Protecting Alabama (SEAL of Protection Book 2) by Susan Stoker

finally looked up. She’d controlled her tears enough that they wouldn’t fall, but tears were still pooled in her eyes. “Thank you, Christopher,” she managed.
    “You’re welcome. You’ll keep it?” Abe wanted to demand to know what had happened and how it was that she’d never been given a gift before, but he also didn’t want to make her cry. He could see she was holding on by a thread.
    At her nod he told her, “Okay then. When we get home tonight you can plug it in and charge it up. Be sure you take it with you wherever you go just in case you need it. I’ve loaded it up with five hundred minutes to get you started.”
    “That’s too much,” Alabama managed to get out.
    “No, it’s not. It’s not enough for my peace of mind, but I knew you wouldn’t accept it if I’d put as many minutes on there as I wanted to. Besides, you’ll probably use all those up in the first week talking to me. At least I hope you might.”
    Alabama smiled. Jeez, he was amazing. “Okay. Thank you, Christopher. Seriously.”
    Abe didn’t think, he just tipped Alabama’s chin up higher with his finger, leaned in, and gave her a quick kiss on the corner of her mouth. He didn’t linger, although he wanted to. The quick taste he’d gotten of her was enough to drive him crazy. Alabama tasted like peppermint, and he wanted more. Abe forced himself to drop his hand, caressing her chin before letting go, and then turning toward the steering wheel. He started the engine and headed out of the parking lot.
    Alabama couldn’t believe Christopher had just kissed her. It did count as a kiss right? It was short and sweet, but it was awesome. Much better than the sloppy French kisses she’d received in the past. She could still feel the touch of Christopher’s fingers against her jaw. Alabama leaned back into the seat, trusting Christopher to get them wherever they were going safely. She looked down at the phone in her lap. He made her feel safe. She’d never felt that way before.
     
    * * *
    The day had been awesome. Alabama didn’t think she’d ever smiled so much in her entire life. Christopher had first driven them to the beach. Riverton was a suburb of San Diego and Alabama hadn’t had a lot of time to spend at the beach. Alabama loved the water, but this was the first time she’d experienced a picnic in the sand. The beach wasn’t one of the touristy ones. In fact she’d only seen a handful of people the entire time they’d been there.
    Christopher had brought a light blanket and a thermos of coffee and some fruit. They’d sat on the beach and watched the water. They’d talked a bit, but mostly they’d just enjoyed the morning air and being in each other’s company.
    Next they’d gone to the San Diego zoo. Alabama generally didn’t like zoos. She’d always felt sorry for the animals. She didn’t think they were being abused in any way, but she just thought it was sad to see the majestic animals cooped up behind the bars of their cages. But Alabama wasn’t thinking too much about that while visiting with Christopher.
    He’d taken hold of her hand as they walked around and hadn’t let go. When the crowds got bigger Christopher brought her to his side and protected her from being jostled by the other people rushing here and there. A man accidentally dropped his drink and it splashed onto her jeans and shoes. Alabama thought Christopher was going to lose it. When he looked like he was going to go after the man and beat the crap out of him, all Alabama had to do was put her hand on Christopher’s arm and he’d stopped. She watched as he visibly controlled himself. It was fascinating.
    Christopher kissed her hand and tucked her deeper into his side. He’d glared at the man as they walked by, but otherwise let it drop.
    After spending most of the day at the zoo, and eating way too much junk food, he’d driven them to the end of an air strip near his base. Of course Christopher was able to get onto the base with