Navy SEAL Seduction

by Bonnie Vanak

  Touched by the raw honesty in his voice, Lacey lifted her head and caressed his cheek. “Thank you for all you did, Jarrett. I never did thank you. I always took it for granted that you were on watch. Every time you were home, you always made me feel safe. Sometimes I...”

  Her voice drifted off. She snuggled back into his arms, disturbed by the thoughts rolling through her head.

  Sometimes I miss you so much I wonder if I still love you. I know part of me will always love you and never forget you. No matter what.

  As she began to doze off, she heard him whisper in such a faint voice she wasn’t sure if the words were real or imaginary, “As long as I’m here, I’ll do my best to make sure nothing hurts you or Fleur. You’re mine, Lace. No matter what the damn papers say. And I always take care of my own. Always.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Jarrett awoke in the grayish light of predawn, aware of the soft female body curled up next to him, her silky hair spread over his pillow.

  Stealing all the covers. Just like she did when they were married.

  He grinned, gently slid his arm away from her slender waist and rolled away, glancing at his impressive morning erection.

  Not today, buddy. Let her sleep. Didn’t you get enough last night?

  Hoo-yah, yeah, they did after both dozing off, then waking again. Three condoms worth, but with Lace it would never be enough. He could make love to her 24/7 and never tire of her sweet, sexy body.

  Or those delightful whimpers she made when she was about to come.

  Or how she enjoyed stroking her fingers across his back as she nibbled on his rear end as if he were a gourmet feast.

  With a sigh of true regret he’d have to skip out on a morning session with her, Jarrett pressed a gentle kiss against the curve of her smooth backside and slid out of bed. Naked, he padded to his room and dressed in his running clothes.

  The air was cool and crisp outside, a welcome relief from the humidity. He set out to run his usual path along the perimeter of the wall. Feet slapping against the earth, he kept his gaze sharpened. At the gate he greeted Marcus, who told him he’d seen nothing unusual during the night.

  He hovered by the spot where the body had hung last night. Jarrett squatted down by the grass beneath the mango tree. No blood droplets on the ground or in the grass. She hadn’t been killed here, but dumped here. He’d seen enough dead bodies to know Caroline had been dead for more than a day before someone left her here and he’d bet his Trident that it wasn’t Jean.

  He glanced up at the wall, frowning at the sharp slivers of broken glass. Whoever hoisted Caroline’s body over the wall would have to come into contact with the glass and the body itself had shown no signs of post-mortem cuts from the glass.

  The wall abutted a large stretch of hilly forest that belonged to a farmer who grew corn and beans. But Lacey told him the man had abandoned the farm to live with his son in New York.

  Anyone could access the land. He squinted as he looked at the mango tree’s long branches. Some extended over the wall.

  Jarrett climbed the tree and looked over the wall. Then he climbed down, deeply troubled. There was no way in hell someone could have carted Caroline’s body over that wall.

  Lace would have to know about this.

  By the time Jarrett returned to the house, drenched in sweat, his muscles burning and his heart racing, the sun had begun to peer over the horizon. The smell of frying bacon and eggs greeted him as he went into the house.

  He started for the kitchen and ground to a halt in the doorway. Rose sat at the kitchen table, her head buried in her hands, her shoulders shaking.

  Rose turned, looking startled. He noticed the dampness tracking her cheeks. “Morning, Mr. Jarrett. I didn’t think you’d be up this early.”

  He joined her at the table. “Rose, what’s wrong?”

  The housekeeper wiped her eyes with a paper napkin from the holder on the table. “Nothing. I kept thinking of that poor girl. It’s gotten bad, bad, bad.”

  She had found the body, he remembered. Rose told Lacey and the police she had gone to dump peelings into the compost heap near the wall when she saw Caroline Beaufort’s corpse.

  “Did you hear anything last night, Rose?” It made no sense that no one in the entire complex had seen or hear Jean paint the warning or dump the body.

  Rose shook her head, but her gaze flicked away. “It was so horrid. Things are bad, bad, bad here,” she said in her singsong accent in French. “I wish Miss Lacey would leave with that precious little girl. I’d hate for anything to happen to her. Miss Lacey has been good to me and many others. Folks are talking and saying she needs to get out now, before worse happens.”

  He wiped sweat off his face with the edge of his T-shirt. “What folks?”

  Her gaze flicked away again.

  “Rose, tell me,” he urged. “Who’s been talking?”

  “Just folks around this place,” she muttered, twisting her hands. “I have to get to that bacon before it burns.”

  She fled to the stove and compressed her mouth as she flipped the bacon.

  Jarrett went upstairs, wondering about the housekeeper’s closed-mouth tightness. He showered and dressed in clean khaki shorts, a Navy T-shirt and sandals and went into Lacey’s bedroom. Time to awaken sleeping beauty.

  Pulling back the covers on her, he sat on the bed, enjoying watching her sleep. The smell of her floral perfume and the musky scent of sex lingered in the air.

  He tickled her rib cage.

  Groaning, she pulled the covers tighter.

  Jarrett kissed her cheek. “Good morning, sleepyhead. Still not a morning person?”

  Opening one eye, she smiled. “Not after all the exercise you gave me last night.”

  Lacey rolled over, opening her arms. He kissed her, long and deep, and she could feel his arousal.

  “I’m actually awake. I woke up after you left. Gene’s coming back with Fleur by 0900 and then he and Sam are moving their things into the guesthouse.”

  He hated giving her this news so early, but better now than when Fleur was around. “I checked out the mango tree where Caroline’s body hung. Whoever put the body there last night did so inside the compound.”

  Briefly he explained about the wall and the broken glass and lack of bloodstains.

  Lacey sat up, holding the sheet to her breasts. “It couldn’t have been Jean. That sounds much too sophisticated for him, unless he had help.”

  “Maybe.” Jarrett changed the subject. “When do you want to leave for town? Do we have to drop off Fleur when she comes back home?”

  She yawned and stretched. “No school for today because of elections. Everything is pretty much shutting down so people can vote. Even the hardware store isn’t opening to the public, but I know the owner, and he promised to open just for us for an hour. I thought after we buy the paint we could all use a break and visit Ace and Aimee at the Coco Bay resort. I have a permanent VIP guest pass to use the spa and the facilities.”

  Sounded good to him. And he could pull Ace aside, have a private conference and discover if his friend had any news. The hour they had before Fleur returned sounded even better. Jarrett pulled off his T-shirt and began shrugging out of his running shorts.

  A slow smile curved her sweet mouth. “What are you doing, Lt. Jarrett Adler? Did I give you orders to get naked?”

  “We have an hour. Let’s not waste it.” He finished undressing and joined her on the bed.

  “Aye-aye, sir,” she murmured, going into his arms.

  * * *

  They went into town and visited the hardware store, and Lacey asked questions as Jarrett selected two gallons of white paint. He lingered nearby as the owner talked with Lacey. But no one remembered selling red paint in the past month. Business had been slow, the owner told Lacey. No one wanted to do any home improvements. Things were too tense with the elections.

  They returned home without incident. An hour later when Gene’s SUV pulled into the driveway, they were do
wnstairs in the living room. Gene ushered Fleur into the house and Lacey ran to hug her. She smoothed a hand over her daughter’s face.

  “Did you sleep okay at Sally’s house, pumpkin?”

  Fleur nodded. Jarrett was relieved to see the shadows gone from her eyes.

  “Gene played LEGOs with us and made a house. He’s real good at building, Mommy.”

  Jarrett shook Gene’s hand. “Thanks, man.”

  “Anytime.”

  As Lacey brought Fleur into the kitchen, he drew Gene aside. “I have an assignment for you and Sam. Need you to go over the compound inch by inch and see if you can find any evidence that someone stored a body here for a day or so. Question Marcus. Get his records of anyone who’s brought a truck into the compound. Caroline Beaufort wasn’t hung from the tree by someone who stole over the wall, but someone inside.”

  He noticed the man looked bleary-eyed. “Get any shut-eye?”

  “Nope. Was up all night. Stayed outside their bedroom.”

  Clapping a hand on the man’s shoulder, he told him to get some rest after moving into the new guesthouse.

  Jarrett went into the living room and sat next to Fleur. “Your mom thinks it would be a grand idea to run away for the day and have a little mini vacation.”

  Fleur clapped her hands. “Yay! No school!”

  “But you’ll have to make up for it tomorrow and do all the homework Mrs. Daily gives you,” Lacey warned. “Promise?”

  The little girl nodded so hard, her pigtails bounced.

  Lacey pointed down the hallway. “Go find your swimsuit and change into your play clothes. And bring Mr. Bunny, too.”

  Jarrett murmured into her ear as Fleur raced away. “I promise to be a good boy, too. And do all the homework you give me. And I’ll let you play with my Mr. Bunny later tonight.”

  Enjoying her little shiver of pleasure, he went upstairs to pack.

  * * *

  The Coco Bay resort was nestled in a forested hillside near the main road. Jarrett showed the security guard the pass Lacey handed him, and the man opened the front gate. To his disappointment, he found out Aimee and her brother were gone for the day to the capital to get supplies.

  The streets were calm with elections taking place, but Aimee wanted to be prepared in case they had to go into siege mode after elections. If the popular democratic candidate won, it was a real possibility.

  He guided the black SUV along the curved driveway and parked in the VIP parking lot. The hotel featured outcroppings of white, two-story buildings scattered along several acres. Lushly landscaped, it looked like a tropical oasis, with pink-and-white bougainvillea flowers blossoming amid palm trees.

  Lacey took Fleur to the women’s dressing rooms to change into their bathing suits while he surveyed the pool deck.

  It had a wooden deck with a kidney-shaped pool offering a stunning vista of the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Beneath the scattered shade of coconut palms, guests lounged in the green chairs set on the white sand near the shoreline. Smiling bartenders stationed at a grass hut Tiki bar mixed drinks from a well-stocked bar as waitstaff in turquoise-and-red tropical shirts and white shorts served guests red, orange and green drinks with colorful umbrellas and fruit.

  The Coco Bay Resort was a paradise, set far away from the violence in the capital and the grimness of last night’s murder scene.

  Several wicker couches with white cushions and throw pillows lined the pool deck near the railing overlooking the beach below. Jarrett found one next to an empty table with chairs and a wide umbrella to shield them from the sun. He set down their bags. The sea seemed smooth as a mirror, no frothy waves, but plenty of people enjoying the warm water.

  Lacey and Fleur returned, carrying their backpacks. His gaze caressed his ex-wife, staring at the black bikini that barely covered her very nice rear end, and her generous breasts. She was all curves, smooth skin.

  He’d kissed every inch of that luscious, delectable skin last night. And again this morning...

  In her one-piece bathing suit with dolphins on it, Fleur jumped up and down, her excitement evident. “I want to go into the ocean.”

  “Not without me and a life preserver,” Lacey warned, setting the backpacks down on the chaise longue.

  “I’m too big for a life preserver.”

  Lacey bent down and tickled her stomach, making Fleur giggle. “You’re never too old for a life preserver, daisycakes. Maybe when you learn to swim I’ll let you go into the ocean with a raft. But only if an adult is with you.”

  Impish mischief glinted the girl’s gaze as she turned to Jarrett and tugged on his hand. “Will you teach me to swim, Jarrett? Please?”

  He melted at the eagerness on her face. “I already planned on it, Fleur. In the pool first, and then when you’ve learned the basics, we’ll go into the ocean.”

  He turned to Lacey, who unscrewed a bottle of suntan lotion and was about to spread it on her arms.

  “Hold off on that. I booked you an hour-long massage,” Jarrett told her. “You go relax at the spa, and I’ll take care of Fleur.”

  “But...well...okay.”

  Longing showed in her eyes. She grabbed a shirt and shrugged into it and donned her sandals.

  “You need it. Go,” he told her.

  He peeled off his T-shirt. He wore his Navy-issued swim trunks. Lacey’s gaze swept over his chest, down to his flat torso. Jarrett grinned and flicked his towel at her. “Go. Stop ogling me.”

  “I can never stop ogling you, Navy Boy,” she murmured, heading for the spa.

  Jarrett took Fleur to the shallow end and had her sit upon the first step. The water was slightly cool and refreshing.

  “First things first, Fleur. I’m going to teach you to blow bubbles.” He put his face into the water and showed her.

  When he lifted his dripping face, he saw the five-year-old, her arms folded, with a very Lacey look of scorn. “That’s for babies! I know how to blow bubbles.”

  He grinned. “Show me what you know so far.”

  If he wasn’t careful this kid could steal his heart.

  An hour later Lacey returned to the poolside, her expression dreamy and her step lighter. She joined them at the pool, sitting on the edge and dangling her feet into the water.

  “Mommy! Jarrett taught me how to kick and float on my back! He said I’m a natural in the water.”

  Lacey slid into the pool and hugged her little girl. “He’s a good teacher, daisycakes.”

  With a special look at him, she winked. “In many things.”

  Jarrett grinned, remembering what he’d taught her last night. Warmth settled over him as Lacey began showing her how to swim underwater. This was the kind of life he’d imagined for himself: having a family, his lovely Lacey at his side. Relaxing with them on his day off, enjoying the closeness they shared.

  Fleur was a sweetheart of a kid, and he was glad to see her being a child instead of so solemn all the time. Sunshine beat down upon his naked shoulders as he splashed water at Lacey and Fleur. They both laughed and squealed, trying to evade him.

  Jarrett drifted into a contented daydream; a life with Lacey, waking her up each morning with soft kisses, making love, and at night, helping Fleur with her homework. Then at bedtime, they’d both tuck her in, reading her favorite story.

  Then, when their little girl fell asleep, they’d toast each other with wine and make long slow love again before Lacey fell asleep in his arms.

  He hoisted Fleur upon his shoulders and played a game of water volleyball with Lacey and four teenagers who’d set up a net near the shallow end.

  When they emerged and toweled off, Fleur yawned widely. Ready for a nap.

  He led her over to one of the shaded chaise longues, where she promptly fell asleep. Jarrett sat at the table with Lacey, sipping fruit juice. As he asked her questions about the resort, he noticed a man in tennis whites heading for them. Immediately, he tensed, preparing to intercept. And then he saw Lacey’s smile.

  “Francis!�
��

  Jarrett shot her a questioning look. She flushed and brushed a lock of damp hair away from her face. “We used to date.”

  “Hey, Lacey!”

  As he followed her, his heart sank as he saw her greet the tall, dark-haired man of about thirty. The man carried a tennis racket and had the air of wealth, from his expensive gold Rolex watch to his designer clothing.

  Jarrett became very aware he wore Navy-issued swim trunks and his T-shirt was worn and faded.

  “Francis!” Lacey hugged the newcomer.

  “How are you, darling?” Francis barely looked at him. Too busy twirling his tennis racket. The man was closer to Lacey’s age and sported a tan.

  “Excellent. Jarrett, this is Francis Monroe. He’s on the board of directors for Marlee’s Mangoes and his dad and mine are good friends. Dad’s recommended to the president that Alastair become the next US Ambassador to St. Marc. Francis, this is Lt. Jarrett Adler of the US Navy.”

  Francis gave him a diffident look. As Jarrett stuck out his palm, Francis took it in a tight grip. Intentional. Macho man.

  “Navy boy,” Francis murmured.

  Jarrett seized his hand in a very firm grip, watching with satisfaction as the other man winced.

  He released his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Tennis boy.

  Francis asked, “Are you here alone, Lacey?”

  No, she’s here with me.

  “Fleur’s sleeping over there. You never met my daughter. I’d introduce you, but I don’t want to wake her. She gets cranky when she first wakes up.”

  The other man gave a knowing smile. “Just like you always did at my house, darling.” He tweaked her nose and she blushed. “I’m sure she’s wonderful, if she belongs to you.”

  Jarrett’s happy little dream of a family life crashed down to earth. Whom was he fooling? He was a SEAL. Loved his job, loved keeping his country safe. He would head home soon as this was over. And then head out for another mission, another deployment, while Lacey settled into a long-term relationship, perhaps marrying again. Maybe marrying a rich guy like this Francis, who obviously liked Fleur and circulated in Lacey’s social sphere.