Page 26 of SEAL's Temptation

His teammates had been dealing with their own crazy lives lately.Just last month, Hudson’s girl Layton—now his fiancée—had been kidnapped.She was a realtor who’d inadvertently gotten caught up with a shady client who’d stolen classified information and planted it in her belongings.Then he’d tracked her all the way to Hawaii in a failed attempt to retrieve the data.Fortunately, the team had gotten to her in time.

Ryan shook his head.

They were happy as hell now, even expecting a baby.Briefly, his mind tangled on the idea of Avery pregnant with his child.They’d only slept together that one night and used protection, plus she’d told him she was on the pill.It was highly unlikely they’d have the same surprise pregnancy as Hudson and Layton, but when Avery moved here a year from now?

Surprisingly, Ryan didn’t hate the idea of someday starting a family with her.He’d never given having kids too much thought in the past, but being with her felt good.Their new relationship was quick in some ways but also was so fucking right.They just clicked.They fit together.And in bed?God damn.Ryan had never come so hard as when he’d been pumping into her velvety walls, her pussy clenching him like a vise, her face flushed and lips parted as she cried out for him.Avery was fun and sexy, smart and driven, and now that he’d claimed her, he didn’t want to let her go.

Driving along the palm-tree lined streets, his mind wandered.His career was crazy, but now he had an adventurous girl.Hopefully this stint in South America would be all that Avery hoped to experience.

His gut still churned at the idea of her facing any harm.

He’d never cared about someone that way before, he realized.Sure, he’d lay down his life for his teammates in battle, but this was different.He thought about Avery all the time, shooting her a quick text when he could.Wondering what she was doing and if she was okay.When they could next talk.Everything would be different with her in another country.They weren’t even sure if she’d get good cell reception, which meant they might have to rely on email.And everyday he’d have to wonder if she was safe.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he stopped at a red light.Supposedly, the village was at the edge of civilization.The first stop for migrants once they’d gotten through the treacherous part of the Darien Gap.Businesses in the settlement there now catered to the large groups of migrants passing through.

That didn’t mean it would all work as planned, and even the idea of Avery in trouble, helpless and unable to reach him, sent a jolt of fear coursing straight through him.For a guy that charged into danger on the regular, that was tough to stomach.He couldn’t control what happened to Avery, and if any harm befell her, it would gut him.

Ryan pulled up to Wyatt’s house fifteen minutes later, grabbing a case of beer from the back of his SUV and heading toward the backyard.He could hear laughter and conversation filling the air, the scent of grilled food making his stomach rumble.

As he pulled open the gate, he saw Hudson and Layton, whose pregnancy was now showing.Hudson shot her a possessive look, and Ryan’s lips quirked.His buddy was smitten with her, but he was happy for them.

Sawyer was striding across the lawn, making some wise-ass remark from the way the others laughed.

Ryan shook his head.He carried the case of beer over to the table overflowing with food.Chips, fruit salad, desserts, and snacks took up nearly the entire space.“Leave some room for the burgers!”Wyatt called out.

Callie rearranged some things as Ryan set the beer down beside the cooler.

“You didn’t have to bring all that,” Callie said.“Wyatt already bought beers and drinks.”

Ryan lifted a shoulder.“Now you have extra for the next party.Do you need help with anything?”

“No, I think we’re good.Thanks though,” Callie said, flashing him a warm smile.A brief tug of regret churned through him.Except for Sawyer, all of his buddies were here tonight with their women.Wyatt and Callie.Austin and Alexa.Hudson and Layton.

Just then, more voices came from the gate.Ryan looked over to see Aaron walking into the backyard with Emersyn.His teammate was scanning the group, a frown on his face as he saw Ryan standing there with Callie.

“I thought Avery was coming tonight,” Aaron said as he walked over.“She wanted to see us again before she had to fly back home.”

Ryan cleared his throat, tensing.“Sorry, man, but she’s gone.She took the job.Avery flew to South America this morning.”

Aaron cursed, shooting Ryan an icy look, as Callie looked on in surprise.“And you didn’t stop her?”Aaron asked.“If you told her to stay here, I bet she would’ve.”

“Aaron,” Emersyn soothed, taking his arm.“Avery’s a grown woman.Ryan couldn’t stop her any more than you could.She told us last week she’d already accepted the job in Panama.”

“She’s right,” Ryan said, shooting Emersyn a grateful look.“Avery’s mind was made up long before she even came to Oahu.She had packers scheduled this week to box up the belongings in her apartment.”

“She knew I was pissed, so she didn’t even say goodbye,” Aaron said in disbelief.

Callie’s head was swiveling back and forth between them.“Wait, Avery’s gone?Why is she in Panama?”

Ryan briefly brought her up to speed, and Callie paled slightly as he told her that Avery would be working in the Darien Gap.“I can’t believe this,” Aaron spat out.“My own sister doesn’t even say goodbye before moving to a foreign country for a year.”

“Do you blame her?”Ryan asked.“You weren’t very supportive of her choice.I’m worried about Av, too, but shit.I can’t tell her how to live her life.She’s been eager for months to take a paid position with Doctors Without Borders.She’s been talking about this since I first met her.You’re the only one who couldn’t seem to accept it.”

“Did she fly home to California first?”Aaron questioned.

Ryan nodded.“She wanted to tell you herself, so I didn’t say anything when she left.Not that we had much time to chat about it anyway since training has been killer this week.”

“No kidding,” Aaron muttered.“It’s looking like the op will be a go in a few days’ time.I’ve been spending time with Emersyn since it’s likely we’re leaving soon.I figured Avery was busy with you and wanted to give her that time.But hell,” he said, looking frustrated.“I wanted to see her before she left.”

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