“No, sir.” Bennett was thrilled. He was going to make rank, from Captain to Rear Admiral. He glanced at Kimberly. Her hands were folded in her lap as if she were saying a prayer. “Count me in for thirty.”
Ouster piped in. “I’ll handle the details.” The happiness on his face was evident as he looked at Bennett, sort of like a father looking at his child. He beamed that same way at Kimberly.
“Good man. Good, good.” SECNAV stood, and everyone mirrored his action. “I will add another medal to your already outstanding record, Sheraton, but none of the, uh, current details of this mission will be listed.” He held out his hand.
Bennett took it, and with a firm hold he shook it. “I understand, sir. Thank you.”
“You have our eternal gratitude for your service and sacrifice, and if there’s anything I can do to assist you in the future, please let me know. I believe Dr. Warren has me on speed dial, and my wife too.” SECNAV released Bennett’s hand, smiled at Kimberly, and departed with Ouster.
As the door closed behind them, Bennett pulled Kimberly back into his arms. “How well do you know them?” asked Bennett, curious.
“I helped Christy with her thesis. We’re very good friends.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Jealous?”
“Nope. I’m in awe of you. It’s a good thing. Keeps me on my toes. Now, where were we?” He snuck one more quick kiss and then a long tender one before they left the room. All in all, the day had been incredible. How could anyone have had a more inspiring experience? He linked his hand with hers, and they walked through the iconic and historic halls. As they made their way toward the exit, he knew that this day was one that would live on as epic.
* * *
Absolute silence, peace, and harmony awaited them. Kimberly was ready for some downtime. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much, and she rubbed her cheekbones as Bennett keyed open their hotel-room door.
With the Secret Service’s assistance, they’d arrived here in record time. Both she and Bennett were prepared to do precisely what both of them had been fantasizing about—getting naked and being alone with each other.
A pale glow came from the lamp beside the couch. She could see directly into the bedroom, and the turndown service had left chocolate mints on their pillows. Bennett locked the door as she took a complimentary bottle of water and drank half of it. She lowered it to the coffee table, and he snagged the bottle. He finished it and tossed the empty container into the recycle bin.
“I can tell that nothing will go to waste around you. Every meal will be finished…” she began.
“…and every drink consumed.” He paused and kissed her shoulder.
She smiled. She liked it. With Bennett in her life, her world felt complete now, as if this was how things were meant to be.
Kimberly scanned the room: it was plush, a large suite with a living room. The green floral pattern on the walls and matching cream furniture with pops of bright color were busy and overdone, but as she snapped on a light, she noticed the soft warmth the overall color scheme provided for the room. It inspired comfort.
Much better at night, she thought.
She took off her shoes, grateful to be out of her heels, and wiggled her toes in the thick cream carpet. No one woman should be asked to wear those torture devices for more than two hours at a time, and after eight on her feet, she was past due for a foot rub. Looking at Bennett, she was pretty sure she could talk her way into one. She dropped her purse on the overstuffed chair nearest the bedroom and guided him to the identical chair to the right of hers and eased him into it.
Without a word, she untied his shoes and pulled off his socks. She had been playing nursemaid and loved it. Also, the best way to communicate was by doing to him what she loved herself, so she rubbed his feet and watched his eyes drift shut. His breathing relaxed and she smiled to herself.
As her fingers tired, she moved away, unwilling to disturb him. His hand snaked out, secured her forearm, and hauled her onto his lap. She shrieked. “Damn those SEAL reflexes.”
He smiled as his eyes opened and he kissed her. “Yep. I’m tricky. You better watch me.”
“Fine.” She laughed, pulling him to his feet. “I’ll watch you like a hawk, and I’ll have my way with you too.”
“I’m yours. Do with me what you will.” He spread his arms wide.
Kimberly liked the control. She pushed the buttons slowly through the holes, releasing him from his jacket. She pulled off his cotton T-shirt, running her hands over his muscled torso and avoiding the many bruises. She slowly kissed her way down the center of his body until she reached his belt. Her fingers worked quickly, releasing it and pulling his pants off. “Tighty-whities. I’ll never get used to you wearing them,” she said.
“Me neither. Only in uniform. Don’t want to share the family jewels with the whole world.” He chuckled.
“Shall I proceed, husband?” she asked, cupping his buttocks and giving the muscled orbs a squeeze.
“Aye, aye, wife. Though in Navy life, the significant other always outranks her husband. So let’s just put it this way.” His eyes held hers, the emotion weighty and dark in them. “I trust you…with my heart, my body, and my life.”
Her eyes filled with happy tears. Never in a million years would she have imagined she’d find a man like Bennett. His tenderness was incredible, and the way he honored her with his actions and his attention had made indelible marks on her heart and soul. She kissed him with the wealth of her adoration. “I love you, Bennett.”
“I love you,” he replied, holding her close. His scent enveloped her, and she had never felt safer, happier, or more at peace in her entire life. Maybe this is what her mother had meant when she said, “Reach for the stars.” In other words, “Go for all those dreams you have, and never stop until you attain them.”
“Thank you for helping me…make my goals into a reality. I never got to say that to you before.” Her gaze held his. She loved him more than she had words to express. In large part, he had been responsible for saving not only the world, but also her own dreams. If he hadn’t been so dedicated, she didn’t know if the mission would have happened.
“It’s been an honor,” Bennett said, “and thanks for choosing me for the flight.”
She kissed the corners of those beautiful thick lips before she placed one in the center. “Was there ever a doubt? Please!”
“Nope.” Despite his injuries, he lifted her into his arms. Well, at least his ego was intact, among other things. She laughed.
“Bennett! You’re hurt! Put me down,” she protested.
“Kimberly,” he said. “I’m healing, and you’re the one saving me, Doc.” He laid her gently on the bed and lowered himself beside her. “I look forward to spending eternity with you, one moment at a time.”
Her hands stroked his cheek, his chin, and then settled on his chest. “Forever, Bennett.”
He kissed her, and she was lost in their world. Their bodies twined together, fitting as if Rodin had carved them from stone. As her nails gently scraped down his back and he hummed delightedly in her ear, he added, “Never, never, never quit. For SEALs, it’s all about…love, courage, and innovation.”
“It’s in your spirit, this warrior’s heart. You, with your soul of a SEAL, have changed my life. I love you.”
He said, “And I love you. With all my heart, and in ways I never believed possible. It humbles me.”
“I trust you with my head, my heart, and, well, all of me.” She smiled, her eyebrows framing the naughty glint in her eyes. “So let me share my wildest fantasy.” With that, she pushed him onto his back, ready to have her very wicked way with him. Bennett “Boss” Sheraton was hers—her beau, her love, and always, her star man—and they would be linked together forever.
Missed the rest of the West Coast Navy SEALs series?
Check out Book 1, A SEAL at Heart.
Author’s Note
Research for this book was an absolute delight! My husband and I have always been fascinated by the stars, so when it came time to write another book for the West Coast Navy SEAL series, I approached my editor with the idea of honoring both the space program and our Frogmen/SEALs. I revealed the history of Navy Frogmen (UDT—Underwater Demolition Teams) and SEAL Team and their unique relationship with the space program. This was a captivating and effective union that saved many lives and served many functions. Listed below are some of my favorite notes and reference materials.
1. History of Navy Frogman and SEALs in reference to the astronaut program—from the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum website:
Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) frogmen, precursors to the Navy SEALs, played a key role in the Gemini and Apollo space missions. It was the job of the Navy frogmen to leap into the water from a helicopter to recover space capsules that had just ended a fiery thousand-mile-an-hour drop from space to splashdown in the ocean. The frogmen have reported the capsules were still steaming when they swam up to them. https://www.navysealmuseum.org/home-to-artifacts-from-the-secret-world-of-naval-special-warfare/navy-seals-udt-frogmen-and-the-space-program
Among those brave men were some good friends of ours: Navy SEAL Jerry Todd and Corpsman Greg McPartlin.
2. The pool scene in my book is a nod to Navy SEAL Chris Cassidy, who truly did rescue another astronaut. (I used a rescue diver instead, because I didn’t want to overshadow what an amazing thing Cassidy had done.)You can read about it in more detail on NavySEAL.com. Cassidy also did two space walks, was in space for over 180 days, and was the second SEAL to visit space, the first being William Shepherd.
3. William Shepherd was a Frogman and SEAL, having served in UDT 11 and SEAL Teams ONE and TWO, and spent more than 159 days in space. He was part of the first crew on the International Space Station and served as the first adviser (in science) to the U.S. Special Operations Command.
For more information, check out NavySEAL.com and Michael P. Wood’s book U.S. Navy SEALs in San Diego, and visit the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Additional Resources
(and Fascinating Information on the Topic)
Arstechnica.com, August 3, 2015. “NASA Is Crash-Testing Cessnas So We Can Find More Planes When They Do Crash.” http://arstechnica.com/science/2015/08/nasa-is-crash-testing-cessnas-so-we-can-find-more-planes-when-they-do-crash/.
Astronomy Magazine, April 29, 2015. “Astronomers Discover Three Super-Earths Orbiting Nearby Star.”
CBSNews.com, July 30, 2015. “NASA Crashes Planes to Save Lives.” www.cbsnews.com/news/nasa-tests-emergency-locator-transmitters-small-plane-crashes/.
NASA.gov, release 09-239. “NASA Portable Hyperbaric Chamber Technology Finds Home on Earth.”
News.com.au, April 05, 2012. “Orfield Laboratories’ Anechoic Chamber Is the World’s Quietest Place.”
Phys.org, July 30, 2015. “Astronomers Find Star with Three Super-Earths.” http://phys.org/news/2015-07-astronomers-star-super-earths.html.
Spaceline.org: Dedicated to Covering the Past, Present, and Future of Cape Canaveral.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, “Outer Space Treaty.” www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html.
United States Strategic Command. www.stratcom.mil.
Acknowledgments
With great thanks to:
My cherished husband—retired Navy SEAL, EOD, and PRU Adviser—Carl Swepston; the outstanding retired Navy SEAL Thomas Rancich and his remarkable Liz; the incredible Rear Admiral and #1 Bullfrog Dick Lyon and his fabulous wife Cindy; old goat roper John T. Curtis and his marvelous Miranda; inspiring retired Navy SEAL Moki Martin and his family; Greg McPartlin, Navy Corpsman and the owner of McP’s and his family; former Navy SEAL Hal Kuykendall and his lovely wife Denise; retired Navy SEAL Jerry Todd and his terrific Pete; Frank Toms (UDT 11/ST1) and his wonderful family; our dear friend Medal of Honor Recipient John Baca; Medal of Honor Recipient Mike Thornton; the Vietnam Era “Old Frogs & SEALs” who contributed comments and stories; and HOOYAH! to all of our operational friends.
To D. C. and Charles DeVane, for the rocket scientist and his lady love—thank you for everything, especially for being such outstanding friends!
To Suzanne Brockmann and Christine Feehan—thank you for being such great inspirations!
To Marjorie Liu—for brilliant insights!
To Joanne Fluke and John Fluke—wonderfully talented souls!
To Cathy Maxwell and Kim Adams Lowe—HOOYAH! Cheers to my brilliant friends: Tamara Worlton and Liz LeCoy; Laurie De Salvo, a.k.a. Lia DeAngela; Jan Albertie; Alisa Kwitney; Christina Skye; Angela Knight; Leslie Wainger; Dianna Love; Andrew and Megan Bamford; R. Garland Gray; Mary Beth Bass; Maura Troy; Domini and Chris Walker; Brian Feehan; Sam and Zavier; Maria R. and Joao; Maria M. and Frank; Maria N. and Emanuel; Jessica and Ryan; Kim and Paul K.; Jill and Carl H.; the Lynches; Brenda; Mary H.; Anne M.; Stephanie H.; Rose S.; Mic; Ginger D.; Nonny; Erika; Amy; Katheryn; Kat; Cindy; Lynn; Robyn; Lora; Traci; Trudy; Stacey; Kristy; Simone; Laura L.; and the entire BB crew; and Sara and Lindsey Stillman, who are marvelous. A shout-out to my cousins, aunts, and uncles; to Kathryn Falk, Kenneth Rubin, and Carol Stacy; and to my agent, Eric Ruben.
Thank you to the Sourcebooks crew—Susie, Laura, and Heather, and to the marvelous Deb Werksman and Dominique Raccah.
With infinite love and respect to my parents—always!
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Anne Elizabeth is an award-winning romance author and comic creator. With a BS in business and MS in communications from Boston University, she is a regular presenter at conventions as well as a member of the Author’s Guild, Horror Writers Association, and Romance Writers of America. AE lives with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL, in the mountains above San Diego.
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The Soul of a SEAL Page 27
