On His Six : A Summit Seduction SEAL Novel (The Summit Seduction SEAL Duet Book 2)

by Rachel Robinson

  I swallow down the huge lump in my throat. “What?”

  Of course she does.

  Chapter 4

  Lincoln

  “She said she had to knife him or he would have killed her!” Maeve exclaims, telling me the story that Aria told her. “It was clearly self-defense.”

  I hit Maeve with a side-eye. “That’s not what the courts decided, Maeve. In fact, they thought the opposite was the truth.” After I got shot, I had people look into Aria. There were too many unknowns there and we found some less than ideal felonies. I wasn’t sure she wasn’t working for or with Rena, and I had to be sure. We weren’t able to connect the women, but it’s enough that when I saw her sitting in Maeve’s office, my stomach turned and the bad guy vibes started rolling from her.

  “Sort of like the doctors decided you can’t lift weights for another couple weeks. You better listen to them!” she fires back. It’s not a defense, just something to counter what she knows is truth.

  We just got home from my doctor’s appointment. Turner is playing video games in the living room. I can hear him hooting and hollering from where we stand in the office. Thank God the doctor released me back to work. I have to do some physical therapy. Maeve told him flat out, she would not be the one who oversees that. She’s forcing me to go to the therapist at my work. She said I’m the worst patient ever, and it doesn’t help that I’m constantly trying to sleep with her. The only thing she’d be rehabbing if I had it my way, is my dick.

  “Do you think I’m stupid enough to do anything that will land me back in that bed… by myself?”

  “I don’t know at this point. You’re flighty and unpredictable.”

  Because of you. “I’m strong-willed. There’s a difference.”

  “Yeah, Okay.” Maeve folds her arms over her chest and paces toward the front window. “You have a new neighbor moving in across the street. Are you going to run a background check on them, too?” The salt in her words is bitter.

  “Are you seriously mad that I looked into Aria? Can you blame me? With her record, I have every right.”

  Her shoulders slouch over, and she seems so weak and vulnerable.

  “I’m sure Aria is a great person, Maeve. Just be careful. That’s all.”

  She spins, tears welling in her eyes. “All my real family is fucked up. How much longer until I crack and become just like them?”

  Ah, the root of all of this. “You are nothing like them.”

  “You don’t know that. How can you say such a thing? It might be a matter of days, months, years, before I become what my blood dictates what I’m supposed to be. Better hide the sharp knives.” Maeve begins to sob, and Chonk enters the room, sensing her distress. He’s so attuned to her, it’s scary sometimes.

  “You know that’s not true, so why are you comparing yourself to them?”

  “First, it was my derelict twin. I almost can’t blame her for turning to drugs. Given the option of homicidal maniac serial killer, or drug addict who kills every once in a while, I’d pick the second option as well. Now Aria, too?”

  How best to filter the details I know? “She’s not in prison now, so that means she’s not a threat.” The lie tastes like curdled milk. Everyone knows felons are almost always repeat offenders. Especially violent ones. “It’s a one-off, Maeve. I’m sure there has to be someone in the family tree that is a normal, law-abiding citizen such as yourself.”

  “And if there isn’t?” Her gaze goes feral as she looks at me and then the door. “You’ll trust me? With your son? Knowing what it is I could become?”

  “You make yourself, Maeve. There is no manual saying this leads to this, and this leads to that. You have full control over your decisions, and yes, I trust you implicitly with Turner. Now, I’m not sure I trust you so much with all of this… family stuff.”

  Maeve sits down in Turner’s child-size recliner and buries her face in her hands. Chonk licks her cheek and her tears until she pushes him away. “I won’t lie about it again,” Maeve says weakly.

  “Let me be there for you.”

  She glances up. “I’m here. This is me letting my walls down. I’ve given you everything already. You hold the power.”

  Something about that statement doesn’t sit well with me. “No, you hold just as much power. We’re equals in all ways. Tell me what you need from me, Maeve. How can I help you help yourself?”

  Maeve looks confused, like this is a foreign concept. Granted, I don’t have much experience in relationships, but I’m well-versed in what one should look like. I’m surrounded by successful marriages. “My initial reaction is to tell you to trust me and leave me to my own devices, but I recognize that’s not the healthy answer and that I should actually give you something to help me with. To make us equals.”

  I nod. “What, tell me. Anything.”

  She turns away, then meekly meets my eyes. “I need to go on a girl’s trip.”

  I frown and lift up one arm. “Okay, done. You don’t need my help with that.”

  “In Sonoma. A girl’s trip.”

  I raise one brow. “Okay. Sure. Sounds fun?”

  “While I’m there, I need you to get me into the prison to talk to Autumn Glass.”

  Ah, now the reason comes to light.

  “Just once, to answer a few questions, and for closure. Aria said she had a lead on getting us in there to meet her, but it fell through. I’m not sure who else to ask.”

  This is an awful idea. Horrible. I researched her while I was confined to my bed and discovered the manipulative, callous bitch might be the devil incarnate. There is nothing redeemable about Autumn Glass and it’s going to break Maeve’s heart, but that’s her decision to make.

  “I’ll see what I can do. Can I at least be there?”

  She shudders, and I know the answer. “I’d rather be by myself. Ramona will drive me there and wait in the car. Facing this alone is what I have to do.”

  My heart is hammering, but I can’t let her know that I’m against this. Not after we argued earlier about her lying. If I give her a reason to lie to me again, the next time might turn tragic. How mundane and boring my life was before all of this. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  I pull out my cell phone and look for a contact from when I was on the Team in San Diego. He’s in the FBI now and has a connection to the warden of the women’s prison I know Autumn is at. I send a quick email with the simple request.

  “Done,” I announce.

  She crinkles her brows. “Just like that.”

  “Just like that.”

  “What else can you do that quick?”

  “If you make me wait much longer, it’s going to be sex. Sex is going to be that quick, Maeve.”

  She smiles and shakes her head. “We’ve already circled back to sex. How can you make any conversation lewd?”

  I’m restless and need release.

  “You weren’t cleared for sex. I asked after you left the room because the doctor didn’t mention it.”

  “Goddammit!” I roar. “How is that I can go for a brisk walk but not fuck my girlfriend?” I realize how loud my voice is, so I hiss, “Does that make any sense at all?”

  “It doesn’t have to make sense to you, it just has to be good medical advice, Lincoln!” She raises her voice. “Just listen to the damn doctors.”

  I fling myself down in my desk chair. “When are you going on this girl trip?”

  Maeve stands from the chair and walks over to my desk. “We just started talking about it today. As something to pull Ramona out of the darkness. Do you think Tasha would like to go?”

  “Tasha would never pass up a trip that involves wine. It’s nice you thought of her. She’s going to be thrilled. More than that, she’s never going to leave you alone now.” Smiling, I realize I love the idea of Maeve entwining our lives.

  Sliding onto my desk, she sits, obviously giving me every possible mental image of fucking her right here and now. “I don’t remember the last time I took a vacat
ion. It’s been years and years.” I won’t bring to her attention that her vacation will promptly come to an end the second she talks to Autumn Glass and sees what kind of person she is.

  An email from my FBI contact populates on the computer in front of me. I don’t read the whole thing, just enough to know he’s going to help. “Now that we’re working together, Maeve,” I say her name to get her attention. Her head whips toward me. “Please don’t lie to me. I can handle a lot. Actually, I can handle pretty much anything as long as lies aren’t involved.”

  Her face shatters. “You think I want to lie to you? When I feel backed into a corner, without an option, it’s the default. I’m sorry. I’m working on it. The only person I’ve trusted fully and completely in my entire life is Ramona. I want this with you more than anything else, and I’m learning as I go.” Hopping down off the desk she rounds it to perch herself in my lap.

  When she leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder, I exhale a pent-up breath, and nod to my computer screen. “He already got back to me. Your wish is granted.” Your nightmare is more likely. “Once you get your plans finalized, let me know and he’ll get you on the list to visit her.” Her face brightens and it breaks my heart.

  “I’ll tell Aspen it’s a go, and she’ll do the rest.” She taps her lips with one finger. “Keeping this from Ramona will be easier than it usually would if she stays buried in her work.” Maeve swallows hard. “It’s what I did… after. Just work. Focused on the one thing I could control. This is going to be good for her.” She’s trying to convince herself of it because she’s currently putting herself in Ramona’s shoes. “I mean, she’s going to be mad if I pull her away from something mid-project, but maybe I can have Aspen set up a small painting room for her where we’ll be staying.” She looks at me like I might have the right answer when she knows damn well she’s the only one who knows best when it comes to her best friend. Maeve is looking through me. “Defeats the purpose of trying to pull her out of her mind, though, doesn’t it?”

  “It doesn’t matter what you do, she’s going to come around on her own time. This could brighten her life, make it worse, or have her exit the funk quicker. There’s no way to tell unless you just do it. Ask for forgiveness instead of permission.” I hug her to me tighter and the chair squeaks.

  “Says the man who was telling me to be honest with him only moments ago,” she says, nuzzling into my neck.

  Chill bumps break across my skin and spiral all around my body.

  “If I sit here any longer, you’re going to be asking your doctor for forgiveness for breaking his rules.”

  I capture her lips with mine and kiss the ever-loving shit out of her—a slow, thoughtful assault I know will bring her where I want her. There’s no hesitation as she demands more, hungrily. Maeve’s hands are delicate as she takes one side of my face in her hand. A moan passes my lips and she steals it with her opened mouth. This kiss is longer than she’s allowed thus far, and I have real hope it means… something.

  “Go shut the door. We’ll be quick.”

  Pulling away, she reads my face. “Turner is out there. Awake. No way, Lincoln.”

  That’s how desperate I am for her. I’d be willing to have sex at an Olympic pace to get inside her.

  I tilt my chin up to the ceiling and exhale. “Fine. Fine. You’re right.”

  Maeve reclaims my lips, smothering my complaints. I’m drugged on her—high in the clouds when I finally break free from her ravishing clutches. “Listen, I want to take you away. Up to the mountains. Sometime before your girl’s trip. What do you say? Just you and me up in a cabin. A weekend with nothing to do, no plans, just relaxation. Maybe some skiing if you’re up for it.”

  She narrows her eyes, but her gaze is still locked on my lips. It makes me fucking giddy she wants more. “You should not be skiing, Lincoln Wilds. You’re going to destroy your body.”

  I lick my lips and shake my head once. “The only body I want to destroy is yours, Maeve. After this time apart, I want this weekend with you more than anything else.”

  “Destroy is such an aggressive word.” She’s smirking.

  “Fine. Pick any word you want,” I counter. “You’re mine. What do you say? Mountain air a little thinner than where we are here? Hot tubbing in the snow. Wine. You and me without clothes for as long as we can stand it.”

  Her smile widens. “Yes. A million times yes.” Maeve touches the lighthouse around her neck, something she does frequently when she goes silent in thought. “Can we bring Chonk?”

  It only takes a second for me to devise why she’d ask. “You’re safe, Maeve. You know that, right?”

  She clears her throat, letting go of the necklace to touch my face. “I know I’m safe, logically, but his presence gives me even more peace of mind.”

  I’d never deny her that. “Chonk can come. He’ll have his own bedroom though. I’m not sharing you. Even with him.”

  Maeve giggles and the sound hits me square in the cock. “I love you. I feel so lucky to have you in my life. Even if it sometimes feels predestined.”

  That takes me out of the moment. “What do you mean by that?”

  She looks to the doorway. “Only that I’m his aunt, and maybe a little of what… Rena said was true. I don’t care if that’s why you were drawn to me, because I’m glad to have this in whatever way it came about, but I often think that maybe this is fate aligning or something.” She reads my face and must feel I’m not accepting of her theory because she goes on. “It’s not negative, though. I’m finally getting the family I’ve always wanted. Just sort of in a messed-up way.”

  “Nothing is messed up, and Rena wasn’t right, Maeve. You are nothing like her.”

  “But I do look like her.” Her tone suggests she wants to look like Rena. She wants that connection.

  I nod. “But not so much that I was drawn to you for that reason.”

  Maeve twists the lighthouse. “How can I be his aunt and his mmm…” Her sentence trails off and my pulse ricochets.

  Mom. She was going to say Mom. My skin chills, and my breathing speeds. She’s self-actualizing my deepest desire.

  I grab her hand with my good one. “It doesn’t matter what he calls you. What matters is you’re the woman in his life. You’re the one who stays.”

  Her eyes shine wet. “You’re right.”

  “Have I ever told you how hot it is when you care about my son?”

  Maeve sniffles and hits me in my good shoulder playfully, softly. “How can you do that? Bring it back to that when we’re talking opposites?”

  We hear Turner turn off the television so she hops off my lap and brushes her hands down her jeans. I swivel so my lap is hidden under the desk. His feet slam against the wood as he runs down the hall and peeks into the office.

  “Hi,” Turner says brightly, gaze fixed on Maeve. “I like your shirt. Do you want to build a LEGO with me?”

  Maeve turns to look at me, smile wide. “How do I say no to that?” Then to Turner, she replies, “Of course. Let’s do it. Go pick one out.”

  “Next weekend then?” I ask before she gets to the door.

  Over her shoulder, she says, “As long as your doctor clears it, Mr. Wilds.”

  “Oh, he’ll clear it alright.”

  Maeve shakes her head and exits the room. I immediately call Isaac to set up a sleepover for Turner, and then my doctor to make sure we’re on the same page. As much as I’m done with this laying low bullshit, getting better is important to me. Just not quite as important as Maeve is.

  Chapter 5

  Maeve

  “He’s going to kill me, or think I’m doing this on purpose.” I pace my living room as Aspen sits on my sofa aiming the remote at the television. “You know you don’t need to aim remotes anymore? So, you can hit the button and look at me while I have a mental breakdown.”

  “I’m not purposefully giving the TV attention, it’s just that you’re worrying for no reason. Lincoln knows you want to go away wit
h him this weekend. He also knows that Ramona is important to you. She booked that ritzy show down in Denver, Maeve. The one that you did all the legwork for. He’ll understand.” Aspen turns her gaze to me. “Why wouldn’t he?”

  Because I’ve been deceiving, and he’s going to think I’m being deceptive. Aria left and I have to admit, that visit only shook me up more than it fulfilled some deep familial well. I should have known better, but it’s the damn orphan in me. Always reaching for things that I’ve never had.

  “Well, it’s just with everything that’s happened he’s really… protective, so I don’t want to worry him.” Which is the truth, mostly. I know that you’re honest to those you love. I also know that what I have with Lincoln is something that has to be protected at all costs, and my lies all stem from that.

  “Invite him to the gallery showing,” Aspen says, flicking through the guide, trying to decide what to watch. I came over here before work because Aspen wanted to borrow a dress to wear on a date with her rancher this weekend. He’s taking her to some restaurant in the city that has multiple courses. She said she wants to be his final course and needed to dress appropriately.

  “That’s actually a great idea. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that. I’ve always separated my lives, I guess.” Blending only leaves me with eventual heartache. That’s the past Maeve. Get over it. “You have free rein over my closet,” I announce, picking up my work bag. “I’ll see you at the office at one.”

  “Why did you have me cancel patients this morning again?” Aspen asks, but she’s already engrossed in a reality show.

  Thank God.

  “There are some loose ends and the detective needed me to swing by to clarify some things.” Not a whole lie. “I might even be finished in time to have lunch with you before the first patient.”

  Aspen grunts her acknowledgment as she gapes at the show.

  “Lock up when you leave, Aspen.” I use her name so I know she’s listening. “There’s still a psychopath on the loose.”