Savannah’s heart fell. “You’re shipping out tomorrow?” She couldn’t keep the dismay out of her voice. A sinking, sick feeling started in the pit of her stomach. “I had no idea, and I’ve been monopolizing your last few hours of freedom.” A passing glance from a woman who gave Patrick a long, hot look before smirking at Savannah was an unpleasant reminder that the handsome marine was probably just being nice to her. There was no way he was really interested in her.
They stepped out into the sunshine and turned toward the parking lot beneath the big Evangeline Oak. Stopping, she held out her hand. “I’ll pray for your safety, and I wish you all the luck in the world. Don’t forget, I’ll be watching for your email. And thank you for playing along with me. I’ll let you go now. You can consider your experience today to be a flirty type of ‘catch and release’.”
Patrick listened patiently while she made her speech. When she held out her little hand, he took it. When ir fingers touched he halfway expected to feel a shock. Instead he was entranced by the softness of her skin and how right her hand felt in his. When she tried to draw it back, Patrick wouldn’t turn loose. “Not so fast, Honey. After I’m caught, I don’t release so easily.”
His playfulness caused a giggle to escape her lips. It felt good to laugh. “So, are you saying that I’ve caught something a little too large to handle?” Again, she let her gaze dip below his belt buckle. What had gotten into her? Oh well, she’d never see him again after this morning.
With one swift move, Patrick pulled her against him. “You have a wicked sense of humor. I think I’ll enjoy the hell out of you. You’re a living doll, did you know that?” Lord, her midnight blue eyes were wide with shock and excitement. As he stared down into them, he swore he could see forever in their depths.
“I shouldn’t do this, but God it feels good to be close to you,” she closed her eyes and whispered as she moved – not away - but a step closer to him. This was the very first time she had been in a man’s arms and it was wonderful. “I’m sorry; I can’t seem to stop shaking.”
“Don’t be shy,” he held her tenderly. She trembled like a small deer that wanted to be petted but was afraid to be still. “I think you are just about the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Savannah.” Savannah – God, he loved that name. He couldn’t get over how perfect she was. Her body was petite, but had the sweetest set of drool-worthy tits he had ever been privileged to feel pressed up against him. When he had first seen her, he had teased her about being prim and proper, but what she was – was a lady. Savannah wasn’t dressed to show off her shape, but when she moved in a certain way the soft cotton of her sundress would shift and he could see high, full breasts that just begged to be cupped and fondled. And how had he missed all that hair? When she had faced him, it had been caught up on the sides, so it wasn’t till she had turned around that he could see the waterfall of lush curls that hung down to the middle of her back. “I want to spend my last few hours with you. Is that okay?”
Savannah was taken aback. What should she do? Everything within her wanted to spend time with this walking, talking dream. But what would be the use? It’s not like it could go anywhere, even if he were interested in her. What could she offer a man like this? It was obvious. So, she offered the only thing of value she had – her help. “We could discuss your research over lunch, if you’d like. And I’ll keep the flirtatious stares to a minimum, I promise,” she whispered breathlessly. God, she sounded desperate.
Patrick didn’t really understand all of the unfamiliar feelings flooding his heart. But he did know that there was no way in hell he was going to let her walk out of his life, not after he had just found her. The fact that she had given him the hardest erection he had sported in many a day – all without a touch was beside the point. But it did make him wonder what she could do if they were actually skin to skin. He knew he’d give his rt nut to find out.
Time seemed to stand still as they held each other’s gaze. Patrick could almost sense an electric arc of awareness pass between them. “I’d love to have lunch with you, Savannah. And please don’t cut back on the flirting for my sake, I enjoyed it. In fact parts of me were giving you a standing ovation.”
Easing out of his arms, Savannah felt her cheeks flush. “Thank you, you won’t be sorry. I’ll be good to you, I promise. Lunch is on me.”
No way. “No, I’ll buy lunch. You can be good to me in other ways,” he teased her with a wink. Lord, he loved to see a woman blush. His suggestion earned him another sweet smile from those plump, pink lips. And this time his heart flopped over in his chest like a floundering fish out of water. Now that he knew her real name, he could say with confidence that Savannah’s smile was his favorite thing in the whole world.
Chapter Two
“Ow!” Savannah whispered, as she lightly pinched her own arm. Yea, she was awake. Would wonders ever cease? She was going out to lunch with a man! And what a man! Trying to sound calm, she gathered her purse and followed him to the door. “Okay, if you’re sure.” Savannah couldn’t help but give him a final out.
“I’m sure.” Patrick
