by Susan Stoker
Mary knew as much about Rayne’s love life as she did her own—that’s how best friends operated, they didn’t keep secrets from each other, even when it came to things like menopause, or how well and often their men still made love to them. She also knew for a fact that her best friend was still having as much amazing sex as she had twenty-five years ago.
“I love you, Raynie,” Mary told her best friend. “The day we met at that bar was the best day of my life. I would go through cancer all over again, twice, if it meant having you in my life.”
“Don’t say that!” Rayne protested immediately. “No more fucking cancer for you, bitch!”
Mary laughed. When Rayne got drunk, she always got sappy…and swore like a sailor.
Just then a song came on. It was an oldie, way older than most of the people in the bar at the moment, but Rayne immediately turned to Mary and screamed, “Black Eyed Peas! We have to dance!”
The song was “The Time (Dirty Bit),” and she and Rayne had danced to it time and time again over the years. It had such an awesome beat, it was almost impossible not to get up and dance. Not to mention, it reminded them of the movie Dirty Dancing, which, even though another old classic, was still one of their favorites.
“I’ve had the time of my life!” Rayne sang at the top of her lungs, pointing at Mary. Then she threw the shot back and pulled at her friend’s hand. “Come on! Let’s dance!”
“Go on, I’ll be right there,” Mary assured her. She downed her own shot and watched with humor as Rayne went to the dance floor and began gyrating and shaking her ass. Mary saw several young women and men rolling their eyes at the “old woman” dancing, but didn’t give a shit.
She hoped in another twenty-five years, she and Rayne were still doing shots and dancing their ass off on the dance floor. The hell with what anyone else thought. She and Rayne had been through a lot of shit in their lives. This was them. They weren’t going to change now, and didn’t feel one ounce of regret for being who they were.
Mary plunked the empty shot glass on the bar and hurried out to join her best friend in the world. As they danced, laughing and embracing life, and ignoring the stares from the much younger clientele, Mary couldn’t help but think about her life.
She’d had a horrible mother, and had learned at a young age not to trust anyone, especially men. But then she’d met Rayne, and learned that there were good people out there. Then through her best friend, she’d met Truck. The man who’d changed her entire life. Thinking about her husband made Mary smile once again.
Her man.
He made her crazy and pissed her off all the time.
But he also went out of his way to make sure she knew how much he loved her, and to make her happy. He’d helped raise their two children to be amazing human beings, and Mary felt content in the knowledge they wouldn’t have the same issues she’d had when trying to find a life partner.
At the end of the song, Rayne pulled Mary into an intense embrace. The two women hugged each other long after a new song started. Finally, Rayne pulled away and looked Mary in the eyes. “We did good, didn’t we?”
Mary smiled. “We sure did.”
“You ready to go?”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Let’s go get us some,” Rayne said.
Mary laughed. “You’re gonna be hungover tomorrow for your flight.”
Rayne merely shrugged. “Don’t care. I’m having fun with my best friend. I’ve got one of the hottest men on the planet in my bed. And we’re happy and healthy. What else could I ask for?”
Mary simply shrugged. “Nothing.”
“Exactly.”
“Now call your man and tell him to get here to pick your ass up,” Rayne ordered.
Mary did as ordered, even as Rayne made her own call to Ghost.
They stood outside the bar, under the watchful eye of the bartender, while they waited for their husbands to pick them up.
“Mary?”
“Yeah, Rayne?”
“Thanks for not dying.”
Mary didn’t laugh. She knew Rayne was completely serious. “You’re welcome.”
The two friends linked their arms together and settled back against the side of the bar to wait for their men to arrive…and their beautiful lives to continue.
Thank you ALL for going on this Delta Force ride with me!
Be sure to pick up Rescuing Macie. This is the story of Truck’s sister and his commander. You read a bit about how they met in the epilogue here, and the excitement continues in their story! :)
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Keep reading for my Author Note to find out what’s coming next!
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If you know me, you know that there are a whole slew of fan-fiction books written with my characters in them, but there’s a VERY SPECIAL that has been published. It’s called Romancing Rayne and it was written by Riley Edwards.
It’s available NOW and I encourage you to get this one! It’s the story of Rayne and Ghost’s honeymoon…in LONDON! Yup, they’re going back to where it all started!
I’ve read this one and LOVED it. Riley consulted with me the entire way and I love how this one came out.
So again, Romancing Rayne…go get it NOW! :)
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PLEASE keep reading for a sneak peek of Securing Caite, the first book in my new SEAL series…you’ll get to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones!
Author Note
Readers,
I can’t say how happy I am that you have embraced the Deltas and their women. I’ve loved writing about them, and while this chapter is ending, you’ll soon get to see more about the new team of Deltas that you were introduced to in this book…starting with Commander Colt Robinson and Macie, Truck’s sister, in April with Rescuing Macie. And yes, you’ll get glimpses of Ghost and Truck and their team in those new books too.
You can also read about Rayne and Ghost on their honeymoon in Romancing Rayne. This book was written by Riley Edwards and is amazing! (And yes, I approved her writing this book! It’s fan-fiction!)
I’ve loved writing Annie’s character in Rescuing Mary as well. If you’ve read my free short story, The Gift, you know she’s always had her eye on little Frankie (from Protecting Kiera). And you saw a glimpse into their life after college graduation. I’m not sure when they’ll get their story, but you’ll get it. Promise.
This was a tricky book to write because Truck is such a well-loved character. I needed to make sure I did his and Mary’s story justice. I hope I did. In the end, while there were lots of obstacles in their way, neither gave up on the other, and I think that’s what love is all about.
You might think that I forgot to close the plot point of Mary’s choice on whether or not to get breast reconstruction. I didn’t forget. I didn’t disclose what her decision was on purpose, because I didn’t want to seem like I was endorsing one decision over another. It’s a very personal choice breast cancer survivors have to make, and one that has repercussions no matter what’s decided. I showed Mary agonizing over the decision, but ultimately, whatever she decided to do doesn’t matter. She’s the same Mary who Truck loves, and the same Mary who Rayne loves. Whether she has boobs or not has no bearing on that love. That is why I didn’t specifically say what she chose to do.
Ruth, you know I love ya, but sorry…Truck was Mary’s from the very beginning. No matter how snarky or bitchy she was, Truck only had eyes for her (and it turns out, she had a good reason to be that way).
And lastly, Amy. What can I say except that my life wouldn’t be the same without you in it. Even though your boobs tried to kill you, you never let a little thing like chemo and radiation keep you down. You kept on being a mom, a wife, and an amazing friend, even when you undoubtedly felt like curling up in a ball on the floor. You are literally the strongest person I know. (And there’s nothing like being on vacation with you and looking over and seeing a BOOB lying on the bed next to me to make me laugh like a loon.) From the tips of your tingly fingers t
o the bottom of your beautiful toes…I love ya.
Thank you to every single one of you, my lovely readers, who have read this series and loved it. I hope you’ll continue to read my stories (and yeah, I’m guessing you’ll see glimpses of these characters here and there in the future as well!)
~Susan
Playlist
https://spoti.fi/2vK4unM
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I never do this, but for this book, I felt as if I needed to share some songs that I love that really resonated with me in regards to Truck and Mary, as well as Rayne and Mary’s friendship. If this was the ’80s, I totally would’ve made you all a mix tape and you could play it over and over…but because we’re in the digital age, I encourage you to look up all of these, play them, and think about Mary as you do.
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Play List for Rescuing Mary:
Perfect, Ed Sheeran
I’ll Fight, Daughtry
Rise Up, Andra Day
Little Me, Little Mix
Can’t Hold us Down, Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim
Scars to Your Beautiful, Alessia Cara
What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction
Warrior, Demi Lovato
The Fighter, Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood
F**kin’ Perfect, Pink
This One’s for the Girls, Martina McBride
This is Me, Keala Settle
Holding out for a Hero, Tara Leigh Cobble
Isabelle, Unlabeled
Beautiful, Christina Aguilera
Bless the Broken Road, Rascal Flatts
Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars
I Won’t Give Up, Jason Mraz
Stand By You, Rachel Platten
Fighter, Christina Aguilera
I Will Remember You, Sarah McLachlan
Fight Song, Rachel Platten
Brave, Sara Bareilles
Who Says, Selena Gomez & The Scene
The Time (Dirty Bit), The Black Eyed Peas
Lean on Me, Club Nouveau
Count On Me, Bruno Mars
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https://spoti.fi/2vK4unM
Also by Susan Stoker
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Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
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Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren (July 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
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SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella) (April 2019)
Securing Sidney (May 2019)
Securing Piper (Sept 2019)
Securing Zoey (Jan 2020)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
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Ace Security Series
Claiming Grace
Claiming Alexis
Claiming Bailey
Claiming Felicity
Claiming Sarah (Sept 2019)
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Mountain Mercenaries Series
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe
Defending Morgan
Defending Harlow (June 2019)
Defending Everly (Dec 2019)
Defending Zara (TBA)
Defending Raven (TBA)
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SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
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Stand Alone
The Guardian Mist
Nature’s Rift
A Princess for Cale
A Moment in Time- A Collection of Short Stories
Lambert’s Lady
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Special Operations Fan Fiction
http://www.AcesPress.com
Beyond Reality Series
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts
Writing as Annie George:
Stepbrother Virgin (erotic novella)
About the Author
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
[email protected]
Securing Caite Sample
Caite McCallan is a Department of Defense admin working in Bahrain when a glitchy elevator, of all things, leads to an unexpected invitation to dinner by a gorgeous Navy SEAL. When he later stands her up, Caite’s understandably upset…until she overhears a plot that confirms Rocco didn’t blow her off. Instead, he and two fellow SEALs are in danger—and Caite is forced to put her career and her life on the line to save them.
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Blake “Rocco” Wise never expected his routine mission to go sideways, but he was even more surprised to find himself and his teammates rescued by the adorably shy woman he met in a stalled elevator. Caite’s selfless act saved his life, but when attempts on her own make it clear someone wants her gone, it’s Rocco’s turn to protect the brave, sweet, sexy woman. The longer he knows her, the more he wants her…but keeping Caite close could bring her nearer to the enemy than ever before.
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** Securing Caite is the 1st book in the SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Chapter One
“Hot enough for ya?” the naval officer asked as he held open the door for her.
Caite McCallan gave him a friendly smile but internally rolled her eyes. Intellectually, she knew the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain was going to be a lot warmer than she was used to feeling back in San Diego, but she hadn’t been prepared for exactly how hot it was.
“Thank you,” she told him after she quickly walked through the door and headed for the elevator. She was running late this morning, otherwise she would’ve taken the stairs. She wasn’t an exerciser. She’d rather be sitting in a chair on the beach with her toes in the water, drinking a margarita, than going to the gym, taking a jog, or playing volleyball for “fun.”
But since she’d been in Bahrain, she’d started taking the stairs to her third-floor office because her lack of movement was almost embarrassing. There was no way she was going to take a run out in the heat, and she very rarely left the safet
y of her apartment, except when on the American naval base southeast of the city of Manama.
She impatiently hit the button and sighed in relief when the doors opened almost immediately. Caite slipped into the elevator and hit the button for the third floor.
Just as the doors were closing, a large hand caught them and they reopened.
Resisting the urge to sigh in irritation, Caite moved to the back of the small space, giving the three men room to enter.
She looked up at them with wide eyes. She’d been working in the country for four months now, and had seen her share of good-looking men in uniform, but these men, who seemed to take up every inch of space in the small elevator, were hands down the hottest men she’d seen yet.
All three had dark beards covering the bottom half of their faces, but it was the first man who’d entered who Caite couldn’t take her eyes off of. “Lush” was the only way she could describe his dark hair. It was longer than his friends’ hair, and she had the sudden urge to run her fingers through it to see if it was as soft as it looked. All three men were taller than she was, but that wasn’t saying much, as she was only five-five.
He had dark eyes that seemed to latch on to hers when he entered the elevator. His nose was a bit crooked, but it gave his face character. He was muscular, and had a larger build than the other two men with him. He wasn’t only taller than them, he was bigger in every sense of the word. He made her think of late nights and cuddling on the couch.