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SEAL's Spitfire (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Black Eagle Book 1)

Page 17

by Lynne St. James


  “Morning, big guy. You make a wonderful pillow.” The rumble of his laughter made her smile.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. How are you? Sore?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Meghan...”

  “Okay, maybe a little sore but in a wonderful way.”

  “Better. I always want the truth, sweetheart, good or bad. We’ll always get through it together whatever it is.”

  “I promise, truth always. And since we’re being truthful, I really need to use the bathroom followed by a cup of coffee.”

  Rafe chuckled. “Your wish is my command. I’ll go start the coffee.”

  Grabbing a shower while she was in the bathroom, she met him in the kitchen in one of his Navy t-shirts she’d stolen from one of his drawers.

  He had the coffee poured and ready when she walked in and was already sitting in the nook watching the birds through the window. Adding the cream and sugar to her mug, she went to sit at the table when he pulled her onto his lap.

  “Good morning, Spitfire. You look good enough to eat.”

  “Umm, I think we went there already.”

  “I guess we did,” Rafe said with a chuckle. She loved this side of him, so lighthearted. His chiseled features looked softer somehow.

  In the shower, she’d thought about how to bring it up, about her job, their future, but she was also still a little afraid that just because he loved her didn’t mean they both wanted the same thing.

  Cuddled against him while sipping her coffee, was like something out of one of her dreams. But it also made her hesitate about bringing up the future.

  “What’s wrong? I felt you get tense.”

  “Nothing is wrong. I just…”

  “Remember, Spitfire, you can tell me anything. I’m yours, you’re mine. It’s how it works.”

  Taking his words to heart, she put her mug down on the table. “Remember when you asked me about my job?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I turned down the promotion. Actually, I quit.” She waited a few seconds to see his response, but he was perfectly still, calm, just waiting for her to continue. “I’m going to write a book about what happened in Afghanistan. I thought I might be able to do it in Norfolk…” Her voice trailed off. He was quiet at first, and her old insecurities crept back in, then he tilted her chin up and she met his eyes.

  “Does that mean you’ll move in with me? Or do I have to compete with Chrissy?”

  “You. You. Always you. I was praying you’d be okay with this. Chrissy was my backup plan although she didn’t know it. I haven’t told anyone. I wanted to make sure you’d be okay with this first.”

  “I’m better than okay. I’m thrilled. I’d been wondering how we were going to make this work with you in DC. I figured we’d be doing a lot of driving back and forth. But are you sure? I know journalism was your dream.”

  “It was, but after everything that happened, I realized that it wasn’t what I really wanted, and I will still write. I figure I could get a job on a local paper or start a blog or something.”

  “I’ll support whatever you decide. I just hope whatever it is means we can stay together.”

  “Always, Rafe. Always.”

  Epilogue

  The next day, Rafe drove them up to DC to clean out Meghan’s apartment. It was only a little furnished studio, and there wasn’t that much stuff to pack up. Mostly pictures and books. When they were finished, she dropped the keys off with the landlord and then they headed home. Meghan liked the sound of that. Her apartment had never felt like home, just a place to stay on the way to somewhere else. And now she had her somewhere else.

  After going back and forth about it, they decided to have a small party on Friday. Rafe invited his team, including Captain Knox, and Meghan invited Chrissy. It would be pizza and beer and give Meghan a chance to thank Rafe’s team for everything they did.

  “Do I look all right?”

  “Sweetheart, you’re beautiful.”

  “You’re not even looking at me.”

  “But you’re always beautiful. Even when you look like a grape.” It was a good thing he ducked or the pillow she’d tossed would have hit him in the face. “Hey, was that necessary?”

  “Yes. It was. I’m serious. I’m nervous about meeting your team. I want to make the right impression.”

  “You already did.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Because you make me happy. That’s enough for them.”

  “Dammit, Rafe. I love you.”

  “Just don’t throw any more pillows.” They were both still laughing when the doorbell rang. Chrissy was the first to arrive followed by Ryan and Murph. Rafe did the introductions and Meghan handed out the beers.

  Captain Knox and Jake were next, the only one missing was Cam. They were just about to start serving the pizza figuring something held him up when the doorbell rang.

  “Hey, Cam. I was starting to think you were going to stand us up.”

  “Nope, just had to make a side trip. I hope you don’t mind that I brought a date.”

  “Halo?”

  “Nope, me.” Miranda Stanhope stepped out from behind Cam. Rafe shouldn’t have been surprised considering how they’d been during her rescue, and he couldn’t have been happier. He hoped Cam realized that dating a senator’s daughter was going to be a little more complicated than the women he usually dated.

  “It’s great to see you, Miranda. I’m glad you’re doing well. C’mon in. Everyone else is already here.”

  Rafe rejoined Meghan where she sat on the couch. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her close and listened to all the bits of conversations going on around them. Life was good, he had his friends and the woman he loved by his side. It just didn’t get better than that.

  The End

  About the Author

  Lynne St. James is the author of eighteen books in romantic suspense, contemporary and new adult romance. She lives in the mostly sunny state of Florida with her husband, an eighty-five-pound, fluffy, Dalmatian-mutt horse-dog, a small Yorkie-poo, and an orange tabby named Pumpkin who rules them all.

  When Lynne’s not writing stories about second chances and conquering adversity with happily ever afters, she’s drinking coffee, and reading or crocheting.

  Where to find Lynne:

  Email: lynne@lynnestjames.com

  Amazon: https://amzn.to/2sgdUTe

  BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynne-st-james

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorLynneStJames

  Website: http://lynnestjames.com

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnestjames/

  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lynnestjames5

  VIP Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/bT99Fj

  Books by Lynne St. James

  Beyond Valor

  A Soldier’s Gift, Book 1

  A Soldier’s Forever, Book 2

  A Soldier’s Triumph, Book 3

  A Soldier’s Protection, Book 4

  A Soldier’s Pledge, Book 5

  A Soldier’s Destiny (Previously Guarding Aurora), Book 6 (re-release soon)

  A Soldier’s Temptation (Previously Protecting Ariana), Book 7 (re-release soon)

  A Soldier’s Homecoming, Book 8 (TBD)

  A Soldier’s Redemption, Book 9 (TBD)

  Black Eagle Team

  SEAL’s Spitfire: Special Forces: Operation Alpha, Book 1

  Raining Chaos

  Taming Chaos

  Seducing Wrath

  Music under the Mistletoe – A Raining Chaos Christmas (Novella)

  Tempting Flame

  Anamchara

  Embracing Her Desires

  Embracing Her Surrender

  Embracing Her Love

  The Vampires of Eternity

  Twice Bitten Not Shy

  Twice Bitten to Paradise

  Twice Bitten and Bewitched

  Want to be one of the first to learn about Lynne St. James’s new releases? S
ign up for her newsletter filled with exclusive VIP news and contests! http://eepurl.com/bT99Fj

  As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.

  Delta Force Heroes Series

  Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)

  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)

  Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series

  Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)

  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)

  SEAL of Protection Series

  Protecting Caroline (FREE!)

  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 Dakota

  SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series

  Securing Caite

  Securing Brenae (novella) (April 2019)

  Securing Sidney (May 2019)

  Securing Piper (Sept 2019)

  Securing Zoey (TBA)

  Securing Avery (TBA)

  Securing Kalee (TBA)

  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

  susan@stokeraces.com

  There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com

  You can also visit our Amazon page at:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha

  Special Forces: Operation Alpha World

  Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold

  Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey

  Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle

  Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah

  Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett

  Shauna Allen: Saving Grace

  Brynne Asher: Blackburn

  Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine

  Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei

  Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy

  Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage

  Victoria Bright: Going Ghost

  Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker

  Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie

  Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley

  Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven

  Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil

  Sue Coletta: Hacked

  Melissa Combs: Gallant

  KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina

  Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah

  Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery

  Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation

  Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia

  Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet

  Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy

  Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair

  Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie

  Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze

  Silver James: Rescue Moon

  Silver James: SEAL Moon

  Silver James: Assassin’s Moon

  Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon

  Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia

  Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava

  Heather Long: Securing Arizona

  Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude

  Heather Long: Protecting Pilar

  Heather Long: Covering Coco

  Gennita Low: No Protection

  Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse

  Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck

  Margaret Madigan: Buck the System

  Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck

  Margaret Madigan: December Chill

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin

  KD Michaels: Saving Laura

  KD Michaels: Protecting Shane

  KD Michaels: Avenging Angels

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2

  Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt

  Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate

  Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart

  Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi

  Mary B Moore: Force Protection

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty

  MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets

  Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty

  Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa

  Lainey Reese: Protecting New York

  Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily

  Jen Talty: Burning Desire

  Jen Talty: Burning Kiss

  Jen Talty: Burning Skies

  Jen Talty: Burning Lies

  Jen Talty: Burning Heart

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Us

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth

  Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World

  KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen

  Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma

 

 

 


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