A Sexy SEAL Novella Anthology (3 page)

“You know you’re wasting your time,” Tansy
said as she sat on the couch, one foot tucked under her hip.

“Looking good to serve my guy a delicious
meal is a waste of time?” Bryanna asked in her most guileless
voice, throwing in a few bats of her lashes for good measure.

“Not what you’re doing. Why you’re doing
it.”

“Sam’s been gone almost two months. This is
simply a welcome home dinner before we get down to fabulously hot
sex,” Bryanna said with a shrug as she curled onto the opposite
side of the couch. “What other reason could I have?”

“A lot of people would believe that’s all
you’re thinking about.” Her nails tapping against the soda can,
Tansy shook her head. “I know better. Sam’s been in San Clemente
finishing the third phase of his BUD/S training, right?”

“So?” This time Bryanna’s shrug was an
irritated jerk of her shoulder. She didn’t like this conversation.
After all, she knew very well where Sam had been the last
three-and-a-half weeks. She knew what he’d been training for over
the last six months of BUD/S. She knew SQT was next, and that after
Seal Qualification Training, he’d earn his trident.

She understood all of that. And even though
his reason for doing it all wasn’t to break her heart, she knew,
too, it would be the likely result.

“So, it doesn’t matter how many great meals
you feed him or how much hot sex you offer. If he passes BUD/S,
he’s heading for SQT,” Tansy said. “A fancy meal isn’t going to
convince him to forget that vow he made.”

“I’m not trying to convince him.” Bryanna
knew better than that. Sam wanted to be a SEAL. He wanted it bad
enough to make it through the fabled Hell Week and combat warfare
training. And even though she hadn’t heard yet how he’d done with
land warfare training—phase three—she was sure he’d done well.
Because that’s the kind of guy Sam was. The kind who set his mind
on something and made it happen.

Unless something changed that mind of his,
Bryanna knew he’d earn his trident. And keep his vow.

Just thinking about it made her want to
cry.

“Bry...” The words trailed off when Tansy
bit her lip. Eyes filled with worry, she reached out to lay her
hand on Bryanna’s lap. “Hon, he made a vow to become a SEAL. Part
of that vow was that when he did, he’d do it as a single man. He’ll
keep his word, just like his brother and yours did. These guys
apparently don’t have the capacity to multi-task their precious
Navy careers and a committed relationship. For you to wish
otherwise is just setting yourself up for a big-time hurt.”

But she couldn’t give up. Fists clenched
tight, Bryanna tried not to scream the words aloud.

She’d been in love with Sam for as long as
she could remember. They’d grown up across the street from each
other. And sure, Eli might be willing to throw away everything for
his career, breaking up with Tansy’s sister, Macy, when he’d made
the SEAL team. Not because he didn’t care about Macy. Bryanna knew
her brother. Knew he’d been in love. But Eli had decided at sixteen
that a man had to be unencumbered by a relationship if wanted to be
a SEAL, and his country had to come first. He and his friends had
pledged just that.

“They didn’t make that vow because they
can’t multitask or because they’re in the Navy,” she said quietly,
needing to make the other woman understand. As if somehow, that’d
make it easier for Bryanna herself to accept. She lifted her gaze
to Tansy’s. “The Navy can be rough on relationships—all the
branches can be. But rough doesn’t mean impossible. My dad retired
from the Navy. I grew up knowing what service is, how long
deployments last and what it’s like to wait at home while someone I
love is deployed in a hot zone. I understand the waiting, I know
how to deal with it. If my mom had lived, she and my dad would
still be together.”

“Okay, but we’re not talking about you being
able to handle a relationship with a Navy guy,” Tansy pointed out.
“We’re talking about Navy guys who become SEALs that can’t handle
relationships.”

“Not can’t. Won’t. Eli, Noah and the gang
decided that SEALs in relationships didn’t work. They said it
wasn’t fair to the woman, it put too much pressure on the SEAL and,
what was the last one?” Bryanna frowned, trying to remember the
rest of her brother’s stupid reasoning. “Oh yeah, that their only
commitment should be to their duty.”

“You’ve got to wonder what the hell was in
the water on that street where you all grew up.”

Bryanna gave a watery laugh.

“Five boys with more guts than brains,” she
said, letting her head fall back on the couch, eyes soft, she
remembered what those boys had been like. “Teenagers, all Sea
Cadets determined to be SEALs someday. Sam wasn’t even a part of
the original five since he was three years younger. But when Pete
Nunyo got married right out of high school, Eli let Sam into the
club to take his place.”

“And all of those guys joined the Navy?
They’re all SEALs?”

Bryanna glanced over at the interest in
Tansy’s voice. Hadn’t Macy filled her in?

“They’re all in the Navy. Some, like Toby
Page and Brad Fenton, went to college first. But Eli and Noah
enlisted when they were eighteen. They’re the only two that made
SEALs.” Bryanna’s words trailed off into a sigh. “Now it’ll be the
two of them and Sam.”

“It’s stupid,” Tansy snapped, pushing to her
feet and storming into the kitchen, her thick-soled black boots
thudding all the way. Before Bryanna could blink, she was back and
looking as if she’d bounced a few steps beyond irritated into
totally pissed.

“The SEALs aren’t stupid,” Bryanna defended,
coming to her feet. “It takes an amazing amount of fortitude and
incredible focus and dedication, not only to try out for, but to
become a SEAL. They’re the best. Becoming the best doesn’t happen
overnight. Eli, Noah and the rest spent years working toward that
goal, so when they had a shot at BUD/S they could make it. Being
the best means making sacrifices.”

Bryanna felt as shocked as Tansy looked to
hear those words come flying out of her mouth. Her brother’s words.
Sam’s words.

“I didn’t say the SEALs were stupid.” Tansy
dismissed that with a wave of her hand, the movement making the
sheer fabric of her dress flutter over her sleek black bodysuit.
“The SEALs aren’t the issue. A bunch of wet-behind-the-ears boys
making stupid vows is what’s stupid.”

“They thought they were doing the right
thing,” Bryanna muttered, not sure why she felt like she needed to
defend them.

“So you think it’s right that at sixteen,
those kids vowed to go at it solo the minute they made the team?
Even if that meant breaking someone’s heart?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know.” Careful not to
smudge her makeup, Bryanna pressed two fingers to her temples,
trying to rub away the pain throbbing there. “I understand why they
believe that. And I don’t know that they’re not right.”

She glanced at the clock, then shook her
head.

“Right or wrong, it is what it is. And now
my hour is down to half, so I’ve got to get ready.”

“Why bother?” Sounding genuinely confused,
Tansy lifted both hands, then let them drop. “You just said that
right or not, you agree with that no relationship vow.”

“Why?” Bryanna shrugged as she headed for
the bedroom where her slinky undies and sexy dress awaited. “Sam
isn’t a SEAL yet. So I’m doing everything I can to show him what
he’d be giving up if he joins.”

About to let herself out, Tansy paused with
one hand on the doorknob to give Bryanna a long look.

“And if he still chooses the SEALs?”

“Then I’ll know I did my best.” Bryanna dug
deep, because she knew the same stubborn determination that’d
prompted her brother to make that vow ran in her own veins. Then
she flashed a wicked smile. “Since my best includes a merry widow,
complete with garter and stockings, a teensy dress and wicked
stilettos, if nothing else, it’ll give me some great memories.”

Despite those words, she didn’t want to
settle for memories. With Tansy and her disapproval gone, Bryanna
dressed with a frown and made a vow of her own.

She was going to do everything she could to
lure Sam into staying.

Because while he had one dream—to be a Navy
SEAL—she had one too. To be Sam’s wife.

And if she didn’t do something about it,
when Sam’s dream came true, Bryanna’s heart would break.

Grateful that he didn’t have to wait for a
flight off San Clemente, Sam was back in his quarters in Coronado
by Fifteen Hundred Hours. By Sixteen Hundred, he’d showered away
most of his exhaustion, lusty anticipation taking care of the rest.
He retrieved his car keys and cellphone from his footlocker and was
halfway out the door when the phone buzzed.

Sam didn’t slow as he strode out the door,
down the stairs and after a salute to the Quartermaster, headed for
the parking lot. As he unlocked his Mustang, he hit play when the
phone signaled the ignored caller had left a message.

“Yo, little brother. You’re either licking
your wounds or you kicked phase three ass. Which is it? I’ll be
enjoying my Christmas Pudding in a warmer locale, so leave a
message.”

Deployed with SEAL Team Two, Noah Morelli
was one hell of an example to live up to. What he wasn’t, though,
was a nag. So Sam knew big brother wouldn’t care if he didn’t hear
back right away.

Grinning, Sam slid his car into gear and
headed toward his reward for kicking phase three ass.

He enjoyed the drive, and after six months
of strict regimentation, he treasured the freedom. When he hit
traffic in San Diego, he appreciated his car’s maneuverability.

Bryanna’s apartment key was nestled right
there next to his car key, so all Sam had to do was slide it in and
twist. As hot as he was to get his hands on Bryanna, he still
hesitated before turning the doorknob. He always felt weird just
letting himself in. Hell, he didn’t even walk into the house he’d
grown up in. But, as he always seemed to when he returned from
months away, he was desperate enough to get his hands on Bryanna
that he ignored the discomfort and walked right in.

“Yo, Blondie. I’m home.”

A little surprised that she wasn’t already
in his arms, Sam let the door shut behind him and looked around.
Her place was as fresh as always, although the rich scent of
something redolent with tomatoes filling the air wasn’t the norm.
Two glasses of wine sat, empty, next to a silver bucket of ice on
the driftwood coffee table. So she was obviously expecting him.

Where the hell was she?

“Bry?”

His long legs made quick work of crossing to
the kitchen. The oven light was on, a pretty bowl on the counter
held green salad stuff that he figured he’d have to get through to
get to whatever smelled so good.

But no Bryanna.

Figuring he deserved a beer to wash away his
disappointment, he grabbed one from the fridge, then stepped back
into the living room.

And stopped short.

“Welcome home.”

The husky words greeted him, along with a
gorgeous view. Bryanna stood, one shoulder leaning against the
bedroom doorframe, her hand perched on the hip she’d cocked to the
side.

There was a buzzing in his ears. The beer
dangling between his fingers forgotten, Sam stared. Somewhere in
the back of his head, he hoped like hell his jaw hadn’t dropped but
even that concern was quickly smothered in a blanket of lust.

“Bryanna,” was all he could say since the
air had left his body.

Her big blue eyes, usually so sweet and
innocent looking, were exotically smudged and smoked so she looked
like a sex kitten. Or maybe it was the sassy smile on those glossy
pink Cupid’s bow lips. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves,
blanketing milk-white shoulders, the ends curling toward her
breasts as if pointing the way.

She looked like she’d just walked out of one
of his wilder fantasies. The ones that always crept in late at
night, usually when he was bunking in a room with a dozen other men
and unable to do anything about his reaction except count the hours
before he could turn fantasy into reality.

But now, with that opportunity standing in
the doorway waiting, he could only stare.

She wore black satin, the slick corset
cinching her waist and lifting those full breasts so it looked as
if one deep breath would send them spilling out over the fabric.
His fingers itched to help set them free. The corset was cut high
on the thighs like a one-piece swimsuit, but he had never seen
anything like it on a beach. Barely covering what he considered his
own personal gate to heaven, it ended in a sharp v between thighs
that made his mouth water.

She wore stockings that started high on
those thighs with a band of black lace, then poured, smooth as
smoke down shapely legs. Where her feet were encased in skimpy
satin straps of fabric and arched on high, spiked heels.

“Wow,” was all he could say when he dragged
his gaze back up the gorgeous body and found her face again.

“I wasn’t sure when you’d be here. Dinner’s
about forty minutes from done.” She straightened, and that’s when
he noticed the robe-like thing draped over her shoulders. At least,
he supposed it was a robe. It had arm holes and poured down below
her knees, but it was made of some sheer, filmy fabric that didn’t
even attempt to hide anything.

Not that Bryanna had anything to hide, he
acknowledged as he crossed the room. Nope. Everything about her was
right there, out in the open. Honest, direct and so damned
beautiful.

“I missed you,” he murmured when he wrapped
his hands around her waist. Realizing he still held the beer, he
gave her a sheepish grin as he leaned to the side to set it down.
“Really missed you.”

Her smile flickered for a second, something
flashing in her eyes that made Sam want to frown. But it was gone
too fast for him to decipher. Then her body pressed against his as
she hugged him close and he forgot all about it.