“Sure.” She knew he was lying. He’d held back long enough for her to take a lead he’d barely overcome. Why had he done that? He could have beat her handily.
He took her arm when she tried to go inside. “Sarah, slow down a minute. I’m trying to tell you I have a lot of respect for how hard you’ve trained. You’re right; you should be allowed to try out for the Special Forces.”
She pulled back. “You really believe that?”
He shrugged. “The process weeds out anyone not strong enough to succeed. Most men don’t pass the tests. I’m not worried about anyone unqualified slipping through.”
“Right.” She tried to turn away but he held her there.
“It isn’t a game, Metlin. You know that. The ban on women isn’t about men trying to keep women down. There are some situations that take strength and endurance women just don’t have. But if any woman might have them, it would be someone like you.”
Anger and acceptance warred within her. She knew what he meant. She could be the strongest, fastest, most capable woman alive and still there’d be men stronger and faster than her. But not more capable; she wouldn’t admit that. And she felt sure that capability stood for a lot. SEALs worked in teams. So did the Special Forces. Not every member of every team had to be the strongest man in the world, right?
But this was where her doubts crept in, because every man she’d ever spoken to on the subject claimed that capable wasn’t enough. They stood shoulder to shoulder to block her entry to any elite unit. It wasn’t fair.
She tried to pull away again. She knew what was coming next. Knew she’d honor the bet, too. That was the kind of woman she was. She also knew Dan’s kiss would short circuit her wiring and take her places she didn’t want to go. Whatever this longing was that she battled these days, it wasn’t for a man like him.
Dan raised his hand to cup her chin and took his time bending down to brush his lips over hers. She held her breath in anticipation.
She wasn’t disappointed. His mouth on hers sparked a reaction in her body that was all too overwhelming. The truth was, she hadn’t been with anyone in a long time. In the Army, she met plenty of single men, but like she’d said to Dan, they all seemed interested in besting her rather than forming any real attachment. Once the men had seen she could do a salmon ladder—and once they’d taken her informal Krav Maga classes—it was as if she’d ceased to be a woman and instead was some kind of freak. It was never smart to date a fellow service-member anyway, so she hadn’t let it bother her. But she’d grown lonely over the years seeing friends and acquaintances match up while she remained single.
Dan’s kiss told her she was still a woman. She felt its burn in places that she’d tried to ignore for a long time. As his arms tightened around her, she found herself relaxing against him. Normally she held herself rigid; ready to defend herself. Dan made her feel safe.
The thought snapped her eyes open and she pulled away.
“Uh uh—not so fast, Metlin.” Somehow Dan had backed her up against the wall of the house. “I get two kisses and I say when they’re done; not you. Let’s try that again, shall we?”
“You already got one kiss.” Why did her voice sound so breathless?
“No, I started one and you broke it off. It doesn’t count. But this one does.” Before she could say a word, he kissed her again and oh, what a kiss. She was helpless against this onslaught. Dan used his body to pin her against the wall and she was aware of every part of him. The movement of his lips over hers seared her straight to her soul. He was making it absolutely clear how much he wanted her. Not overtly—not offensively. But clearly enough that she couldn’t pretend not to notice.
His kiss went on and on until Sarah thought she would lose herself in it for good. When he finally pulled back she could barely keep her feet.
“Now we’re done.” He straightened, but kept her pinned in the cage of his arms.
“What about the other one?” Shit. That sounded like she wanted him to kiss her again.
“I think I’ll save it for later.”
Disappointment pulsed through her and he grinned as if he knew it. “Anticipation is a good thing, don’t you think?”
A good thing? Hell, no—she wanted that kiss right now. Sarah leaned back against the house and closed her eyes. Good God, she’d lost her mind.
“Yeah—me, too,” Dan took her hand and squeezed it.
She opened her eyes as he led her to the door, puzzling over what he meant by that last remark. Him, too? Did that mean he felt the same heady mix of anticipation and lust she did? If so, they were in trouble.
One of them needed to stay in control.