Romance: Military Romance: Protected by the SEAL (Contemporary Hero Bad Boy Navy SEAL Romance) (New Adult BBW Alpha Male Virgin Protector Short Stories) by Carla Parker

really remember what had happened with Tarik all too well. Jess sighed, rolling her eyes at me.
    “ And …?” she pressed. I chose that moment to eat a forkful of eggs, Jess looked like she wanted to throttle me and I couldn’t help but giggle at her attempt at a threatening expression. “You’re not getting out of this, so I don’t know why you’re laughing. Fess up, what happened?” Jess’s eyes widened and she gasped, as if she’s figured it all out already. “You slept with him didn’t you? You had sex in the woods. I knew you needed to get laid, but at least let him take you on a date first…although I could imagine doing it against a tree would be really hot.” Jess rambled on and I rolled my eyes, sighing at her dramatic conclusions.
    “ No Jess, we kissed, that was it. Then he had to go…I think he said he’d find me again, but he didn’t take my number so…I don’t know, whatever.” I said dismissively and Jess deflated a little bit.
    “Aw, well that sucks, he was cute! That and he really seemed to be interested in you.” Jess pouted for my benefit. I shrugged, trying to seem aloof about the whole thing rather than reveal how confused I was over what happened in those woods last night.
    “So what happened to your pack of guys? They seemed to be enjoying your company.” I changed the subject easily and Jess perked up, an excited gleam in her eyes.
    “They were a fun group of guys, I exchanged numbers with one and he called me this morning when I was on the way to the diner. He wanted to hang out with me today so I’m seeing him in a few hours!” Jess said excitedly. She always got this excited when she met a new guy; she’s an incurable romantic and believed that each new guy was the one. I listened to Jess go on about her new beau and couldn’t help but fell a twinge of jealousy.
    Here I was, alone and suffering from the worst hangover ever and there she was, all perfectly happy and going on dates. Maybe I should go out more like Jess was always urging me to do, then I could find a guy to at least buy me dinner every once in a while.
    “Oh! Crap, I lost track of time, he’s going to pick me up from my place in like an hour. I’ve gotta go.” Jess hopped up from her seat by the window, and quickly helped me clean up. “I’ll call you after and let you know how it went!” Jess said excitedly and she was out the door and hurrying to her car. I waved and then shut the front door; well I guess I could catch up on some chores around the house since I had nothing better to do.
    Sighing, I dragged my feet into the kitchen and started cleaning up. On the bright side, at least my headache was subsiding. I took the trash outside and just as I was about to step off my front porch, I saw a shiny black pickup truck cruise up the street and pull into my driveway. Confused, I tried to peer through the tinted windows, but couldn’t tell who it was. Then the driver got out of the truck and I had to focus on keeping my jaw from dropping.
    I was sure he was one of the big guys from Tarik’s group of friends—or brothers—that were playing pool at the bar! He was tall and built just like them. He had dark-colored hair that was almost artfully disheveled and hung into his impossibly dark brown eyes. He had certain ruggedness and a mystery about him that was difficult to pinpoint. Maybe it was in the way he walked, or the smokiness of his gaze. He had perfectly angular features and plump pink lips that would drive any girl insane. He was wearing a black t-shirt that showed off his muscles well, and jeans that fit perfectly on him. I couldn’t help but stare at the gorgeous package walking silently up the steps of my porch and stopping directly in front of me.
    “You are Christina correct?” he asked, his voice deep and lightly accented, exactly like I remembered Tarik’s was.
    “Yes…who are you?” I said, the question coming out a bit sharper than intended. Though he was a stranger who just