Page 52 of SEAL's Angel
“Everything okay, boss?” Rafe looked concerned.
“Yup. It wasn’t team business.”
“Care to share?”
They’d been close since BUD/s, so it wasn’t odd for Rafe to ask. But Jake wasn’t ready to discuss it with anyone, and after talking with Knox, he hoped it would be a moot point.
“Not now. Appreciate the offer, but our focus needs to be on this mission. I’m done letting this fucktard get away.”
“Fuck, yeah. I’m glad I wasn’t here when Ryan found out Chrissy was going with us. And I bet he exploded when they got home,” Rafe said.
“No doubt. Not that I blame him, but Chrissy is excellent in the field. Besides, she’s proved more than once she can take care of herself. Even if he hates to admit that she rescued him on the cruise ship last year.”
“True. But what a clusterfuck. I’m glad Meghan is a civilian.”
“Ryan will keep his focus. He’s been operating too long for anything else. And we’ll have his back.” Jake hoped he was right about Ryan, because of all the CIA liaisons who’d worked with them, Chrissy really was the best. With her eidetic ability, she connected dots no one else even considered.
“Maybe. But if Chrissy puts herself in danger, I’m not sure where Ryan’s head will be,” Rafe mused.
“I’ll talk to him on the flight. If it’s going to be an issue, we’ll figure something out. Worst-case scenario is we let Red Falcons take lead. I don’t want to, but the mission always comes first.”
Rafe nodded. “Okay, I’m heading home. See you soon.”
“See ya.” Jake climbed into his truck, intending to go straight home and try to catch some shut-eye. When his stomach growled, he grabbed a pizza on the way home. He still hadn’t heard from Dawn, and it concerned him. Had something happened after they left? Surely, she would have called him or Rafe to let them know.
Finally home, he tossed the pizza box on the coffee table and grabbed a bottle of water. Then he turned on the TV. As usual, there was nothing on as he flipped through the channels and put on cable news. The major story was more unrest in the Middle East. No surprise there. Jake doubted the area would see peace in his lifetime.
It was too quiet. Even with the TV on, it was lonely. No nonstop chattering. He’d learned that if the kids were awake, their mouths were moving. Then there was Dawn. He pulled his phone out of his pocket to check again and decided enough was enough and dialed her number.
As the phone rang, he closed his eyes and thought about making love to her in the springs. The way she couldn’t hide her feelings. Like when her soft, hazel eyes focused on him and her skin would turn pink when he’d catch her. He loved the way her chestnut hair fell over her face, and she’d push it behind her ear without realizing. There had been countless times he’d stopped himself from running his hands through her silky locks.
“Jake. Is everything okay? I figured you’d be off on your mission.”
Relief at hearing her voice eased the tension headache that had been building. “I wanted to make sure everything was okay. When I didn’t hear from you, I got worried.”
“I’m sorry, SBA. I left my phone in my purse after running to the store and forgot all about it. Then when I remembered, I’d figured you’d left already.”
“That explains it. We’re leaving in a few hours. I’m really sorry we had to cut the visit short.”
“Me, too, but I understand. I do. I’ve been thinking about you. I’m a little sore, and every time I move, I think of the springs. You are the sexiest man alive. I swear.”
Jake chuckled. “Hardly, but I’m glad you think so.”
“But I’m glad you called.” Dawn’s voice hitched.
“Is something wrong, angel?” Jake’s protective instincts kicked into high gear.
“Nope. I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me. That I respect the job you do, and I’ll deal with it. So, go save the world, I’ll be right here waiting when you get back.”
A lump formed in Jake’s throat. He loved her so much, but he didn’t want to tell her for the first time over the phone. He wanted her in his arms while he gazed into her eyes, and he could see her response.
“Jake?”
“Sorry, angel. You just took me by surprise. Those words are the best gift you could give me. I can’t wait to have you in my arms again and show you just how much you mean to me.”
The sound Dawn made was somewhere between a giggle and a sigh, and it reminded him of yesterday when he’d held her in the heated water. That’s all it took for him to have to stand up to rearrange his cock in his uniform. The woman gave him the worst set of blue balls in his life. Jacking off in the shower wouldn’t even come close to assuaging his desire for her. Not after knowing what it felt like to slide his dick deep inside her and make her come apart in his arms.Fuck.
“I can’t wait. I haven’t asked Rafe yet, but I’m going to see about staying with him over Christmas,” Dawn said.
