But it was still too soon to say that out loud.
With her body, though, she could say everything that needed to be spelled out. I’m going to miss you like crazy. I’ll think of you every minute of every day until I can hold you again. You’re the only man I can imagine myself being with for the rest of my life. Oh, God, this is scary.
She could say some of that out loud. But they didn’t need words. They had a connection that went deeper than that.
And he knew she loved him on a bone-deep level, always had and always would.
When she slowed her pace, holding him inside her longer so she could rub against him before rising again, he pushed himself up to sit, holding her in his lap, and they finished together in a sticky, grinding tangle.
Showering was bittersweet. She didn’t want to wash him off her body, but it wouldn’t be romantic once she left her bedroom smelling of sex. He scrubbed her back and she soaped up his chest, and they avoided talking about what came next.
The truth was, neither of them knew. Not the details. The broad strokes weren’t in question—she was his, and he was hers, and they’d figure it out.
They had time.
But that didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.
She let him drive to the airport. He looked good in her car. Big and capable, strong and handsome.
The tears started in her chest as they parked. That’s where they stayed, though, a hot, burning ball of sadness that she wasn’t letting out until he left. Not that he missed her growing sadness.
He squeezed her hand as they walked together to the departures area. Held her tight to his chest, even as the clock ticked toward the time when he’d have to let her go.
“What do we say, babe?”
How could he be this strong, when she just wanted to cling to him and cry? She swallowed hard and nodded. “I can’t wait to do it all over again.”
“That’s right. You’re my beautiful, smart, incredible best friend. And I’m counting down the days until I get to kiss you right…here.” He brushed his lips against the corner of her mouth. “And here,” he whispered, light as a feather against the other corner. “And definitely…” He hauled her against him, and kissed her until her head was spinning and her heart was full. “Right there.”
She grinned as he stepped back, and they exchanged a private laugh as he walked toward the security line.
I can’t wait to do it all over again. His words—now her words—rang loud and clear in her head as she watched him exchange a quick, respectful few words with the TSA agent, then snake through the line of travelers. And when he turned to give her one last wave before heading through to the departure area, she knew her heart might be leaving for California, but Logan had left his with her right there in Atlanta.
Thank you for reading Cherished by the SEAL! The island that Logan and Tori went to, Miralinda, is also home to my ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights series, and later this year, their adventure will continue with a return to Miralinda—this time for good. If you enjoyed their story, please join my VIP reader mailing list at www.smarturl.it/ZoeYorkNewsletter to stay up to date on all my Navy SEAL romances!
And you can find all my books at www.zoeyork.com. Navy SEAL romances in the SEALs Undone series, sexy small town romances in Pine Harbour and Wardham. Book boyfriends you will fall in love with in every story.