First Class Hero (First Class Novels) Read Online Free

thing.”
    “I hope so.”
    “So, I was wondering if you could do me a favor.” 
    Nic’s eyebrows raised and she slowly put her cup on the
table. She looked at Paul waiting for more.
    “Ed is the Commanding Officer of Seal Team 6 and they are
having a barbecue tomorrow afternoon. I know its short notice and if you’ve
already made plans I totally understand, but it’s for families and it’s on the
beach and there’ll be food and volleyball and stuff and I thought maybe you’d
like to go with me.”
    Paul looked at Nic, studying her for a clue to her thoughts.
She gave nothing away in her expression. Her eyelids lowered and she moved her
coffee cup around in circles on the table. To Paul, an eternity had passed
before she spoke, when in reality, it had been a mere second or two.
    “My experience with men in the Navy has not been good. And I
really am not interested in dating any of them. But, I have no reason yet to assume you’re as big of an asshole as the other men I have met. I am
assuming you are asking me on a date?”
    She was direct. He’d give her that.
    Paul nodded. “Yes. I would consider it a date. I really
don’t want to show up alone and I would like to get to know you a little
better. It’s a win-win. Well for me anyway.” He would try being direct too. It
worked.
    Nic studied him. If she was serious about keeping him at
arm’s length she shouldn’t have agreed to meet him for coffee. Does that
mean I don’t want to keep him at arm’s length? she wondered. Ordinarily, if
someone had gotten her number and called she just wouldn’t return the call. But
she called Paul back. Does that mean something?
    “Okay. I will go to the barbecue with you. But don’t think
I’m gonna be kissing everybody’s asses because you’re all big tough Navy
Seals.”
    Paul chuckled. “I certainly wouldn’t expect you to.”
    *****
    Paul helped load everything they needed into the back of
Ed’s truck before heading out. There were coolers, chairs, tables, the
volleyball equipment, and a massive barbecue. Mariah would follow shortly in
the car with the kids.
    They pulled up in front of a small house and Paul jumped out
and jogged to the door. As he lifted his hand to knock, the door opened and a
short blonde woman stood in shorts and a bikini top.
    “Hi,” she said. “Come on in.”
    Paul hesitated, not sure who she was.
    “I’m Evelyn. Nic is almost ready.”
    “Oh, hi.” Paul relaxed and stepped into the living room.
    “So you know Nic from her cruise?”
    “Yup,” he nodded.
    Nic walked into the room and tripped on the edge of the rug
and hurtled towards the ground. In one swift motion, Paul moved through the air
and caught her inches from the wood floor.
    “Dammit!” she muttered as Paul returned her to a standing
position. “Thank you,” she frowned.
    “No problem,” he replied. “You okay?”
    “Just mortified,” she tried not to smile.
    Paul grinned. “You ready?”
    “Yeah. Let’s go.”
    “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” grinned Evelyn. “Have
fun. I won’t wait up.”
    Nic turned and glared at her roommate as they left the
house. She shut the door and Paul offered her the lead down the narrow path to
the curb. When they arrived at the truck, he opened the door and introduced her
to Ed. They exchanged pleasantries and Nic and Paul climbed into the backseat.
    “So what? I’m the chauffeur?” laughed Ed as he pulled out
and drove to the beach.
    It was a short drive and Ed backed the truck up as close to
the path as possible. It was about two o’clock and everyone would be arriving
within about thirty minutes. Ed and Paul got the barbecue and the bags of
charcoal out first and Ed began preparing the grill. He left Nic and Paul alone
as they carried coolers and chairs to the soft sand.
    “How many people are coming?” Nic asked as they carried the
last cooler from the truck.
    “There are twelve Seals on Ed’s team and their families. So,
a bunch,” he