Falling For Her Navy Seal…Again by Clarissa Yip Page B

Ignoring the bruising around his eye, she hugged her brother.
    “Hey.” Jared hugged her back and leaned away to look her over. “You seem….”
    “Better than you, right now.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the two. “What the hell were you guys doing?”
    “Jenesi Nicole Coleman, did you sleep with him?” The anger on her brother’s face was almost laughable.
    “Mind your own business.” She walked around the island, past Matthew, avoiding his gaze, and poured herself a cup of coffee. No way she could look at him right now.
    “What the hell were you thinking?” Jared threw his hands up and then slammed them onto the counter.
    Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Matthew watching her suspiciously. Well, poo on him. “I’m twenty-seven years old. I think I can make my own choices. I don’t need your permission.”
    “But with Matt?” Jared pointed at his best friend.
    She finally glanced at Matt, noting the shiner under his right eye. “Things happen. What can I say? Get over it.” She sipped her coffee calmly.
    “Jenesi.”
    She heard the warning in Jared’s voice and shrugged. “If you guys want to keep killing each other, have at it. I’m going upstairs to get dressed.” Without another word, she walked out on them, leaving pieces of her heart behind with each step she took.
    She’d faced his running from her before. This time it felt like the final punch.
     
    ***
     
    Matt frowned. Something was wrong. He replayed his conversation with Jared in his mind. Usually it took her a lot longer to shower, and he’d have breakfast made. Except he hadn’t expected Jared to charge into the house and find him in a towel, brewing coffee. Fear wrapped around his throat, but he swallowed hard and glanced at his best friend.
    “I’m not messing around with her.”
    “See that you aren’t. If you hurt her, I swear—”
    “I’m not going to hurt her. Not if I can help it. I—” He swallowed hard. “I love her.”
    Jared’s eyes widened. “Dude, that’s my sister. It’s Jenesi.”
    “I know.” Matt leaned his elbows on the counter and ran a hand over his face. “How do I tell her I’m leaving in a couple of days?”
    His best friend gave him a pitiful look. “I don’t know what to tell you. You’re a SEAL. That’s a whole different ball game. And you know how your mom felt about your dad being in the service. Jenesi has always cared for you, but she needs security, a home.”
    Tightness gripped his chest. “And I want to give her those things.”
    Even as he said the words, he knew them to be true. He couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life without her. Knowing she was here every time he came home gave him comfort, reason. And getting shot on his last mission had opened his eyes. He loved her, had always loved her.
    “What do I do?”
    Jared sighed. “Just tell her you’re leaving. It’s not like you’re not coming back. You just don’t know when.”
    “What if I leave and she doesn’t want to wait for me? What if some other guy comes along and sweeps her off her feet?” Just like what happened with my mom …. Matt cursed.
    “My sister is strong and she’s loyal. If she settles on someone, it’s forever. I wouldn’t worry about her. But are you sure you love her?”
    “Of course.” Matt straightened from the counter. “I…want…when I see her, I think of home. When I don’t see her, I miss her smiles, her laughter, and even our bickering. I…I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Here.”
    Jared grinned and clapped his palm on Matt’s shoulder. “You know I’d beat the crap out of you if you hurt her.”
    “And I’d let you, if I did.” Matt drew in a ragged breath. “You think she’ll understand my leaving?”
    “You won’t know until you tell her.”
    “Thanks, man.” Matt grunted.
    “I’m off to shower. It was a long flight getting back here.” Jared picked up his bag off the floor.
    “What are you doing