The SEAL’s Pregnant Ex: The Admiral’s SEALs Book Three

by North, Leslie

  “Works for me,” he said, picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom. He left the door partially open, so they could hear Luke if he cried. As he placed Soledad in the center of the bed, Alex thought that he would be forever thankful if the child slept for the next hour. Make that two hours, he amended when he joined her and began a kiss that left them both breathless with emotion and need. He was so lucky not to have lost her, and he poured that thought into his kiss along with all the love he’d been holding back.

  “Clothing. Off,” she said when they came up for air. She rolled from under him and hopped off the bed, stripping away the cami and knit shorts she was wearing. “Now you.”

  He’d looked at her body countless times, but there was something different about how he saw her now. Maybe it was having their love out in the open; maybe it was the commitment he’d made to her in his head and heart. “I was enjoying the view.”

  “Were you?” She crawled toward him across the bed, which was about the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. His already-hard dick throbbed inside his jeans. And then she straddled him, making him groan with increasing desire.

  She pulled on the edge of his shirt, lifting it over his stomach, and let her tongue coast along the exposed skin from his navel to his collarbone as she guided the shirt up. He helped her yank it over his head. When the shirt was gone, her hands were on him again, pinching his nipples, stroking over his skin, and driving him wild.

  He reached between her legs, letting his fingers sink into her wet flesh. She gasped, and a shiver went through her as she rocked back and forth, helping him find just the right spot.

  “I like that,” she breathed, letting him touch her as she arched her back and moaned. He wanted to pleasure her every way he could.

  “Come for me,” he encouraged her.

  “Not yet. Other things to do first,” she said, moving down his body and out of reach.

  Her fingers deftly undid his jeans, her knuckles rubbing against his dick. He lifted his hips so she could pull his pants and boxers off. With his clothes gone, he intended to take charge of their lovemaking so he could show her how much she meant to him. But she took his dick in her mouth, and his will to move disappeared.

  “Jesus,” he whispered, as her tongue slid over the tip and she plunged down on him with her teeth gently trailing along the sides. Her mouth was hot and wet, and she knew exactly how to use it. “That’s…” He couldn’t find the words he wanted.

  “That’s what?” she asked, a note of humor in her voice, before she came down on him again. She was enjoying making his brain mush and his body too satisfied to move. She changed the rhythm from a slide to a suck, bringing him right to the edge, but he didn’t want to come in her mouth. He wanted them joined in the most primal way.

  He forced himself to move and reached for her, wanting to feel her body against his. She came willingly, stretching out on him with his dick caught between them. Her lips found his in a kiss unlike any he’d ever experienced. It went from gentle and nipping to all-consuming in seconds. Her hips rocked against him, cradling him and making him want. His hands traveled down her back to cup her butt, stroking her soft skin and feeling her curves.

  “I think we’re ready,” she said, breaking the kiss as she shifted to drop her knees on either side of him, putting his dick at her entrance. He wanted to touch her, to taste her… and he would, later. For now, he pushed into her and watched a smile form on her face as he filled her.

  “What you wanted?” he teased, thrusting more deeply in her.

  “Yes. What I always want.” She was panting, matching her movements to his and bringing them both pleasure.

  He was on the verge of losing control, but he wanted them to come together. And she was close, so he reached between their bodies to touch her clit with his finger. A deep moan escaped her, and she wriggled, making the most of his touch. A second later, he felt her orgasm begin. Her insides pulsed and tightened around him. He followed her down, experiencing the most intense orgasm of his life.

  When she collapsed on him, he wrapped his arms around her, not wanting her to move. He was still inside her, and he couldn’t imagine any better place to be.

  15

  Alex strode across the summer grass toward the admiral’s grave. He’d been an angry preteen when Admiral Peter Anderson had taken him and his brothers in, giving them a healthy dose of tough love. It had been exactly what the three wayward youths had needed. Until Soledad, the admiral’s care was the best thing that had ever happened to Alex. Not that he would have admitted it at the start. But the admiral had taken the brothers from three boys abandoned by their mother and abused by their father to Navy SEALs. They’d become responsible men who had served their country with integrity.

  Alex owed the admiral more than he could ever repay. As he reached the tombstone, he figured he could at least let the old guy know how right he’d been all those years ago. The admiral had spoken a lot about trust to Alex, probably recognizing that Alex only trusted his brothers. The admiral had earned Zach’s and Colin’s trust, but never quite Alex’s, not entirely. He regretted that now, but it was never too late to make it right.

  “I trusted someone enough to fall in love with her, sir,” Alex said aloud into the early-morning light. He’d come to the cemetery often over the years, paying his respects, but he’d never come with so much to say. “And you were right: it was scary as hell, but it was worth it, too.”

  He’d risked the heartache that came with opening up his emotions and survived. To him, emotional trauma was far more intimidating than any SEAL mission, no matter how dangerous. But there’d be no more missions for him. He’d chosen a different life, one that promised joy and happiness.

  “I’m in the process of planting an elaborate garden, sir. You’d like it. I’m planning ahead so I’ll have constant blooms from early spring to late fall, and I need shade for my son, a place for him to play. He’s beautiful. I wish he could know you.”

  Alex would tell Luke plenty of stories about the old man. Alex’s favorite, the one he hadn’t believed in as a kid, was about plants. He’d share that one when Luke was old enough to understand. An image of the admiral, a battered straw hat on his head and gardening gloves on his hands, came to Alex. He’d been sixteen and difficult, unwilling to listen to advice, but he remembered the admiral’s words.

  The admiral had told him to treat love like he would plants. Take a chance on a new flower, nurture it, give it attention as it grows. There was no guarantee it would survive, the old man had admitted, but he’d insisted that Alex should take his joy from the bloom, the good part, and not wallow in disappointment if the plant withered later. Alex had listened, squinting at the admiral and wanting to argue that people made choices, but plants didn’t.

  Now he understood what the admiral was trying to convey all those years ago.

  “I wish you could meet Soledad. She’s got this capacity for hope that makes her like a plant that never stops blooming. Do you remember that everblooming gardenia you loved so much? That’s what Soledad is like. Don’t let her name fool you. She’s not about loneliness, she’s pure sunshine. I feel foolish standing here talking, but I’m going to ask her to marry me, and I wanted you to know that.”

  Alex touched the tombstone before walking back to where he’d parked. The rest of the day was dedicated to making his words a reality. He was taking Soledad and Luke to a hot-air balloon festival that afternoon. But they would be looking, not riding. He’d thought of taking her up in a balloon. It seemed romantic, especially since she loved them so much, but a conversation a few days ago had altered his plans.

  Soledad had admitted she was terrified of riding in a balloon due to a recurring dream she’d had about plummeting to her death from one. He was still confused about why she was attracted to balloons, focused so much of her free time on them, if she had such a fear. But whatever, that was Soledad for you. She saw the beauty despite her fears. She was a complicated woman in many ways—but so e
asy to love.

  He couldn’t take her for a ride in a balloon, but he still wanted them to figure into his special day, so he’d made other arrangements to include them. He pulled up in front of the townhouse that they’d moved back into once it was no longer a crime scene. He only gave the street a casual sweep with his eyes. With Bruce in a military prison, Alex had nothing to fear, but old habits died hard.

  “Ready?” he asked, giving her a kiss when she came out carrying Luke.

  “I’m excited,” Soledad said once she was settled in her seat and Luke was strapped in the back. Frankie sat beside the infant car seat, thrilled to be going for a ride. “Luke’s having a wide-awake sort of day, so this is a good adventure.”

  She had no idea how good.

  “Glad to hear it. I wouldn’t want him to sleep through his first hot-air balloon festival.” They drove the half hour to an open field outside of town. Two balloons were already in the air, drifting gracefully over the rolling hills. Others were stretched out on the grass as their crews filled them with gases.

  “Oh,” Soledad exclaimed when they entered the grounds. “You didn’t say your family would be here.” His brothers, their wives, and their kids walked toward them.

  “I suggested that they might like to come,” Alex said. The truth was that he wanted them here to witness the big moment. But by the way they were all smiling, he wondered if they’d give it away in advance. He checked his watch. Twenty minutes until showtime. Colin gave him a nod, indicating that the plans were in motion. All he had to do was relax.

  They greeted the rest of his family, and Alex once again felt how lucky he was to have all of them. He’d looked for problems, expected disappointment his whole life, yet somehow he was surrounded by amazing people who cared about him.

  “I think I can find some inspiration here for my art,” Lily said. She was testing her wings as an artist and starting to have some success, selling sculptures and pottery in shops downtown.

  “I was thinking the same thing. Look how many people are here to admire the balloons. I wonder if a line of jewelry modeled after hot-air balloons would be successful,” Carolyn, the jewelry store owner, added. “Something to think about.”

  “Maybe the two of you could work together to create that,” Zach commented.

  Carolyn and Lily grinned at each other. “Let’s talk,” Carolyn said, making them all laugh. “Maybe Soledad could help us out, too, with her retail experience.” Soledad returned their smiles and looked genuinely excited about the idea.

  With Luke in a stroller, they walked among the balloons. Soledad stopped often to take pictures.

  “I can’t wait to post these on my blog,” she said. “They’re all so beautiful.” Some of the balloons had brightly colored patterns, others were decorated with giant flowers, and one even advertised a nearby winery. They were all awe-inspiring and unique, but he was looking for the one he’d hired, the one that was going to make all the difference in his life.

  Luke squealed with excitement when a balloon appeared from the ground near them, rising aloft. Soledad was kneeling next to him, pointing and talking about it, when an excited murmur went up from the crowd.

  “What is it?” she asked, looking up at Alex.

  “Come see.” He took her hand, pulling her to him. With his arms around her waist, he turned her to face the other direction. The crowd’s attention was all riveted on one balloon that was rising gracefully upward.

  The red-and-blue balloon had a huge white banner draped down one side. In bold letters, a message read, “Soledad, Will You Marry Me?”

  She gasped and looked at him, her smile wide. Before she could speak, he dropped to one knee and pulled a jewelry box from his pocket.

  “Soledad,” he said, “I never thought I’d love anyone, but I love you so much. Will you marry me and spend the rest of your life with me?” He flipped open the box so she could see the ring he’d selected for her. He’d gone nontraditional, with a sapphire-and-diamond ring set in platinum. He’d thought she’d like its uniqueness. By the look on her face, he’d been right.

  “Oh, my,” she breathed, and then her eyes focused on him. He felt a moment of tension before it melted away when she spoke. “Yes, I’ll marry you. Now, come here so I can kiss you.”

  She pulled him to his feet, keeping his hand in hers as she kissed him. “I love you, too,” she whispered against his lips. “I can’t put into words how happy I am right now.”

  “I think I understand,” he said and kissed her again.

  Around them, the crowd cheered their approval and Frankie barked. Alex hardly noticed any of it until he heard Luke’s happy squeal.

  “Our son approves,” Soledad whispered and reached out a hand to stroke Luke’s hair.

  “Smart kid,” Alex responded, so proud to be a father and excited to be a husband.

  “Can we interrupt now?” Lily asked from behind him.

  Alex wanted to stay in the moment just a little longer, but his family was excited for them, so he reluctantly released Soledad.

  “Welcome to the family,” Colin said, giving Soledad a hug, “and congratulations.”

  Alex found himself being alternately embraced and slapped on the back by his brothers, their wives, and even the kids. It was all good, but the best part was taking Soledad’s hand in his while they watched the balloon climb into the blue sky together.

  End of The SEAL’s Pregnant Ex

  The Admiral’s SEALs Book Three

  The SEAL’s Surprise Son, April 23rd, 2020

  The SEAL’s Beautiful Nanny, April 30th, 2020

  The SEAL’s Pregnant Ex, May 7th, 2020

  Do you like a man who can take charge? Please keep reading for an exclusive extract from Guarding the Single Mother.

  Thank You!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

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  About Leslie

  Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women's contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

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  BLURB

  Retired Navy SEAL, Clint Backwater, enjoys his solitary life as owner of the Ask Questions Later gun range. It’s the kind of place you find because you know a guy. So when Leila Ortiz, a petite woman with a “baby on board” sticker on the back of her car—and an 18-month-old boy in her arms—shows up at the range, panicked and desperate for a gun, he knows something is wrong. Having grown up in the foster system, Clint has seen what happens when you let yourself get too invested—things get messy, people leave. He made himself a promise to never get emotionally involved again, but the former SEAL in him feels the tug to help this woman and her child.

  Leila’s ex-husband is being released from prison early on good behavior and she found out too late. He was supposed to serve five years, not two, and Leila is unprepared to protect herself and her son. She promised him they’d never run again—they’ve made a nice life for themselves and the last thing she wants to do is leave it all behind.

  When Clint refuses to give Leila a gun without lessons, she agrees to return to the range to learn. At first, Leila won’t say why she’s so desperate for protection, but when the threats from her ex escalate, it becomes clear what she’s afraid of.

  Clint is a loner. Always has been, always will be. So when Leila and her little son enter his life, it hits him—hard— maybe being alone isn’t what he ne
eds. Still, having his solitary life disrupted when he invites the little family into his home is a bit tougher to take than he thought. With Leila and her son in danger, though, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe—even putting up with stray toys and changing a nappy or two.

  But the biggest danger might be to his heart, when it starts to look like the safest thing for Leila and her baby might be to leave town—and her budding relationship with Clint—behind.

  Grab your copy of Guarding the Single Mother (SEAL Endgame Book One) from

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  * * *

  EXCERPT

  Chapter One

  A quiet day on the gun range was a good day on the gun range.

  At least that was usually Clint Blackwater’s philosophy. Today, though, as he wandered around the small showroom of his business, Ask Questions Later Firearms and Training, he couldn’t seem to shake the restlessness inside him.

  If he was truthful with himself, he’d have to admit that his skittishness had nothing to do with the slow day at the range and everything to do with the approach of the one-year anniversary of his retirement from the military. Since joining the Navy right out of high school and undergoing training to become a SEAL, he’d always been a busy guy. Busy, but solitary. Relationships weren’t really his thing, platonic or otherwise. Loved ones, in Clint’s experience, had a tendency to disappear. When he’d been in the military, surrounded by his team and other colleagues every day with privacy at a minimum, he’d thought he’d appreciate the quiet peace of being alone.