Page 145 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

She nodded.

“Oh, and feel free to turn on the heater so you don’t freeze to death.” He grinned a little at the sight of her, hugging her arms like it was twelve below zero in the room. He was used to the cold, even enjoyed it most of the time. But Delaney was used to the mild San Diego weather. Funny how he’d thought he wanted to use his newfound income to go somewhere warm and now he was kind of glad to be snowed in with Delaney. “Here, I’ll do it for you.”

“Thanks.”

After the heater was plugged in, he turned to leave, then stopped, turning to face her. He couldn’t stop the goofy grin from spilling over his lips. “By the way, you did good tonight … pretending to be my girlfriend.”

She blinked in surprise as a deep blush brushed her cheekbones, making her look even more incredible. She smiled hesitantly. “You didn’t do so bad yourself, Captain America.”

The compliment sent warm bubbles bursting through him. It took all the fortitude he could muster not to close the distance between them and pull her into his arms. His eyes held hers. “I guess we fit together better than we thought, huh?”

She flinched, hugging her arms even tighter. “Goodnight,” she clipped.

“Goodnight,” he repeated dully.One step forward, ten steps back. At this rate, he’d be sixty before he won her over.

Corbin was exhausted and yet too keyed up to sleep. The wind howled like a lonely wolf outside his window, making him glad he was inside, snuggled under the heavy blanket. It was crazy to think how quickly his life had changed. One minute he was working a dead-end job and the next he was on a plane to San Diego. Now, he was back home, the most fascinating woman he’d ever met sleeping next door.

Of course all was not fun and games. He had to keep Delaney safe from a ruthless killer. Goosebumps prickled over his flesh as he looked at the Glock on the nightstand. He’d kept it nearby, just in case. Before turning in for the night, he’d called Sutton and reported in. That was their system—he’d call in every night on a secure line letting Sutton know the status. Sutton asked if Corbin needed any backup. He told Sutton that as long as Hugh was in Northern Cal, he was fine on his own. But that could change in a heartbeat.

He closed his eyes, willing his mind to shut down for the night. An image of Delaney flashed before his mind. Their kiss had not been acting, he was sure of it. They’d probably need to stay in the cabin, keep away from people as much as possible. But Corbin hoped they might be able to get out a little. He’d love to take Delaney on a snowmobile ride or to the hot springs. If they went at night, there would be fewer people. He’d pull her close, let his fingers get lost in her magnificent hair. Feel her soft lips against his.

Finally, he felt himself drift off to sleep.

This is a dream, Corbin told himself. And yet it felt so real. The memories came as they always did, like fragments of splintered glass that shifted at random to create distorted pictures of reality. He felt the camaraderie of SEAL Team 7—a band of brothers whose allegiance to country was only equaled by their loyalty to each other. Never had Corbin felt so much acceptance from a group.

Their orders were clear—rescue a diplomat and his family held hostage by a terrorist cell in a remote village.

The fragments shifted. Heat crowded out all else. A heat so oppressive that it was like being trapped in a wet oven, basting in your own sweat. The lightweight vest was designed for jungle ops and yet, it still felt heavy against Corbin’s chest. He wished he could rip the wretched thing off, give his skin a chance to cool off. He could’ve been stark naked and still be sweltering. And it was the middle of the night! Insane that it would still be so hot!

They walked like phantoms through the thick vegetation of the Filipino jungle, trying to stay clear of the slithery creatures that ravaged nearly every square inch of the moist, tangled landscape. A faint taste of spice lingered in the night air. His boots made a soft sucking sound against the thick mud. To Corbin’s ears, his steps were as loud as firecrackers, but he knew his senses were exaggerated. Their footsteps would be masked by the rhythmic shrieks and cries from tree frogs and a million other jungle creatures. Doug was on Corbin’s right. By common consent, the two of them never ventured far from one another’s sides. Before they’d gone quiet, Doug teased him about the need to find a good woman and settle down. Corbin had laughed. “I’ll leave that to you, buddy.”

The scene changed. They were inside the village. From all appearances, the inhabitants were deep in a peaceful slumber. Stealthily, they made their way toward the two-story structure where the family was being held, at least according to intel. The information had come from a trusted source, but there was always a chance of it being erroneous.

Zane, the Commanding Officer, held up a hand for them to halt as he assessed the situation. Corbin clutched his assault rifle, his eyes scanning through the darkness, looking for any signs of movement. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Zane waved the group forward.

They were about twenty yards from entering the house when everything broke loose. Shadows rushing at them, shots popping like hot grease in a pan.Ambush!Corbin’s mind screamed.

“Fall back!” Zane ordered, but there was no time. They were caught like fish in a bowl.

A firestorm of bullets rained down. Cover was too far back. Nothing they could do to escape.

Doug rushed forward into the chaos as shots ricocheted in every direction. He tossed a grenade at the delivery truck parked in front of the building. It hit the gas tank on the side, exploding into a ball of flames and shielding the SEALs from the bullets of the enemy.

For a moment, the gunshots stopped. Doug ran back. Corbin waited for him while the other SEALs darted to the cover of a low wall.

“That was gutsy, man!” Corbin exclaimed. “The perfect diversion to get us out of here.”

Doug went down, face in the dirt. At first, Corbin thought he’d tripped, then realized with horror that he’d been shot multiple times. Corbin fell to his knees, his tears mixing with the sweat. Corbin ripped off Doug’s helmet, the vacant look in his best friend’s eyes shredding him to pieces. “No!” he cried.

Cannon took his arm, tried to pull him to his feet, urging him to fall back with the team. But rage boiled through Corbin’s veins, crowding out all reason. All he could think about was retribution—a dozen lives for the life of his friend.

His mind shifted to the next events. More commotion. Screams. Zane’s voice coming through the headset. “Stand down!” he yelled. “Abort!” But the command fell on deaf ears. Out of the corner of his eye, Corbin saw the family, huddled together, two men dressed in black carrying semi-automatic rifles—one in front and one in back, leading the family out a side door into the jungle. A mother and father, two young girls, their muffled sobs carrying in the night air.

Corbin began systematically firing at the terrorists, instinct taking over. He dropped the two gunmen in front and back of the family. Then took out several more on the roof.

“You’re putting the team and family at risk! Abort!” Zane ordered.

But Corbin’s rage knew no limits. He’d get them all! He stepped into the open, no longer caring about his own life as he ignored the shots being fired at him. The next events were seared into his soul. The family running. A terrorist firing at them, the bullet hitting the young girl as she crumpled, blood spilling over her white nightgown. The blood pooled and ran like a river onto the ground. He felt the girl’s terror, heard the mother’s gut-wrenching cry as she fell to her knees beside the girl. The father trying to drag the mother away.

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