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I spread my arms out, looking out to the ocean and back to his amused smirk. “This. I never pictured you being a romantic guy.”
Well, that sounded a bit judgmental and came out totally wrong. He nods twice, his fingers twisting his lower lip. “Why type of guy do you think I am?”
Domineering alpha. My cheeks heat at my first thoughts. “I don’t know. Not this.”
His eyebrow lifts and he leans forward on the table, reading through my bullshit. “You seem to have formed an opinion of me, Ellie.”
I release an awkward laugh, glancing back up the beach, hoping a waiter is about to show up. They’re never here when you need them. He waits for me to answer, a slight tick at the corner of his mouth. “You’re confident, slightly arrogant, with a tough guy attitude. Sweet and romantic, not so much. Dominant and alpha, definitely.”
He shrugs one shoulder. “I go after what I want.” A shiver runs up my back as he locks eyes with me. “And one doesn’t negate the other,” he rasps.
We’re interrupted by the waiter. Finally.
I notice I’m fanning myself with the menu as I’m placing my order. I shove it into the hands of the waiter, rolling my eyes. The heat coming from his words seeps into my skin, leaving me wanting more. It’s irritating I can’t control it. I kick off my sandals and dig my feet into the cool sand, seeking any relief I can find.
“You’re not used to the word no, are you?”
His lips twist as he glances up to the sky, mulling it over internally. Finally, he answers, “I’m just persuasive.”
“Ha! Remember, the only reason I’m here is out of guilt.” I sit back, cross my arms and smile sweetly at him.
“Is that the only reason?”
I want to answer yes. I want to prove to myself that he doesn’t affect me like he does. But when he cocks his eyebrow up and flashes a smile to match, my confidence wavers about what I want.
Chapter Thirteen
Ellie
“You mentioned you were in school?” He leans back in his chair, giving me his full attention.
I nod, holding up a finger while I finish eating the piece of bread I stuffed into my mouth. I’m still hungry after the salad I had for dinner. Why did I order a freaking salad? I’ve never had a problem eating in front of a man. Then again, I’ve never been this nervous on a date either. “I am. Thankfully, I’m almost done. My major is Photo Journalism.”
“You like taking pictures?”
“I like telling stories through my pictures. The school project I created has turned into a passion of mine. One I hope to continue after I graduate.”
He gestures with his hands for me to continue. “Tell me more about this project.”
I smile. Is he for real, or is he playing me? He seems too perfect. He’s attentive, he’s polite, he’s sexy… he’s single. Why? Was his fit of jealousy the other day his real personality? Because I’m not seeing a hint of that guy today. And it’s confusing the hell out of me.
“What?” He eyes me with a quizzical look.
“Do you hate animals? Or snore really loud?”
His laugh is heady and sexy, and I feel guilty for trying to find a flaw as he entertains my doubt. “I'm certain I don’t snore. The guys on my team would’ve let me know.” Hechuckles to himself and I assume he’s talking about his military team because he doesn’t room with any of Max’s team. “Not a fan of cats, but I love dogs.”
That’s it! He hates cats. Then again, so do I.
“Why?” he muses.
“Why are you single?”
Why are you so interested in me? Since day one, he's been hell-bent on winning me over. He could have any woman. One who isn’t broken. Tori’s words float through my head, ‘You deserve to be happy.’ Although this may be true, it’s the person I’m with that doesn’t deserve to be saddled down with my past. When they find out the truth, they won’t stay.
“I guess I haven’t found the one, yet.”
Keep searching, because you won't find her here.
