Chapter 25

Waking to Danika in his arms felt amazing. It was Saturday, and he didn't have to go to the base, but he and the guys were getting together for a run this morning, and then they wanted to play volleyball at the beach before it got too hot.

Danika wasn't working, so he hoped she would go with him to the beach. He hadn't said anything last night because they'd ended up twisted together, which had been amazing, but their activities had left little time to chat. The thought of her under him made his dick go half-hard. He could easily slip back into bed and spend all day fulfilling all of their desires. But he'd made plans, and he wouldn't disappoint his guys.

When he finished in the bathroom, she snuck in after him, her gaze sliding away shyly. He hoped she didn't regret them getting together.

He had his first mug of coffee in hand as she stepped out, a blush on her cheeks.

"You surely aren't blushing about what we did?" Sharp asked .

She shrugged. "I shouldn't be, but I am. I just can't believe I'm here with you. It was amazing."

Sharp chuckled. "Well, you are here. I'm going jogging in a few. Do you want to go with us to the beach today? We're playing volleyball and hanging out."

Danika bit her lower lip. "Are you sure you want me hanging out with you and your friends?"

"Yeah. Of course I do."

"Only if you don't think anyone will mind."

Sharp moved to her and pulled her close. "Hey, of course I want to spend time with you. And if things go the way I think they will, you're going to be around for a long time."

Her lips thinned, and worry passed over her face. "You think so?"

He studied her expression, not seeing any subterfuge. A long time ago, back in high school, she'd been so confident about what she did and didn't want, but that had been before life had gotten to her. Now, he saw doubt and heard it in her words. She'd broken it off with him because she didn't like something he'd done. He wanted her to gain her confidence back.

"Don't you?" he asked, hoping she was on the same page as him.

She shrugged. "I keep thinking you're going to realize I'm nothing special."

He set down his coffee then reached for her and pulled her close. "You are special. I think you're great. And I've known you for a long time."

She shook her head. "But I've done stuff that I'm not proud of. I'm not the same person."

"I've also done some stuff. We both have. But I bet you've done much more to be proud of."

He held her gaze and he could see the moment his words sank in. It would take more than just a few words building her up to make her believe she was good, but he was getting through to her.

"When will you be heading to the beach?"

"We're leaving on a run in—" he checked the time and saw he had about twenty minutes to get to the school parking lot where they planned to start. Since most of them lived in this area, they were starting close by. "I need to head out now. I'll be back in about an hour and a half. Wear your bathing suit, and there is sunscreen under the sink. I have a beach umbrella you can sit under, but we'll be there for about three hours."

"How about I make some sandwiches?"

"Sure. I can help after I get back from the run."

"Nonsense. I'm not doing anything while you're out. I'll make food for us."

"Thanks. That'll help."

She brushed a kiss over his lips before she stepped back. Pleasure filled him. He couldn't believe this woman was in his life. He hadn't really expected to have anyone in his life, much less someone he'd been with way back when.

She was different now, older. Of course, she was different, but in some ways, she was still the same person he knew. Back in high school, she hadn't been one of the mean girls. He bet she still was good deep inside like she'd been back then.

"I'll call when we finish our run."

"Thank you," Danika said before he left the apartment.

His buddies on different teams were doing a lot to help him. The guys from his current team were meeting up with Wild and his team and some of the guys on Archer's team would be there. They were running six miles with weights and doing some pushups and lunges along the way. He was excited that the extra training really was helping him. He would be back in battle ready shape soon.

When he pulled into the lot, most of the guys were already there. He greeted the group, shaking hands and slapping guys on the back.

All of Archer's team had shown, so it meant all eighteen of them were there. When they took off, they looked like an intimidating group. He was able to keep up, and the guys encouraged him, telling him he was doing a great job.

Not one of his buddies had asked where he'd been. They all respected that he'd had a special assignment. He appreciated that about this group. They knew what was at stake. The world was a powder keg just waiting to go off, and the military had to adjust to new challenges.

"You guys ready to play some volleyball?" Archer asked as they ran back into the lot where they'd parked.

"We're skipping the beach," Wild said.

"Oh, that stinks," Dog said as he pulled off his weight vest.

Wild shrugged. "One of the kids has a birthday, so we're having a pool party for them."

"Makes sense," Sharp said. He wondered what it would be like to have kids. Not all the guys on Wild's team had little ones running around. From what he knew of them, even the guys without kids seemed to love having young ones around.

"We'll be there for a few hours," Archer said. "My team should be able to do at least two games with you."

"Sounds good. Are the women coming?" he asked.

"Yeah, kids, too, but not for another hour. Then we're going to cook out with them and possibly head over to someone's pool."

"Sounds good. Danika is coming."

"Who is Danika?" Wild asked .

"Just an old friend who is in town. She's staying at my place." He wasn't trying to be cagey, but he didn't want to tell all of these guys that he was sleeping with her.

A couple of guys laughed like they knew what her being at his place meant. The men on his team already knew that Danika was at his place, but they didn't know about the sex.

Wild leaned against the tailgate of one of the trucks and crossed his arms over his chest. "Does anyone on your team have kids, Sharp?"

"No, man," Griz said as he pulled on a fresh t-shirt. "None of us are dating anyone, so we're all free agents."

He didn't want the guys to say something like that in front of Danika. Though he hadn't wanted to get into how he felt about her, it seemed like he should say something. "That's not really true anymore," Sharp said and ducked his head as Jay tossed a paper cup at him.

"Damn, why didn't you tell us?" Squat asked.

He shrugged. "Well, we weren't really at that point yet."

"Hot damn. Now, this is the girl you knew from high school, right?" Griz asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, she's special."

"Dang!" Jay said as he popped Sharp on the rear. "You got you some last night."

Sharp rolled his eyes. "Can you act like an adult around her?"

Jay threw up his hands and gyrated as he pumped his fists. "Maybe, but right now, I'm not going to act like one." He changed positions and acted like he was slapping an ass.

Sharp rolled his eyes. "Good Lord."

"We can all tell that you're acting like a twelve-year-old," Wild said .

"We really get to meet her today?" Apple asked.

"Yeah." Sharp frowned and hit them all with a serious stare. "But you all gotta behave. She's a keeper. This isn't just me getting off. I mean it. She's good."

Wild's grin grew wider before he slapped him on his back. "I hope she sticks around. It sounds like you really like her."

He couldn't believe he was saying this now, but he liked her a lot. Things were falling into place, and he was happy with how their relationship was going. "I do like her."

"Good. Maybe you can bring her around when we all get together," Wild said.

He nodded. "She'll be around for a while." Hopefully. Though he didn't say that part out loud. If she left him, he would be devastated.

He was going to do what he could to make her realize that they deserved a second chance. Danika knew his past, which had been something he'd never shared with anyone. But her knowing wasn't dangerous. Instead, he felt safe from her having the knowledge of his past.

He sent a quick text to Danika after saying goodbye to Wild's team. Excitement and a little trepidation slid through him. Not that the guys dictated who he dated, but if they liked her, it would make everything flow so much more smoothly.