SEALs of Winter: A military romance superbundle

by Seton, Cora

  “I’m going to call my brother for a couple pizzas. You don’t mind if the guys stay to watch the game, do you?”

  Her heart melted a little more. The man was a gentleman to the core. “I actually have a headache brewing, so I’ll just go lie down after everyone else leaves. Thanks for asking.”

  He frowned. “Any other symptoms?”

  His concern cracked that ice a little more. “No. Just a long couple days.”

  Angela joined them. “We’re going to get going. We agreed to cover the evening shift. Place looks good, big brother.” She hugged Donovan, then, Cloe too. That was…nice.

  Like a whirlwind his other sisters and mom said their goodbyes, gave Donovan and her a hug before leaving.

  Left alone with four big, handsome Navy SEALs, Cloe excused herself and went to her room. Donovan needed downtime with his buddies and she didn’t feel like dealing with any more company for today. It brought back too many painful memories.

  For tonight she’d been saved from sharing those memories with Donovan.

  *

  “Some guy hit her while she was crossing the street?”

  Donovan took a long pull of his beer. He’d told the guys Cloe’s story before they got the wrong idea as to why she was staying at his place. He nodded at Jace, who had asked the question.

  “And now the bastard is harassing her?” Kreegan said. “What the fuck is his problem?”

  “Good question.”

  “Well, if you need our help taking care of the guy, let us know,” Jace said, grabbing another slice of pizza.

  As always, Donovan could count on his teammates. Even in a civilian situation. These guys were more than teammates, they were brothers. He’d die for them. As they would him. Of that he had no doubt. They’d proven it in combat many times.

  He settled back in his chair, more relaxed than he had been in a long time. Thank you, Uncle Sam, for giving them the holiday off. Until now he hadn’t realized how much he needed it.

  Their team scored a touchdown and they guffawed, slapping each other on the back. Donovan played along, but his attention kept straying to his spare bedroom. He and Cloe were supposed to have their talk tonight. Surprisingly, she’d agreed to it. He’d expected more resistance. Up to now she’d been closed-mouthed and determined not to let him in.

  As much as he loved his teammates, he wanted to be with Cloe.

  Ah, hell.

  The last time a woman had trumped hanging with his buddies he’d ended up with his heart torn out of his chest.

  For Cloe, he’d do it again.

  Not sure how to process that, he turned his attention back to the game and helped himself to another beer.

  *

  The humming of her cell phone brought Cloe out of restless sleep. Rolling over, she glanced at the clock. Midnight. Who would call her so late? Some of her clients were in different time zones, but they were always respectful of that. Maybe one of them had a crisis. That had happened a time or two. Deadlines getting changed or changes that needed to be made as soon as possible.

  Grabbing her phone, she answered. “Cloe Carter.”

  “You think you can hide from me?”

  A cold finger snaked down her spine. She bolted upright. “Who are you?”

  He laughed, and it sent another chill through her.

  “I’m the one whose life you ruined.”

  She ruined his life? He wasn’t the victim, she was.

  “You cost me everything.”

  “Look, I’m—”

  “I don’t want to hear you’re sorry,” he shouted. “I want you to pay for what you cost me.”

  Cloe held the phone away from her ear, then pulled it back to say, “Don’t call me again,” and hung up. She dropped the phone on the bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. Tomorrow, she would change her number.

  Her phone vibrated. She jumped and stifled a scream. Blocked caller. Him.

  Refusing to engage, she reached over and turned her phone off. Heart pounding, she sat there a couple minutes waiting for her nerves to settle. Yeah, not going to happen. The man’s enraged voice kept echoing through her head. His threat to make her pay for something she did.

  Throwing back the blankets, she hurried out of the room, praying Donovan’s friends had gone home. She needed a drink. And she knew Donovan had a well-stocked liquor cabinet.

  The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree greeted her. Along with Donovan stretched out on the couch, asleep. Still in the jeans and shirt he’d worn today. His feet hung over the end, one arm supporting his head.

  For a moment she stopped to admire him. Then realized he wasn’t sleeping at all, but watching her with amusement.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  He’d caught her staring. Again. What was this man doing to her? “I came out for a drink. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  He rose to a sitting position in one fluid movement. “You didn’t disturb me.”

  She nodded and headed for the kitchen, fully aware he followed her even if she didn’t hear him move.

  Foregoing her need for a drink, she found a glass and filled it with water. She felt Donovan’s eyes on her.

  Finally, he reached over and took the glass from her and set it on the counter. “All right, ’fess up. What’s wrong?”

  How did he always know? No sense in trying to evade him. He’d see right through that. “I got another call.”

  His expression turned dark. “When?”

  “A few minutes ago.”

  “What did he say?”

  She drew in a deep breath. “He was angry. Shouting. Something about me ruining his life. That I would pay for what I cost him.”

  Saying it out loud made it suddenly very real. She looked at Donovan. “What did I do? I didn’t do anything except cross the street.” Her voice wavered on the last word and before she knew it she was wrapped in his arms, safe and protected.

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. This guy sounds like a nutjob,” Donovan said against the crown of her head.

  “He sounded so mad.”

  “Whatever it is he thinks you cost him has him all jacked up.”

  “What if he really blames me? He didn’t sound all that stable.”

  He pulled away slightly, his knuckles lifting her chin. “You know I’d never let any harm come to you, don’t you?”

  She stared into his eyes, seeing nothing but determined strength there. He meant every word he said. And she trusted him. “Yes.”

  His smile made her knees go weak. He was the most devastatingly handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on.

  “We’ll get your number changed tomorrow.”

  Brought out of her thoughts, she nodded.

  “You all right to go back to bed? Early day tomorrow.”

  The last thing on her mind was going to bed. Well, not true. She wanted to go to bed. Just not alone. She’d spent too many nights alone. With the holidays looming, her nightmares came more frequently. One night free of them sounded like bliss. Donovan would keep her nightmares at bay. And give her a night she’d never forget. Somehow, she knew once she crossed that line she’d never be the same.

  Would she be able to separate her heart from her desires?

  Was she ready to try?

  Without another thought, she leaned up and pressed her lips to his. Heat flared between them, sending little electrical spikes up and down her body. Donovan took over the kiss, claiming her mouth with a hunger that drove away her fears. His arms dropped lower to cup her backside, lifting her off her feet. With a groan, she wrapped her legs around his waist, turned on by the hard length of him pressed against her.

  He carried her to his bedroom and kicked open the door. It bounced off the wall, inflaming her even more. Lance had never been this primal. He’d never picked her up and carried her to bed. Never kicked open a door for her. She found it incredibly arousing.

  As if she were a cherished timepiece he laid her on the bed, kissing her all the way down.
When he raised his head to stare down at her with hunger that made her heart trip, she knew she wanted this. Wanted him.

  “Say the word and I’ll take you to your own room,” he said, smoothing a hand down her cheek.

  Cloe leaned up until they were a breath apart. “I’d rather sleep here.”

  His grin said it all, melting away her doubts, turning her into a puddle of goo. “As you wish, amore mio.”

  Slowly, he removed her tank top, then her shorts. The look in his eyes made her reach for the hem of his shirt. He helped her tug it off, then rose to remove his jeans and boxers. Her breath caught at the sight of him, naked and hard, wanting her. Six foot two of gorgeous Navy SEAL and he wanted her.

  That thought made her happier than she’d been in a long time. It started as a kernel of warmth in her chest and spread through her body like a ray of sunshine. She rose up and removed her bra and panties, standing naked in front of him.

  “You are beautiful,” he murmured.

  That kernel grew a little more. With the way he looked at her she felt beautiful. Bruises and all.

  He reached out and cupped the nape of her neck, drawing her near until their bodies aligned. This time when they kissed, her knees buckled. His arm around her waist prevented her from falling. Although, she didn’t think his arms would protect her heart from falling.

  Donovan lowered her to the bed, putting his full weight on her. She let out a moan. He felt so good. Strong. Safe.

  His lips trailed down her neck, then lower to take a nipple into his mouth. Her back arched, her hands burrowing in his hair to pull him closer. Every nerve in her body fired up. Never had she responded to a man like this. No man, not even Lance, had ever made her feel like she would die if she didn’t have him inside her soon.

  With agonizing slowness, Donovan cherished her body. Kissing everywhere until she was ready to burst. Finally, she pulled his head up and cupped his cheeks. “Condom?”

  He kissed her, leaving her breathless, before rolling over to pull open the drawer of his bedside table. She watched him sheath himself, anticipation rocking her. When he was completely covered, he returned to her and oh, it felt so good to have him on top of her. Hard muscle met her curves.

  Claiming her lips in a heated kiss, he entered her. Slowly. Caressing her the way he had her body minutes before. Cloe tore her lips away to throw her head back and groan in pure pleasure.

  He murmured something in Italian that pushed her closer to the brink. She dug her nails into his back, urging him closer. Faster. Deeper.

  But he wouldn’t be hurried. He continued to stroke in and out until she could take it no more.

  “Donovan,” she panted as she began to fall off the cliff.

  “Yes, amore mio. Come with me.”

  He plunged deep and she fell. Her cries mingled with his grunt as they shattered together. Wave after wave crashed over her. She held tight to Donovan as she rode it out. And when it ended she collapsed against the pillows, gasping for air, and more satisfied than she’d ever been with a man.

  Donovan supported his weight on his elbows, lowering his head to kiss her softly. It was so endearing she gripped him tighter.

  He withdrew from her and rolled off the bed to take care of the condom. Her eyes had already drifted shut in exhaustion and bliss when he returned and cradled her in his arms. With her head on his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat she fell asleep. This time without nightmares.

  *

  Donovan stared down at the soft lines of Cloe’s face as she slept, glad she didn’t want to talk. His emotions were all skewed at the moment. Jill had always wanted to talk after sex. He’d obliged, but never went for it.

  Making love to Cloe made him realize that what he’d had with Jill hadn’t been as true as he’d thought. Jill never made him feel this way. Like he’d die if he ever lost her.

  That was dangerous ground. He’d thought himself in love with Jill, had suffered when she walked out. But not once had he feared losing her.

  Ah, hell.

  Chapter Ten

  ‡

  Donovan rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb Cloe. He dressed for his workout and headed out the back door to get his run in before she woke up. Hoping it would clear his head, because last night scared the hell out of him. Give him a mountain full of terrorists any day over the pressure in his chest.

  Only a fool would sign on to have his heart ripped out again.

  The pain of Jill leaving him while deployed still smarted. He couldn’t handle it if Cloe ever did the same. His job was demanding. It took a special woman to accept it. To be left alone for months at a time.

  Jack and Darci were making it work. Their marriage seemed to grow stronger with each deployment. Darci said the key was having a strong, independent woman who had her own stuff to do. Be it a career, kids, hobbies, whatever. And a strong friends-and-family circle.

  Cloe hadn’t spoken of any family. Had no photos or mementos.

  But he did. He had a big, supportive family who would take Cloe in without qualms. They already liked her.

  Stopping abruptly, he bent over, hands on his knees. What the hell was wrong with him? One night of the best sex of his life and he was ready to bring Cloe into the fold?

  Jesus, he was a fool.

  Forcing the thoughts from his mind, he continued on his run, pounding sand hard until he came to his senses.

  By the time he returned to the house and finished his workout, the thoughts were gone. Then, he walked in and saw Cloe standing in front of the coffee pot in nothing but her pajamas and it all came flooding back.

  She turned when he walked in. Her hair had that mussed look only a night of good sex could do. Sexy as hell.

  “Have a good run?” she asked, sipping her coffee.

  He’d tried to outrun his feelings, punishing his body to take away what floated around in his chest. It hadn’t worked worth a damn. One look at this beautiful woman and he fell like a rock.

  “I did, thanks. Gonna grab a shower, then we can have breakfast and go have your number changed.”

  “Sounds good.”

  The fact she didn’t make a big deal out of last night, or push him to talk about his feelings—thank God—only made the warmth in his chest grow. She was one hell of a woman.

  Before he went over and kissed her, which would most definitely land them back in bed, he headed to his room for a change of clothes and then a shower.

  When he emerged, Cloe had changed into a pair of shorts and blouse that fit snug on her slender curves. Her legs—holy hell, he better not go there.

  “Toast and eggs sound good?” he asked as he strode to the coffee pot to pour a cup of coffee.

  “Perfect. I’m famished.”

  He glanced at her over the rim of his cup, noticed the teasing light in her eyes. A look he hadn’t seen on her before. The real Cloe was buried somewhere beneath all that heartache and pain she tried so hard to hide. He liked what he saw.

  “That makes two of us,” he replied. Her eyes widened and he quickly got to work on making breakfast before they ended up in bed.

  Breakfast didn’t take long to make or eat. For the first time, Cloe cleaned/cleared her plate. Once they washed the dishes and put them away, they got ready to leave. Cloe went to get her cell phone while he put the towel in the laundry room.

  A knock on the door brought Cloe out of her room with wide eyes. Donovan motioned for her to stay put and went to answer it. Criminals didn’t tend to ring the doorbell, but better safe than sorry.

  He peered out the window and saw his mom standing on the porch.

  “All clear,” he said before opening the door.

  His mother came in. “I have the menus for Cloe. I can’t stay. I’m on my way to the restaurant.”

  Donovan took the folders from her as Cloe walked over.

  “I’ll get to work on these tonight.”

  Mom looked pleased. “Well, I better get going. Thank you again for the help, Cloe.�
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  “Happy to help.”

  Donovan walked his mother back to her car and waited until she pulled away to go back inside. Cloe was thumbing through the folder.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Let me put this in your office.”

  Donovan enjoyed the view as she walked away, but reluctantly tore his gaze off the sway of her slender hips. If he didn’t stop looking at her like that he’d never leave the house. He’d just take her to bed and never let her go.

  *

  Cloe had tried to make the morning after easier for both of them, but Donovan seemed to be evading her. He barely looked at her. Out of regret? Shame? Had last night not been as life-changing for him as it had been for her?

  Making love to Donovan had changed her. More than she dared admit. It made her realize she hadn’t loved Lance in the way she should have. He’d been of a similar mind—career-oriented, handsome, successful. But, as she looked back, they hadn’t shared much outside of their careers. Intimacy hadn’t been an issue, but it didn’t even compare to how Donovan made her feel.

  The things he’d done to her body.

  Even now, it tightened in remembrance. All morning she’d hoped he would kiss her. Carry her back to the bedroom and keep her there forever.

  Her heart stuttered.

  Someone help her, she’d fallen for this dashing Navy SEAL.

  And he couldn’t even look at her.

  Fool. That’s what she was. Before the ache in her chest grew, she closed it off. She’d been doing it the past year, she’d do it now.

  For the first time in a long time she wished she didn’t have to.

  *

  Donovan slid his cell phone into his pocket and strode down the hall to his office, where Cloe had hidden herself after they returned from getting her number changed. She’d been more distant than this morning. Regret?

  He knocked on the door then stuck his head in when she bid him entrance. She sat at his desk, busy typing.