The Navy SEAL's Christmas Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

ready to resume the race. He followed her, slipping into stride beside her as she increased her pace again.
    “I could be that kind of guy, though. If you wanted me to be. What about it, squirt? Do you like men who take charge?”
    She ignored him and fought the urge to run even faster. He was trying to throw her off her stride—trying to tire her out—so he could beat her and get those two kisses he seemed to want so badly. Despite herself, she found herself imagining what those kisses would be like.
    And what he’d be like if he took charge .
    “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you? Aren’t you?”
    Sarah body-checked him as if they were playing hockey, dropping her shoulder and leaning in for the hit as she ran. Dan went down hard, but he thrust a hand out, grabbed her ankle, and sent her crashing to the ground, too.
    “Damn it!”
    “It’s supposed to be a race, Metlin, not a contact sport.”
    “Everything’s a contact sport with you!” Whoops—probably not the smartest thing to say.
    He was on her in a second, literally and figuratively. As he straddled her hips once more, he leaned in close. “Everything’s a contact sport because you want it that way—admit it. You like me.”
    “Like hell.” She struggled underneath him, but he had her solidly pinned.
    “Come on. Beg me, Metlin. Beg me to kiss you. You know you want to.” He sat back, settling himself on top of her.
    “You are such an ass.” His movement had given her an opportunity, though. A second later she’d dumped him in the snow and regained her feet. She didn’t stay to taunt him or glory in this reversal of their fortunes. Instead, she ran for all she was worth, her clumsy snow shoes whumping with each step. She had to be careful not to tangle her feet, or Dan would catch up and then there’d be hell to pay.
    “I know you like me!” he called from where he still sat in the snow. “I can tell by the way you keep hitting me!”
    Despite herself, Sarah laughed.
    Damn Krav Maga. It should be illegal to teach that to women. Dan picked himself up out of the snow and chased after Sarah. She was setting a fast pace now, and he tracked her more slowly. Let the little lady tire herself out. He had plenty of stamina left.
    Hell, he could go all night long if she cared to.
    He stifled a chuckle and thought about Sarah’s laugh. He’d heard it as she raced away and had to smile, although it made him uneasy, too; he didn’t know why his heart soared at the sound. He liked that she had a sense of humor and could appreciate his, sure—but that didn’t justify the extent of the feeling. Suddenly he wanted Sarah to want him back. He wanted her to be as curious about him as he felt about her.
    He told himself it was because Sarah Metlin posed a real challenge. She wasn’t soft and sweet like the women he usually dated. He couldn’t flex a muscle and sweep her into bed. He’d have to prove himself to be the kind of man she looked up to.
    For one split second, Dan wondered if he could.
    He pushed that thought away. Of course he was man enough for Sarah. How much more man could you be than a veteran Navy SEAL? Normally, he’d turn on the charm, show off his muscles, brag a little bit—just a little, mind you—about his time in the service. None of that would work with Sarah, though. She’d ignore his charm, show off her own muscles and brag about her Krav Maga training.
    He wasn’t willing to conceded defeat, though. He wanted to learn everything he could about this intriguing woman.
    Sarah’s weakness was her competitiveness, he decided. He’d just continue to do what he was already doing—engage her in competitions and steal kisses from her when he won, until he’d kissed her enough that she wanted more.
    They rounded the next corner of the pasture, and Dan sped up just a little—enough so that he’d catch up to Sarah before she reached the next corner post. He needed to unsettle her if he was going to win this race—and he