Page 50 of SEAL's Promise

Thirty minutes later, Rachelle emerged from the bathroom. She pulled up short when she saw Cal leaning one shoulder against the hall door jamb, his back to her.

Without turning, he straightened. “Is it okay for me to turn around?”

“Yes.”

He spun and took in her appearance at a glance. His eyebrows rose. “Those look familiar.”

“They’re yours. Jackson brought them to me since I don’t have clothes to change into.”

Cal closed the door behind him. “Tell me your sizes, and I’ll have clothes for you in the morning.”

“How? Maple Valley isn’t a thriving metropolis. I doubt the town has a store open 24 hours a day.”

Amusement filled his gaze. “Chesapeake Falls has several stores that are open.”

“You already checked out towns in the area, didn’t you?”

“I told you. You’re my first priority.” He studied her expression. “How do you feel after the shower?”

“Better.”

“Did you take pain meds?”

She nodded. “Jackson’s orders.”

“Good.” Cal shifted closer to Rachelle. “You ready to turn in for the night?”

“After.”

“After what?”

“The kiss you promised me.”

A slow smile curved his mouth. “You want a goodnight kiss?”

“I don’t want one. I need one as long as it’s yours.”

Cal’s gaze dropped to her mouth. “You’re killing me, Rachelle.” He cupped her nape. “Tell me if anything hurts.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Cal eased closer, bent his head, and brushed his mouth over hers. When Rachelle’s breath caught, he paused.

“Cal, please,” she whispered.

“Shh.” He wrapped his free arm around her waist and drew her closer as his mouth settled on hers.

The next few minutes passed in a blur of heat and silk. Rachelle’s heart rate rocketed into the stratosphere as Cal asked for and received permission to deepen the kiss.

Good grief! Cal Taylor’s kisses were magic. Fire sizzled along her nerve endings, making her forget that all her muscles were sore from the accident.

When he broke the kiss and eased away, Rachelle rose on tiptoe and pressed her mouth to his, unwilling to give up the addicting taste of him. “Not yet,” she murmured against his mouth.

He groaned and wrapped both arms around her. Capturing her mouth, Cal’s blistering kisses made her head spin and her knees grow weak. If he hadn’t held her up, she would’ve melted into a puddle on the floor.

Minutes later, the operative eased his mouth from hers and urged Rachelle to rest her head against his shoulder. Cal continued to hold her in silence for a few minutes. Finally, he threaded his fingers into her hair. “I should go.”

“Do you have to?”