“Hey, Erin, how ya doing?”
Erin looked up and saw Caroline and Summer standing in front of her. She couldn’t believe how close she’d become to the wives of Wolf’s team. Maybe because they’d all experienced something similar to her.
“Great, thanks.” She pointed to the vacant chairs beside her. “Come sit.”
The other women sat down, and Maria—Riley’s girlfriend the one who started the journey for her and Carlos’s reunion—joined them as well. “Can I sit, too?” she asked.
“Sure,” Erin said. “The more the merrier.”
“Ugh, don’t say that, then everyone will want to party with us,” Caroline groaned and laughed at the same time.
Erin laughed too. “Come on, Caroline I happen to know you love these get togethers. I have it on good authority you and Wolf are always throwing one at your place.”
“She’s got you there,” Summer piped up.
Caroline threw her hands in the air. “True and what can I say, I love my SEAL and I love my SEAL family.”
“I’m beginning to feel the same way. Although,” Erin murmured and looked over at Maria. They may live in New York and her man may be a retired SEAL, but once a SEAL always a SEAL so she considered them her family, too. “We don’t have the same numbers as you. It’s only Maria and me.”
“Don’t forget Lily, even though we can’t be here often,” Maria inserted.
“Well you know if you need us we’re a Skype call way.”
Erin knew this. In fact, she and Caroline had shared many phone calls dealing with the aftermath of Bryan taking her. She’d been able to express herself to the other woman in a way Caroline understood and she’d helped Erin cope with her nightmares and fears. Of course, Carlos had been with her every step of the way, but sometimes a woman’s rational and logic was needed.
“Should I be worried? You’re not trying to scare my woman away are you?” Carlos’s hand landed on her shoulder and she automatically placed her hand over his.
“Nope, you’re stuck with me.”
“Good. I like being stuck with you.”
Caroline and the other women stood. “I think that’s our cue to leave. We’ll catch up later on, Erin.”
“Sounds good to me.” She didn’t see the other women leave, her attention solely on Carlos who now squatted in front of her.
“You having a good time, E?” he asked, his tone serious. She could tell it was important to him that she enjoy this down time with his team. They were more his family than his brother and parents. Each man standing in this yard laid their life on the line every mission or each other.
“The best. I love you, Italy,” she teased him, knowing he liked it when she called him by his real name. She didn’t mind as to her he was always Carlos and not Italy.
“You’re going to pay for that, later.”
Her body shuddered at the method of payment he was going to extract from her. “I can’t wait.”
“I think I should come up with a nickname for you,” he said as he stood and pulled her up into his arms.
She automatically wound hers around his neck. “Is that right? So Honey and E, aren’t nicknames?”
“Sure, but I think you need a special one.”
“I don’t need a special nickname, Carlos. I just need you.”
He kissed her softly on her lips before pulling away and brushing his thumb across her cheek. “You have me, Honey E, now and forever.”
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About the Author
On her very first school report her teacher said ‘Nicole likes to tell her own stories’. Many years later she eventually sat down and wrote her first book.
Nicole writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. She enjoys taking two characters and creating unique situations for them.
Learn more about Nicole Flockton at http://www.nicoleflockton.com.
[email protected]
Also by Nicole Flockton
The Elite
Fighting to Win
Fighting to Dream
Fighting for Love
Fighting for Redemption
The Freemasons:
The Victor
The Hunter
Sweet Texas Secrets
Sweet Texas Fire
Sweet Texas Series Boxed Set
Bound Series
Bound by Her Ring
Bound by His Desire
Bound by Their Love
Bound by The Billionaire’s Desire - Boxed Set
Lovers Unmasked Series
Lovers Unmasked: The Complete Series
Masquerade
Rescuing Dawn
Seducing Phoebe
Emerald Springs Legacy Series
Daniel’s Decision
Emerald Springs Legacy Collection
Novellas
Tangled Vines
Melt My Heart Anthology
Tango Love
A Vacation Affair
Swipe for Mr. Right - Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Wrong Time for Mr. Right - Barefoot Bay Kindle World
Protecting Lily
Protecting Maria - Special Forces Operation Alpha Kindle World
Guarding Erin - Special Forces Operation Alpha Kindle World
Acknowledgments
I want to say a big thank you to Susan Stoker for opening up her world to me again. I had a great time the first time and couldn’t wait to visit again. Also to her readers who welcomed me and my books with open arms. I hope you enjoy Erin and Carlos’s story.
To my beta’s Abigail Owen and Wren Michaels, thanks for your insight and help in making this book to be even better.
Erin Fehres, thanks for allowing me to use your name for this book. Thanks also for helping us out when we needed it.
My beautiful cover was, once again, created by Jennifer from More Than Words Promotions. Your continued support and friendship is greatly appreciated.
To my family, my loves, this has been a trying couple of months. Thank you for helping me through my injury.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Guarding Erin (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 11