Claiming Her SEAL (ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights Book 1) by Kat Cantrell Page A

the evening had only been a small part of the fireworks, and she had no business being upset that he’d done exactly what he’d said he was trying to do—save her from making a mistake that would hurt.
    “It’s okay,” she said and meant it. “You’re right, we’re a really bad idea and I just want to focus on snorkeling. That’s the goal today. You said you’d go down with me, that I could trust you. But only in the water, right?”
    That’s what she had to remember. He’d promised to help her, and if nothing else, she would always feel safe with him. All at once she was glad her prayer had gone unanswered. His absence would have made this afternoon harder, not easier.
    “Right.” His gaze had softened as she talked, and the corners of his mouth turned up. It wasn’t his killer smile, but she’d take it.
    “Thanks,” she said. “This means a lot to me. And to Rachel. I want her to have fun and forget about me and my problems for a while.”
    On even ground again, they both relaxed as Jace fired up the boat and chugged toward open water. Dex called out landmarks, chatting about the area like her very own personal tour guide. Once, he touched Emma’s arm and pointed to a black stingray with white spots skating along the ocean floor. Breathtaking. Both the sea creature and the man.
    After a few minutes Jace halted the boat within range of a small island, but not close enough to be their destination.
    “Look down,” Dex said as he caught her eyeing the island.
    She curled her fingers around the edge of the boat and peered over the side. Her lungs hitched. “Oh, Dex.”

B eautiful reds and yellows and blues unfurled on both sides of the boat. Thin silvery fish darted between leafy branch-like structures and then circled tall, lumpy spires that resembled the blobby style of buildings in Barcelona that she’d seen on the History channel.
    “That’s the reef we’re going to explore.” His hand covered hers, and their fingers entwined as he stared into the water in kind. “I’ve seen it a hundred times, but I never get tired of it. There’s always something new to see or a new way of seeing the same old thing.”
    He nodded to the island in the distance. “That’s Ilhota Rosa. Most of the islands in this area go by their English names, but the Portuguese name stuck for that one, for some reason.”
    “It’s beautiful. The reflection of the sun turns the sand a strange color though.” Kind of an ice cream pink.
    “No. It really is pink, hence the rosa part of the name. I’ll take you there sometime. I can’t now because—” He jerked his head toward the back of the boat. “This is my job. After I’m done for the day, no problem. Sunset is the best. If you’re interested.”
    Like a date? She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. “Sure, that would be great.”
    He cleared his throat and spent some time going over the equipment she’d be using to snorkel, and suddenly it was the eleventh hour and the other guests had splashed into the water, laughing and affixing their masks over their eyes. Rachel included, who was still flirting with Jace to the nth degree, even though they were both treading water and he had his eyes on the other people around them.
    This was Dex’s job, as he’d pointed out, and he was focusing solely on Emma. While it was a heady rush for sure, it came with a dose of guilt. “We should get into the water. Shouldn’t we?”
    He smiled, and it lit up his gray eyes. “Yeah. You ready? I’m going to hold your hand the whole time, and I swear I will not let go. Okay?”
    She nodded because the lump in her throat didn’t allow for so much as a peep, even if she’d had something to say. Besides, she was too busy trying to sort out if the lump was due to Dex’s smile, the thought of actually sticking her whole body under the water on purpose, or simply the fact that this impossible-to-read man had vowed to never let her go. Maybe it was due to all three, and