SEAL'd Shut (A Navy SEAL Standalone Romance Novel)

by Ivy Jordan

  “A new woman?” Stephanie pried as I gave her the assignment of handling Stella’s needs.

  I smiled, but didn’t answer. Speaking about my personal life wasn’t something I did at the office, or anywhere. Stephanie knew enough. She didn’t need to know more.

  “I’ll handle it,” she promised, and then slipped out of my office.

  I wasn’t sure why I was nervous. This wasn’t the first time I’d taken a woman to a formal event. There was just something different about Stella. I hadn’t even tried to sleep with her yet, even though there were nights my dick was so hard I could barely sleep beside her.

  She was sweet, a little naïve, and always seemed nervous when I was around. I promised I wouldn’t make her do anything she didn’t want, but I wasn’t sure how long I could wait for her to warm up to me.

  Stephanie informed me that Stella was being properly taken care of, and hinted around for me to give her details about the new mystery woman in my life.

  “I’m gonna take off early,” I laughed, ignoring Stephanie’s sleek form standing in front of my desk.

  “Have a good time tonight,” she said, her bright-red lips parted and sensuous.

  I knew she was after me, and had been ever since I hired her. It wasn’t that she wasn’t attractive; hell, my dick stiffened every time she bent over. I wasn’t willing to involve myself in anything messy. That’s why Stella was so important. It was all the benefits, with none of the mess. Isabella didn’t need to see anymore dysfunction in her life than she already had. Every time I looked at Stephanie’s perfectly manicured nails, I pictured them digging into my flesh in anger. I knew I was busy, too busy for a real relationship. It pissed women off, made them jealous, and jealous women had a tendency to create drama.

  I snuck out of the office, slipped into my black Porsche, and drove home. My mind was on women. I missed the touch of a woman, and I knew if Stella didn’t warm up soon, I was going to have to take matters into my own hands. I made sure there was nothing in the agreement that stopped me from visiting a female friend late at night for benefits not received at home. Still, I didn’t want to. The risk of being caught meant that Isabella would possibly find out. That was a risk I wasn’t willing to take, at least not yet.

  The house was quiet when I entered. Isabella was outside, swimming while the sitter watched. I slid upstairs, pushed through my bedroom doors, and noticed the gorgeous red gown spread out on the bed. There wasn’t any sign of Stella, so I began to undress. I assumed she was still out, working on her last minute touches since I wasn’t due home for another hour.

  I slipped out of my clothes, and stretched in front of the mirror. Yeah, I still got it!

  Going to the gym twice a week was really paying off. I looked better at thirty-eight than I had at twenty-eight.

  I grabbed my towel from the back of the closet door, loosely wrapped it around my hips, and pushed open the bathroom door.

  Stella stood there, her frame long and lean, covered only by sheer white panties. Her breasts were small, but displayed a perkiness I loved. My eyes lingered on her hips, wide, but lean. My dick reacted with a quick jump beneath the towel as blood rushed between my legs. My balls clenched upward, tightening against my body as she jumped, covering her breasts with beautiful, manicured hands. The pink polish matched the color of her nipple, sending more blood to my member than I could control.

  My towel flinched as my own hand gripped at the material to hold it in place. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you were home yet,” I apologized.

  She didn’t speak. She just stood there, her hands covering her breasts, and her red-painted lips parted, quickly matching the color of her blushing cheeks.

  “I was just hopping in the shower,” I said, suddenly calmed, turned-on, and relentlessly after a reaction.

  My hand released its grip on the towel it held in place, letting it drop to the floor. Her eyes drifted immediately to my cock, half-hard, but still impressive. I watched her carefully, looking for a green light to make my move without receiving one. Her eyes quickly moved back up my body, only making contact with mine briefly before landing on the floor. “I’ll let you get ready,” she mumbled, sliding past me, her hand brushing my chest as she passed.

  I slid into the shower, turned the water to cold, and tried to shake off the tension created between my legs and in my mind. Fuck, she was gorgeous.

  Blood slowly left my member as the cool water rolled down my face, my chest, and my legs. Even if she had given me the green light, tonight wasn’t the night. It was too romantic, being out in public, dressed in formal attire. It would feel like a date, possibly confuse her—or myself, for that matter. Tonight was pretend. There was no need to confuse reality and make-believe.

  “Are you decent?” I asked before opening the bathroom door to enter the bedroom.

  “Yes,” she replied softly.

  I opened the door to find her standing there in front of the large mirror. The red gown that was on the bed now flowed along her body, clinging to all the right parts. The long slit in the side ran up her leg, offering a sneak peek at her smooth, tan skin. The back was open, revealing the most sensual part of a woman: the arch just above her tailbone. “You look amazing,” I gasped.

  She blushed. I loved that she seemed not to realize the full extent of her beauty, or its impact on men.

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  Her makeup was applied professionally, perfectly, and her hair styled in a loose up-do that showed off the long line of her neck. I couldn’t have envisioned a more perfect woman in my dreams.

  Our driver arrived, whisked us away to the banquet hall, and I proudly walked into the room with Stella on my arm.

  She was impressive, not showing any signs of nerves amongst the other guests, even though I knew she must have been a wreck on the inside.

  “How did you two meet?” Jack, an associate, asked.

  I was debating on throwing out the original story I’d mentioned, figuring she hadn’t had time to prepare. “I was spending time in Barcelona, soaking up inspiration for my art, when Gavin walked into my favorite coffee shop,” Stella said without hesitation.

  My cheeks hurt from smiling so hard as she continued to give details about the coffee shop, and how she’d declined my advances. That wasn’t part of the story I’d given her, but the way she told it, I believed it happened.

  “He showed up there the next two days in a row. Finally, I couldn’t resist. Although, if truth be told, I fought to say no to his first offer,” she smiled in my direction as she spoke.

  The topic quickly jumped from how we met to interest in Stella’s work. She spoke so eloquently about her passion that anyone near was immediately sucked into her words.

  We danced, ate, and Stella wowed anyone I introduced her to, except Stephanie, whose red nails were sharp as razors, and out for blood. Yeah, I was glad I dodged that bullet. It was obvious she could be one wildly jealous woman.

  “Barcelona?” Stephanie interrupted Stella from her story.

  She nodded and smiled.

  “I spent time there last year. Where did you stay?” she asked, her tone sopping with sarcasm.

  “I spent most of my time on the sea, but I did stay in La Rambla for several months,” Stela replied without hesitation.

  “So, you are familiar with Palau de la Musica Catalina?” she asked.

  It was obvious she was trying to stump her, not believing the backstory I’d created for her. I gripped her arm tightly, pulled her in close. “Can I steal you away for a moment?” I asked, eyeing Stephanie with a disgusted glare.

  “Yes, of course. I was honored with tickets to see Leonidas Kavakos and Enrico Pace. The hall was beautiful,” Stella responded.

  I smiled at Stephanie, who now doubted her own doubt. I pulled Stella away, whispered, “You’re amazing,” in her ear, and spun her onto the dance floor.

  “I knew I better do my homework,” she giggled, snuggling her face into my neck.

 
Her moves were as graceful as her demeanor, pulling the attention of every man in the place to us.

  It was a perfect night.

  Chapter Three

  Stella

  The night of the charity ball had gone so well, but Gavin seemed to be more distant than ever. He stayed up most nights, slipping into bed after I’d gone to sleep. He made sure to show affection whenever Isabella was around, but barely spoke to me when she wasn’t.

  “I’m not sure I can do this,” I whined on the phone to Tiffany.

  “You signed a contract. It sounds like things are going exactly as he said they would,” she replied.

  “It’s just weird,” I admitted.

  She laughed and then let out a long sigh. “Are you starting to think this is real?” she asked.

  “No,” I insisted.

  Was I?

  “Be careful, Stella. This is a business transaction, nothing more,” she warned.

  Maybe it was just hormones. I was feeling lonely the last couple weeks without my regular booty calls from Hans.

  “I know. I’m just…” I stopped myself from saying horny. It was so vulgar.

  “Stella, get a vibrator,” Tiffany said quickly, as if she could read my mind.

  I laughed. “You’re right,” I agreed.

  “Stella, let’s go!” Isabella pulled on my arm.

  I loved seeing her get so excited. We’d set up a studio in the guest house by the pool, and now each Thursday afternoon became a ritual to buy more paints, brushes, and canvas.

  I shoved my phone into my purse and took Isabella’s hand, letting her lead me out the front door.

  My red sports car that Gavin had purchased for me was a blast to drive, and even though I’d pouted when returning my Kia to the lot, I hadn’t thought about it even once since.

  “Are you and my dad getting married?” Isabella asked.

  “Izzy!” I shrieked, shocked at such a question.

  She hadn’t really asked much about her father and my relationship, and for me, that was best. “I don’t know about marriage,” I said quickly.

  “You don’t love him?” she asked.

  “Of course I do. Your father is an amazing man,” I said, fulfilling section 7B in my contract: always tell the child you love each other, make her feel secure in your relationship.

  “Is it because he’s older?” she asked, thumbing through the radio stations from the passenger seat of my car.

  “No,” I laughed.

  “He works out a lot. He’s in better shape than most twenty-year-olds,” she insisted.

  My tongue slid across my bottom lip as I remembered his naked body in the bathroom. He was muscular, toned, and tan. His legs were thick and powerful, his thighs looked as though they were made of steel. What hung between them, his half-hard cock, was larger than most I’d seen fully erect. There was nothing wrong with Gavin Bellefonte’s body. Maybe he wasn’t pleased with my body. My breasts were small, my hips wide, but he had obviously been aroused in that moment.

  There were no pictures of other women anywhere in the house, not even stuffed into the back of his closet. Yes, I snooped. I wondered about Isabella’s mother, who she was, what she looked like. What type of women did Gavin Bellefonte like?

  “Why all the questions?” I asked, pulling into the specialty art store.

  “I like you. You’re not like the others,” she said, and then quickly climbed out of the car.

  I was stunned for a moment. ‘Not like the others.’ What others? What were the others like?

  My contract restricted me from asking Isabella anything about her mother, or other women that were in her life. If she offered, I of course could not be held liable, but I was not to ask.

  It was killing me not to ask as Izzy bounced around the store. She picked out a few new paint brushes and several new oil paints before gripping my hand in hers. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  I fought back tears of joy as I stared into her bright blue eyes. “For what?” I mumbled.

  “For moving here. I hope you never leave. That’s why I want you to get married,” she smiled.

  Wow. Just wow!

  “Thank you for allowing me to stay,” I said sweetly.

  “Promise me you won’t leave,” she insisted sternly.

  My heart filled with panic. That was a promise I couldn’t make. It wasn’t like I was living a fairy tale; this was a business contract, and it would most certainly end. I took a deep breath. She would be eighteen once the contract ended, then I could continue to be in her life if we both so chose. It wouldn’t matter if I wasn’t with her father then, right?

  “I promise,” I said softly.

  I dressed for our first family date. My mind continued to go over and over the conversation Isabella and I had earlier that day. Should I have promised her that?

  “You look stunning,” Gavin said, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  I clasped my earring and let my hands drop to his. My eyes lingered on our image as I stood in front of the large mirror. We really did make a beautiful couple.

  This was as affectionate as he’d been in weeks, at least with Izzy not around. My body melted into his, goosebumps formed on my skin, and I could feel my heart swelling in my chest as I took in our image.

  “Just warming up for tonight,” he whispered in my ear before kissing my neck.

  “Of course,” I said quickly, feeling foolish for thinking it was anything more.

  “Izzy, you should really try the duck,” I insisted as we were handed menus.

  “Izzy?” Gavin asked with his tone disapproving.

  “I love it,” Isabella blurted out.

  “I’m sorry. We use it when she signs her paintings,” I explained.

  “I think it’s cool,” Isabella said proudly.

  “Isabella is a beautiful name. I spent months coming up with the perfect name for the most perfect girl,” Gavin said.

  Isabella smiled and reached her hand across the table to clasp her father’s. “And it is the most perfect name, because it can be turned into Izzy whenever I want to be cool,” she laughed.

  “Isabella isn’t cool?” he asked.

  “No,” she scoffed, wrinkling her nose in my direction.

  “I suppose you think that’s true, as well?” he asked me.

  I fought back my laughter. His stern face was so tight I thought his skin would rip right off if he moved. “I think both names are beautiful, because they belong to the most beautiful girl in the world,” I said, smiling at Izzy.

  “I can see when I’m outnumbered,” Gavin laughed.

  I loved watching him with Izzy. The way he looked at her, you’d think he thought she hung the moon. He was loving, sweet, and very patient with her, even when she was acting like a typical ten-year-old girl.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” Gavin said as we drove him that night.

  Izzy had fallen asleep in the back seat, her belly full, and her patience gone from sitting in the boring restaurant.

  “I’m just doing what you asked,” I said softly.

  “No. You are special. The way you are with Isabella…Izzy, it’s exactly what she needs,” he said, squeezing my hand.

  He insisted on carrying Izzy to bed, even though I saw her eyes open and knew she was awake. He whispered for me to meet him in bed, and the smile he gave me made me realize he was planning on joining me for the first time, not sneaking in after I’d fallen asleep.

  My heart raced as I entered our bedroom alone. I searched through my drawers, looking for the sexy nightie I’d bought when I thought Gavin would be expecting sex. It had been shoved into the back, almost so far I couldn’t find it once I realized he was obviously not interested in me in that way. Now he was—or was he? I wasn’t sure if he was planning on having sex or not, but I was planning on being ready.

  I locked myself in the bathroom, quickly undressing and tossing my clothes into the hamper. I sprayed perfume on the back of my neck, slathered my skin in lotion, an
d checked my makeup before slipping into the slinky, blue nightie. It wasn’t trashy, but instead tastefully seductive.

  I heard the bedroom door close, and then Gavin call out to me. “I’ll be out in a minute,” I yelled through the door.

  In the mirror, my image was stunning. The nighty was short, showing off my tan legs, and low cut to expose what little cleavage I did have. I ran my fingers through my hair, mussing it a bit before finally opening the door.

  “Wow,” Gavin gasped, sliding his tie from around his neck.

  I tried to act coy, as if I wasn’t trying to get his attention. “I picked this up last week; I thought I’d start sleeping in something other than sleep pants,” I smiled, lying about the length of time the garment had been stuffed into my drawer.

  “It suits you,” he said sweetly, unbuttoning his shirt slowly.

  I moved toward the bed, watching him as he watched me. My hands smoothed out the case on the pillow and then pulled at the comforter to expose the expensive sheets.

  My eyes lingered on Gavin, his chest exposed, and his hands on his belt. “Should I?” he asked nervously, motioning toward the bathroom.

  I shook my head slowly, smiling in his direction.

  His lips curled into a crooked smile as his hand ripped open his belt and pants. I watched him slide his slacks past his thick thighs, and then stand before me in just his boxer briefs.

  The outline of his cock was evident in the thin material, and looked to be harder than I’d seen before.

  My mouth watered as he slipped them away from his flesh, exposing the most impressive cock I’d ever seen.

  “Wow,” I said, giggling, and then pushing my face into the comforter.

  He grinned, obviously proud, and then pounced onto the bed toward me.

  “I take it you’ve warmed up to me,” he said softly.

  His blue eyes penetrated through my soul, rocking me at my core. Oh, I’d warmed up to him, all right.

  He slid under the thin sheet and pushed his body toward mine. I could feel the heat radiating from his flesh as he gripped me with his strong arms and pulled me close to him. “You smell nice,” he whispered.