Read Online SEAL Forever by Anne Elizabeth - Free Book Online Page B

grabbed her bowl of salad and tossed the contents at Maura and Declan before stomping out the door.
    They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
    â€œThat was a rather comical scene,” said Maura, picking spinach and bacon off Declan.
    â€œYou seriously held your own. Good job!” In turn, he was pulling clumps of mushroom and onion out of her hair. “I’m sorry about that. Olivia was probably the least stable woman I ever hooked up with. I should have never let her into my world. I make mistakes occasionally.”
    â€œI see. Well, um, I think we should go,” said Maura, the humor melting from her lips.
    â€œWhy? You’ve barely eaten. I’ve eaten a half a rack of lamb, a salad, a baked potato, and I still have room for more.” Declan couldn’t believe the woman would eat four bites of food and consider dinner done. When he ate, his body craved the sustenance like a starving man. He’d already had to slow down his intake several times to speak. “Let’s order Black Forest cake. What do you say?”
    Maura shrugged, wincing.
    â€œYour shoulder is bothering you again?”
    â€œYeah. Do you mind if we go?” She seemed so earnest, how could he deny her?
    â€œSure.”
    He got the check and paid. His eyes were on her as she moved from the table. Her actions were not stiff or pained. Was there something else going on?
    Outside, he directed her toward a bench. “Let’s sit down for a moment.”
    She nodded her head.
    â€œTell me the real reason we left. Did you object to me calling you my girlfriend?”
    â€œNo, I liked that. I’m honored. Truly, I am, Declan.” She looked at him earnestly, then quickly shifted her gaze away. Her fingers fidgeted with a thread on her skirt hem. “I just…”
    â€œMaura…”
    Finally, she exhaled and turned toward him. Her green eyes locked to his. “At first, I thought the situation with Olivia was funny.”
    He rushed to speak. “It was.”
    She put her hand on his arm. “Hear me out. Then I remembered all of the women going in and out of your apartment. It made me worry that I’m…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, and her eyes welled with tears.
    â€œThat you would become one of them.”
    Maura nodded her head and wiped at her eyes. Her lips shook as if she were going to cry.
    â€œHey, that’s not true. It’s different this time. You’re special, Maura. Okay?” He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Burying his nose in her hair, he breathed deeply. He loved the smell of her. Being with her was just different than being with the others. How could he reassure her? “I never dated any of them more than a few times. It’s been weeks and I still feel the same excitement with you as I did the first day.”
    â€œSo, the others were what? Bed buddies?” Maura squeaked out. “And what happens if you tire of me? If I bore you?”
    â€œYou never could, Maura,” he replied, then instantly regretted his quick agreement.
    â€œNever say never, Declan. You’re a grown man.” She pulled back from him. “What makes me different? Will you treat me like Olivia when you’re done with me? What’s to stop you from kicking me to the curb when this is over?”
    â€œThis isn’t the same situation, and you are definitely not Olivia…or more accurately, Olivia is not you, and never could be.” He held her gaze—those beautiful watery sea-green eyes. “Everything is different. I could spend years exploring all the fascinating things about you. I haven’t wanted that…ever. Maura, there is something so special about you. I can’t put it all into words right now. But I think about you so much during the day, and I wonder how you are and what you’re doing, and I can hardly wait to share things with you.” He shook his head. “Man,