by Cat Johnson
He handed her one of the cups of coffee, delivered with a kiss to her lips before he said, “I don’t know how you take it. But I’ll learn. I promise.”
That promise felt as if it encompassed so much more than his learning how she took her coffee.
Heart fluttering with all the possibilities for the future, Lydia nodded. “Thank you.”
Mack donned a devilish grin. “Anytime, sis.”
Lydia cocked a brow at what was a very bad joke on his part. “Keep that up and I’ll start calling you James and I’ll continue until the day I die.”
His expression softened. “Coming from you, I think I could live with that just fine until the day I die.”
There it was again, a promise in his words. A pledge that made the day seem even brighter as she looked toward their future together.
“So, how do we think Mommy and Daddy are going to take the news?” Marissa asked, grabbing the third cup Mack had filled off the counter.
Lydia groaned. “I have no idea but I’m a little worried.”
Mack leveled a gaze on Lydia. “Well, stop. Whatever they feel, they’re going to have to get used to it because this—us—is not going away. Got it?”
He was pushy and bossy and Lydia’s heart swelled a little more with love at every word in his demand. “Yeah, I got it.”
“Good.” He nodded and she couldn’t argue because it was all just as he’d said—very good.
EPILOGUE
“You ready?” he asked.
“No.” Lydia shook her head and stayed sitting in the passenger seat not moving.
With one arm draped over the VW’s steering wheel, Mack turned in the driver’s seat to raise one brow at her. “Too bad. We have to.”
“But I don’t want to.” She knew she was acting like a brat. She didn’t care.
“Okay.” He turned back forward and reached for the key in the ignition.
“Wait? What are you doing?”
“Leaving. You don’t want to go inside so . . .” He shrugged as he started the engine.
“Wait. We can’t leave.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because they’re expecting us.”
He stared at her for a second before turning off the engine again. “Okay. We’ll go in.”
Lydia saw his lips twitch as he pulled the key out of the ignition and reached for the door handle. “You just totally played me, didn’t you?”
Glancing back, he smiled. “Yup.”
She was still pouting when he came around and opened her door. Leaning down, he said, “Come on.”
“Fine.” She’d go, but she wasn’t happy about it.
She spun to walk around the car when he reached out and caught her arm. Reeling her in, Mack whispered in her ear, “I’ll make it up to you later when we’re alone. I promise.”
Having been on the receiving end of Mack’s attentions before, Lydia knew even going through the torture waiting inside for them might be worth it.
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Not exactly a threat, but okay.” He let her lead the way around the car as she resisted the urge to reach for his hand. She couldn’t do that here.
They made it up the path but not quite to the door before it opened and her mother came down the front steps.
“Liddy. Oh my God. Thank goodness you’re here and all right.”
Lydia found herself engulfed in her mother’s embrace. “I told you I was all right on the phone.”
“Just indulge me, okay? It’s been a stressful couple of days.” Her mother pulled back and Lydia saw the tears in her eyes.
She nodded, fighting back the tears herself. “Okay.”
“Come on in. Both of you. James, thanks for driving her.”
“No problem at all.”
Her mother led the way into the house. “Joseph is in the living room.”
“Good.” Mack nodded. “I was hoping we can all sit down and talk.”
Lydia drew in a breath, dreading this discussion but happy he was taking the lead and she wouldn’t have to. Maybe she’d could just sit there and let him do all the talking.
“Sure. We can talk.” Sounding kind of strange, her mother turned toward the sofa. She sat next to Joseph and folded her hands in her lap. “Okay.”
Looking less cool and collected than usual, Mack remained standing while Lydia sat, deciding she might enjoy watching him in the hot seat.
“A couple of things.” Mack turned to glance at Lydia and she felt a little less calm than she had before. “Um, Lydia and I are dating.”
Joseph’s jaw dropped open. Yup. Not what he’d been expecting to hear. The reaction would have been amusing if Lydia wasn’t so nervous herself.
“Really? Since when?” her mother asked.
“Since the brunch.” Mack shocked Lydia by telling something close to the truth.
She didn’t have time to obsess about it because her mother had already jumped up from her seat and had rushed forward to wrap Mack in a hug.
“Oh my God. That is so wonderful.” She spun to Joseph. “Sweetheart, did you hear? They’re dating.”
“I heard.” Joseph eyed his son. “That’s a surprise.”
“I bet it is.” Mack looked a little too satisfied at his father’s shock but it didn’t last long. He turned to focus directly on her mother. “I want to promise you that I will love her and protect her and I will be there for your daughter whenever I possibly can.”
Lydia listened to Mack’s words with a pounding heart and tears in her eyes. He wasn’t a man of many words but those were some pretty good ones he’d picked.
Her mother nodded. “I know you will be.”
He held up a hand. “There’s more. There will be times I can’t be here for her, and that’s because I’m—”
“A SEAL. I know.”
Mack’s eyes flew wide at her mother’s words. He shot a glance at his father.
Joseph shrugged. “I’m sorry, son. She’s my wife.”
Her mother laid a hand on Mack’s forearm. “And James, I don’t want you to worry. I would never say anything to put you in jeopardy.”
“I know. Thank you.” Mack still didn’t look thrilled with his father but Lydia didn’t care about that because he’d just said he loved her.
She stood to move toward him, but got waylaid by her mother’s embrace. “Liddy, why didn’t you tell me you two were together?”
Lydia shrugged. “I guess I didn’t think you’d understand.”
“Of course, I understand.” Her mother leaned in closer and dropped her voice as she said, “Goodness, look at him. Who wouldn’t be tempted?”
“Mom!” Lydia laughed and her cheeks heated.
“Liddy, I’m married, not dead.” Her mother glanced at Mack and then back to Lydia. “But can you do me a favor and go talk James out of being angry with his father for telling me?”
Lydia smiled. “Yeah. I can do that.”
“Thank you.” Her mother squeezed her hand.
Finally, Lydia was free to walk to where Mack stood pouting by the piano. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He scowled.
She widened her eyes at him. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Looking so mad.” She reached out and grabbed his hands in hers. “So, those were some pretty nice things you said.”
His expression softened as he laced his fingers with hers. “Yeah? Which ones you talking about?”
“Something about being here for me, protecting me . . . loving me. Did you mean all that?”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t.” He pulled her a step closer as her heart clenched with all the emotions she felt for him.
“So, I hope Mom made lasagna. I love her lasagna.” When he cocked one brow at her, she added, “And I love you.”
“More than lasagna?” he asked.
“Definitely.”
He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.
Across the room, she
heard her mother say, “Joseph, come help me in the kitchen. Let’s give James and Liddy some time together.”
When the room was clear, Mack leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. “Any chance you can get her to stop calling me James?”
“Only if you get her to stop calling me Liddy.”
He laughed. “All right. It’s a deal.”
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WED TO A SEAL
In his career as a Navy SEAL, Rocky Mangiano has been called a Jersey boy, and a Yankee, and a few other choice names he shouldn’t repeat in mixed company, but never in his life has anyone called him Daddy. If the bundle of joy he finds on the doorstep is any indication, things are about to change and he has no clue what to do about it.
When the baby’s single mother enters the picture things get even more crazy, but given the fringe benefits that come along with the complications of their marriage of convenience, Rocky’s not complaining. Not one little bit.
Please enjoy this excerpt from Wed to a SEAL
Rocky emerged from the shower in his room in the bachelor barracks a tad hung over but at least he was feeling a little more awake now.
Too many beers, and two ill-advised shots of whisky last night, had him staying at the club later than he’d intended. That resulted in him waking up late today. But if no shit hit the fan in the terrorist world that would require his team’s immediate attention, he had a well-earned day off.
Now all he needed was his truck so he could get on with enjoying his day. That, unfortunately, was still parked at the club where he’d left it last night. Even if he could have driven home safely, checking in at the gate while behind the wheel with alcohol on his breath would be a good way to fuck up his career. Elite SEAL or not, command took that shit seriously.
So, step one, get his truck. Step two, figure out what to do with his day.
The bachelor occupied housing on base was cheap and pretty nice as far as these things went, but no way was he spending his day off inside in a space that consisted of two small rooms sporting two windows total.
Nope, not Rocky’s idea of fun.
Brody and Mack were both busy, but with any luck, Thom was around. And he was conveniently located in the same building.
After shoving his feet into sneakers, Rocky pocketed his keys and headed out the door. One flight down the stairs and he was knocking on Thom’s door.
Thom answered with his cell phone pressed to his ear and motioned for Rocky to come in as he spoke. “Ice. Got it. Anything else?”
After a moment, during which Rocky closed the door behind him and had time to wonder who in the world Thom was talking to about ice, Thom nodded. “Okay. See you in a few.”
Once Thom had disconnected the call he turned to Rocky. “Hey, you got plans for the day?”
“Nope, not really. Why? What’s happening?”
“Rick’s throwing some stuff on the grill at his place and watching the game. Jon is gonna be there, and maybe Grant, and supposedly Chris and Brody are on the road and should be back from Alabama by dinnertime.”
“Sounds good. You sure it’s okay if I come?” Rocky knew Rick through the other guys but they weren’t especially close. Not like how friendly Rick was with the Cassidys and Thom since they’d all served together. Rick had already left the team when Rocky joined.
Thom’s dark brows drew low in a frown. “Of course. Rick’s parties are always open door.”
“All right. If you say it’s okay.”
“Dude, definitely. The more the merrier.”
Rocky nodded. “I’ll pick up some beer to go along with your ice.”
“Then he’ll be even happier you’re there.” Thom grinned.
“All right. It’s a plan. Which brings me to the reason I stopped by. Can you drop me at my truck on the way?”
“Sure thing. Where is it?”
“Strip club out the back gate.”
Thom laughed. “All right.”
“What’s so funny? I would’ve invited you but now that Ginny has your balls in a jar in Connecticut, I figured you wouldn’t be allowed to come.”
Thom cocked a brow. “You want to walk to your truck?”
As true as Rocky felt his statement about Thom’s balls had been, he decided to back off. “No.”
“Didn’t think so.”
“So when we leaving?” Rocky asked.
“When are you ready to go?”
Rocky lifted one shoulder. “Now.”
He was as ready as he was going to get. He’d shoved some breakfast in his mouth before he’d showered. He had his keys and his wallet.
“Okay. Let’s go. We can stop at the ice machine first, then the commissary on the way off base. We’ll grab your truck and then you can follow me to Rick’s.”
“Sounds good.” Rocky was all about being agreeable if it meant he could get his truck without having to call a cab and he had plans for the day.
Football. Beer. Barbecue. Life was good. That was reaffirmed when Thom pulled his SUV into the parking lot of the strip club and Rocky saw his parked truck, safe and sound right where he’d left it.
Rick’s house wasn’t too far from the base. A short while later Rocky followed Thom as he pulled up along the curb in front of the small but neat house sporting a neatly trimmed lawn.
With Thom toting a bag of ice and Rocky holding a case of beer, he had to hit the doorbell with his elbow.
“I got it!” The sound of Rick’s booming voice came through the door shortly before it whipped open to expose the man himself. “Hey. Come on in.”
When Rick stepped back Thom asked, “Where you want the ice?”
“Cooler is on the back deck. Beer can go in there too.” Rick nodded to Rocky. “Good to see you, man. Glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for having me.”
“Not a problem. The more the merrier.”
Thom shot Rocky a cocky glance as Rick closed the door behind them. “Told you so.”
Rocky rolled his eyes and followed Rick and Thom through the living room. They passed the kitchen on the way to the sliding glass door in the back of the house.
“Ladies.” Thom nodded to the three women inside as they passed.
“Hey, Thom.” A blonde called out the greeting as they passed.
As Rick went ahead to open the door, Thom stopped and leaned close to Rocky. “Did you see who was in the kitchen?”
Rocky paused too. “You mean the blonde who said hello?”
“No, that was Rick’s sister Darci. She’s dating Chris Cassidy. And next to her was Jon’s girl Ali, but Sierra Cox is here. She’s Rick’s girlfriend.”
Rocky frowned as he remembered Brody mentioning something about Rick dating the academy award winning actress a few months back. He supposed he didn’t believe it, but if she was in the kitchen cooking with Rick’s sister it must be true. “How the fuck did he get with her?”
“I guess taking a bullet for a woman has its benefits.” Thom laughed and moved toward the open door where Rick was waiting for them.
Outside, Rocky could see that while the women all seemed to be in the kitchen huddled around the food, the men were going to b
e on the deck by the beer. At least until the game came on television that afternoon.
Jon was there, leaning against the railing with a longneck in his hand.
“We have arrived and we brought provisions.” Thom dumped the bag of ice on the deck and reached to open the lid on the giant blue cooler.
As Rocky set the beer down on the deck, Jon stepped forward. “Thom. Rocky. Good to see you both again so soon.”
Rocky’s SEAL team had spent a couple of weeks with Jon’s private security company, GAPS, in Nigeria working a mission. The team had only just gotten back when they’d been called out again, this time to Turkey, for a few weeks more.
Finally home once again, Rocky could only hope it would be for more than a few days this time. He expressed that sentiment now. “It’s good to see you on US soil.”
Jon grinned. “That too.”
Rick let out a huff. “I can’t believe I missed that Nigeria job.”
Jon cocked one dark brow. “You were in New York, no doubt staying at some fancy hotel and working security for People Magazine’s Sexiest Woman on Earth.”
Thom snorted. “While we were in the frigging Sambisa Forest. Even if it wasn’t summer, you know how hot and buggy Africa is.”
Rocky had to laugh as Rick continued to scowl and look unhappy about missing the op. “I gotta agree with them, Rick. You get no sympathy. We were fighting Boko Haram and frigging snakes at the same time. I almost got bit. If I’m gonna die on an op, it better not be from a damn snake bite.”
Thom jumped up from his knees. “Oh my God. Rick, you have to picture this. There are four of us, in position, laying on our stomachs sighting the path out of the target’s camp with our rifles when I look over and there is this huge snake like six inches from Rocky’s nose . . .”
Shaking his head at Thom’s retelling of the snake story for what had to be the tenth time, Rocky kneeled down and took over loading the beer and ice into the cooler.
Finally, when they’d all had a good laugh at how he’d been afraid of the snake, Rocky could settle into a chair with a beer and try to enjoy the day.