by Lea Hart
Ace followed Lisa along the cliffs and knew that whatever made her get out of bed at five in the morning had to be pretty spectacular because she was in no way a morning person. He adjusted the daypack she had given him before they left the house and wondered what he was in for.
Not that he was concerned it wasn’t going to be incredible since everything they did together pretty much was. And, yeah, he wasn’t even concerned how fucking sappy he’d become since moving in with her a month ago.
It made Wayne gag on a regular basis, so he knew he’d far surpassed anything resembling normalcy.
Which was damn near perfect as far as he was concerned since he never would’ve guessed his capacity for love was as bottomless as it was.
The more he showed Lisa how he felt, the more he got in return, and he planned on making sure it never changed. Even if everyone in the world thought he was an idiot for putting it all out there.
Lucky for him, he didn’t have anything to prove, and if people were not comfortable, then they could stay the hell away because he planned on loving on his woman as much as he could. “Are you going to tell me where we’re headed, honey?”
Looking up, she gave him a big smile. “I know you’ve been all over the world and have seen a lot of cool places, but I want you to know that there is something right here in your new adopted home that’s kind of awesome.”
“You mean other than you?” When she pressed their clasped hands to her chest, he laughed. “Too much?”
“No, I love it.”
“Okay, so give me the deets on where you’re taking me.”
“There is an open-ceiling sea cave right over there.” She lifted her hand and pointed to an area that had a fence surrounding a circle. “It’s only accessible during negative tide, and I’ve been watching the tide predictions, and this morning is the perfect time. I think we’ll have just enough time to see the sunrise before it changes.”
“No shit, that’s so cool.”
“I packed breakfast, so I’m hoping we can have our coffee and muffins and see the sun come up.”
“Damn, woman, you are bringing on the romance.”
“Got to keep my man interested and give him enough memories to keep him warm when he’s downrange.”
“I have about a hundred already, so don’t you worry.”
“Then this will just be insurance.”
Laughing, he followed her to the end of Luscomb’s Point and then took her hand as they picked their way down the path. “Assuming this is where you come down to surf.”
“You’re correct. My Dad wouldn’t let me come down until he felt confident that I could handle the waves. I think I was a freshman in high school the first time he brought me out here and it’s a day I’ll never forget.”
“Well, then I feel pretty damn lucky you’re sharing it with me.”
She stopped on the roughly hewn steps and looked up. “I want to share everything with you.”
Swallowing, he nodded and told himself he wasn’t going to choke up. “You have to warn me when you’re going to say things like that, so I can get my man-armor on.”
Snickering, she shook her head. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
Holding her hand more firmly, he let out a groan and followed her over the slippery rocks. They went about a hundred yards and crossed a couple of tidal pools and stood at the entrance to the cave. There was no one else around, and all he heard was the ocean moving in the distance. “Damn.”
“I know,” Lisa responded as she took his hand and walked inside. Picking a semi-flat rock, she sat down and pulled him down beside her. “I’m ready for coffee.”
Sliding the pack off, he opened it and sat next to Lisa and looked through the U-shaped opening they had just walked through. “Been all over the world and have never seen anything prettier.”
“I know,” Lisa responded as she poured two cups of coffee. Handing him one, she grinned. “Welcome to Ocean Beach, Ace.”
Looking down at the bright blue eyes that captivated him in Yemen, he nodded. “You are my home.”
She lifted her cup and pointed to the lightening sky. “Not a bad view, though.”
Cupping her face, he bent down and let his mouth rest against hers. “The best view in the world.”
“You’re getting extra lucky when we get home.”
“I can’t argue with that, woman.” He took her hand and looked up through the wide hole of the cave and felt like the world was open to them and all they had to do was make the most of it.”
“So, what do you think?”
“Amazing, honey. Absolutely freaking amazing.”
“I knew you’d like the view.”
“I’m talking about you and what we’ve made so far, but yeah…the view isn’t bad either.”
“Did you ever think that this was a possibility when you were yelling your head off in Yemen?”
“Not really.” He kissed her head and studied the ocean. “You were too big of a dream for my brain to manage and I don’t even want to think about what I would’ve missed out on if you hadn’t made the first move.”
Slapping her thigh, she let out a whoop. “Thank you for finally admitting it was me who got this thing started.”
Smirking, he shrugged. “Yes, you made the first move, but…” he held up her hand with the ring on it and grinned, “it was me who made the final move.”
Holding up her hand, she moved it around and smiled. “Fair point.”
“What did you think about Frisco and Brooke’s wedding at North Island?”
“My sister and James did an amazing job, and it was beautiful.”
“But?”
“I guess I don’t see myself having something so formal.”
“Do you want to get married on the beach in bare feet?”
“Kind of.”
Putting his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her close. “Then pick the beach, honey, and that’s what we’ll do.”
“All right, Ace. Then I’ll hand it over to my sister and have her put something together.”
“As long as it happens soon, then I’m good.” The sky was completely light, and Ace watched several birds fly close to the waves in the distance. “I know we started this thing out being infatuated with one another, but I’m confident that we’ve made something that’s going to last a lifetime.” Lifting Lisa’s chin, he cupped her cheek and grinned. “Thank you for making me happier than I ever thought possible.”
“I’ve only gotten started.”
He pressed their mouths together and knew the life they had ahead of them was going to be filled with a passion that lasted a lifetime.
THE END
INSPIRATION
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If you would like to see the storyboard for this book: Infatuated
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I write stories about sassy, smart women and the alpha men who fall for them.
Lea Hart is the home for all of my military and romantic adventure books.
Ivy Hart is the home for all of my sweet and steamy romantic comedies.
BOOKS BY LEA HART
CORONADO SERIES
The Coronado Series are fun, sexy contemporary military romances that are set in San Diego, California. These stories are fast-paced, emotionally satisfying, and feature bad-ass SEALs who fall for their girl…almost instantly.
Alpha heroes crash to their knees in love and lust when they finally meet their match.
So…if you enjoy a fast-paced, sexy adventure with hot heroes and sassy heroines then this is the series for you.
Latched
Betrayed by her ex–fiancé, Birdie James decides a sexy fling will give her the excitement she needs without the problems of a relationship. Luckily for her, Mr. Right Now is gorgeous, interested and curls her toes with one look. There’s just one problem.
&nbs
p; Lieutenant Commander, Mark Frazier sees Birdie, and he only wants one thing. Her, forever. As a SEAL, he flourishes beneath both trials and adventure. However, changing the mission directive of this woman may be the biggest challenge of his life.
What happens when a woman whose life is based on certainty targets a Navy SEAL who thrives on the unknown? Can Mark find a way to overcome her stubborn mindset and convince her to give them a chance? Or is her heart latched against him?
Snatched
When a stalker targets Rory Basso, she thinks she can handle the situation on her own. Then it escalates. Fearing for her safety, she takes the advice of her best friend and hires a security professional to help her track down and eliminate the threat. But Max is more than she expects.
Max Bishop hasn’t met a target he can’t acquire or a mission he can’t complete. Until Rory. As a retired Navy SEAL and CEO of Security Alliance International, he has spent most of his life in charge. Now his mission is to convince this headstrong woman that he can protect her….and love her.
Can Rory trust Max with her safety and her love? Will he convince her to place her protection and heart in his hands? Or will the person terrorizing her snatch the opportunity away?
Attached
Cary Simmons is a kindergarten teacher. Her boring life leaves her craving a summer of adventure, a kick start into an exciting future. However, when her car breaks down in the middle of the California desert, she decides to make the most of it. After all, a biker bar holds some pretty adventurous men, right?
Travis Mathers can’t believe his eyes when a pretty little thing walks into the roughest bar in Ripley wearing a flowered sundress. Instantly, the retired Navy Seal knows this woman needs his protection, and he’s going to give it whether she wants it or not. Besides, who could possibly have more to show her about adventure?
Can Travis convince Cary that he can turn around her boring life? Can Cary fight the allure of a risk-taking alpha male? How long can they resist becoming attached?
Catch
Rachel Miller made a mistake. A year later she is still paying the price. Too embarrassed to ask for help, she tries to manage it on her own. Until, that no longer is an option.
Retired Navy SEAL, Chris Iceman Ellis has spent his whole like protecting people. When he discovers that the woman he’s had his eye on for a year is being threatened, he steps in immediately. Whether she wants it or not.
Can Chris persuade Rachel to accept his protection and convince her that he will always be there to catch her?
What happens when a mighty warrior falls for a woman and becomes her hero… and she becomes his saving grace.
Match
This is a collection of short stories about the couples, that didn’t get their story told in the first four books.
What happened when Birdie matched Ed up with her friend Amelia?
Also, what about Frank and Cat? Does he win her over and prove that he’s a good man?
And, please let Derick find someone. Maybe Birdie’s friend Gracie would be perfect.
Then of course, there’s Laird and Lexi…can he win the heart of a woman who has so much going on in her life?
And, finally David…sweet lord, please let this man find someone who will make him cookies.
All is revealed in this collection.
CORONADO II SERIES
Bewitched
Paige Bennett finds herself in the hands of terrorists in northern Jordan. Not completely unexpected considering her career in the diplomatic corps, but not welcome, either. She and a fellow diplomat need the cavalry, and they need it now.
Unfortunately, their captors’ talk of executing them is increasing rapidly, so the chances of a rescue are slim to none. Unless Lieutenant Commander Blake Carmichael and his fire team get there in time.
Blake and his team find themselves faced with the usual dangers in the hills of Sakib as ISIS makes a play for the region. The one danger he didn’t see coming was the tiny tornado from Texas.
A routine snatch and grab turns into the mission of his career as he finds himself captivated by a woman who works her magic on him without even trying.
Watch what happens when a SEAL finds himself bewitched by a diplomat. Will he surrender to the spell she’s cast, or will she disappear from his life forever?
Hitched
After six months working in the Dar es Salaam camp, Brooke Foster is ready for McDonalds and downtime. The dangers of war-torn Africa have made her rely on the military to keep her safe. But as the daughter of a rear admiral, she swears she’ll never get involved with anyone from SPEC OPS.
Until…she runs into Frisco.
Navy SEAL, Frisco Jones is on assignment in Chad, and sees a picture of Brooke on a friend’s tablet, and is smitten instantly. With all the tenacity that has insured his success on the Teams, he makes sure he has a chance to meet...the girl of his dreams.
Unfortunately, she’s resistant to his charms and it takes herculean efforts for her to see he’s more than his job.
A night under the African moon changes things for both of them and Frisco is determined that what they’ve started in Africa will continue when they get back home to San Diego.
Will Brooke’s struggle with the appearance of an old threat end things?
Or will they conquer them and find a way to get hitched?
Switched
Daphne Ross is enjoying her career success in Naval Intelligence and doesn’t expect anything to take her off track.
Until a certain Navy SEAL crosses her path and makes her think otherwise.
Lt. Bryce Andrews is on his third deployment with the Teams, and all his focus is on becoming the best SEAL he can be.
Until he meets a CIO in Djibouti that makes him realize there’s more to life.
Will these two find a way to mesh their naval careers when they both end up at NAB in Coronado or will find themselves at cross purposes? Watch what happen when two tenacious people go after what they want.
Will they succeed or will the switch stop them dead in the water?
SAI SERIES
Are you ready for a sexy adventure?
If you are then the SAI series may be for you.
The books in this collection are about hot alpha heroes and resourceful heroines that end up on a sexy roller coaster ride. The stories are filled with risk, danger and heat, so if you enjoy a bit of intrigue with your romance, then you’ll want to meet the men and women in these stories.
Vortex
Vivi DuMond’s clinic is caught in the crossfire of a turf war that threatens both her life and livelihood. Can the NOPD and Feds handle it or does she need more?
Joel McDade runs the Florida office of SAI and he’s been roped into protecting Vivi as a favor to his old client Ronnie DuMond. As much as he would like to refuse, he knows he can’t.
Can the retired Navy SEAL protect the good doctor and her clinic? Or…will the vortex of events make that impossible?
Watch what happens when two people are caught in a whirling mass of threats outside of their control. Will they be pulled in together or will the mass of conflict pull them apart?
Whirlwind
Sara Montgomery is being targeted by one of the United States’ most feared organized crime groups. What options does she have when the Outfit decides they want to bring her in? Will the FBI provide enough protection or will she need more?
Grady Merrick is a partner in the Florida office of SAI and discovers the threat and knows he has no choice but to protect his neighbor. His sexy, beautiful neighbor. This is one assignment he’s going to enjoy.
Watch what happens when two people find themselves in the throes of a violent and destructive force.
Will they survive the events or be caught in the whirlwind?
Tempest
Sparks fly and so do bullets
Ivy Bellows’s life explodes when a family tragedy erupts, and she finds herself caught in a storm of powerful events. Can she handle it alone…or is it t
ime to ask for help?
Retired Navy SEAL Ryan Cordell has spent his career protecting people, so when he discovers the woman he’s falling for has been threatened, he acts immediately.
Will the violent commotion swirling around them pull them together or fling them apart?
Watch what happen when opposites don’t just attract…but explode.
Besiege
Stazi Ivanov is an art conservator and about to embark on the most exciting project of her career. The opportunity to be part of the group that’s authenticating Amedeo Modigliani’s paintings is a career changer and one she wants to take full advantage of. Despite the fact, it won’t give her an extra minute for anything…including romantic entanglements, she’s beyond thrilled to be a part of the team.
Retired Navy SEAL, Hank Coleman runs the Chicago office of SAI and is immediately smitten when he meets Stazi on the steps of the Art Institute. Not one to let anything get in his way, he lays siege to her objections and talks her into spending together. Which turns out to be a blessing, when a Ukrainian oligarch and the Russian mob become interested in Stazi and her activities.
As violent forces surround them, spending together is no longer an option but completely necessary, as Hank protects Stazi from threats besieging her.
Will he and the SAI team succeed? Or…will they find themselves overwhelmed by the malicious miscreants?
Watch what happens when Hank and Stazi find themselves not only facing mobsters, but their very real attachment to one another.
Barrage
Lucky Santorini, SAI's Director of Intelligence, is smart, fearless, and one of the best hackers in the world. Elemental in bringing down the head of the Russian mafia in Chicago, she takes it personally when another member of the Bratva slips into the void left behind.