HOT SEAL Devotion
HOT SEAL Team - Book 8
Lynn Raye Harris
Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Books by Lynn Raye Harris
Who’s HOT?
About the Author
About This Book
She’ll ask him to marry her. And pray he says yes…
* * *
Kayla wants a daddy for her little girl. Navy SEAL Zach is perfect for the job. Kayla’s made wrong choices before, but she knows this one is right. Zach’s a strong, honorable man who will keep her baby safe.
* * *
Zach’s been twisted up inside from the moment he laid eyes on Kayla. It’s been months, and he still can’t untangle his feelings. Especially after the single night they shared. A night that took their relationship out of the friend zone and put it firmly into the hot zone.
* * *
When Kayla proposes a marriage of convenience, Zach won’t agree to a name-only arrangement. If he’s going to marry Kayla, and be a dad to little Ana, then it’s all or nothing.
* * *
But when Kayla’s past returns, threatening the life they’re building, Zach will sacrifice everything to protect his new family from harm…
The HOT SEAL Team
HOT SEAL Devotion: Zack & Kayla
© 2020 by Lynn Raye Harris
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Chapter One
Someone was watching her.
Kayla hurried down the sidewalk, carrying two bags from the diner that contained lunch for everyone at Hair Affair, and told herself she was being paranoid. The Kings of Doom motorcycle club was done, busted up and scattered to the winds by her soon to be brother-in-law Alexei Kamarov and his SEAL buddies. They’d rescued her sister and stopped her psychotic ex before he could harm Bailey.
And before James could sell Kayla’s baby—his own child—to an adoption agency. Kayla shivered as she quickened her steps. Little Anastasia was secure in her playpen in the salon, watched over by Chloe, Avery, and JoJo, and life was good. Kayla had been working at the salon as a shampoo girl since the previous one left a couple of months ago. Before that she’d been answering phones at a real estate office and contemplating getting her license, but she didn’t like the idea of meeting clients alone at strange houses. It wasn’t likely anyone would kidnap her and turn her into a sex worker like the Kings of Doom had done to so many unsuspecting girls, but knowing it had happened—still happened, since trafficking was a thing—made her supremely uncomfortable with the idea of being alone with anyone she didn’t know.
But then Chloe had suggested she replace Milly the shampoo girl, who was moving to another state. Avery—the salon owner—had agreed, and Kayla had been there since. She liked working at the salon. Chloe, Avery, and JoJo were sweet to her, and they’d started encouraging her to think about cosmetology school. She would love to learn how to be a stylist, but she didn’t have the time or the money.
Someday. Maybe.
Right now she had to work to take care of her daughter and provide for the future. James was in prison, and even if he weren’t, he wasn’t the kind of guy you asked for child support. A man who’d been planning to sell his own daughter to an illicit adoption agency damned sure wasn’t going to pay money for her care.
Kayla was nearly to the salon when a car pulled up beside her and slowed. Her heartbeat quickened and sweat popped up on her skin, but she didn’t turn her head.
“Hey, baby,” an oily voice said. “Where you goin’ in such a rush?”
Kayla gripped the bags tighter and didn’t reply. She cut her gaze sideways, trying to see the man without being obvious about it.
“I’m talking to you, baby,” he said again. “You too good to talk to me?”
The salon was just ahead. She could taste safety even if she wasn’t there yet. She walked faster, unwilling to break into a run—and unable to anyway with the wedges she’d worn today. Her stomach twisted with fear.
Keep walking, Kayla. Don’t look at him. You’re almost there.
She heard those words in Bailey’s voice because her sister had been the one to take care of her when she was a kid, to protect her from harm and make sure she had food and shelter. Bailey had been more mom than sister, and when Kayla needed to be brave, she thought of Bailey’s strength and determination. If Bailey was the one in her shoes, she’d stop and tell the asshole to piss off.
But Kayla didn’t like confrontation. She didn’t want attention, and she didn’t want anyone to notice her or remember her. Not beyond the few minutes it took for some sexist asshole to catcall her on the sidewalk anyway. That was pretty impossible to stop with men being what they often were.
The man revved the engine. “You’re gonna get what’s coming to you, bitch!” he yelled before peeling out in a squeal of rubber.
Kayla stumbled up the steps and into the salon, her heart racing. Chloe looked up from where she was sweeping around her chair after her last client had left. Something must have showed on Kayla’s face because Chloe dropped the broom and hurried over.
“Hey, honey, what’s wrong?” Chloe asked with her sweet Southern drawl, putting her arm around Kayla as she took one of the bags from her hand.
Kayla pulled in a deep breath as hot shame flooded her. It was stupid. She was stupid.
“It’s nothing. Some idiot tried to pick me up.”
Chloe reached behind her to twist the door lock and flicked the switch for the neon Open sign so that it went out. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry. I heard that jerk squeal his tires. Was he the one?”
Kayla nodded. She was still trembling. Why? It wasn’t like she hadn’t been harassed by a man on the street before. But this one had just seemed so… deliberate. “Yes. I didn’t look at him, and he got pissed off about it.”
“Men are jerks. Well, not all of them. Not even most of them. But the ones who are—lord a mercy, girl, they really make you want to scream.”
Kayla knew Chloe’d had a bad relationship before, but she didn’t know how bad because Chloe hadn’t said. To her way of thinking, Chloe had one of the good ones now. Ryan Callahan was a Navy SEAL, like Alexei, and he was so totally in love with her that it would have made Kayla jealous if she didn’t like Chloe so much.
Besides, Ryan wasn’t the SEAL she wanted. The one she wanted mostly treated her like she was his little sister.
Except for that one time.
Once, Zach “Neo” Anderson had let down his guard and lost his famous control. It had been the most glorious sexual experience of Kayla’s life, being the focus of all that gorgeous male attention and skill. She hadn’t known what she’d been missing until that moment. All heat and fire and pleasure so intense she’d wanted to sob with it.
But when it was over he’d gone right back to treating her like his little sister. Worse, he’d treated her with more distance than before. Maybe it was her fault for running away th
e next morning, but she’d panicked. She’d awakened in his bed when the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, her nipples aching from how much he’d sucked them, her pussy still throbbing with memories of his mouth and cock, and she’d known she couldn’t be there when he woke up. She couldn’t face him like that, when the night before was fresh and raw and her sheer neediness embarrassed her.
When she’d seen him again a few days later, he’d been so cool that she’d realized nothing had changed. He didn’t want a relationship with her. And why would he? She was a mess, and she had a baby. There weren’t many men who wanted to start a relationship with a woman who had a baby.
“Come on, honey, let’s go eat,” Chloe said. “You’ll feel better once you cuddle that cute little girl of yours and get some food in you.”
“You’re right. Thank you.”
They walked toward the back of the shop and the small break room where they took their lunch. Kayla loved that they ate together every day. Working in the salon made her feel like she was part of a family. Like she was accepted. She’d told them bits and pieces of what had happened to her, but not all of it. She didn’t want their pity or want to feel like she was nothing but a living and breathing tragic figure.
JoJo was holding Ana. Avery stood to help with the food when Chloe and Kayla walked in. Ana’s little face broke out into a grin when she saw Kayla, and Kayla’s heart melted. She’d never known she could love anyone as much as she loved her baby. She would do anything to keep Ana safe. Anything.
Ana reached for her. JoJo kissed her on the head before handing her over. “You want your mama, little girl?”
Kayla stretched her arms out and took her baby girl. Ana cuddled into her, smiling so big and wide as she wound her fist into a lock of long blond hair that had fallen from Kayla’s messy bun.
“How’s my little love bug?”
“Some jerk harassed Kayla on the street just now,” Chloe said as they sat down to lunch.
Avery and JoJo looked furious. And concerned. Kayla’s heart warmed. She’d always had Bailey, but now she had these women too.
“It’s okay,” Kayla said. “I overreacted. It was just some guy in a car trying to pick me up. I don’t know why men think that hollering hey baby out the car window to a woman they don’t know is ever anything but creepy.”
She didn’t tell them the part where he’d said she was going to get what was coming to her. She didn’t know what it meant—if it meant anything—but it bothered her more than the catcalling had.
“It’s totally creepy,” Avery said as she flipped open the Styrofoam container to reveal a club sandwich.
JoJo speared some green beans from her container. “You’d think somebody would tell them. Or that the lack of a positive reaction might clue them in.”
Chloe snorted. “You’d think, but those types aren’t all that bright. Not to mention, I think they do know. It’s not really about getting a date so much as it’s a power issue. Assert your dominance over the poor little female and make her cringe. It’s what my ex would have done.”
Kayla didn’t know a lot about Chloe’s background, but she knew there’d been some sort of clash with her ex where Ryan had to get involved. Now they were living together and planning to get married and the ex was dead. Chloe had been hurt in the exchange, but she was fine now. One day, Kayla might get the courage to ask her more about it. She felt like Chloe of all people would understand what she’d been through with James Dunn.
But no matter how nicely these girls treated her, she had a lifetime’s worth of trying to protect herself emotionally to overcome. Logically, she knew they wouldn’t judge her. She knew Chloe would put her arms around her and hug her tight if Kayla told her about James and the Kings of Doom. Still, she wasn’t ready yet.
Kayla ate her lunch with one hand while holding Ana with the other and bouncing her up and down. The women talked about a mix of things, from men to clients to the party Chloe and Ryan were having this weekend at their place. Chloe promised to fry up a bunch of chicken and make a Southern feast. It sounded delicious.
“I’ve got a perm coming in this afternoon,” Avery said when they were finishing up. “Mrs. Flynn at three.”
“Bailey is swinging by at two to pick up Ana,” Kayla said.
Avery reached out and tweaked Ana’s nose. “We don’t want this precious little girl breathing those nasty fumes, do we? No we don’t,” she added in a baby voice.
Ana giggled. Kayla was so grateful to Avery for letting her bring Ana in whenever she needed to, but Avery was firm about making sure Ana wasn’t around when they were dealing with strong chemicals. Which Kayla very much appreciated.
“So Chloe,” JoJo said. “Tell me more about that yummy SEAL who came in with Ryan yesterday.”
Kayla’s skin prickled. Zach had been with Ryan yesterday. They hadn’t stayed. Zach had said hello to her, but that was it. There’d been no emotion in those green eyes as he’d looked past her after their brief exchange. It hurt, though it shouldn’t. They’d been friends who’d slipped. Nothing more.
Even if she wanted more. Even if that single night had been unforgettable in so many ways. She fantasized about life with a man like Zach—strong, honorable, protective. She still worried that James would come for her some day. With Zach in her corner, how could James succeed?
“Zach?” Chloe asked. “They used to be roomies until Ryan moved in with me. Zach still has the house across the street. I don’t know if he’s looking for another roommate or what.”
“Is he dating anyone?”
“I don’t think so. But why do you care? Didn’t you tell me you had a hot date this weekend?”
“Well, yeah—but you know me. More is always better.”
Kayla nibbled the inside of her lip while she fed Ana a bite of mashed potatoes. She liked JoJo a lot. But if the woman started going out with Zach, Kayla knew she wouldn’t take it very well at all. Not that he was hers or even very likely to be hers. But if he was going to date someone, she wanted it to be a person she didn’t know.
Chloe shrugged. She didn’t make eye contact with Kayla. Was it on purpose? Or was she imagining it?
“I don’t think he’s looking right now. I think he’s hung up on someone.”
Kayla’s stomach flipped. Who was Zach hung up on? Not her, because he’d been coolly distant since the night they’d shared. It was over two months ago now, so definitely not her. Which meant he’d met someone—or maybe he’d already been hung up on another woman when he’d slept with Kayla, which made the whole thing infinitely worse. No wonder he’d been distant.
Her heart pinched to think about it. He’d slept with her but he might have been thinking about someone else. Wanting someone else.
Stop. You don’t know that.
“Well she needs to step up then,” JoJo said. “Because it’s crazy to let a man like that go.”
“I got the impression it was complicated,” Chloe said.
JoJo snorted. “What’s so complicated? The man is a US Navy SEAL—the best of the best, hotter than hot, and if he’s half as good in the sack as he looks out of it, well, I am of the opinion this woman is a little nuts if she doesn’t jump on him.”
Kayla kept her head down as she fed Ana. She couldn’t look at JoJo while she talked about Zach like that, and she couldn’t let anyone see the anguish she felt inside. Zach was an amazing lover and a good guy. He’d be perfect to help raise Ana. But how could she ever expect him to do that? Ana wasn’t his responsibility.
“Not everything is as easy as riding a guy like he’s a bucking bronc, Jo,” Avery said, her voice low and a little pained.
“No, you’re right,” JoJo said. She reached out and squeezed Avery’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, hon. I know it hasn’t been all that long since you broke up with Jimmy. I should be more sensitive.”
Avery pasted on a smile. “I know you don’t mean any harm, Jo. I love you—and I love that you’re as crazy as you are. I get to live vic
ariously through your exploits.”
JoJo smiled. “They’re pretty good, right?”
Chloe snorted. “Epic.”
They all laughed. Kayla had been a bit amazed at how open JoJo was about her sex life, but she couldn’t help but listen to Jo’s stories anyway. Aside from that one night with Zach, Kayla hadn’t gotten any action in more than a year. Not that she had time for it with an eight-month old, but now that she’d been with Zach, she often thought about it late at night when Ana slept. About how amazing it had been. How wonderful to lie in his arms and feel safe for a while.
And now he was hung up on somebody. Her stomach fluttered and tumbled. Was that why he’d never mentioned it again? She hadn’t either and maybe she should have. Maybe it would have been less awkward if she had.
You have a baby, Kay-Kay. Most men aren’t comfortable with that.
Bailey had never said those words to her, but that’s how Kayla heard them. Bailey, always trying to shelter her and ease the blows that life dealt.
Kayla kissed Ana’s soft, dark hair. Any man who wasn’t comfortable dating a woman who had a baby wasn’t a man she needed in her life anyway.
They finished lunch and cleaned up, then prepared to open the salon again. At two on the dot, Bailey arrived to pick up Ana. Kayla smiled at the sight of her sister bounding up the steps to the salon. Bailey’s hair was long now, and she’d stopped dying it purple. These days it was blond. She looked so happy as she stepped inside. She glowed, and that was due to Alexei. Kayla loved that he made her sister happy, and she was envious too.
HOT SEAL Devotion Page 1
