Hot SEALs: All In

by Aliyah Burke

  “We know how much it means to you.”

  Her father smiled. “Plus, it’s great for my constituents to know I care about people in underdeveloped countries.”

  She ground her jaw, determined not to start a fight. Her smile was forced. “Well, thank you, anyway.” With a toss of her hair, she led the way downstairs. Their ballroom was ready. By the time the first couple arrived, she had found her own mask and was ready for the night.

  Three hours later, she wasn’t sure she could keep this up, anymore, and snuck off to get some air outside. She clutched the marble balustrade and dug deep for her inner strength. After a short break—her mother would come if it was much longer than that—she pasted a smile back on her face and swept back into the room to mingle.

  Albany nodded as the man before her prattled on about how impressed he was with her work over in Africa. Her mind continued to drift far away. Back to the plains of Africa where she and Tate had spent their nights.

  “I think it would be a wonderful thing to contribute to, my dear.”

  Focus! “Thank you, sir. It’s a very worthy cause.”

  He opened his mouth to say something else when a new voice cut in.

  “Excuse me, Dr. Schovanec?”

  She turned to the speaker and found a petite woman who’d not been there before, wearing a stunning red dress.

  “Yes? That’s me. I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”

  “Oh, sorry. I’m new to these things, never quite sure how to act.” She gestured to the stain on the sleeve.

  “Not a problem, why don’t you come with me and we’ll get that cleaned up. What was your name?”

  “I’m Trixie.”

  “This way. Trixie who?”

  “Trixie Slater.”

  She ran the name over in her head. Slater. “Of Slater Enterprises?” Albany grabbed a cloth and some club soda.

  “Yes.”

  “Here, this will get it out. Nice to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.” She worked on the stain until it was all gone.

  “I am; just wish I wasn’t such a klutz.”

  “We all have that problem from time to time. There you go. Come on.” They headed back to the party. “Now, I’m sorry, but if you’ll excuse me for a moment, I have to go check on a few people. Enjoy yourself.” She walked away and mingled with some of her father’s golfing friends.

  A while later, she walked the edge and looked across the room where she found Trixie, her blonde hair and red dress making her stand out even more. Her heart seized when she saw the man who moved up to her side and kissed the side of her cheek. Tate.

  He wasn’t in jeans or a torn shirt, but it was him just the same. The tuxedo couldn’t hide who he was. It fit him like a custom made one, and she longed to trail her hands along it, just to feel the width of his shoulders, hard abs, and more.

  “Albany,” her father broke into her staring fest. “I’d like you to meet Horace Willis. A promising attorney here in Atlanta.”

  Tearing her eyes from Tate, she focused on the men before her. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Willis.”

  His hand engulfed hers. “Horace, please.”

  “All right, Horace.” She understood her father’s motives; it was his way of telling her Horace Willis was an acceptable match for her to consider. She didn’t want acceptable. She craved bells and music when she kissed or touched him. She craved fireworks, passion so overwhelming she could barely contain it. She wanted—her gaze flew back across the room to where it was snared by Tate’s—him.

  “Impressive, don’t you think, Albany?”

  “Yes, sir,” she said without a single clue as to what they were discussing. What is Tate doing here? I know his name is Tate Irvin, not Slater. So, who is she to him?

  “Albany?” While a question, she heard the censure in her father’s tone for not paying attention. Forcing her attention to him, she smiled. “Yes?”

  “Horace here would like a tour of the garden.”

  “Of course. This way, please.” One last lingering look to the man who’d stolen her heart, and she guided another man out to the vast gardens. She walked him up to the first of the stone benches and stopped. “Here you go.”

  “Your father mentioned there were fountains in the center.”

  Bristling at the not-so-subtle push, she hid her sneer. “Yes, there are. Three of them fashioned after famous sculptors’ work.”

  “I’d love to see them; I’m a huge fan of art.”

  Would Tate set her away from him if she ran up to him and kissed him? Lord, it hurt to see him, now. She’d missed him so much. “Sure thing.”

  Horace made small talk as she led the way, making sure to keep space between them and not encourage any contact. He stopped her by the replica of Michelangelo’s Statue of David that was the centerpiece of one fountain.

  “I’d like to take you out,” he said.

  “I’m sorry; I’m not available to date.”

  “Really? Your father said you weren’t seeing anyone.”

  “With all due respect, Horace. I’ve been home for two days, now; my father doesn’t know everything about me.”

  “He promised a date.”

  “I hope the two of you have a good time.” She pivoted on her heels to head back to the party, freezing when he clamped a hand around her upper arm.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Let. Me. Go.” The words were forced from between her teeth.

  “You’re going to give me what I want.”

  She curved her fingers into a fist and slowly turned back to the jackass who was about to get punched when he was jerked away from her. One solid punch and the man crumpled like a fallen log. The next second, she was in Tate’s embrace, his mouth slanted over hers as he kissed her.

  Her body came alive in less than a heartbeat. Synapses fired at a high rate, skin tingled with the anticipation of his caresses, and her core clenched with wanton need. She melted into him, allowing him to hold her up and be her support.

  Chapter Eight

  Tate groaned as her taste infused him. The addictive and much needed flavor of Albany Schovanec hit him hard, and he locked his knees to keep from collapsing on the ground with her in his embrace. The bite of her nails on his skin brought back all the memories of their shared nights.

  He didn’t care that they were in the gardens at her home during a fundraiser she was supposed to be attending. Hell, he wasn’t all that concerned with the jackass he’d just coldcocked. It wasn’t important.

  Albany was.

  Her groan, a sound he lived for in his dreams, filled his ears. He wrapped her up tighter in his arms. I’m never letting you go, again.

  She drew back, and he allowed the space and looked down at her, the soft amber lights around the fountain the only illumination. He cupped her face and smoothed his thumbs along her soft skin.

  “I’m so fucking sorry,” he muttered, claiming her mouth, once more.

  Damn it all, he loved this woman. He wound his hand into her hair and angled her head. More. He craved more. Of everything she was and offered.

  “No, you don’t get to be sorry,” she stated in between kisses. “You did your job, and I did mine.”

  “Come with me, Albany.”

  She glanced around before settling back on his face. “To where?”

  He skimmed her lower lip with his thumb. “Anywhere you want.”

  “After the party. I can’t leave; they’re holding this for me. Well, the clinic.”

  He didn’t want to share her, but he would wait for her business to be completed. The clinic was extremely important. “Okay, after. You come with me.”

  Her smile put everything right in his world. “Yes.” She pushed up on her toes and pressed their lips together. “I have to go.” One more kiss. “Yes, must get going.” And another.

  “Albany,” he moaned. “You have to go or I’ll have your dress up over your head in seconds and my dick so far inside you we won’t b
e able to tell where you end and I start.”

  Her whimper did things to him, reminded him how she would give such a small sexy mewl right before she would orgasm, muscles rippling around his cock or fingers. Tate gripped her ass in the dress and pressed her as tight to him as he could get her.

  “Yes,” she panted. “Oh, God, yes.” She cursed. “No, God, my father is going to kill me.” She stepped away. “I have to go.” She looked down to the guy at their feet.

  “I’ll take care of him.” He stepped closer to her. “One more before you go.” He took. Tate had to force himself to stick in place when she walked away. Then and only then, when she was out of sight, did he turn his attention to the man lying in a heap.

  He crouched to the ground and pulled the man up by the lapels of his tux. Brown eyes fluttered open.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen. You won’t ever speak to Albany, again. You’ll never look in her direction. If her father asks you to come to dinner to see her, you’ll find a reason to decline.”

  “I’ll go to her father, you bastard. Tell him that you attacked me.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “If you think that’s the best road for you to take. Do it. It won’t work, but sure, give it your best.”

  “I wasn’t hurting her,” he protested. “You need to mind your own business.”

  “You grabbed her, like she was a piece of meat. You put your hands on her, and that is unacceptable in my book.” He punched him, once more, just for good measure, smiling when the man returned to an unconscious state.

  Back in the party, Tate scouted the room and breathed easier when he found her talking to some man in uniform. He made his way over there when a younger solider approached her. The smile on her face brought one to his own.

  He stepped up to the group and held her gaze. She blinked, and her eyes became molten. He gave her a nod.

  “Evening, Dr. Schovanec.”

  “Mr. Irvin.”

  Her mother joined the group and glanced at him. Her pasted on smile never wavered. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Dr. Schovanec.”

  He offered his hand. “Tate Irvin, ma’am. Lovely party.”

  Another critical run over with her gaze. “So, who are you here with?”

  “Mother,” Albany said, eyes wide.

  “I don’t remember seeing any Irvins on the guest list.”

  “I’m not,” he said easily. “I’m the plus one of Mrs. Slater.”

  “I see. And how do you know my daughter?”

  “I was lucky enough to meet her over in Africa. Watched her work firsthand with the people there and was amazed at how much they all love her.”

  He flicked his attention from mom to daughter in time to see the crinkle at the corners of Albany’s eyes that went along with the softness in her expression.

  “What were you doing over there?”

  “Same thing as your daughter; well, not the doctor aspect, but helping people.”

  “That’s very admirable. So, what do you do?”

  “I work at a protection agency. But I’m here tonight as my sister’s escort.” Another look to Albany, whose focus remained on him.

  “Sister. I see. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with my daughter, for a moment.” She gripped Albany’s arm and led her away. They stopped a short distance off, and Albany gave him a wink.

  Tate returned it and made his way to his sister.

  “Is she the one?”

  “The one?” he asked, taking her empty plate from her and handing it to a passing wait staff member.

  “Yes. Your one? You can’t keep your eyes off her.”

  “I suppose not. I haven’t seen her, in a while, thought it was over and I had moved on.”

  “But?”

  “I haven’t. I want her back in my life.”

  “Good for you. I want you happy. I’d like to give Ethan a little cousin to play with.”

  He chuckled. “Let me get a date from her before you have us married and parents, will you?”

  “You work to slow. It’s been months since you’ve gotten back.”

  He exhaled sharply; nosy sisters could be annoying. It wasn’t his fault Albany had been over there, and he’d had other jobs. Work at GAPS had picked up. “I’m seeing her later tonight.”

  “I suspected as much.” Trixie squeezed his arm and walked away.

  Three in the morning, he leaned against a tree and watched as Albany crept out of a side door in the house before running toward him. She leapt the last few steps, and he caught her. She mashed their mouths together, her hunger fueling his own.

  “I’ve missed you,” she said.

  “Tell me what happened when I left. I’m so sorry I left you there.” Together, they sank to the soft ground, lips teasing and touching one another.

  She shoved at his shirt, desperation in her rush that leaked over to him. He wanted her, now. He pushed up beneath her sweatshirt, seeking skin and groaning when he located it.

  “We’re at your parents’ house.”

  “Outside it, really,” she countered, encouraging him to remove his top. “And protected by trees.”

  He ripped off his tuxedo shirt and leaned into the touch of her warm hands. He hadn’t left to change knowing deep in his gut she would be out later. “I wanted to do this when I saw you across the room.”

  She bit his lower lip, lightly, teasingly. “I really don’t think my mother would have approved of that. Not in front of that crowd.” She laughed. “Then again, neither would the congressman.” Albany threaded her hands into his hair. “Neither of them are here, right now. It’s just you and me.”

  That was all the permission he needed. He rolled them so she lay beneath him, and moments later, he slid fully inside her, simultaneous groans leaving them, and they were once again joined.

  αβ

  A chill rolled over her, and she shuddered, only to be drawn closer to a warm hard body. “Mmm,” she moaned, shifting closer to the one who held her. “If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake from it.” They’d put their clothing back on before they fell asleep.

  Tate kissed her head. “No dream, but I’m up for a repeat if you’d like to be one hundred percent positive.”

  “I’m always up for more. I think I just need a few more minutes to recover. Who knew tree bark would be so uncomfortable?”

  His chuckle was music to her ears.

  “I’ve missed you,” she admitted. She cracked open her eyes and smiled. After the intense session out in the wooded area, she’d led him here to the gazebo where they lay together on the chaise. Lying as she did, she could see the star laden sky past his shoulder. This was one of her favorite places at home.

  “I missed you, too, Albany,” he replied, seconds later. “I hated myself for leaving you.”

  “You had to. I wasn’t going to come with you that day, anyway; I had too much to do there myself.”

  “I could have made you leave.”

  “We wouldn’t be here now if you had. I don’t blame you for leaving. You had a country to save. I had my people.” She closed her eyes, once more, as Tate moved his hands in small circles on her skin. “Did everything turn out okay?”

  He buried his nose in her hair. “Yes. We got contact names off the zip and captured them, as well. The only problem was we lost one vial. According to one man, there were seven originally. The one tested on those who were sick that you saw and another one. Since I only recovered five that had actual polonium in it, we’re not sure what happened to the one we can’t account for.”

  It soured her to think of it here in the US. Okay, doesn’t make me feel any better for it to be in a different country, either. “And no one knows what happened to the sixth vial?”

  “Not that we caught and questioned.”

  She mulled over his words, so there was still one vial of it out there, ready and weaponized to be used as a poison or in a dirty bomb.

  “Who was the sniper? And who sent the chopper in closer? They were a
ways off from the rendezvous point.” Tate tightened his grip.

  “My boys.”

  “Tungsten?”

  “Yes. Autumn would have contacted them; probably Mac and he would have gone from there.” She ran her fingers along his physique.

  “The man she has a problem mentioning his name?”

  “Keeping her little cousin safe is different. Mac showed up that night for about five minutes.”

  “I owe the man a case of beer.”

  “Make it scotch, and you’ll have a friend for life.” She snuggled closer. “God, you’re so warm; I could lay next to you forever.”

  “Then, do so.”

  His three words were low but assured.

  She drew back slightly and looked up at him in the darkness. Needing to see him, she reached by him to the lamp on the table and touched it, bringing a soft glow. They had one in the gazebo for reading at night. “What did you say?”

  His blue gaze never wavered from her. “You heard me. Lay beside me for the rest of our lives. I’m not sure when I fell in love with you, Albany. But I am. I’m deeply and irrevocably in love with you. I want to put a ring on your finger, carry you over the threshold, raise children and get old at your side.” He cupped the side of her face, thumb teasing the corner of her mouth.

  Lord, if this is a dream, it’s the cruelest one you’ve ever given me. She blinked. “You want to marry me. When? Because, if you’re waiting for the congressman to give his blessing, that won’t happen.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t need his permission. I’m not marrying him. I’m marrying his daughter. All I need is yours.”

  “You sure about this?” Why am I giving him so many opportunities to back out?

  “Without a doubt.” He put them nose to nose. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you love me?”

  Her lips curled up. “Yes.”

  “Then, what do you say? Are you in?”

  “We’re going to have to go before the household wakes.”

  “Why, would he have me arrested?”

  “If you’re lucky, that’s all he’d do.” She sat up. “Let’s go.”