Lucky SEAL (Lucky Devil #2)

by Cat Miller

  Fear crept up Jennifer’s back and wrapped itself around her throat, making it difficult to breathe. Jennifer was starting to panic, and she knew it, but she couldn’t stop the waves of anxiety from drowning her brain. Memories were living things, and Jennifer’s time spent locked up in a room in Evan’s condo followed by the hours of hiding in a tiny storage closet from his men after she escaped came crawling out of the darkness that surrounded her as she prepared for whatever might come next.

  Footsteps stole down the short hall toward the bedroom. Could it be Evan? No. It wasn’t Evan. Evan was in jail. That’s what the cops told her. But the cops were in Evan’s pocket, right? They could have lied. It could be Evan. No. It was his men. Evan wouldn’t come after her, himself. He would send his lackeys. Footsteps entered the bedroom, and Jennifer brought up the gun. She checked the safety again. Jennifer stopped breathing and waited. She stared at the closet door and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Someone was bumping around the bedroom, opening drawers and closing them. Maybe it was just a burglar. Never in her life did she think she would welcome a damn burglar, but that was preferable.

  Jennifer was sweating and shaking. She felt sick. She wanted out of that damn closet, but she didn’t dare move an inch. When the closet door was ripped open and a large hand entered, not to grab her but to hang something from a hook on the side of the closet, Jennifer was stunned into further silence. The hand returned to hang a heavy jacket on the pole above her head. Jennifer leaned forward to peek through the clothing concealing her.

  Relief followed by joy combined to make Jennifer dizzy. It wasn’t Evan, his men, or a burglar who’d scared her into hiding.

  “Rourke,” his name escaped her lips on a whisper, but he’d heard her say his name. He looked around his bedroom in confusion. “Rourke,” she said again, a little louder.

  Rourke spun around and pushed back the clothes hanging around Jennifer. He jumped back and held up his hands defensively.

  “Jennifer, baby, please put down the gun. You’re safe now. I promise you, baby. Nothing will ever hurt you again. Not as long as I live.” Rourke dropped to his knees with hands still up as if he were trying to calm a frightened animal. He put himself on her level and waited. “Please come out, Jennifer. It’s just me here. Just you and me.”

  Jennifer forgot she was holding a gun. It was loaded and pointed right at Rourke’s chest. Her limbs unfroze and she dropped the gun.

  “I’m sorry,” she apologized sincerely. “I thought. I thought Evan . . .”

  She could explain all of things she thought. Understanding shone in Rourke’s eyes. It didn’t matter anymore. Rourke was there. He was home and she wanted to touch him. Kiss him. Hold him tight. She launched herself out of the closet. Rourke caught her, but she knocked him off balance, and they tumbled over onto the carpeted floor.

  Jennifer kissed Rourke with all of the love she felt in her heart. She’d missed him so much. It made no sense considering she’d been cowering in the closet just a moment ago, but she wanted Rourke now more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. She wanted him more that she’d even wanted to dance on Broadway. She loved him more than he would ever know. Rourke scooped Jennifer up in his huge arms and tossed her onto the bed. He climbed over her with the same heat in his ice-blue eyes.

  “Your shoulder.” Rourke jerked back and looked over her apologetically.

  “It’s fine. I promise. Get back here.” She wrapped a hand around his neck and pulled his mouth back to hers.

  Rourke took over. He came down over her, and his much heavier weight pinned her body to the mattress while his lips took possession of hers. Hot breath mingled, bodies molded and rubbed. The friction was maddening. She needed so much more. Jennifer attempted undo his shirt, but her shoulder protested the movement after the workout the therapist had given it. Rourke saw her struggle and immediately remedied the situation. Clothes went flying. His clothes and hers. When Rourke came back to her, he was gloriously nude. It was like being taken by a Viking god. Her Viking god.

  They held each other for long tender moments. Just touching, stroking, and getting to know each other again. Just being in Rourke’s arms was a dream after believing she could never have him, but that was before. Before he’d called her his woman. Before he told Jennifer he loved her. Before she admitted she loved him too. Now, she was grabbing his love with both hands and never letting go. It would be hard to love a man who was gone more than he was home, but Jennifer would never ask Rourke to give up his passionate. She didn’t want to change him. She only wanted to find a place in his life.

  Eventually, Jennifer could no longer ignore her body’s longing. Rourke must have felt her restlessness. He inserted his legs between her thighs and settled himself there at the apex of her need. He slowly circled his hips, rubbing himself in her moisture and teasing her throbbing clit. Jennifer moaned and squirmed.

  “Look at me, Jennifer,” Rourke said in a husky whisper. She did. His eyes were alight with love and desire. “I love you. Only you. Forever. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes,” Jennifer’s heart was stuck in her throat. “I love you, too, Rourke. Now and forever.”

  Rourke kissed her. Swallowing her words and stealing her breath. His jutting cock prodded the entrance to her sex and Jennifer relaxed. He pushed and treated, making his way deeper into her tight sheath. If felt amazing. Jennifer was so hot. She was so ready that when his cock stroked over that perfectly sensitive spot inside once, twice, three times, Jennifer detonated. She shouted Rourke’s name and clung to him tightly when the climax dragged under and wouldn’t let go. The orgasm was unending, or so it seemed. Rourke fucked her hard. Riding her through one climax and into another before her body could come down from the crest. Her pussy squeezed him. Gripping and trying to hold onto him as he thrust in and out, sheathing himself and withdrawing.

  Rourke held her to him and powered through her clutching heat. He increased the pace. His breathing came faster and his movements became jerky. Jennifer drifted down only to be driven back into another screaming orgasm. Rourke tumbled into the climax with Jennifer. He shouted her name and told her he loved her again and again, as he spilled into her welcoming body.

  In the aftermath of their loving, neither of them spoke for a long time. The perfect peace and stillness of the night held them in a bubble Jennifer didn’t want to break. They were together. Soon, they would need to talk about what happened before he was called away. They would need to discuss the future. She would follow Rourke anywhere. Nothing would change that. It was harder than she ever could have imagined to be left behind while he went where she couldn’t go, though. The last nine weeks without a word from Rourke were like a slow, constant torture. But they would get through it. She already had a plan for how she would handle the long separations. She needed to stay busy. That’s what she planned to do.

  Jennifer broke the silence first, thought, because Rourke need to know how grateful she was for everything he’d done for her. She would have been dangling in the wind without him.

  “Thank you for making sure I was taken care of me while you were gone. I don’t know what I would have done if Trina hadn’t shown up at the hospital when I was discharged. The physical therapist and Rosa’s help have been a godsend to me. I’m getting much better. I’m not as afraid all the time anymore. I know Evan is in jail, but I can’t make myself leave the apartment yet. Having them come to me went a long way to helping me get past my fear.” Jennifer’s fear of Evan was valid, but she knew it got away from her sometimes. Hopefully, now that Rourke was home she could relax and let it go, until he had to leave again. She was afraid to ask how long he’d be home this time.

  “I think Trina is right. I need to talk to a professional. Maybe talking it out will help. I’m ready to go see the psychologist you set up for me.”

  Rourke looked stupefied.

  “I didn’t. I have no idea what you’re talking about, baby. When I left, I only had time to call Dolce and ask her to
meet you at the hospital. I had to leave her a message. She was there throughout your surgery. The hospital wasn’t allowing visitors who weren’t family until the next day. When she returned, you were gone. We didn’t know where you were. I was going to fly to Washington to search for your parents. I didn’t know where else you could be when I didn’t find you with the Davis’.”

  Jennifer was blow away by this revelation. She’d just assumed Rourke ad been the one to make sure she was settled, even if he couldn’t explain things to her personally.

  “If not you, then who?” Jennifer lifted her head to look at Rourke. Rourke blinked in confusion. Then a slow smile spread across his face that had Jennifer helplessly smiling back at him. Rourke didn’t smile often, so when he did it felt like a gift meant just for her.

  “Luc,” Rourke shook his head. “He told me to look for you here before I ran off to Washington. The jerk knew exactly where you were. He has this annoying habit of telling people what he thinks the y need to know and no more. He didn’t explain anything to Dolce. He didn’t even tell me. We have him to thank for your helpers, though, he acted as if he didn’t know where you were either. He just let me sweat. You said Luc’s assistant got you moved, right?”

  “Yes. I just assumed it was with your permission. I hope you don’t mind,” Jennifer was suddenly embarrassed. Her things had been moved into Rourke’s apartment. She’d made herself at home, and he had no idea it was happening.

  “Of course, I don’t mind. You belong with me. Luc knows that. He was only doing what he knew I would do in my absence.”

  “How would Luc know that?”

  Rourke smiled again, “Because I told him I love you. Those aren’t words either of us takes lightly. To prove just how much I love you, I brought you a present.”

  “You did?” Jennifer was surprised. She didn’t think shopping was on the agenda for the SEALs. Maybe he’d picked something up at the airport.

  “I hope you like it. I can’t take it back. Ever,” he kissed her forehead. Now, he had her curious. His tone was so serious.

  “I’m sure I will love anything that comes from you, Rourke.” She kissed his chest. Rourke turned slightly to switch on the lamp on the bedside table. Soft light filled the room. Rourke turned back to her and she knew a moment of fear. He looked like he had bad news to impart, not a gift to share. Jennifer sat up with him when he slid back and rested against the headboard. Jennifer looked into Rourke’s eyes and she wasn’t sure if it was fear, determination, or a combination in those ice-blue depths.

  “What is it?” she asked when she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

  Rourke lifted his right hand and extended his forearm for her inspection. Emblazoned in permanent ink across his skin was a still healing tattoo. It was the SEAL Budweiser, an anchor and an eagle clutching a trident and a rifle. Jennifer blinked hard. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Tears filled her eyes. What had he done?

  “But . . . but . . .” She took a shuddering breath. “You can’t do that.” The SEALs didn’t carry any identifying marks. It was too risky if they were ever caught behind enemy lines. They never did anything that would identify as Special Forces until after they left the military. Rourke had explained that to Jennifer.

  “I can do that, and I did. I was due for reenlistment after this deployment. I mustered out.” Rourke brushed a tear from Jennifer’s cheek with the hand she wasn’t holding. She stared at his forearm. What had he done? “I thought you would be happy,” Rourke sounded nervous.

  Jennifer was finally able to tear her eyes away from the tattoo to look at Rourke.

  “Baby, Rourke, I would never ask you to leave the life you love. I want you to be happy. Even if that means I have to learn to be a Navy wife.” She cupped his face and kissed him. He clutched her to him and kissed her more deeply. When he pulled away, the smile that met her was dazzling.

  “I accept,” Rourke positively crowed.

  “Accept what?” she asked, confused.

  “Oh no! Don’t try to take it back now! It’s too late. I already accepted.” Rourke rolled Jennifer under him and proceeded to kiss every bit of her he could reach. She giggled.

  “Okay. Okay, I won’t take it back since it makes you so happy. What exactly am I not taking back,” she asked. Rourke’s bright smile was infectious. She was grinning from ear to ear back at him.

  “You can’t take back your marriage proposal. Don’t try to take it back because you can’t be a Navy wife. I left the Navy, but you’re still stuck with me.”

  Rourke sobered. He gave her a gentle kiss. “I didn’t leave the teams because I had to. I left because I wanted to. I loved my job, yes, but there’s nothing I love more than I love you. Nothing. I don’t want to be away from you. Not ever again. The last months were awful.”

  “Are you sure?” she had to ask. Maybe they could cover that tattoo. “I don’t want you to give it all up for me. I don’t want you to resent me.”

  “Baby, I didn’t. I gave it up for me. For my happiness. I’m a selfish bastard. I want it all or nothing. I want all of you. I want your every day and all of your nights. Can you give me that?”

  Jennifer didn’t reply with words. Instead, she rolled Rourke and climbed over his deliciously muscular body. She showed him with great detail that all of her already belonged to him. Just like she’d told him earlier. She would always love him. Now and forever.

  Rourke and Jennifer were married one month later. The small but elegant wedding was presided over by Pastor Davis. Most of Rourke’s SEAL team and many of his other friends attended the wedding. Rourke’s mother sat front and center with tears of joy and pride in her eyes. Dolce and Luc sat with Rourke’s mother in the front row. As it should be. They were his family, after all.

  Rourke broke tradition and went to see the bride before the ceremony. Rourke’s wedding gift to Jennifer couldn’t wait. Rourke took a chance and reached out to Jennifer’s parents when Luc presented him with their address and phone number. Mr. Burks was there to give away the bride. Mrs. Burks cried happy tears on the bride’s side of the aisle. Jennifer’s two older brothers glared at Rourke throughout the ceremony and the reception. No one would ever be good enough for their sister. Rourke got that. He didn’t think any man would ever be good enough for Dolce either. Rourke made sure to inform the two sharply dressed lawyers that he knew Jennifer was too good for him, but Jennifer had proposed to him, after all. Who was he to break her heart?

  The bride and groom said their vows with love shining in their eyes. No one would ever doubt the connection formed between the pair that fateful Thanksgiving day.

  The very non-traditional wedding reception rose eyebrows among the outsiders. The bride and groom welcomed the homeless and needy of the area to a gourmet meal in the soup kitchen. Music and food were enjoyed by all, and everyone was treated like family.

  During the father-daughter dance, Jennifer learned the truth about her ejection from the family. The money her brothers gave her the day walked out of their lives had actually come from her father. He didn’t support her decision, but he wouldn’t let her go penniless either. He’d been keeping an eye on her in New York, just waiting for her to give up and come home. He lost her when she took off for Las Vegas. It had been a tremendous relief to both of her parents when Rourke contacted them with the new of her wedding. While their relationship would always be strained, there was a peace made between father and daughter that would be lasting.

  When Rourke took Jennifer into his arms for the last dance, they spun around the soup kitchen floor with eyes only for each other. They started their new life together, knowing without a doubt that they were extremely lucky. Lucky in love.

  EPILOGUE

  Five years later . . .

  Rourke was late. There’d been a disturbance at The Inferno Rourke had to deal with before he could escape for some much needed facetime with his better half. Rourke had been the head of security for Luc’s at The Inferno Hotel and Casino, as well as
Hell, the private entertainment club, for over five years. As long as he’d been married. His job was not of the nine-to-five variety, and it interfered with many a date night. There was always some drama or another that needed his attention. Thankfully, Jennifer was a very understanding woman with her own thriving enterprise to keep her busy, while she waited for her always-tardy husband.

  Rourke was late for date night with his wife, again. Jennifer was behaving a little oddly over the past few weeks, and Rourke was starting to worry that she was feeling like his last priority. That was the furthest from the truth. Jennifer was his whole world. He worked hard to secure their future. So did Jennifer. But he could see how a woman might feel unappreciated after so many canceled dinners and nights on the town.

  Rourke should have picked Jennifer up at Showgirls, her flourishing dance studio, over an hour ago. He hadn’t even bothered to change out of his suit before racing across town to Paradise, where Showgirls was located. He hurried through the smoked glass front door of the studio and down the long hall past the various studio classrooms toward the office in the rear. Jennifer had built the place from the ground up in just five years, and Rourke couldn’t be more proud of his talented, business savvy bride.

  Jennifer’s lifelong dream of being a Broadway dancer morphed shortly after they were married. She didn’t want to spend long hours, late into the night, performing on the stage any longer. She wanted to help young people with a passion for dance to improve their skills and teach little kids. She had adult classes for beginners, too. She was spreading her passion for dance to anyone who wanted to learn.

  In the beginning, they were strapped for cash. There wasn’t much money to be had between a military veteran and an ex-showgirl. So Jennifer got a loan and worked hard to get the business off the ground. Her father offered to give her the money, but Jennifer refused his generosity. She wanted to do it on her own, and she’d done it spectacularly. Now, she had a team of dance instructors who offered a variety of classes and an army of students who filled every class.