“I thought we were dead.”
“I know, right?” He pulled over a chair to sit next to her bed. “But we’re not. So look . . .” He forced a deep breath. “I know this may not be the time or place, but what we just went through taught me to stop waiting for the right time to tell you some things, because it may never come. We got lucky, babe. That has to mean something. I want you to go back to your doctor—or hell, find a new doctor. Please, fight this disease the way you have fought Leo and his guys. I know what you went through with your mom was rough, but medicine’s come a long way since then. Together, we can beat this. I know we can. At the very least, we should try. I love you. I’ve got issues to work on back home, but after that, let’s get married.”
She said nothing. She didn’t make eye contact with him or even breathe. What did that mean?
“Talk to me. What are you thinking?”
“You should probably go.”
“Wait—what?”
“I-I have a ton of stuff to think about. I need space. The last thing you need is to be saddled with a sick woman who has no hope of—”
“That’s BS and you know it. After what we just survived, how can you say there’s no hope?”
“Jasper, please, just go. I can’t be with you. That’s final.”
Jaw clenched hard enough to hurt, Jasper realized he’d run out of things to say. The woman was as tough as she was stubborn. She knew he loved her. She knew he’d do anything to save her from any outside force.
The one thing he couldn’t save her from was herself.
Two days later, McMurdo’s doc deemed Jasper healthy enough to travel, so Jasper and his team hopped the next available flight.
He sat sandwiched between Briggs and Everett on the routine five-and-a-half hour C-130 trip to Christchurch, New Zealand.
Briggs noshed pretzels and listened to metal the whole way and Everett listened to cry-in-your-beer country while playing Mahjong on his phone.
Which left Jasper with too much time to think.
He felt stuck in a Twilight Zone episode from which he couldn’t escape.
He left his seat to hit the john, and then he saw her—seated at the opposite end of the massive ride.
Her dad sat beside her with his bad foot elevated.
A woman he recognized as a nurse from the medical center took his vitals.
Yeti slept in a makeshift carrier tucked beneath Eden’s seat.
Strange how in the center of the violent storm they’d been caught up in, these people had been his family. Now they were strangers. What happened? He thought she loved him. Had he never really known her at all?
They landed.
Collected gear.
Harding had arranged for transportation to a B & B he’d rented for the whole crew until their next day’s flight. The place was all decked out for Christmas. He’d forgotten the holiday was even near.
While the guys settled in for beer and poker, Jasper begged off. He stripped, grabbed a quick hot shower, then pulled down blackout shades before climbing into bed.
He’d had enough eternal sun.
He was just drifting off when the door opened, and then closed. “Briggs? That you?”
He couldn’t see anything, but heard rustling.
“Everett? If you’re trying to convince me this place is haunted, it isn’t working.”
A warm, silky all-woman’s body slid beside him under the covers. When she cozied closer, one inhalation of her familiar breath told him Eden had finally come to her senses.
“Babe . . .”
“Shh. I don’t want to talk. I just want to feel.”
He had no problem with that—especially, when she eased lower, taking him into her mouth.
Eyes closed, he combed his fingers through her long loose hair, groaning as she worked him just the way he liked. They had history. Great history. It was about time she understood where he was coming from.
They belonged together.
End of story.
Just before he’d reached his breaking point, she rolled on a condom she must have brought, then straddled him. He thrust upward while clasping his hands to her hips, pushing her down. He couldn’t get deep enough. He wanted to swallow her whole.
She leaned forward, brushing her hard nips against his chest. Raw sensation roared through him like a freaking jackhammer. With his hand at the back of her head, he kissed her rougher than he probably should have, then rolled her over to slam back into her even harder. She bucked her hips, meeting him thrust for thrust. Moaning with each push.
He was kissing her, kissing her. Drinking her soul.
He reached down to finger her and knew by the way she shuddered that she’d come. He worked harder to make her rise and fall again.
When he couldn’t hold back a second longer, he arched and then froze while the world stood still for one solitary moment of sheer perfection.
And then the act was done.
And awkwardness barged between them as effectively as if it were another person in the room.
Crying, she slipped out from under the covers, dashed to the bathroom and slammed the door.
Shit.
He left the bed, wadded the condom in a tissue. Banged on the bathroom door. “You’re not playing fair.”
“Sorry. I wanted to feel you inside me, one last time.”
He rested his forehead against the cool wood door. “Did it ever occur to you that we could get married and then spend a lifetime humping like bunnies?”
The door opened. “I’m scared.”
He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tight enough for her to hopefully realize this was where she belonged. “I’m scared. I could get shot on my next assignment. Or hit by a car. Just because your mother died of cancer, that doesn’t mean you will, too. Think about what we’ve been through. Do you honestly think having chemo treatments could be tougher than escaping a madman while trapped on a sinking raft in a dark, ice cube of a river?”
“When you put it that way . . .”
“Exactly.” He took her hands, easing his fingers between hers. “So we’re going to do this? Kick cancer’s ass?”
While she nodded against his chest, Jasper prayed his tough talk would be enough to see her safely through this war for which he had no weapon other than love.
16
EDEN HAD NEVER been to Montana, but the closer Jasper drove them toward his family home, the more excited—and nervous—she grew.
He didn’t look much better. He was easily the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen, but the grim set of the lips she loved kissing told a sad story while he handled the wheel of his black Jeep Wrangler.
A light snow fell. Not enough to cover the highway. Just enough to remind her of their time in Antarctica, and of how glad she was to be back in a place where spring and summer were right around the calendar’s corner.
Her father had wanted to tag along to meet Jasper’s family, but he was still recovering while writing a book about his Nazi discovery.
He was staying in the guest house of the ancient Victorian home she and Jasper were restoring back in Denver.
Three months had passed since her surgery and treatments and so far, so good. She’d had twinges of nausea, but medication and plenty of saltines and Sprite and love had gotten her through. At her last check-up, she was officially announced cancer free, and she and Jasper would be married in Aspen in June.
She’d faced her cancer issue head-on, but she feared Jasper’s trouble with his parents and older brother only loomed larger. Which was why she’d made him promise to invite his folks and brother to the wedding. When he refused, she’d coaxed his buddy Briggs into finding Jasper’s mother’s number. The initial conversation had been beyond awkward, but it had been a start.
Maybe this would be the weekend that once again made Jasper whole.
“Tell me about Mariah,” she asked.
“Don’t. You know this is the last place I want to be. Talking about old wounds won’
t make them better. What I did was beyond shitty. I don’t deserve to ever have them talk to me again.”
“It wasn’t so long ago when you were telling me to face my darkest fear. Why can’t you do the same? It’s been a long time. What if all those years have healed old wounds? Your mom, at least, seemed relieved to hear you’re alive.”
He took her hand, kissing each finger. “How could she ever forgive me? I was an idiot kid—seventeen. I not only thought it was a great idea to dare my sister-in-law into using Ecstasy to celebrate her anniversary, but it turned out to be a bad batch and she died. I trusted my friend to get me good stuff—” he snorted “—how much is wrong with that statement? Then look what happened with Dane. I trusted him and he damn near got us both killed.”
“Stop.” She rubbed his tight neck. “What happened with your sister-in-law was another lifetime. You’re a changed man. Plus, no one forced her to take the drug. As for Dane, he fooled me, too. I’m hurt, but getting over it. All we can do is surround ourselves with good people and hope for the best.” Leaning over to kiss his cheek, she added, “As soon as we get the all-clear from my doctor, I can’t wait to make an awesome father out of you.”
“From your lips to God’s ears, babe.” They finished the last thirty miles in silence.
When Jasper left the main road to turn on to a dirt, pine tree-lined drive, she took deep breaths to calm her nerves.
Her fiancé gripped the wheel so hard his knuckles shone white.
“It’s going to be okay,” she said. “You’ll see.”
He nodded, but didn’t look convinced.
The house was a two-story rustic, log cabin. This time of year, the boxes under each window were barren, but Eden imagined them filled with geraniums. A wide front porch held six rockers. A pinecone wreath on the front door said Welcome in pretty scrolled letters.
Jasper parked the Jeep, but didn’t turn off the engine. “I can’t do this.”
“Excuse me . . .” She cleared her throat. “What did you say to me when I was afraid to have surgery and my chemo?”
“That’s different.”
“How? Clearing cancer from our lives is no more important than you clearing this past shame from yours? What are you going to tell our future son or daughter when they ask to spend a weekend at their grandma and grandpa’s house?”
A muscle ticked in his clean-shaven jaw.
“Come on, sweetie. You can do this.”
A woman stepped out of the front door. She was plump, with salt and pepper hair. She wore a pretty floral blouse and jeans, covered by a frilly apron. After taking one look in the car, she burst into tears, then came at them at a full run.
Jasper left the Jeep and squeezed his mom in an epic hug.
A graying man Eden assumed was his dad left the porch to join them, as did an older, weathered version of Jasper who could only be his big brother.
Eden swallowed back her own tears, blinking her stinging eyes as she left the vehicle to take in the touching family reunion.
“I’m so sorry,” Jasper said with heartbreaking sobs. “So, so sorry. I never meant to—”
“We know,” his father said.
A very pregnant woman emerged from the house. She brought a box of tissues outside and passed it around. “I’m Leah, Kyle’s wife. Mind if I get in on this action?”
“Wait—you remarried?” Jasper looked to his brother.
“If you’d bothered to give us your contact information, we would have invited you to the ceremony. Life’s too short for grudges, baby brother. Losing Mariah taught me every second counts.” Kyle looked to Eden. “You ever planning on introducing us to the pretty lady wearing your ring?”
Jasper conked his forehead, then left his family to slip his arm around her waist, guiding her over. “This is Eden. We’re going to be married in June. It would mean the world to us if you’d all come.”
They agreed, and Eden walked arm-in-arm into the home where the love of her life had grown up. In the big country kitchen, a plate of homemade sugar cookies sat on the counter and the air smelled of pot roast and all the trimmings—heavenly.
While Jasper jogged out to the car for Yeti, Eden accepted the seat Jasper’s dad had offered at the kitchen table. She had the oddest sensation that her mother was with her now, smiling down on her, happy that her daughter had not only found the perfect man, but a perfect forever home.
Epilogue
“DON’T PEEK. THIS needs to be done right or we’ll have seven years of bad luck.” Jasper carried Eden from their rental car to the house’s porch and was beyond excited about finally showing off the slice of paradise he’d bought them. Sure, he’d had to use the internet and it had been an impulse buy, but how long had he been dreaming of owning his own beach home in the Bahamas?
Their wedding had been beyond perfection with his brother serving as the best man. His mother and Leah had helped Eden get ready and by the time she reached the aisle, she’d been the most spellbinding bride in the history of brides. All of his SEAL buddies had been in attendance, and Eden hit it off great with Nash’s wife Maisey and their baby boy.
“I’m pretty sure that seven year rule only applies to breaking mirrors—not honeymoon protocol.”
“Whatever.” He had a tough time wrangling the key into the lock, but once he did, he opened the door to Paradise. Just as he’d requested, the Realtor had gotten the place ready. There were bowls of fruits and vases overflowing with tropical flowers. Just beyond open glass doors was their very own private beach, complete with a few coconut palms. “Okay, open your eyes.”
She said nothing.
He set her to her feet. “What’s the matter? I thought you’d love it?”
“I do love it. It’s incredible. But I can’t even imagine how much this costs to rent. We have medical bills and the house needs a new furnace and you know we should be saving up to add a nursery, and—”
He kissed her quiet. “Relax. Just think of this as a gift from some ancient kings to you.”
“You didn’t?”
“Grab a few pieces of all that treasure?” He grinned. “Not that it wasn’t tempting, but no. Your father, on the other hand, slipped me a princely sum for our engagement present. He said it was your dowry, but that I was only allowed to spend it on something fun.”
“So instead of asking me what I wanted, you took it upon yourself to buy us our own isolated beachfront house in the Bahamas?”
“Um, yeah. That’s sort of how it went down. You mad?”
She tossed her arms around his neck, kissing him until they had to pause for air. “Madly in love.” Stepping back, she tugged her sundress over her head and kicked off her sandals. “Last one in the water’s a rotten egg!”
“No fair. You started stripping before I even knew there was a challenge!”
She blew him a kiss before sprinting off to the bathtub-warm aqua water.
He’d just pulled his T-shirt over his head when his cell rang. “No way.”
He wanted to ignore it, but the alert tone only sounded when Harding called from the company line. His boss wouldn’t be bugging him unless it was an emergency. Considering the fact that his SEAL brothers had not so long ago saved his and Eden’s life, Jasper felt honor-bound to answer the call.
“Yo. What’s up?”
“Bro, I hate doing this to you,” Harding said, “but shit’s going down.”
“Things were fine when everyone left the wedding.”
“Yeah, well, when Nash and Maisey got home, they had an uninvited guest waiting. This guy jumped Maisey and took the baby. She’s still unconscious. Nash is with her at the hospital. We need to get a team together now to get back their baby boy.”
“Is this a ransom thing?”
“Worse. Remember the drug lord we took out? Vicente Rodriguez?”
“Kinda hard to forget. I saw him with my own eyes. Dude was an ugly corpse.”
“True,” Harding said. “But turns out his wife back in Colombia not only w
ants to raise her husband’s son, but she’s out for blood. Her errand boy left a note in the baby’s crib that basically said she won’t rest until the man and woman she blames for killing the love of her life and stealing her son are dead.”
Ready for more SEAL Team: Disavowed? Everett and Ruby’s story, SHUNNED, is available for preorder, and will be released 6/11/16. Please keep reading for an exclusive sneak peek . . .
SHUNNED
Sneak Peek
SEAL Team: Disavowed
Book Three
1
Piapoco, Colombia
THE BABY WAS a fake.
Disavowed Navy SEAL Everett Black snatched the doll out of the crib by its shaggy black hair, pitching it across the dark room where it fell with a soft thump against thick carpet. What was he going to tell Nash and Maisey? They’d trusted him to come to Colombia, break into Vicente Rodriguez’s widow’s heavily guarded compound and take back their kidnapped son.
What now?
Pulse revved, he darted his gaze about the typical nursery. Crib. Changing table. Rocking chair. What was he missing? Was this whole scene a set-up? Had the infant ever been in the freaking castle this chick called home? Or was the intel Trident, Inc. had been given misinformation? Meaning the Widow Rodriguez had been one step ahead of them since the baby had been snatched twenty-four hours earlier.
Gauzy curtains floated in the light breeze.
Time for him to fly.
He’d report his findings to Harding and the rest of the team, then lay low until receiving further instructions.
After sticking the decoy baby back in the crib to hopefully hide the fact that he’d ever been there, Everett pushed aside the curtains to straddle the windowsill.
Since free climbing was kinda his thing, it was no biggie to maneuver himself sideways onto the third floor ledge, then use the limestone mansion’s elaborate sills and moldings for handholds. He’d earlier run a dummy signal through the security system, making it feel nice and cozy the whole time he’d been breaking and entering. He’d remotely switch it back once he got clear.
Outcast (SEAL Team: Disavowed Book 2) Page 12