Nothing more.
But as he grew closer to her rented home, Rocky couldn’t seem to kick the unfamiliar feeling swirling deep inside his gut.
He didn’t get nervous. He was former Air Force Special Recon, for Christ’s sake. And yet, the tiny bit of a woman somehow made him feel like a dorky teenager with a crush.
Raegan didn’t ask you over as a date, remember?
He liked that name. Liked everything about her, really. What he knew of her, anyway. And the extent of that list pretty much amounted to zilch.
Rocky knew the woman’s first name. Where she lived, of course, and that she worked at a bank not too far from Delta Team’s office. Other than that—and the fact that Raegan knewJack squat about basic plumbing—he knew absolutely nothing about her.
And yet, you’re about to enter her home for the second time today so the two of you can have dinner together.
Biting his back teeth together, he reminded his annoying inner voice that Raegan was merely being nice. And the only reason he knew anything at all was because he happened to be home when she’d come to him for help.
Rocky’s gut tightened, and his dick twitched as he thought back to the moment he first saw her. He’d been hammering away when something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. His hammering stopped. He’d glanced that way. And then…
And then I saw an angel.
Only Raegan wasn’t an angel. She was his new neighbor who’d apparently moved in while he and the other members of Delta Team were in Mexico rescuing hostages.
Rocky had to admit he’d initially been disappointed to see the dark blue Subaru Crosstrek sitting in her drive. The rental had sat empty for as long as he’d owned his house. He’d gotten used to having this section of the neighborhood to himself.
But as far as next-door neighbors went, he could’ve done much, much worse.
Looks aren’t everything, Rock. Not even close.
No, looks weren’t everything. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to complain.
Reaching for the door, Rocky raised his fist but hesitated to knock. Glancing down at his other hand—and the lame excuse for dessert he’d been stuck bringing—he gave his head a frustrated shake and drew in a cleansing breath.
And then…he knocked.
Like most homes on their street, Raegan’s had a traditional, craftsman-style door. Complete with dentil shelves positionedbeneath a row of small, decorative glass panes, the wood-stained entryway fit the small home’s simplistic style perfectly.
Dude. You’ve been watching way too many home-improvement shows on your down time if you’re standing here thinking about a damn door instead of the woman behind it.
Actually, he was trying very hard not to think of the woman whose safe haven was behind that damn door. Because, again, this was simply a shared meal between two neighbors in an effort to get to know one another better.
Nothing more.
The sounds of footfalls sounded from the other side of the overly appreciated door, and Rocky felt his spine tingle in anticipation.
Yeah, you’re right. Nothing to see here, folks. Not at all to?—
The door swung open, and just as suddenly as Raegan’s beautiful face appeared, Rocky lost the ability to breathe.
“Hey.” She greeted him with a warm, welcoming smile.
Unlike earlier, when she’d been squinting against the sun, he could clearly make out the golds and browns of her mesmerizing gaze. And while she stood with one hand on the door and the other hanging loosely at her side, he found all he could do was stare.
Fucking beautiful.
Having changed out of her jean shorts and tank, Raegan was now wearing a white summer dress covered in tiny pink flowers. Thin straps held the garment in place, and the snug bodice showcased a set of perky breasts and a tiny, narrow waist. The bottom portion of the dress fluttered out just a touch, with its hem stopping at a respectable length an inch or two below her knees.
With her toned arms left fully exposed, it was easy to see the woman kept herself in good physical shape. Something a manlike him could appreciate, given how rigorous his own workout schedule was.
Like before, her long, ash-blonde hair hung over one of her delicate shoulders. But rather than the silken tendrils being tucked into a woven braid, she’d left the locks loose and free. Add to that the light touch of makeup accenting her eyes, cheeks, and lips, and Rocky couldn’t deny the truth of what he was seeing.