As she swam into the whale’s proximity, she spoke softly and steadily to the creature. “Hi, I’m Kerry. I’m a marine-mammal vet, and I can see that you’re stuck. Can I help you out of that net?” The humpback was approximately sixty feet long and probably weighed over forty tons. The intelligence in its eyes struck her—as did the pain and exhaustion. “We’ll get you free.”
The whale’s gaze tracked her. She could see its breathing was labored and changing to match her body’s movement.
No! Can it be?
“I’m going to work on that loose part of the net and see how far I get.” Seeing a break in the edge of the net, Kerry swam closer to the whale until she was touching the creature. She patted her gently as she began untangling the net from around the whale’s face. The net moved backward as Kerry loosened the ropes, until she felt the whale’s belly move, confirming her suspicion. What a time to be right.
“Leaper,” she said, softly but firmly. “Stay back there and get those nets and ropes off her belly and tail immediately. Don’t speak. Don’t argue. This whale is pregnant, and I think the little one is trapped. Her stress has most likely brought on an early labor. Let’s attempt to keep both of them alive.”
A hand extended with a thumbs-up before he disappeared under the water.
Kerry moved as quickly as she could, shifting the net backward, working diligently until their joint efforts freed the whale from the mishmash of ropes and nets.
Kerry held her hands on the whale’s belly and felt movement. Diving below the surface, she was just in time to see the little one slide out.
The mother bellowed, the vibration traveling through the water.
Surfacing next to Leaper, Kerry shouted to the whale, “You did it. Well done.” But she could see the whale was tired, too tired to catch the calf and bring it to the surface for its first breath. “Oh God, the calf is sinking. Help me bring the calf up,” Kerry said to Leaper, diving into the ocean’s depths.
Leaper was next to her in an instant, and together they guided the calf upward. They brought it to the mother’s head, and she nuzzled it affectionately.
“How is the whale going to care for her calf, given the exhaustion?” Leaper whispered. “Wait, I know a sand bar. It won’t beach her, but she can rest for a short while.” He pointed to a spot several yards away. “I have no idea how we can get them there, though.”
“I do,” said Kerry. “The calf. Move the calf slowly, perhaps a few feet at a time, and the cow will follow. Let’s try it. The best we can do is encourage the mother to rest and eventually feed, and that will help her regain her strength, but it’s ultimately her choice to survive. Just so you are aware, bossing around a forty-ton creature is…not something I’ve ever done before.”
“You do just fine bossing around a tall SEAL,” he teased.
“Ha-ha,” she replied, but his attempt at levity actually made her feel a little better. She was worried for the whale and its babe.
Slowly, they urged the calf forward. The cow watched them wearily at first, but then she closed the distance. As they neared the sand bar, the mother turned and dropped into a deeper crevice of water. Bubbles floated to the surface, and she came up from underneath, mouth open.
“Is that a good sign?” asked Leaper as he distracted the calf, which was so enormous, it was longer than their small boat. Pushing and guiding it was like urging an elephant to water. It was a chore.
“Yes,” said Kerry with a smile. “It’s great! She’s eating krill. Thank God. This will help her get her energy back.” She stroked the top of the calf. “It’s the second best news of the day.”
Kerry took advantage of the babysitting opportunity to gently run her hands over the calf’s skin and play with it. How often does a vet get a chance to examine a wild whale calf?
Leaper was getting splashed by the calf now and then, though it was nuzzling him too. Guess the calf knew a quality guy. When he chuckled at its antics, Kerry knew Leaper was having fun too.
She was glad that they were staying with the newborn as the mother fed. Treading water and stroking the back of the calf, she willed her calming energy into the child. Already it had been through so much. And there was even more to face, with giant predators in the wild ocean depths and a dangerous trek to reach the safe haven in Mexico where there was a protected birthing ground. If they made it, the calf would have an opportunity to get stronger and the mother would have others to help her. Until then, this humpback adult would need all her faculties to protect this wee one.
What seemed like minutes later, but was actually at least an hour, the mother returned. It was promising to see her shoot water through her blowhole and use her tail again.
The mother called to her calf and then gently nudged Kerry and Leaper away. Before the mother left, she stared at Kerry, as if thanking her. It was impossible not to well up with emotion and wish that they survived their journey. As the mother and child headed down the coastline, Kerry put the last of her energy into swimming back to the boat. It was a long trek as the current pushed against them. In the end, Leaper ended up cajoling her, so the last part of the journey was fun, if not thoroughly exhausting.
“This day has blown my mind. We saved two lives,” said Kerry breathlessly as she hauled herself into the boat and wiped away a few remaining tears of exhaustion and emotion. “I can’t believe this whole thing happened.” She sat down and took a long swig of water. “I’m going to write about this. The Marine Mammal Foundation will find it really interesting, as will a journal on veterinary medicine. Gosh.” She took another drink and then handed it to Leaper. “Want some?”
“Thanks.” Leaper drained the bottle and placed it in their recycling bag. “You did a good thing today.”
“We did it together.” Kerry went to him and hugged him tight. His arms were strong and warm, and they felt so good around her, as if her body was protected, safe, and forever cherished.
“We’re an impressive pair, aren’t we?” Leaper kissed her before she could reply.
She smiled as they kissed. Boy, he could say a million things with each touch of those gorgeous lips. Every kiss spoke volumes, and each was as unique as the last. “Sometimes when we’re together, I can’t stop smiling,” Kerry admitted.
“Is that bad?”
“No. It’s…unexpected. It’s never happened before.” Heat rose in her cheeks.
“I love it when you blush.” He kissed her again once, twice, three times. Mmm.
“For me, it’s your kisses. The way you kiss my upper lip and then linger on my lower lip before you kiss the center, as if each inch is to be treasured.” She sighed.
“If I had to list all the things I liked about you, well, we’d be in this boat for a very long time.” Too soon, he pulled back from the embrace and put a little distance between them. “Let’s head back to shore. We have a special date. I have a few people I’d like you to meet. Important ones.”
“Now I am curious. Are you showing me off?” Kerry giggled. “You’re making me feel like a schoolgirl who’s about to meet your parents.”
“Hell yes, I’m showing you off. Declan’s the closest I have to family.” Leaper pointed at her head. “You might want to take the seaweed out of your hair.”
Kerry felt around the back of her head and pulled off a large clump of seaweed. “Bend over,” she told Leaper, dangling it between them. “Wait until you see where I’m going to put this next.”
“No!” He danced out of reach.
She wasn’t going to let him off that easy. She had a burst of energy and she was ready to play.
* * *
Small pieces of green ocean plants swirled around the shower drain. She’d lost the seaweed battle, but she knew she’d win the war.
Hot water bathed her skin with blissful, seductive pulses as Kerry lathered her hands and ran the suds over her body. She could have s
tayed in here for hours, but she didn’t have that luxury today.
The scent of sandalwood filled her senses as she rinsed her body, standing under the heavy spray until the last possible second. Being at Leaper’s home was luxurious. She wondered if he knew how lucky he was. People paid millions for this view.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Leaper enter the glass shower stall just before she stepped out. He flipped a switch that sent water to three additional showerheads, creating the sensation of being in the middle of a waterfall. The look in his eyes was heated and wickedly sensual.
She loved it.
“Excuse me, ma’am, I’m with the soap police, and I noticed you seemed to have missed a few places. Can I help you with that?” His voice was thick and gravelly.
She nodded her head eagerly and placed her hands on the wall of the shower stall, turning her back to him. She wiggled her bottom, teasing him.
Leaper’s large, sudsy hands ran up and down the length of her back. She slid in and out of his reach, making him growl with desire.
As he made his way to the front, he cradled her large breasts, gently teasing the nipples. She found she didn’t want to escape anymore.
Kerry pushed her backside into his touch, craving his ministrations.
Nudging her thighs wider, he tenderly pushed his cock against her opening. As he rubbed it back and forth, Kerry could feel herself climbing that incredibly sexy climactic mountain. Her body tightened and released, pushing her higher and higher until she shuddered with intense pleasure.
Standing on her tiptoes, she lowered down onto his hard cock. Her slickness welcomed him inside even as her sheath attempted to capture and hold him captive.
It was the most intimate thing in the world, when he tucked his head next to hers and whispered, “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. Sexy. Vibrant. Smart. Sassy. Sweet. And delicious.” His words punctuated each thrust until her body was on the verge again. Her sheath tightened, and she came with a shout. Multiples orgasms cascaded through her as she panted and shook.
“Kerry,” he said as he leaned his weight against her momentarily. “Are you okay?”
“Amazing,” she sighed. Indescribable joy filled her as he held her tight. She barely had words to describe how she felt.
He pulled out and tenderly rinsed her under the water. Leaper treated her with such delicate ministrations that she felt cherished and adored. After they got out, he bundled her in towels and carried her to the bed, and Kerry couldn’t stop the smile that was radiating from her heart.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. She wasn’t ready to share everything that was bouncing around her head. Seeing the clock, she said, “Wait. Aren’t we supposed to be somewhere?”
Leaper craned his neck to look at the clock. “Shit. We need to go. So much for making love again.”
She kissed the tip of his nose. “Later?”
“Hell yes.” Leaper jumped off the bed—sans towel—and strode hurriedly around the room, pulling out clothes. She couldn’t help but admire the view. Yes, Leaper had won their seaweed battle, but her body reminded her that she was the victor, in all the right ways, of the war.
* * *
Does chaos beget chaos? Where does order come in? Kerry knew she shouldn’t laugh at Leaper as he rushed around his home, but hadn’t he known that showering and, ahem, celebrating each other’s bodies was going to put them in a time crunch?
After they docked the boat, they’d driven to her house and picked up her makeup bag, shoes, and dress and then come back here. She’d known they were going to have sex. Hadn’t he?
As he stalked toward her, now fully clothed, he said, “If you continue to lie there naked, I’m canceling the dinner date with Declan and Maura.”
She gave him a mock salute.
“Smart-ass.”
“Indeed.”
He ran his hands over her naked flesh. “I guess I could share a few instructions from the Navy, if you could share a few things about discipline too.”
“Fine, I’ll get moving.” She scooted out of his grasp. “Don’t you start sweet talking me, or we will be canceling tonight’s festivities, Mr. Lefton.”
“Bummer.” Leaper sat down on the bed and sighed. “What a handful you are, Dr. Hamilton. If only we could play doctor a little more. I want to show you where it hurts and have you kiss my…”
“I thought we were playing marine biologist, discovering new outcroppings and such,” she said as she flicked her towel at him.
“Damn,” he said, smiling. “I am a blessed man.”
He triggered the app on his phone, and music filled the bedroom. The Rolling Stones sang “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
She had found exactly what she needed, and maybe that was better, because she could never have imagined someone as incredible as Leaper.
* * *
Riding a motorcycle in a dress as it sped down the Strand was extremely challenging. Kerry squeezed her legs closed and held on for dear life, trying to keep her heels from slipping off the footrests. There wasn’t much to her blue silk dress either, and if the material snagged on anything, she was going to arrive in her bra and panty set.
Luckily, the trip was short, and they arrived in the Coronado Cays without too much upheaval. Kerry smoothed her dress into place and fluffed her hair as Leaper wedged the bike into a small parking spot.
Together, they walked up the short walkway to a large one-level modern ranch home. She rang the bell, and Leaper laughed at her. “I’m family. Just walk in.”
“No way… I don’t even know…”
The door opened, abruptly ending the discussion and revealing a tall woman whose belly preceded her by at least a foot.
“Hello, Mrs. Swifton.” Kerry presented a bouquet of sunflowers. “I’m Kerry Hamilton.”
“How lovely! Thank you. Please, call me Maura. Come in.” Maura stepped back to let them in and almost tripped over a small toy drum.
Leaper caught her elbows and steadied her. “Easy does it.” Leaper hugged her. “You smell so much better than Dec.”
“Of course!” Maura smiled at Leaper as she patted his shoulder. “Well, don’t just stand there, let’s head to the back.” She waved a hand. “Ignore the mess and just step over whatever you can. I can’t even bend down anymore, so this mess is waiting on Declan to play housemaid.”
“Does he wear a push-up bra and frilly skirt?” teased Leaper.
“Nope, it’s too distracting for me. But I give Declan high marks—that man knows how to use a feather duster,” quipped Maura.
“Too many details,” Leaper muttered as they moved farther into the room and faint strains of music became audible.
“Really? You’re playing Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It through the Grapevine’?” Leaper threw his hands in the air. “I get it—I should have introduced Kerry sooner.”
“I knew you’d catch on. Guilting Leaper with music is very effective, Kerry. Remember that. It’s better than a fight or a two-hour discussion. I say that as a surrogate sister and good friend.” Maura changed the track to the Young Rascals’ “Good Lovin’.” “Speaking of loving, Declan has terrific skills.” Maura looked up from the stereo and winked at Kerry.
“Ew! It’s like seeing your parents kissing. No one needs to see that action.” Leaper cleared his throat. “Hey, I’m usually getting attacked about now. Where’s the little one? Not that I’m trying to invite an ambush. I was hoping to avoid a Pink Panther scene, since my lady friend is here.”
Kerry wrinkled her nose. “Wait…the scenes where Cato attacks Inspector Clouseau…that’s hysterical.”
Leaper nodded. “Until you are being body slammed by a giant Swifton and a little one. Those odds aren’t fair. I just get creamed, and there’s no one to heal my wounds.”
“Good heavens, someone get the world’s smallest violin and we can play you a pity ballad, Leaper.” Maura rolled her eyes.
Leaper sniffed dramatically. “I’m so abused.”
Kerry giggled softly. This was adorable. She’d never seen this side of Leaper before, and it was darling. Did he know how cute he was being? She wasn’t going to let on…otherwise his ego might swell so big, they couldn’t drive the motorcycle home.
“Who are you kidding, Leaper? You adore it. Though there’s no ambush tonight. Declan’s putting her to sleep now. Oof!” Maura stopped and rubbed her belly. “Now, that was a serious kick. They are going to be linebackers.” She panted briefly and stood up. “Only three more weeks until my boys are due. I can hardly wait to see them.”
“Two. Incredible. I hadn’t heard.” Leaper leaned down and scolded Maura’s belly. “Now you guys lay off Mom. You can play with Uncle Leaper once you both land on your tiny feet, but until then, remember: she’s precious stuff.”
“As long as they aren’t biters.” Maura shivered. “Leaper, you’re such a sweetheart, God love you. Kerry, he’s been a lifesaver. Declan calls our soon-to-be-born babe Lefty.”
“After me. Isn’t that flattering?” Leaper tapped a finger against his mouth. “Leaper Lefton is a mouthful. I still can’t believe I’m a godparent and future guardian.”
“Hell yes, and you get them both if, God forbid, something happens. You and my parents will share custody. Good luck with that. You know how my folks can be.”
“Maura, I’ll fight dragons for those babes, and your parents love me. They’ll stuff them with food and I’ll run them around until they’re out of energy. It’s a great combo.”
“I know. Having you in our lives is a blessing.” She turned to Kerry. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude and exclude you from the conversation. Leaper’s been gone so much, it’s nice to have him home.”
“No problem. I don’t think I’ve ever met friends that are so close,” said Kerry.
“The Teams change friends into family,” added Leaper.
The Power of a SEAL Page 15