She moved closer against his hot skin, and when he moved faster, she let go, and the ripples of pleasure zipped across her body as she tightened even more around him.
Dirk gasped and their bodies soared together. He had no doubt this was the only woman he’d ever love. Whatever it took, he would not lose her.
He carefully let her legs slid down and held her as she got her balance. “I think we’d better eat or they’ll find us in a day or two exhausted and starving to death.”
She giggled, and he loved the sound. I expect she’s a woman who has seldom let herself go enough to giggle.
“I’ll cook us breakfast while you get dressed,” Dirk said. He got out of the shower, dried off, and pulled on shorts. Then he raked his hand through his wet hair.
“It’s not fair. Men can dress quickly, while women have to wear more clothes, put on makeup, and style their hair.” She stood beside him and looked in the mirror. “I must admit it’s easier having short, curly hair. I don’t have to do much with it.”
“Is that why you keep it short?”
“Yes. I also use little makeup. With my job, I don’t have much time, thank goodness, for all the stuff most women go through to look pretty.”
“You’re naturally beautiful.”
She shoved him toward the door. “I’m hungry. You don’t have to shower me with compliments.”
“Get used to it. I think when you were younger, your family deprived you of praise. I intend to correct that problem.”
When he left the bedroom, Haley stood in front of the bathroom mirror. Her skin had flushed a light pink, and she thought her eyes looked different. I’m falling in love for the first time, and I even look different to myself.
Loving a SEAL is different from loving a man who has an eight-to-five job. Dirk will be away on missions, and it might be the same time I’m overseas. I think he’d want children. Would I? And if we did, who could we find trustworthy enough to leave our child or children with them? I need to pull a step back. But can I?
“You’re not dressed yet?” Dirk asked, standing in the bathroom door. “I’ve started our breakfast. It’ll only be a few more minutes.”
Haley jerked around at the sound of his voice. “I didn’t realize so much time had passed. It won’t take me long.”
Dirk stepped inside the room and pulled her tight against his body. “Don’t think so much. Problems have a way of working out.”
She tilted her head back and looked up at him. “Are you becoming a philosopher?”
“Maybe.” He patted her naked behind. “Get dressed, or I’ll throw you down on my bed, and we’ll never eat.”
“Get out. I’ll be there in a minute. I’m hungry.
He winked. “So am I, but not just for food.” He strode out of the room.
Haley quickly ran to the room she’d been using and put on shorts and a sleeveless shirt. She smelled the bacon and pancakes before she got to the kitchen.
“And the man can cook, too.”
“Yes, I’m fairly good at a few recipes. How can you turn me down?”
“That’s a big question.”
“Think about it while you devour my pancakes.”
Dirk carried the pancakes out to the table under the umbrella on his patio. Haley brought the plates with toast and bacon on them. Dirk went back for their coffee.
“Better eat fast,” he advised. “There’s a nice breeze, but it will cool the food quickly.”
“No problem. I’m very hungry.”
Neither talked until they finished all but their coffee. Dirk sat back, took a sip, and looked at her over his cup. “When does your Mother return?”
“She’s going to take the trolley and go sightseeing today. Tomorrow, she’ll enjoy the hotel pool and eating in different restaurants. We’re not to pick her up until the day after that.”
“Damn.” Dirk sat up straight. “What time is it?”
Haley glanced at the wristwatch she always wore. “I’m surprised. It’s only ten o’clock. I guess we woke up early. What did you forget?”
“Wolf and Caroline’s barbecue. It starts at three, so we have plenty of time. I thought it was later, too.” He winked, “What do they say about time passing fast when you’re having a lot of fun and pleasure?”
“I’ll get to see Sampson.” She bit the side of her lip.
“You don’t have to make a decision about him today.”
“I know. As I said, I don’t have a job conducive to having a pet.”
“And are you determined to stay in that job?”
“I think so.”
“I know I’d have a difficult time not being a SEAL.”
“No one, including me, should ever ask you to change.”
“And I won’t ask you.”
“Then we can see each other when we’re both in town and not marry.”
Dirk got up and paced around the yard. His cell rang as he headed back to the table. “Hello? Yes, I’ll be right there.”
“You’ve got a mission,” Haley said.
He nodded. “I guess we’ll get to see how this goes quicker than we thought.” He kissed her. “I need to change and go. Either enjoy your alone time or join your mother and be a tourist for the day.”
Haley kissed him hard before he ran out the door. Then she walked back inside the empty house. In the bedroom, she hugged his pillow. It smelled of him.
I don’t want to stay here without him. I’ll miss him more, but it might be a good experiment to see how it feels to be here without him.
Her cell phone rang, and she reached for it. “Hello?” she said, hoping it might be Dirk and she’d hear his voice one more time before he left. It wasn’t.
“Hi, Haley. This is Caroline, Wolf’s wife. His team got called out, too. I guess they’re going on a big mission, sending two teams,” Caroline said. “The wives have decided we’ll still have the barbecue. Wolf had the meat almost cooked before he got the call. Why not join us?”
“I’m not a wife.”
Caroline hooted with laughter. “I’ll bet you two get married before six months is up.”
“How much do you want to bet?”
“Let’s say the loser takes the other to a movie and lunch.”
“Sounds good to me.” Then Haley took a deep breath. “I kind of hope I lose.”
“Good. Come on over. Kayla’s son and Sampson and are going to be here.”
“You talked me into it. I’m anxious to see Sampson. I don’t mean that to sound like I’m not looking forward to knowing you all better, too.”
Caroline reassured her, “We fully understand. You can’t hurt our feelings easily. We’re tough. That’s almost a requirement of a SEAL wife if the marriage is to be successful.”
“I’ll head your way in about an hour,” Haley said.
“No hurry. We’ll be watching for you.”
Haley quickly dressed and put on makeup. She’d just stepped outside when she realized she didn’t have her car.
“Hi, Haley,” a woman’s voice called out. A car had stopped at the curb. She got out. “I’m Jackie, Gordy’s wife. Are you headed to the barbecue?”
“Yes, but I realized Dirk’s been driving me around and my mother had her car, so I left mine at home.
“You need a ride to the barbecue? I’m headed that way now. I live just a few streets over from Ranger.”
“I recognize you from the beach. I’d love to ride with you,” Haley said, and they walked to the car.
Jackie smiled at her. “I’m a good driver, don’t worry.”
“I’m sure you are.”
As they rode along, Jackie asked, “Is this the first mission Ranger’s had since you met?”
“It is if you don’t count them rescuing me.”
“It gets easier with time. And when our guys come home, it’s like another honeymoon.”
Haley turned toward Jackie. “I’m an FBI agent assigned to a unit that goes overseas. I’m not sure Dirk and I will be able to work o
ut that problem.”
“Can you change your job?”
“Maybe, but I don’t know if I want to.”
“Do you want Ranger to quit the SEALs?”
Haley shook her head. “I’d never ask him to leave a job he loves. He and the guys are like brothers, and they do so much good. Most of it’s not even known.”
“That’s true. I guess you have a lot to think about while he’s gone.”
“Yes.” Haley took a deep breath and stared out the window for the rest of the ride.
When they got out at Caroline’s house, Jackie stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I hope I haven’t spoiled the day for you with my questions.”
Haley smiled, grateful for the woman’s thoughtfulness. “No. You gave me a lot to think about, though.”
Chapter 12
Ranger strode into Captain Buchanan’s office. “Can you see the Commander gets this?”
“I hope you aren’t leaving our SEAL team.”
When Ranger didn’t respond, the captain asked nothing else. “Go on. I’ll be right along after I add this to the packet for the Commander. The plane will be taking off soon.”
“Thanks.” Ranger was the last to board except the Captain.
Captain Buchanan called them to stand around him. “We usually plan before we leave, but there wasn’t time. The leader we were after last time has been seen, identified, and as soon as we land we’ll go after him.”
He raised his head and asked Wolf to hand him his briefcase. Then the captain pulled out some sheets. “There’s one for each of you. Study them. We’ll have no time on landing. If we don’t move fast, he’ll disappear in the mist again. I want to bring him back with us.”
They all took their seats and studied the map and plan. Then they got together to discuss any problems noted or changes they thought were needed.
Captain Buchanan pointed at their parachutes. “I’ll tell you when to put them on. After we land, we’ll gather together and head out to the camp. It’s a long walk, and we want to be vigilant to keep them from noticing our arrival.
“Wolf, your team will come in from the east, and Jackson, yours from the west. Any questions?” The captain glanced around. “All right, rest. It’ll be tough once we land.”
Ranger didn’t sleep, but he did close his eyes and think about last night and this morning. He missed Haley already. But when the captain came around to each one and told them to prepare to parachute out, Ranger put all thoughts away except the mission.
They parachuted to land and put on their night goggles. Wolf and his team walked to the east. Their faces were painted black, and they disappeared into the lush jungle.
Captain Buchanan motioned for Jackson and his team to move out. He’d stay at the point for them to return to and keep directions moving from team to team and him.
Both teams blended in with the dark and quietly headed toward the campsite where the man who’d killed so many, men, women, and children hid. When they got close enough to see the campfire, they messaged Captain Buchanan.
“Have Shadow see how close he can get to verify our person of interest is still in place.”
Shadow nodded to Jackson when he got the orders. Sliding into the dark as few could, Shadow moved from bushes to trees inch by inch and gradually got close enough to see the men by the fire. None were the man they wanted. He messaged the captain.
The return message: Stay in place, watch, listen.
Shadow heard the man seated closest to him complaining.
“I wish he,” he motioned his head toward a tent to the left, “had enough balls to leave this place. The food’s running low, and I sure could use a swallow or two of a cold beer and a shot of whiskey.”
“You and me both,” another man said.
A third man told them to shut up. “If he hears you, he’d as soon shoot you as not. I think the jungles are getting to him.”
The first man laughed. “Why don’t we turn him in and get the reward?”
A short, stout man walked out of the tent, gun held aimed and steady. He looked at the speaker whose face had turned a pale grey. “I heard what you said.”
“I didn’t mean it, Boss.”
“I think you did.” The man from the tent raised his gun and shot his man between the eyes. He looked around the group.
Wolf had gotten on the phone with the captain. “I think we attack now.” He quickly explained the situation relayed back from Shadow.
“Do it. All of you at once.”
Shadow rose and gave a yell that made all the men around the fire jump. They grabbed for their guns, but it was too late. The men on Wolf and Jackson’s teams surrounded them.
The man they were after shot in Shadow’s direction, but he’d disappeared.
The SEALs subdued their captives and Wolf and Jackson contacted Captain Buchanan.
“Head back quickly. The pilot spotted a group heading in your direction. They’re a much larger group than the one you’ve got tied up. Tape the men’s mouths so they can’t call out to their crew.”
“Already done. We’ve put out the fire and are headed your way,” Jackson reported.
The prisoners tried to drag their feet. Jackson figured they knew reinforcements were coming, and those men might be close.
Jackson nodded to the others and put his knife on the end of his rifle. He barely pricked the back of the prisoner in front of him, and the guy quickly moved forward.
Wolf led the way as they moved quietly and quickly through the dark and heavy brush.
As soon as they got to the shore, several helicopters appeared and put down lines. The prisoners were pulled up first, and the SEALs got the last man in on time. As the helicopters sped off, a group of men ran to the river’s edge and shot at them.
The SEALs ignored them as the distance between them grew. Captain Buchanan gave a deep sigh. “I think you all may get a medal for this one.”
“That’d be funny,” Mozart said. “It has to be one of our easiest and quickest missions.”
They wasted no time transferring from the helos to the plane. Washington wanted the prisoners brought to the States immediately. The SEALs rode with them, keeping an eye out even though they were tied up.
When they landed, Captain Buchanan stopped Ranger before he left. “Please think about your request, long and hard.”
“I will.” Ranger rushed to his car and almost broke the speed limit getting to his house. It was dark and quiet. He knew before he went through the door she had gone.
Haley spent the night at the hotel with her mother. After breakfast, she went back up to the room. “Mom, enjoy yourself as you planned. I’m going into the office. I need to do some work.”
“Won’t Dirk be upset when he finds you gone?”
“I’m sure he won’t return for quite a while. My boss expects me to get back to work. For one reason or another, I’ve been gone a lot lately. I might as well show up today.”
“All right. I’m enjoying this luxurious stay. Are you certain you can afford it?”
“I can afford more time if you want it.”
“No, this is fine. But maybe later I’ll return for another splurge.”
Haley hugged her mother and whispered, “I’m sorry for all our difficult times. I love you.” She hurried out of the room and down the hall before they both cried.
It was a long walk to her office, but it gave Haley time to think about her future. She’d worn a jacket, as the air was cooler than in recent days. She breathed deeply several times and sat for a few minutes to stare across the sidewalk and look at the pier. One of the observation boats for tourists was moving out.
Her heartbeat gradually slowed, and she relaxed. She stood to finish her walk.
When the FBI building came into sight, she quickened her steps and went inside and directly to her office. Papers filled one side of her desk. She sat and looked through them.
“You’re back,” Mike Powers said from her doorway. He came in and sat in the cha
ir where Ava had often sat. “How are you doing? I know you and Ava were friends.”
“I know it sounds crazy, but I miss her. Still, I got to know most of the SEALs’ wives the other day, and I think I can trust them to be good friends.”
He smiled. “I expect so. I came to speak to you about the next mission. It’ll be in South America. I expect you’ll want to go.” He handed her a folder. “Here are the plans. Look over them, and we’ll talk later.”
“Sure.” Haley opened the file and read the information. Then she put it down. Do I still want to do this job? I must decide whether to continue in this job or marry Dirk. The two will never fit together.
Her cell rang. “Hello?”
“You left my house.”
She smile at the sound of his voice. “I spent the night with Mom, and we had breakfast. Then I walked to work. I couldn’t stay away forever. You weren’t gone long.”
“No. I’m glad to say we managed to return quicker than I can ever remember.”
“My team is getting ready to go out on a mission.”
“I see. Can we go to dinner tonight? I know a quiet place with wonderful food.”
“I’d like that.”
“Pick you up at six.”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”
The time had come. Haley had to decide, the job or marry Dirk.
“Don’t rush. Sleep on it for a week or so,” Captain Buchanan said.
“Thanks.”
Ranger hardly heard him. He’d see Haley tonight, and she was the most important thing to him. When he got home, he cut the yard, trimmed his bushes, and sat outside with Alec to have a cool beer.
“You seem peppy and energetic today,” Alec said.
“I am. It’s a gorgeous day, and I have a date with Haley.”
“She may break your heart.”
“If she does, I guess it will be karma. I’ve left quite a few ladies behind, and now I’m not proud of it.”
“Don’t beat yourself up too hard. We’ve all been careless when we knew our feelings weren’t involved. Even so, most of the ladies admit they aren’t looking for a long-term relationship.”
The SEAL’s Surprise Mate - Rachel McNeely Page 15