Hot SEALs: SEALed For Life (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Donna McDonald

  She laughed and brought her arms up around Gower’s back to hug him close. The distance she’d fought to maintain seemed ludicrous given how well he fit in her arms. Life was short. She knew that. Friends were precious. Lovers—great lovers—were rare. Saying no to him—to this bliss they gave each other—would be a stupid thing.

  With that decision made, the rest of what was right just fell into place like a solved puzzle.

  “Do you think Dillon would like to come to dinner Friday night and maybe sleep in my guest room? I don’t want him to feel like I don’t want him around. If we’re going to date, then he should be included. Maybe it will convince him that dating is okay. And I’ll be careful not to get his hopes up about me staying forever.”

  Gower raised his head and met her sincere gaze. “Sounds great—sort of. What about his father’s hopes? Can he get his up about staying forever? I can’t even bring myself to get off you.”

  Melina laughed. “Depends on what else his father can get up, I suppose. I have some pretty high hopes myself. I’m starting to think you being younger might be a good thing after all.”

  “Use me for sex. Go ahead. I dare you,” Gower declared.

  His laughter on top of her only made her like him more. “Get off me and go get our sandwiches. I’m starving… and I want food too.”

  Gower grinned as he slid from her arms. “Gotta love an honest woman,” he said, hoping his innuendo was planting a seed that would soon take root and grow.

  Chapter 10

  Unconsciousness had taken over somewhere around one in the morning, but it still surprised him when he looked at Melina’s bedside clock and saw it was after nine. He never slept this late.

  Groggy still, Gower climbed from bed and headed to the bathroom. He heard the TV and voices in the living room, but the call of nature was more compelling than his curiosity.

  His legs were rubbery with exertion. His hips were tight. The woman he was sleeping with was a hard workout for him in nearly every way. Thank God he was in as good a shape as she was.

  He wandered back to the bedroom and pulled his jeans over protesting muscles. His physical soreness made him grin.

  Heading shirtless to the living room, he saw Dillon all but sitting in Melina’s lap. She leaned tiredly against the couch, her arm around his son who leaned against her side. She didn’t look real comfortable, but she was making an effort to be kind which made it count even more.

  She looked like warmed over hell as much as he did, and it make him happy. Her unbrushed, messy hair from his fierce grip in it the night before made his heart thump. He’d held her in place by it to truly do what he wanted. She had sizzled and let him. It was a turn-on to see a reminder this morning and a heart-stopping moment at the same time.

  Gower rubbed his chest, grinning at the tightness there. He was in love… with Gunny Angel. No one was ever going to believe how naturally it had all fallen into place. Next time he saw his old team, he was going to catch so much shit… and probably a damn black eye when fucking Chris found out he’d crossed territorial lines. SEALs normally didn’t do such things, but then he wasn’t a SEAL anymore. And Melina had drawn a different line before he’d come along.

  He grinned because she was worth every bit of trouble anyway. It was his grin Melina saw when her gaze moved from the TV to where he stood. He watched her eyes glaze over as they noticed his shirtless state. She immediately closed them to block out the sight. He suddenly remembered her tongue running over his chest last night. Damn… he had to stop thinking about sex with the woman before he gave his son an education he was way too young for.

  “Good morning,” he said, walking to sit on the other side of his child.

  “Morning,” Melina said in return, meeting his gaze over Dillon’s head. “We’re watching cartoons. Dillon is trying to come up with a proper superhero name for me.”

  “Wonder Woman fits perfectly,” Gower declared.

  Her blush made him grin again. Dillon’s hand smacking his leg interrupted his enjoyment.

  “No, Dad. Gunny Angel doesn’t like to wear bathing suits with tights. She told me. It has to be a cool name. Something different.”

  “Okay,” Gower replied. “I’ll keep that in mind before I suggest anything else.”

  “Thank you,” Dillon said. “We’re watching shows for inspir… what was that word?”

  Melina sighed as Dillon looked up expectantly. He had perfected his father’s innocent pleading look. Luckily, it didn’t cloak a wicked mind yet. God help the future females in his life. “You mean… inspiration?”

  “Yeah… that’s it. Inspiration. That’s when one thing makes you think of another better thing, Dad. We’re looking hard.”

  “Okay. How about I whip up some omelets for us while you guys look for inspiration? I’m glad now I brought all the ingredients last night. I’m feeling like a lazy day at home. How about you two?”

  Melina smirked as she shrugged. “Lazy is one my favorite things to do. I’m just glad you’re the one cooking. I don’t think I could stand long enough to get it done. Congratulations, Beckett.”

  “Innuendo?” Gower asked.

  Melina snorted. “Fact,” she said roughly.

  Gower laughed and felt ridiculously proud as he headed to the kitchen. Melina had resorted to sexual innuendo. There was hope for him yet.

  ***

  The next week was the best he could remember having with a woman. As her leg healed, Melina got bolder. The day she rode him until he was blind with pleasure was going to be a memory he took to the grave.

  They saw each other at least every other day. Mornings were spent on walking and working out. Afternoons were spent in bed—also working out—but in other ways.

  But it was the weekends that meant the most to him. Friday night pizza. Movies on the couch. He did plenty of wishing that their situation was permanent after they put Dillon to bed.

  Saturday mornings were perfect. Dillon and Melina watched TV while he made breakfast.

  Two weeks and three weekends into what he considered their relationship—which is exactly what they had—he wanted his wishing to become a reality he could count on. He could tell Dillon wanted it too, but the boy seemed afraid to voice any wish about Melina aloud. Instead, he just kept cuddling closer and closer every chance he got. Not that Gower could blame him, since he kept doing the same thing.

  Melina’s arm tightening around his son every time they came over to her place was evidence he couldn’t ignore. Her pull on his heart tightened his resolve to make them into a family if he could. It was so clear to him how perfect it was.

  The only question he had left about it was how to best talk Melina into marrying him. He’d have an easier time talking Dillon into the two of them going with her if she got relocated. Dillon wanted Melina to be them all the time anyway.

  So he watched and he waited and thought and planned. He was so happy with it all that Gower forgot how often life threw the unexpected into your path.

  Chapter 11

  Melina glanced at the clock before answering her phone. Who could be calling at two in the morning? Then she saw the number. Her Sergeant Major. Shit.

  “Sir?” she said, clearing her throat as she answered. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”

  Those were the last words she spoke for fifteen minutes. Her closing was to tell him she’d be ready to go in a half hour. They were sending someone to retrieve her since she wasn’t supposed to drive herself to base yet.

  She touched the icon to end the call, but her superior already hung up. He’d known her answer would be yes. The explanation he’d given her was a courtesy. She’d never let medical leave stop her from doing what had to be done.

  Turning, she saw Gower’s gaze on her face. “I have to go.”

  “Where?” he asked.

  “Where the team is,” Melina answered, unable to be specific. “The desert at the moment. Jack…damn I still can barely say the words. Jack’s hurt—pretty badly from wh
at I hear. Flying shrapnel from exploding supplies they were picking up from a local company. Several other team members are hurt, but not as bad. Jack got the worst of it. The bottom line is they need me there. They’re shipping Jack home. I have to go, Gower.”

  “Melina…” Gower stopped her exit from the bed with a hand on her arm. “I know. But…”

  Her mouth coming down hard on his answered some of his concern. The rest wasn’t erasable. Suddenly he had a lot of sympathy for those that had to stay behind when people they loved left for duty. He never imagined he’d one day be one of them. He’d been thinking about Melina getting out—not shipping out to fight.

  But why hadn’t he? He’d known from the beginning what she was—who she was. He just hadn’t thought this particular scenario through before he’d gotten attached. He wasn’t prepared to watch her go, but there was nothing to be done about it.

  Melina pulled away, touched Gower’s lips. “I’ve never left anyone behind before. I don’t like how it feels, Beckett. Be flip and piss me off. Make the ball of lead in my gut go away.”

  “I can’t, honey. I’m going to miss you too and I’m going to worry. But I’m not going to say a damn thing against what you have to go and do. I would never do that to you. You’ve given the Marines most of your life. Just don’t give them the rest of it if you can help it, Melina. Come home to me.”

  Melina pulled away and nodded. “That’s always the goal for everyone. It just doesn’t always work out. Jack, I was giving him hell before he left. I can’t stand thinking I won’t be able to take that back. He’s a great Marine—the best. More level headed than me. It’s just where they are. People kill there for nothing, even for an lame idea that doesn’t serve anyone. How can we fight that?”

  “I don’t know, honey,” Gower said, watching the weight of her worry for her team descend on her. He knew exactly what that was like. He also knew what she needed to hear.

  “Melina, you’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, and that includes all the SEALs I’ve served with. You’ll go and do what is needed. You’ll be careful and bring the rest of your people home. I believe that. I believe in you.”

  Unable to respond yet to Gower’s instant support, Melina walked naked to her closet and pulled out her uniform. She’d be fine once she got it on. There was a certain kind of survival instinct that came with wearing it. Training kicked in. Purpose came with the chevrons.

  Bending, she pulled her ready bag from the back of the closet. When things like this happened, she was always glad she kept it updated. It had uniforms that fit and all the necessities for travelling.

  Frowning over her reluctance to dress, Melina turned back and started dressing anyway. She thought of Jack being shipped to the VA facility in Arlington. She thought of two others being patched up in a nearby city before being marshaled back to the unit. One of them was Carlyle. Hopefully, the kid was hanging in there. He was probably scared to death inside.

  Melina watched a naked Gower climb from his side of the bed and retrieve her weapon holster without being asked to do so. He checked the leather and the fastenings with attention to every detail. Whoever came to pick her up would have her weapon. Her Sergeant Major had seen to it.

  She frowned at the leather turning in Gower hands. What the hell was bothering her? She fucking had to go. It was important. It was her unit. She had hurt men counting on her.

  Melina choked up as Gower met her worried gaze and started walking her way. The closer he got, the more she wanted to cry. Bad idea… crying. Bad timing. Bad… everything. She was going to miss him, but shit. Why was she on the verge of crying?

  “Damn it, Beckett. Stop making me emotional. I can’t be emotional. I’m a hard-ass Marine.”

  “You absolutely are,” Gower agreed calmly, waiting for her to finish dressing. “I’m counting on that fact to keep me sane while you’re gone. Button up your shirt and put this on. I’m sure your pickup will have your gun on him.”

  Melina obeyed automatically. Somewhere in the last two weeks, she’d given the man in front of her that kind of power. There was an insistent knock at the door. “They’re here. Do not answer the door naked, Beckett. Stay in here until I’m gone.”

  Gower chuckled at her stern command. “Feeling possessive, Gunny Angel?” He slipped the holster over her head and reached under her breast to clip it. “I know I fucking do.”

  Then there was no more stalling. Another insistent knock sounded.

  Gower wanted to crush Melina against him and not turn loose. He wanted to declare he loved her, but that would only make it harder for her to leave. All he could do was hope she came home. He’d tell her then. He’d tell her like it was and spend the rest of his life convincing her to believe it.

  “Don’t worry about anything here. I’ll lock up your condo tomorrow morning before Dillon and I go home,” he whispered.

  “Okay. Will you explain to Dillon about why I had to leave? I don’t want him to worry but I…” she rubbed her forehead. “Shit, Beckett. This will never do. I’m barely maintaining. I’m about to fall apart.”

  “No. Hell no, you’re not.” Gower stepped into her then and pulled her in tight.

  The band of her leather holster rubbed against his naked chest. There was no getting around reality for either of them. He pressed his mouth hard to hers, then pulled back and kissed her gently.

  “You just have more to come home to now. That’s all this is, Gunny. Now go do your job, damn it. We’ll work through the rest when you get back.”

  She pulled her cover on over her hair. Where she was going, she’d need the hat to shield her eyes from the sun and to hide she was female. Some parts of the world were so fucked up, but she’d committed to helping them… at least indirectly. It was what Marines did. It was what she did.

  Picking up her duffle, Melina raised her chin and walked around the man she’d come to care for—maybe too much. She turned back just as he turned to her.

  “Watch that cute ass of yours, Gunny Angel. I’m heavily invested in it now. I consider it mine… and its owner. We’ll debate that when you return. Now go. They’ll be busting down the door if you linger any longer.”

  Melina swallowed the knot his words caused in her throat. She couldn’t speak… couldn’t give the words back. All she could do was nod as she hurried to answer the third and most insistent knock.

  She couldn’t think about what she was leaving behind. She could only think about where she needed to go.

  Chapter 12

  Gower walked into the pet store and sighed. It had only been a week since he’d followed Melina here. He should have come back sooner. He should have bought the damn dog that very day and given Melina one more reason to retire.

  Why had it never occurred to him that Melina would be pulled off medical leave? He was in denial about her being a lifer. That was the only reason he had.

  “Why are we here, Dad?”

  Gower looked down at his son. “We’re here to pick up a dog for Melina. We’re going to take care of it until she comes back. It’s a present for her.”

  Dillon nodded. “Okay. But I still don’t see why our Gunny Angel had to leave. We just found her. We never came up with her superhero name. I liked spending Friday nights at her house. It was fun to watch TV with her. We like the same things.”

  Gower swallowed. And Melina was also the first woman Dillon had gotten close to since his mother died. It was the second time she’d saved his son.

  “I agree with you that her leaving sucks, but Melina had no choice. And it’s not like she wanted to go. It was part of her job. What she does as a Marine is very important. She’ll be back soon, Dillon. As soon as I know when, I’ll tell you too. Maybe we’ll go meet her when her transport lands. Maybe you’ll get to see her helicopter. In the meantime, let’s see if the little dog she likes is still here. Cross your fingers.”

  “I want a dog too. You said I couldn’t have one. Why does Melina get one?”

  Gower loo
ked at his son’s bent head. What should he say? What could he say? Didn’t his son need to know what love did to a man? It was making him go after a dog when the last thing he wanted was more responsibility.

  “Can I tell you a secret, Dillon?”

  His son’s shrug was deep. The boy was barely looking at the barking dogs. Gower recognized the attendant as the one Melina had spoken to. In the glass room, he saw lots of cages. Unfortunately, he didn’t see the dog Melina had liked in any of them. Damn it. What was he going to do now?

  His sigh was loud enough to get Dillon’s head to raise. It had been a hell of day already. He’d paced the floor after she’d left in the middle of the night. He’d paced and watched the sun come up and wondered where she was. It was going to be a long, lonely wait. Maybe for months. He could barely bring himself to consider it.

  “Can I help you?”

  Gower pulled his attention back to his purpose. “Hi Joe. You don’t know me, but I’m…”

  He stopped and hesitated. Would Melina kill him for this?

  Gower heard an excited yap behind him. He heard Dillon giggle as his son swung around. A young woman walked around both of them with the dog Melina had held in her arms. There was a pink bow above one ear. The dog looked ridiculous. His relieved smile probably matched.

  “Joe—I’m here to get that dog,” Gower declared, pointing at the squirming yapper. “What kind is it anyway? Looks like a tiny Cocker Spaniel.”

  The woman walked back with a smile on her face and knelt to let the dog lick Dillon’s outstretched hand. Gower shook his head. If this didn’t work, he was going to be stuck with a dog. But if it did… he thought about how much joy the animal would bring her.

  He looked at the attendant who was now staring at him silently.

  “Sorry. Just thinking it through. You see… I’m in love with Melina Angel. I spied on her the other day when she was in here. I know how badly she wanted that dog.”

  “Why doesn’t she come get it then?”

  Gower never lowered his gaze. “Melina can’t. She shipped out this morning. I don’t want her to miss the chance to have it. That’s why I’m here. Can my son and I adopt her?”