Page 22 of SEAL's Angel
Chapter 6
The sun peeked through the drawn blinds, and Jake sat up and stretched. The impromptu sleeping arrangements on Dawn’s living room floor weren’t the worst place he’d slept. Hell, it got a five-star rating for being warm and dry and no tangos in sight. He’d only slept two hours, but that wasn’t unusual for him, either. When the team was on a mission, they were lucky to grab quick fifteen-minute naps. They’d all learned a long time ago to sleep where and when they could.
Jake gathered up the blankets and pillow. He folded the blankets and put them on the armchair, being careful not to wake Rafe, who was snoring on the couch. He’d been talking to Meghan in the other room when Jake had fallen asleep.
The house was peaceful, as it should be. They’d gotten back from the hospital at zero dark thirty, and he hoped Dawn and the kids would sleep in for a while. He pictured her lying in bed, her wavy hair spread across the pillow. Did she wear sleep clothes or was she naked? Just thinking about her made his dick come to attention, and he sighed. Then he grabbed his bag and headed upstairs to take a shower.
It had taken a lot of restraint to let Dawn go upstairs by herself. He’d come close to fucking up royally. All he’d wanted was to comfort her and share his strength. The dark circles under her eyes and her pale cheeks had triggered every one of his protective instincts. Then their lips had met, and desire ignited across his skin and through his body like wildfire until it reached his cock.
Without thinking, he’d pulled her up against him and slid his hand through her soft, chestnut hair. The peachy scent of her shampoo reminded him of summer days. As Dawn parted her lips, his tongue swept through her mouth, rubbing against hers like a man starving for his next meal. Then she’d leaned into his erection as her hands grabbed his arms and it brought him to his senses.
Jake needed to stay focused, to just be happy that he was near Dawn and in her home instead of being in his, alone in Norfolk. Hearing the words in his head made him grin.Alone in Norfolksounded like a signature on aDear Abbycolumn.
It surprised him to see Dawn standing in Chase’s doorway when he got upstairs. The figment of his fantasies stood within reach with mussed hair and wearing an oversized Pink Floyd T-shirt. At least he knew what she slept in now.
When she saw him, she gently pulled the door closed and held her finger up to her lips. That’s when he saw the trails of tears on her cheeks. Jake wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. But he knew better. It was too dangerous, too tempting, too easy to spin out of control, especially when they were only a few steps from her bedroom.
Instead, Jake brushed the back of his hand over her cheek and wiped away the remnants of her tears. He’d expected her to pull away, but she leaned into the touch. Her skin was so soft, like caressing silk. Even that slight contact made his cock twitch in his sweats, and he hoped she wouldn’t notice. The last thing she needed was to have a horn dog chasing after her.
“Is he okay? I thought you’d be sleeping for another few hours at least,” Jake whispered.
“I slept for a bit, but I needed to make sure he was really home. I dreamed he was still missing. And that someone was chasing him through the woods. I could hear him crying out for me, so I had to check.” Dawn’s voice hitched as she held back more tears.
“It was just a dream, angel.”
When she nodded but stayed quiet, he put his bag down and pulled her into his arms. He told himself it was for her, not him. That she needed the support, the warmth.
Dawn didn’t resist as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She rested her head against his chest and slid her arms around his waist. Emotion he didn’t have a name for filled his chest and chipped away at the wall around his heart.
“Thank you,” she murmured as she snuggled closer.
“Anytime, angel. I will always be here for you. You just have to let me know.” There was so much more he wanted to say, but it wasn’t the right time. Hell, it might never be the time. But if that’s how it played out, he’d accept that, too.
“Why are you up? Is something wrong?” Dawn yawned.
“Habit mostly. I’m usually up with the sun. I’m surprised Rafe isn’t, too. When you’ve had the same routine for so long, it’s hard to break.”
“That makes sense. I’ll go get dressed and make breakfast.”
“No need. I’m going to grab a shower and make coffee. You should try to get more sleep. I can take care of myself.”
“Oh, really?” Dawn leaned back and gazed up at him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, not tears, and her cheeks blushed like ripe peaches. Between her hair and her skin, he’d never be able to eat a peach again without wanting her.
Jake chuckled. He loved when she was like this. Playful. Teasing. “Yes, I can. Unless you want to jump in the shower and help me?”
God, he wanted her to say yes, but he knew better. Especially with the kids and her brother around.
“You are so very tempting. But…”
He put his fingers over her lips to stop her. “You don’t have to answer. I shouldn’t have asked. It wasn’t fair.” Jake hugged her tighter and then let her go. He wanted her, and he had the blue balls and aching erection to prove it. But he’d never push her into something she didn’t want. It went against everything he believed in.
Not wanting it to be awkward, Jake smiled. “I won’t be long. After I finish, how about I whip up some breakfast for you?”
“You can cook?” Dawn’s enormous smile warmed his heart and made him glad he offered. He’d love to spoil her, take some of her stress away.
“Hell yeah. I’ve got mad skills in the kitchen. I’ve lived alone too long to live off microwave meals.”
“I’m impressed.”
