinner.”

“It was my pleasure. I find you fascinating.”

My heart raced. “How so?”

“You lead an interesting life. You’re nothing like the women I’ve met before.”

I was pretty sure that was a compliment, but he had been so hot and cold with me that I had to make sure. “Oh, really? How am I different, other than the ‘I’m a princess’ thing?”

He brushed a stray lock of hair back off my face. “You’re beautiful, classy, and sweet.”

Woozy from his words, I pulled back from him. I had to end this night before I did something I would regret.

“That’s very kind of you to say. I had a great time, as well. You are very . . . dynamic. You really didn’t have to wine and dine me. I’m sorry I put you in the middle of this situation.”

He took my hand, and heat filled my core. “Don’t apologize. I could stare at you all night.”

He pulled me to him. His wine-spiked breath blew hot on my neck, and my pulse quickened.

What was he doing? Was he going to kiss me?

My legs wobbled. Our faces were so close. There was a burn mark on the side of his neck, possibly from a cigarette. Who had left that mark on him? When? Was it during a battle? Somewhere else? Had he been tortured?

What type of life had this handsome stranger lived? I wanted to know everything about his past, but for now . . . all I wanted was to be kissed by this man.

Just when I didn’t think I could stand the suspense of being this close to him for another minute, his hand cupped my face, and his lips took mine.

His mouth was rough, not soft like those of the boys I’d fantasized about in my youth. His other hand traveled farther down my back, landing on my bottom as adrenaline spiked through my body. I pressed my palm against his chest, feeling his hard pecs, imagining seeing him with his shirt off.

Was he trying to seduce me? Did I want him to?

All I knew was that I wanted this kiss to last forever.

But seconds later, he pulled away, a sly look on his face.

I caught my breath. “What was that for?”

He laughed. “You’re a princess. I’m a frogman. I thought if I kissed you, I’d turn into a prince.”