A SEAL's Surrender (Alpha SEALs Book 3) by Makenna Jameison Page B

her lower lip began to tremble.  She couldn’t keep doing this dance with him—not tonight, not ever.  Maybe he did regret the past, but that didn’t mean their future was any different.  Life would go on as it had—without Christopher.
    “Come with me tonight, Lexi.”
    “I’m not going anywhere with you.  Last night shouldn’t have happened.”
    He flinched, and his lips pressed together.  “Not to your hotel room.  Let’s take a drive, me and you.  We’ll go to the beach just like old times.”
    She searched his brown gaze, trying to summon the strength to tell him no.  There were a thousand reasons that she shouldn’t go anywhere with this man, but a tiny part of her yearned for what once was.  For the girl she’d once been.
    “I need to change.”
    “I’ll wait.”
    “Meet me back here in twenty minutes.”
    “Some guy spooks you in the garage, and you think I’ll let you meet me right here?  Not a chance in hell.”
    Lexi rolled her eyes.
    “I’ll pick you up in front of your hotel.  Twenty minutes, or I’m coming up after you.  And no one will be able to keep me from tearing the goddamn door down.”

Chapter 10
     
    Christopher pulled to a stop at the secluded north end of Virginia Beach, Lexi tucked safely into the passenger seat of his truck.  It was quiet here, peaceful in the waning evening light.  The lazy red sun was dropping in the sky behind them, seagulls swooped down through the air, and powerful waves crashed against the sandy shore.  It reminded him of nights with Lexi a lifetime ago—of beers and bonfires on the beach when they’d both been young, foolish, and carefree.  When he’d been high on life and love and hardly a damn thing could bring him down.  When he’d make love to his girl until morning.
    Seeing the pain on her face when she’d shot him down the morning after their fight all those years ago had crippled him.  She’d been the one good thing in his life, and he’d thrown her away, like garbage.  When her roommate had shown up a week later, telling him Lexi was long gone, he’d felt like his goddamn heart had been ripped from his chest.  The hole had been vacant for years, empty and aching, and until he’d seen Lexi the other night at Anchors, he hadn’t quite realized she held the missing piece.
    Nearly ten years had hardened him—he’d seen more damage and destruction as a SEAL than he could’ve ever imagined.  He’d been so hurt by Lexi’s inability to forgive him that he hadn’t ever been in a serious relationship since.  That and the fact that she was the one his body craved.  Fighting with his men for those who needed help made him prouder than damn near anything.  But doing right by his girl?  He’d be on top of the world.
    Lexi glanced at him from the passenger seat, looking hesitant, wary.  She’d been angry last night, furious this morning, but at the moment?  She mostly looked defeated.  The sadness filling her violet eyes was overwhelming.  He’d give her anything she wanted just to have her stop looking at him that way.
    Long black hair cascaded down to the floral sundress she wore, trailing across her bare shoulders and collarbone.  Her cheeks were slightly flushed.  She was so feminine and beautiful it ached just to look at her.
    Reaching across the seat, he took her delicate hand in his. His thumb lightly caressed her knuckles, and she closed her eyes.  He’d do anything to know what was on her mind—to take any sadness she had away.
    “Let’s go for a walk,” he said huskily.
    She looked out the window, refusing to meet his gaze.  “I think I should go back to my hotel.  This wasn’t a good idea.”
    “Just hear me out,” he insisted.  “If you still want to leave after that, I’ll drive you back.”
    And beg you to give me a second chance.
    She sighed and agreed, pulling her hand away.  She was out the door before he could assist her, and he grumbled as he jogged around the truck and again