Page 66 of Stolen Hearts

Denver.

Heart jogging in her chest, she looked him over.

He stood there like a storm had pitched up in her doorway and settled into calm. Late afternoon sunlight highlighted the hard planes of his face and caught the dark stubble on his jaw.

His face was tender, his gaze warm. He looked at her as if she were the only thing keeping him in this moment.

“Hey,” she said, feet moving automatically toward him.

“Hey yourself.” He stepped inside the office, the door whispering shut behind him.

“What’s up this afternoon?” Something was different about his energy. As if he wore determination like a worn work jacket.

Casting a look around the room, he closed the gap between them. “Where’s Navy?”

His interest in the baby made her heart twist in the most delicious way.

“With Auntie Layne. She asked to take her for a little photoshoot. Apparently she has a flower crown and the most perfect basket for her.”

His lips turned upward…and stole her heart all over again.

They stared at each other, inches away but not touching.

“I spoke to Dutch.”

She blinked in surprise. “You did?”

Nodding, he slipped his hands in his jeans pockets. “I had to clear the air.”

Heat rushed through her. There was something wildly sexy about a man who didn’t just protect with his fists, but could face his emotional demons too.

“That’s…” She floundered for the right words. “That’s a big deal.”

He dipped his head in a nod. “I needed him to know that I understand now…how important Navy is to all of the guys.”

Her mind wandered to Justin and how uneasy it made her that he didn’t like the baby, even though her unease made no sense. What made people so amazing were their differences. Besides, she didn’t know his story yet. After the busy day she had, there wasn’t time to dig into his past as she’d planned to.

Her conclusion was simply that Justin didn’t need to enjoy time with Navy to receive treatment or find a path toward healing.

Denver took a step closer, bringing a flood of his heat over her body. A sizzle of desire flickered through her.

“It felt like the right thing to do. For you. For Navy.” He lifted his hand, stroking the rogue strand of hair behind her ear, rough fingers lingering on her cheek.

Her breath caught, and her pulse tripped faster.

“I love you, Rhae.”

His words slammed into her like a warm wave—deep, throbbing. Powerful.

Then he was sweeping her off her feet and turning for the office door. Their lips crashed together as he carried her down the corridor toward her quarters.

He navigated the building like he carried a map of it in his mind. Not surprising from a SEAL.HerSEAL.

Her past, present…her future.

They reached the room, and she reached out automatically to punch in her security code.

Denver kicked the door closed behind them and strode to the bedroom, his mouth finding hers again before her back even touched the bed.

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