Falling For Her Navy Seal…Again Page 2

  “’Night, Pop.”

  “’Night.”

  Matt entered the kitchen and swiped the keys off the counter. He thought about taking his Porsche—his reward after finishing his twenty-fifth mission—out of the garage, but decided it was quicker to hop into the truck. The orange-red sky told him of another warm Indian summer day to come. He found himself slowing down as he approached the Colemans’ street. He could recall the days of running around with Jared, riding their bikes and shooting water guns at each other, and Jenesi would be trailing behind them with her softball mitt and oversized glasses that covered her whole face. The Colemans had treated him like their own son, never passing judgment on his mother’s neglect or his father’s child-raising tactics.

  The week his mother left, he’d been driving his uncles crazy, and they’d begged the Colemans to take him until Gerald returned. He’d had Jared and Jenesi to help see him through those tough times. Especially Jenesi. He missed her.

  Matt maneuvered the truck into the Colemans’ driveway and parked behind Jenesi’s Mini Cooper. The car was a joke, but then Jenesi never ceased to surprise him. He noted the light in the window, the fresh coat of paint on the siding, and new mailbox on the lawn. Blowing out a breath of air, he got out and rubbed his palms against his jeans. He walked up to the front porch and had just lifted his hand to knock when the door swung open.

  Standing before him, Jenesi jerked back and gasped. His gaze trailed over the dark curls hugging her glowing cheeks, the fullness of her lush lips…and her tight black dress. Images of their night together crowded his mind. He could remember the feel of her skin, the shape of her breasts, the color of her areolas. Quickly recovering his composure, he flashed her a grin. “I’m home.”

  Her green eyes narrowed. “Go to hell.”

  The door slammed in his face. He stared at the orange, leafy wreath hanging on the white panel. Shock coursed through him. What just happened?

  He rapped on the door, anger rising through his throat. Could she seriously be this mad at him? “Jenesi, open up.”

  “Go home.”

  “I am home.”

  “Go back to your dad’s.”

  “Open the door.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I want to talk.”

  “Jared isn’t here.”

  “I’m not looking for your brother.”

  “We have nothing to talk about.”

  “The hell we don’t. You can’t be mad at me about last time. We both had too much to drink. We weren’t acting like ourselves.” He stuck his hands into his pockets, his heart pounding hard. “Besides, I miss you.”

  He heard a curse before the door whipped open.

  “Yes, I am mad.”

  Fire blazed in her eyes, and he stood mesmerized. Were they always emerald green? “We drank too much that night. It would have been wrong.”

  An eyebrow lifted. “Oh, please. I threw myself at you, and you were ready to ravish me before you pushed me to the ground and said I was stupid for drinking so much and letting a guy take such liberties.”

  “Ravish.” He chuckled, but then sobered when her fingers curled into a fist. “I was trying to be the gentleman.”

  “I didn’t ask you to be one.”

  He shoved his hands through his hair. “I’m sorry. I hated leaving you like that last time. It just surprised me, and I didn’t know what I was doing. All I could think about was that you’re like a—”

  “I will punch you if you say ‘sister.’ I’m not your sister. Nor will I ever be.” She closed the door before locking it then spun around to face him. Her smile threw him off, all rage disappearing from her expression. “You know what? I forgive you. It’s in the past, and I’ve forgotten all about it, really. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

  He frowned. He had a whole speech on how important their friendship was, but to hear her brush over everything like it didn’t matter…. “You just said I was ready to ravish you, and now you’ve forgotten?”

  “Whatever, Matthew.” She headed down the steps as a car pulled up into the driveway behind his truck.

  “Who’s that?”

  “My date.”

  He spotted the sexy red stilettos on her feet. He’d never known her to own something impractical. Now that he thought about it, he’d never seen her dress so provocatively, not even the night she’d tried to seduce him. “Nice shoes. I’m surprised they’re not sneakers.”

  She stopped on the bottom step and glared. He glanced at the man getting out of the car. Though the guy wore a brown tweed suit, he didn’t seem that much older. Jealousy rose to his throat. “Who’s the stuffed shirt?”

  “That’s my boss.”

  He laughed. “You’re dating your boss?”

  “Bugger off.”

  “Does Jared know?”

  “My brother isn’t here, nor does he have to know until I’m ready to bring my date home to meet my parents.”

  He crossed his arms. “Do your parents know?”

  “I’m not sixteen. I don’t have to report everything to them. Besides, they live in Florida now. This house belongs to me.”

  “I think—”

  “That’s your problem.”

  “What?”

  “You think too much.”

  He took a few steps forward until he stood over her. “And what do you know?” The view gave him a good look at her cleavage. Images of her soft skin and rosy nipples flashed in his mind. Heat traveled down his spine to his groin. His pants suddenly seemed tight. He shoved his hands into his pockets to hide his growing erection. Just thinking about her made him warm up lately. He mentally bashed his head against a wall. She was his best friend’s sister, and he needed to remember that.

  She tapped her chin with her finger, as if trying to figure him out, but then her lips curved into a wicked smile. “I couldn’t care less. Excuse me, while I go on my date.”

  She whipped around and closed the distance to the other man, who stood by his car, watching them. The jerk threw him a smirk as Jenesi hugged him and kissed his cheek. He watched the man’s hand trail down her spine to rest above her ass. The urge to rush over and pound the guy into the ground tore through him.

  But then he relaxed. If she didn’t care, she wouldn’t have been mad at him. They’d crossed the friendship line, and it was too late to go back.

  Chapter Three

  Without really seeing anything, Jenesi stared down at the papers she needed to grade. A whisper sounded from the far right corner, and she glanced up to see some of the kids pretending to sleep, some making faces at each other, and some just plain passed out. She loved naptime, where quietness shrouded the room and everyone gave her a moment’s peace. If only her brain wasn’t torturing her with images of him.

  What right did he have to come back home and expect everything to be okay? How dare he show up and tell her he missed her? Especially after what had happened? He hadn’t even said good-bye last time. And where did he get the nerve to call Bart a nerd?

  But then, why the hell hadn’t he called or stopped by since Saturday?

  She’d lost her cool the moment she’d seen him even though she’d promised herself she’d act cordial. Good going, Jenesi! She dropped her chin into her palm. Blowing her bangs out of her face, she glanced at her cell phone. Fifteen texts from Bart.

  Nothing from Matthew.

  Pitiful and stupid. Those were the only words she could use to describe herself.

  What was it about Matthew that drove her crazy? Every woman wanted him, thought him a great catch and a hero. He exemplified danger, excitement, yet was a dream come true for women who craved the town’s most-wanted bachelor in their beds—if she could truly pass that judgment, since the two of them had never gone further than groping.

  She’d been fine in the past few months with him away, but seeing him on her porch had brought out the anger she’d hidden inside. Only Matthew could make her react like that.

  She let out a groan. A few
heads popped up from their mats, and she pasted on a smile. Her phone buzzed. No doubt it was another text from Bart to inform her of what he was doing at the moment or to complain about some meeting he was stuck in. She pressed the screen and saw Matthew’s name. Her heart pounded as she opened the message.

  Come out into the hall.

  Excitement rippled through her. She glanced around and slowly made her way to the door. She peeked out to see him leaning against the lockers in jeans and a leather jacket. His brown hair glimmered in the light and that smile—it almost brought her to her knees. Quietly closing the door, she drew up a fierce frown. “What are you doing here?”

  He smiled. “I just stopped by to deliver pumpkins to the school.”

  The school ordered them for decorations around the building every year, except the hired help usually handled the farm’s deliveries. “Where’s Walter?”

  “Busy.” Matthew moved a few steps toward her. “How’s class?”

  “They’re napping. It’s naptime.”

  His lips twitched. “I know.”

  Exasperated, she set her hands on her hips. “Then why’d you ask?”

  He shrugged. “How was your date with Bartholomew?”

  Her eyes narrowed. She couldn’t recall telling him Bart’s name, nor was there anyone who called Bart that except…. “You talked to Liz.”

  “I did. I needed a haircut, and she actually cut my hair herself. Nice of her, since she no longer take on clients.”

  Her best friend no doubt couldn’t resist laying her hands on him, just like every other woman in this town.

  “You going to answer me?”

  “What?”

  “Your date. How was it?”

  Boring. Long. Horrid. Pick one. “Great. We’re going out again this weekend.”

  He frowned. “I see. Doesn’t he know tweed jackets aren’t cool?”

  “And leather jackets are?”

  “More so than tweed ones. What are you doing tonight?”

  A thrill rushed through her. His change of topic should have irritated her, but she asked, “Why?”

  “Come help me set up the haunted house.”

  She crossed her arms. “I’m busy.”

  He closed the distance between them. “Come on, you love helping me set up. It’s not the same when you’re not there.”

  Her insides turned to mush with the way he stared at her. Her knees weakened, but she stood firm. “I can’t. I have too many papers to grade and lesson plans to make out for next week.”

  “Jenesi, I need your help.”

  She stilled, detecting the hitch in his voice. Alarm raced through her. “What’s wrong?”

  He faced the window, giving her his back. She watched as he rubbed his neck. “I got hurt.”

  She rushed around him. “Where?” She looked him over, unable to spot anything but his broad shoulders and lean thighs in tight jeans. A tingly feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. “Matthew, tell me.”

  He dropped his arms to his sides. “I got shot. That’s why I’m home for a while. I’m on leave until I’m totally healed.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “Where? Where did you get shot?”

  He took her hand as he lifted up his shirt and slid her fingers against his tight abs until they reached his chest. Her breath hitched. His heart thudded against her palm. She felt a round scar. The area dipped into a pucker, and she covered her mouth to stop the sob that rose in her throat.

  “How did it happen?”

  “I was careless and didn’t see the enemy overhead. He shot me. My team risked their lives bringing me to rescue. I was in the hospital for a few weeks, and then they finally let me out.” Matthew tugged her into his arms. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I wasn’t trying to make you sad.”

  She jerked her head back. “Why didn’t you call or tell me?”

  He chuckled. “I was unconscious from all the pain meds for a while. By the time they let me out, I just decided to come here.”

  She sniffled.

  “Help me.”

  She stared up at him, into his blue eyes. The drowning feeling overcame her again as it did every time she looked at him. Shaking her head, she cleared her throat. “What about all the people your father hired?”

  “They’re busy taking care of the hay ride and the pumpkin patch and the farm itself. I don’t want to not help them when it’s their busiest time of the year. So, will you do it?”

  Jenesi bit her lower lip. She wanted to say no. She should be mad at him. But had she ever really been able to deny him? He was alive and breathing and home. Nothing else should matter. “Yes, I’ll help you. I’ll come over after work.”

  Matthew pressed a kiss to her forehead and released her. “Great. I’ll see you later, then. I’ll make sure there’s fresh apple cider.” His gaze trailed over her from head to toe. Her skin warmed under his inspection, and her fingers still tingled from touching his wound. “You should definitely change out of what you’re wearing. Don’t want you scratching up your delicate skin.”

  “I know.” She glanced down at her sundress and pursed her lips. “This isn’t the first time I’ve helped you set up the haunted house.”

  “I know,” he sassed, mimicking her tone. He threw her a grin and strolled down the hall, whistling.

  Why did she feel like she’d just been had?

  ***

  Jenesi held up Myrtle’s head and grimaced. White, stringy hair, bulging eyeballs, droopy gray skin, and blood trickling from the corner of her mouth—the house’s wall decor needed to be upgraded. “When did you get this?”

  Matthew stood at the window, hanging cobwebs, since she’d given up on that task after decorating eleven other rooms with hem, along with spiders and nasty, squishy-looking bugs. He made a face when he noticed what she was holding. “I hate that thing. I think it was here even before Dad took over the farm. What are you going to do with it?”

  She glanced around the room and stopped at Myrtle’s bloody body on the bed of white sheets. An axe protruded from her chest. The boys had thought it funny to add an axe to the dummy one year, and it’d become tradition since, but her head was placed in different spots every year. “Well, this is her bedroom…and her head was chopped off by that weapon. Maybe we should stick it in the closet again this year and when they open the door, it’ll scare them.”

  He shrugged. “Go for it. The hook is probably still there, but make sure you turn her head on.”

  Flicking the switch in Myrtle’s neck, Jenesi strode to the closet. She whipped the door open and dropped the detached head. Myrtle’s cry of horror went off along with her own scream.

  Matthew rushed over to her. “What is it?”

  She pointed to Peter’s charred body, the skull showing through the skin of his face in the closet, and held a hand to her chest. “Peter’s not supposed to be here.” Laughter sounded behind her. She spun around to see Matthew holding his stomach. “It’s not funny.”

  “You should have seen your face.” He picked up Myrtle. “Let’s leave Peter in there. I’ll check his wiring later. Maybe we should hang Myrtle near the vanity table.”

  Jenesi drew in a deep breath. “You do it. I think I’m done for today. Had enough scares for one night.”

  “You’re weak sauce, woman.”

  She pressed her hands to her chest and fluttered her lashes. “And you’re my hero,” she said in a squeaky voice then dropped her arms to her sides to take note of all they’d accomplished in the past four hours. After she’d made sure her last student had boarded the school bus, she’d rushed home to change into jeans and a flannel before driving over to Hunt Farm. She’d visited Mr. Hunt a few times when Matthew was away, but she’d never dared take liberties to explore the land and its bounty without her brother or Matthew.

  “You’re a brat.”

  “And you’re so perfect.”

  “I know.”

  Jenesi spun around. “Wow. That bullet wound must have addled your brain and turned you
even cockier than before.”

  Matthew laughed as he hung up Myrtle’s head. “I’m just happy you’re here talking to me.”

  Her heart fluttered. What was wrong with her? She couldn’t understand his light mood. They’d been bickering and laughing more than they ever had in the past, and she’d concluded nothing would ever happen between them again. So why was she letting him get to her? She mentally kicked her own ass. “It’s probably getting late. I need to work tomorrow.”

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  “No.” Ironically, her stomach gurgled. Loudly. She coughed to hide the sound, but Matthew heard it.

  “Let’s go make a sandwich or something. A beer sounds good, too.”

  She glanced out the window toward the house. “Your dad is probably sleeping. I don’t want to wake him.”

  “He’ll be fine. He’s probably passed out in front of the TV like always. Besides, it’s not very often I get to sneak a girl into the house.”

  “What are you? Twelve?”

  Matthew dusted his hands. “If you’re twelve, then that only makes me sixteen. Both still not legal to engage in any consensual acts.”

  She gasped. “You’re crazy.”

  “Probably.” He grinned, and her stomach gurgled again. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat.”

  He ushered her out of the room and down the stairs. Once they got outside, they met a cool breeze. Jenesi sneezed. Without a word, Matthew wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she made no move to push away. They walked side by side. Comfort and warmth enveloped her. His musky cologne filled her senses. She’d always loved how he smelled.

  She hadn’t realized she’d spoken her thoughts out loud until she heard his reply.

  “You smell nice, too.”

  When she tried to step away, he drew her closer. The Hunt house came into view as they followed the trail. “Have you talked to Jared?”

  “Not recently. He’s been surfing a lot, from what I hear. So I’m guessing he likes it out there.”

  “I wouldn’t blame him. All that sunlight and those white, sandy beaches. I’d love to go out there to visit him someday. Maybe when school is out for summer.”