She pressed her lips together, pursed them, then shrugged again. “Let’s say the country first, then the island.”
“If I had to pick a different country, I’d say Ireland. Somewhere else in the States? That’s easy. West Virginia.”
“Why those two?” She pulled her head back. “Also, why is West Virginia such an easy choice?”
“Ireland for the beers, bars, and people. It looks awesome, and I’ve heard it’s beautiful there. West Virginia because then I’d be able to sing that song about going home to West Virginia and it’d be true. But also because it’s cool, quiet, and something different.”
“I’ll take it.” She clinked her glass against mine. “Good answers.”
I took another sip of my drink, savoring the tequila before swallowing it down. “What about you?”
She rocked her head but held up two fingers. “The other country would have to be India and another place than here would probably be New York.”
“The city that never sleeps?” I frowned. “You’re crazy. Sleep is great.”
“It is,” she agreed. “But I think it’d be something to experience.”
“That’s fair. Why India?”
“The vibrancy of the culture, the food, and the difference I’d be able to make in the developing world once I graduate.”
“That’s a noble cause.” The more I got to know this girl, the more I actually liked her. Sure, I still wanted to fuck her, but talking to her wasn’t half bad either.
“Being a SEAL is noble, too,” she said. “So are many other professions.”
“True, but there are many people in those professions that are in it for themselves and not for others.” I shook my head. “But let’s dial the intensity of this conversation back a bit. Favorite band?”
“One Direction,” she said without hesitation.
I cringed. “I thought we had a lot in common until you went and said that.”
“Why?” She laughed. “You don’t like them?”
“They’re no Metallica.”
“No, they’re about sixty years younger than those guys. Also, Metallica? Really? Could you be any more stereotypical?”
“Liking Metallica is a stereotype?”
“It is if you’re in the military. Just for once, I’d like to hear from someone who listens to less screamy, bangy music but is also a soldier.”
My eyebrows swept up. “Screamy and bangy? I don’t think we can be friends.”
“I never wanted to be your friend,” she said. I was pretty sure it was a joke, but then my dick went and remembered the chemistry we had, and all bets were off.
“Really? What did you want from me then?” My voice was definitely huskier than it had been a minute before.
Sofia’s eyes caught on mine. “Your body, but I can be your friend instead if that’s what you want.”
“Nope. I’m good. My friends like screamy and bangy music.”
She dipped her head at the pitcher. “We finishing that?”
“My hotel is within walking distance.” I picked up my glass, dumping the remainder of the contents down my throat. “You want to take the rest of the margaritas with us? Mindy keeps containers big enough to take it.”
“Let’s do that.” Sofia downed her drink as well, then stuck to my side as we asked Mindy if we could take the rest with us. She wasn’t supposed to let us, but she did anyway.
We walked hand in hand to the hotel I was staying at. Sofia kept glancing at me but didn’t say anything.
I unlocked my door and barely had a chance to set the takeout jug down inside before I felt her walking up behind me. I spun around to find her looking up at me, her lips parted.
A flash of something like vulnerability darkened her eyes, triggering a protective instinct deep within me.
“You okay?”
“Yes, it’s just… been a long time. I’m not sure I’m going to be or look like what you’re used to.”
“Bullshit.” I took a long stride forward until our chests were touching, then brought my hands up to her cheeks. “You’re fucking gorgeous. I wanted you the second I walked into that party. If you—”
I didn’t get to finish my sentence. As I was talking, a smile spread on Sofia’s lips. She looped her arms together behind my neck and murmured, “I believe you. Shut up and kiss me.”
The door wasn’t even closed yet, but who the fuck cared? I wasn’t sure who moved first, but the next thing I knew, my lips crashed into hers, and everything else faded to black.
Chapter 8
Sofia
Lincoln kissed exactly the way I’d hoped he would. His lips were soft but insistent. One of his hands settled on my hip while the other was on my jaw, his grip firm and dry.
He towered over me, but not so much that my neck felt like it would break off from the angle. It was more like I fit in perfectly beneath his chin.
Our bodies fit and molded together in a delicious way that sent tingles exploding over my skin, making all the little hairs on me rise. My arms wound around his neck, holding him to me.
I mashed my chest against his, lowering my hands to run them along the corded muscles in his back. They rippled beneath my fingers, flexing as he controlled our fervent kisses.
My hands moved even lower. They trailed across the dips and planes of his abdomen until I hit the rough waistband of his jeans. I skimmed my fingers under the elastic of his underwear, back and forth, and he moaned into my mouth.
When I reached the metal stud of his button, he caught my wrist and lifted his head, his eyes half-lidded and dark with lust. “Bed?”
“Yes,” I whispered against his lips.
His mouth curved into the sexiest smirk, and he started walking me backward. My knees hit the mattress, and I sat down on it. Lincoln reached up to his neck, bunched up a handful of the material of his shirt, and pulled it over his head.
Only the bedside light was on in the room, but it gave more than enough light for me to see that what I had suspected had been correct. Lincoln was built
