Page 14 of SEAL Ever After

“Do they have your name, too?”

Ryan reached over and brushed a stray piece of hair off her face, loving the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips. He wanted to duck down and kiss her, to trace along her jawline and maybe kiss that tender spot behind her ear and suck those tiny earrings she had on into his mouth, making her squirm.

Hell.

He was already growing hard imagining her reacting to his soft kisses. Sarah was sensitive everywhere, and he loved touching and teasing her, giving her pleasure.

He cleared his throat, pinning her with a gaze. “They have all our names, baby girl. The government official most likely sold them to the men we were tracking down.”

“But the mission is over, right?” she asked, quirking her brow. “I mean, you caught them and finished whatever you were doing.”

Ryan nodded. “We did. Patrick and the men completed what they were there for. Two of the men escaped from jail though—mostly likely bribed the guards. They’re on the run.”

“So you’re worried they’ll come after us?”

“It’s a possibility, unlikely as though it sounds. We ruined their entire operation. We just all need to be more careful now.”

Sarah drew back, looking confused still. “But you said they were down in Mexico. They’re not just going to fly up here and find us. Even if they know your name, there are lots of military bases around. How would they even know where to begin?”

“I’m just being cautious, Sarah,” he assured her. “I don’t want you to worry. We’ll be a little more vigilant for the time being, but it’s not like we need to stop living our lives.”

“Besides, we need to focus on wedding planning,” she said, relaxing a little.

“Umm-hmm,” he said, leaning closer and loving how her breathing hitched. “We’ll definitely focus on that. And maybe practice a little so our wedding night is unforgettable.”

She giggled but then surrendered to him as he collected her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly, ensuring the only thing on her mind was him.

Chapter 7

Sarah jumped up and down with excitement, glancing over at Ryan on Saturday evening. His lips quirked as he watched her, and he set down the large cooler he’d hauled across the sand from his SUV. The waves crashed on the shore mere feet away, and Sarah’s bohemian sundress blew in the ocean breeze. She’d braided a few front pieces of her hair to keep it back from her face, but the rest of it blew free in the wind.

She twirled around as Ryan watched her, loving the feel of the sand beneath her bare feet, the wind in her hair, and her fiancé at her side.

“This bonfire tonight is going to be fantastic!” she said excitedly. “Everyone is going to be so surprised when we tell them we’re engaged.”

“They’ll be happy for us, but surprised? We’re practically living together already,” Ryan said doubtfully.

“I know, I know. It’s just that the guys think this is a coming home celebration for the Alpha team. They’re not expecting this.”

“That they’re not,” Ryan agreed, gazing down at her. He looked as serious as always, wearing a button-down shirt and khaki pants, and Sarah knew it was because his men were coming. They’d invited both teams down to the beach for the bonfire and Ryan had an image to maintain.

There was warmth in his gray eyes though as he looked at her.

And besides, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t let loose when they were all alone later tonight though, she thought, imagining his hands and mouth moving all over her skin. Ryan was an amazing lover, and she was simply lost to the world when she was with him.

“What?” he asked, catching the expression on her face.

“Just imaging our private celebration later on,” she teased.

His eyes heated as he took a step closer to her, but then they heard a shout in the distance.

Sarah smiled and waved at her brother, watching him head toward them with Rebecca and their kids. Back in the old days, Patrick and the guys would head into Anchors, a popular bar on the Virginia Beach oceanfront, to decompress and pick up women after their missions. She’d even watched Logan once or twice so Patrick could hang out with this team.

But now?

Celebrations when the guys were home involved lots of backyard barbeques, bonfires that were more family-oriented than not, and playdates amongst the couples who had young kids.

Sarah flushed with excitement, glancing up at Ryan as she heard her nephew call out to her.

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