SEAL's Embrace - Makenna Jameison Page 0,25
are in storage.”
“They are. I’ll stay with my parents for a couple of weeks and then soon after that I’ll be moving. My things in storage will be shipped out—well, trucked across the country most likely. My job recommended some apartment complexes out there, and I already signed a lease. I’ll start my new position in a month I guess. I was supposed to be here until then, but….”
“Hell, I can’t wait,” he said with a grin. “I want us to get to know each other. Let me know when you’re coming. The guys and I will help you move everything in.”
“I’ll have movers,” she protested.
“Yeah, but you’re still recovering. I don’t want you to worry about moving stuff around your apartment. I can haul boxes and stuff to make it easier for you to unpack. It’s the least we can do.”
“The least?” she asked with a laugh. “You saved my life. If anything, I should be doing something for you, not the other way around.”
“You can have dinner with me,” he quipped, his eyes sparkling.
“That’s the thanks that you want?” she teased.
“Well, maybe a goodnight kiss,” he said with a wink. “But we’ll get you moved in and settled first. Then I’ll finally get to take you out on a proper date. Hell, who would’ve thought I’d meet a woman halfway around the world who was moving to San Diego?”
“Not me,” she said.
He eyed her, and she looked at him curiously. “I want you to be careful back home, Hailey. We don’t know who might have been behind this, so don’t let your guard down.”
“I won’t,” she assured him.
“I’ll feel better when you’re out in California. Then at least I’ll be close by.”
“Grayson, we barely know each other. I’m thrilled that you came to see me, and I can’t thank you enough for saving me, but you’re not responsible for me.”
“Maybe I want to be,” he said, an intense look in his eyes. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met. Yeah, it’s fast and crazy, but hell. I’m old enough to know what I want. To recognize something good when I see it.”
“But we barely know each other,” she said again.
“That’s easily enough remedied. I’m looking forward to our date, sweetheart. We’ll take things slowly—I know you’re recovering and moving and starting a new job. I want to get to know you though. And I want you to get to know me. I like everything I’ve seen so far.”
“Me too,” she admitted.
He flashed her a grin before standing. “Write down your number so I can text you. And get better. I know it’s hard now, but you’ll get stronger every day. I’m glad that you’ll be able to recover at your parents’ house—I won’t have to worry about you being all alone. And then I’ll see you in a few short weeks.”
She nodded, smiling despite the fact that her eyes were watering again.
Grayson took the slip of paper where she’d written her number and then brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. It was gentle and sweet, and she felt right there and then that he’d stolen a piece of her heart.
“I wish I didn’t have to go. We’ve got to fly home and debrief with our commander.”
She looked at him questioningly.
“I forget that you’re DOD. I know you pretty much already guessed, but my friends and I are Navy SEALs. We’re based out of Coronado.”
“I figured it was something like that.”
He nodded. “I don’t usually tell women I’ve just met what I do, but considering you work for the general and were injured in the bombing? I want you to be safe. I want you to know that you can trust me.”
“And you really think the mole or traitor or whatnot could be a threat to me?”
He looked at her seriously. “I don’t know. You may know something you don’t realize. The fact that you work in the general’s office means you could know this person. They’ll be interviewing you and your colleagues.”
“That’s so messed up,” she muttered.
“It is. So I want you to be careful.”
“Right. Better safe than sorry.”
“I just met you, sweetheart. I don’t want you to be in harm’s way. It kills me that you were already hurt in the bombing. I wish you never had to go through any of that.”
“You’re sweet,” she said softly.
Grayson smiled. “Don’t tell my buddies that, okay? I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” she joked.
“And you’re safe with me, Hailey.