Amy J Fetzer - The Seal's Surprise Baby p.03

"Excuse me?"
He grinned, took the glass from her and, setting it aside, drew her into his
arms. "I thought I was keeping you from finding someone else, too, but I don't
want you looking elsewhere."
She wouldn't. She knew that in her heart that very second. "Demands already?"
"I have what I want," he murmured, his gaze lowering to her mouth. "Can you say
you're satisfied?"
She threw her arms around his neck. "Ask me in the morning."
His smile grew wider by the second. "That's what I love about you, Melanie—you
never say what I expect."
"What are you expecting? And if you say nothing, I'll know you're fibbing."
He met her gaze steadily. "Fidelity, honesty and your trust."
Both realized he didn't say love, yet neither acknowledged it.
"Two out of three?"
He settled his arms more comfortably around her. "I know you trust me. You just
don't want to admit it."
Cocky, isn't he, she thought "How would you know?"
"You wouldn't have married me if you didn't trust me a little. And I know you
wouldn't have let me get this close to you again, either," he said, and laid his
mouth over hers.
Melanie felt something inside her unwind, go loose and languid, then wrap around
him. Ribbons of desire slid along her body with every second he kissed her. It
was slow and tender at first. He molded and toyed, nipped and licked, playful
and patient, and when she thought she couldn't draw in air fast enough, he moved
to her throat. He kissed the base of her throat, slid his tongue lower, and she
felt the sudden exquisite rush he gave her splinter over her. Her arms slipped
from his neck and she palmed his chest, wanting his hold to tighten, to be
stronger. Because she'd been alone for so long. Because she'd missed this man.
Only this man. It was like finding safety and contentment in his arms, as if it
had been stripped from her when he left that day, and only now was she allowed
to let the feelings back into her heart.
His touch weakened her and she loved it. The strap slid off her shoulder, and
her zipper was slowly undone, the snug bodice easing from her.
"It's been eating at me all night."
"Oh, yeah, what's that?" She tipped her head back as his mouth made a damp path
over the swells of her breasts.
"Wondering what you've got under this gown."
"Not much."
He groaned. "Every time I saw you go to work, I knew there was something
completely feminine underneath your business suits."
She laughed. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, my imagination would be a good weapon of torture." Jack leaned back,
anticipation rocketing through him and making his fingers ache. The bodice gaped
and Melanie wiggled. The satin fabric whispered down her body to her ankles.
Jack swallowed. "My imagination didn't come close."
She smiled, lifting the gown from the balcony floor and tossing it onto a lounge
chair. There was something decadent about being on a balcony in nothing but her
lingerie, she thought.
And even more decadent with Jack eating her alive with his eyes.
"Man, oh man." His hand coasted up her side, over her iridescent lavender
stockings, the thin strap of her thong. Her breasts were cupped in the sheerest
fabric edged in lace. He met her gaze. "I'm done for."
"Liar, you never give up. And is that any way for a SEAL to behave?" she said,
tugging his T-shirt from his trousers and backing him into the room. She peeled
his shirt off over his head, flinging it aside with a smile too seductive for
words.
Jack's mouth went dry. He'd wanted her for so long, had wanted her nightly for a
year and a half. The last person he'd made love to was Melanie. The last person
she'd touched like this was him. And until he died she would be the only woman
he would love. Jack stilled and looked into her eyes.
Her brows knitted ever so slightly, her gaze probing. Suddenly he cupped her
face in his palms and kissed her, long and leisurely. Melanie felt it, the
tender mercy of it, the electricity they'd always shared tempered with something
new.
"Jack."
"You're mine, Melanie. Mine."
There was something in the way he said those words, something so possessive, so
certain that it left her shaking. Then she realized he was trembling a little.
"I want you," he said. "All night, all day, forever."
Melanie swallowed thickly, feeling confused and cherished and needed all in the
same breath. She could feel his heart beat, hear his erratic breathing that
matched her own and knew this moment had changed something in him.
Jack reached to pull her close, but she batted his hands aside and tugged at his
belt buckle. Her smile was feline wicked and her gaze never left his as she
opened the buckle slowly, kissing his mouth, his throat, bending a bit to lave
his nipple. The air hissed out of him between clenched teeth.
Then her hand dipped inside his trousers, closing over him. He growled, his
fingertips digging into her waist, his body aching for her in every cell, every
pore.
Melanie watched the play of emotions skip over his features, felt his shuddering
breath vibrate down to the floor. His hands were busy, drawing her against him,
forcing her to release him and hold on. He cupped her breast and she moaned in
response, touching him everywhere. He bent and hooked a finger in the cup of her
bra, pulling the sheer fabric down. Her nipple spilled into the heat of his
mouth, and he bent her back over his arm. He suckled warmly, his touch growing
stronger, then easing, stronger, then delicate.
It drove her wild and she plowed her fingers into his hair, crying out, holding
him close. "Oh, Jack."
He cupped her buttocks, pulling her against his heat, then his fingers slipped
beneath the band of the thong, following the line of it curving her hip and
lower, then pushing it aside. He slipped a finger between her legs and she
gasped over and over.
He absorbed each sound, his groin tightening. She mewed softly and he kept
stroking her as he laid her on the bed, hovering over her.
Melanie felt everything in her yank and twist, the pulse hot and quick with lush
desire. "Oh, Jack, not yet."
"Look at me," he growled, and she did. "We're just starting. Don't you remember,
baby? We were never done when I had to leave last time." His motions quickened
and he watched her eyes flare, her body erupt with her climax. Her muscles
flexed and clawed and a little shriek escaped her as she bowed back, rocked
against his hand and took her pleasure. She cried out his name again and again,
and it made him smile.
He kissed her gently and she sank into the bed boneless. "Catch your breath
fast, baby. I mean to have more of you."
She managed to lift her head off the bed and look at him, but he was already in
command. He hooked her panties and pulled them off, mapping the contours of her
legs with his lips and teeth, gently nipping at her calf, her thigh and higher.
He rolled the stockings down, tasting each inch of flesh revealed, then with her
leg propped on his shoulder, he stripped off his trousers.
Melanie let her gaze lower over him as he kicked the white slacks aside. He was
a wall of muscle, a warrior, his waist lean, his abs rippled with definition.
Just to look at him made her body quiver with want. To touch, to taste.
Jack watched her look and felt himself harden to near painful proportions. She
was open to him, bare and uninhibited. She had no fears, only need in her green
eyes, and when she clapped her legs around his waist and drew him down, he
wanted only to give her pleasure, to make her as delirious as she was making
him.
His arousal brushed her center and she arched, the move hungry with demand. But
he didn't give her what she craved, and laid a moist path over her mouth, her
cheek, down her throat.
"I want you now," she moaned.
"Did I ever tell you that in training we have to stand in the water for twelve
hours in the dark?" he said casually, then his lips closed over her nipple and
he drew it deeply into his mouth.
"No. Ahh, Jack."
"I love it when you say my name like that." He tasted her other nipple, feeling
her writhe with each pass of his tongue. "We learned patience." He slid lower,
taking his time tasting her soft, smooth skin. "No food, no water, but we can
see it. It's on the shore. It makes the need worse. To see it, smell it and not
be able to have it. So your patience has to be greater than your need."
"Yeah, I…oh, yes…"
He kissed her belly, then slid lower. Running his hands under her spine, down
her buttocks, the backs of her thighs, he nipped and licked, his mouth circling
her abdomen, yet never touching where she craved. "The feast is in plain sight
and we can't have it."
"Uh-huh." She knew she should be paying attention, but it was useless. Her
thoughts were swimming in pleasure, her nerves and body tingling with
anticipation. His mouth passed over her skin, leaving a burning trail of want,
for more, much more. She could scarcely breathe. And why was he even talking?
He smiled, knowing she wasn't listening and wondering how he could get the words
out when his need to feel her body trap his had his blood pounding like an
engine. Her fingers balled in the bedspread, and her hips rose in invitation.
"Well." The heat of his words breezed over her liquid center. "I was never very
good at it," he said, then tasted her.
She came unglued for him. It was what he adored about her. She never held back.
He laved and stroked her, his movements languid and succulent. She gasped his
name over and over, told him how good she felt, that she wanted him inside her,
and her erotic words nearly undid him.
He pushed her thigh farther over his shoulder and drove deeper, letting her come
to the edge of rapture, then slowing and taking her up the peak again.
"Jack," she screamed, and he rose up.
She labored for air, wrapping her limbs around him. "Now, Jack, please."
"Yes," he said softly. "Now."
He lifted her farther onto the bed and shifted between her thighs. Braced above
her, he met her gaze.
Melanie went still, her nerve endings exposed. Her heart exposed. She'd wanted
this for so long, and gazing up at him, she reached between them and closed her
fingers around his arousal.
Then she let the silken tip of him slide against her.
"Melanie, honey."
She smiled like a cat and guided him. He sank into her slowly and she watched
his muscles tighten, his head drop back for a second or two. His entire body
flexed as he pushed and filled her completely.
"Mine," she said, and moved, her hip retreating. He plunged. "Don't you forget
it." Her voice cracked and she pushed harder against him, demanding, claiming.
He met her tempo, a smooth cadence heightening their pleasure with each stroke.
Jack felt it climb up his spine, shatter his will. She touched his face, kissed
his mouth, his chin. Jack grabbed the head-board, leveling himself, watching her
as he left and plunged into her body. She stretched beneath him, long and
willowy, utterly feminine in her passion. He was aware of her every nuance,
every movement and sound she made. Yet it was the tears in her eyes that snagged
his soul and tore through his heart.
He called her name, his chest vised with tenderness. Desire slapped at them like
waves, splashing over them. The slick folds of her gripped him, drew him back.
Pleasure, it beat. Love is here, it whispered.
Soft and womanly, she yielded to his strength, his power.
Bronze captured in a delicate pearl, he was her prisoner.
Their passion was like a living thing, curling around them, simmering on the
edge of their skin. It throbbed from one to the other, twisting until they were
more one being, than simply two joined. He held her gaze, never breaking eye
contact, never ceasing his movements.
Then he lowered onto her.
"I need you," she whispered, and her voice caught. "I need you for more than
this, Jack."
His throat thickened, and he knew what she couldn't say. He felt it. In his
bones. Then exquisite heat rolled up his body, into her and exploded. It blinded
him with its power, and he thrust hard. She cried out, bowing like a silken
ribbon beneath him, and he pushed and pushed, shoving her higher on the bed as
their climax dragged them over the edge of rapture, and kept on dragging. It
razored through him and into her, ripping out on a soft groan.
Desire suspended between them, a silent thread of a moment. Fused to her, Jack
buried his face in the curve of her shoulder and held on tightly. Passion
wouldn't let him go.
When it began to fade, when he thought there would be nothing left of him but
ashes, Jack knew his heart had left him somewhere, and he prayed it landed
inside hers.

Nine

He smoothed her hair back from her face and kissed her deeply, with as much
fervor as before, with a devouring hunger that lent itself to the side of
demand.
She responded instantly. She didn't have a choice; he owned her desire.
Possessed her when she hadn't thought she wanted to be possessed so strongly.
But she did, she was, and when he rolled to his back, taking her with him,
Melanie lay draped over him and sighing with satisfaction.
They didn't speak, still catching their breaths, yet he palmed her spine, her
buttocks, in a slow roam. She lifted her head, then folded her arms on his
chest, propping her chin there. His expression was serene, his eyes closed.
She wanted to tell him what she was feeling, but she just wasn't sure. And she
wasn't ready to commit her heart so deeply, though she already knew she'd taken
a tumble when Jack walked back into her life. Now he was in her bed again,
making her feel much more than before, and she wanted him to know how much of a
woman she was with him, but she decided that he already knew. He was the only
man who could make her rip apart with her desire and still want more.
He opened his eyes. "Hi."
She smiled. "Hi yourself, lieutenant"
He squeezed her buttocks. "I'm almost afraid to hear what you have to say."
"I'm not talking myself out of anything, Jack." She inched up, running her
tongue over the seam of his mouth before she kissed him.
He groaned, trapping her in his arms.
"We're amazing together, aren't we?" she said, and he shifted them to the side,
running his hand over the curve of her hip.
"Oh, yeah."
"So what happened when you stayed in the water for hours?"
He cocked a look at her, amused. "I didn't think you were listening."
"I wasn't, but that much I caught"
"We finally got to come in and we ate the leftovers from the previous meal out
of the trash can."
"Eww," she said, sitting up. "That's disgusting."
"All a matter of survival, darlin'. You're hungry, you eat what's there." From
his position, her bare breast was too much of a temptation. He tipped his head
and took her nipple deep into his mouth.
Her sharp indrawn breath filled the room, followed by a low throaty moan.
Melanie knew she was moaning. It was hard not to be vocal when Jack touched her
like this. He cupped her breasts, kneading them as he sucked, the pull sending
spirals of sweet sensation out to her fingertips.
Her toes curled.
Only him, she thought, scrubbing her hands over his chest and then lower. The
muscles of his stomach flinched and she smiled to herself. He nuzzled between
her breasts and Melanie shifted lower, leaving hot grinding kisses in her wake.
His breathing labored, his grip on her tightened.
"Melanie."
She met his gaze, stroking his stomach, her hand gliding over his skin, then
slowly closing her fingers around his arousal. He was already hard. She arched a
brow.
He just shrugged and grinned. "It's a perpetual state with you around."
Then she bent and licked. He howled and she took him.
"Oh!"
Jack was helpless. Sinking fast and furiously into the sensations rushing and
churning inside him. His body reeled in ten directions at once. His hands fisted
in the sheets. His blood shimmered in his veins and rushed to collect where she
touched. She tasted. He couldn't stand it. He wanted to stand it, but he was
almost embarrassingly powerless.
He grasped her under her arms and pulled her upward. "We better do something
about that," he growled. "Now."
"Thought I was." Melanie smiled as she straddled his hips. He didn't give her a
second to breathe, pushing into her and bucking. She laughed and spread her
hands over his chest, riding him, rocking hard and watching his face. He rose
up, pulling her legs around him, then quickening their motion. Gazes met and
locked as their bodies beat a frantic rhythm.
Sweat trickled, damp flesh melted. She gripped his shoulders as he pushed and
pushed.
"You are so hot," he said against her mourn. And she told him what he did to
her, what he felt like inside her, thick and pulsing. It fueled him and he
tossed her on her back and thrust harder, faster, and she laughed and begged for
more. He sent her across the bed and they fell to the floor, never stopping.
Groping, pushing, filling.
Then the shock came. Like a savage beast, their climaxes roared through them,
pulses pounding. Blood boiling and spilling back into their hearts.
"Melanie," he chanted over and over as they fused, smiling as his body poured
into hers. He shuddered hard and she trembled with the power of it He went
slack, sapped of energy, and he sank onto her for a second, then knowing his
weight was crushing her, shifted to his side.
"Hoo-yah," he groaned into the bend of her throat
She laughed between gasps for bream. "Go Navy."
He burst into laughter, then kissed her into another mindless puddle of desire.
Eventually they made it back into the bed.

Jack belted his robe, running his fingers through his damp hair and staring down
at Melanie. On her stomach, a pillow tucked close, the sheet draped her behind
and nothing else. His gaze moved over her long hair, down her slender spine. The
legs that had trapped him to her last night. He smiled and shook his head,
amazed and pleased. Hell, more than pleased. But then, he'd known it would be
like that. Tender, wild and all over the place.
Beyond the windows the sun rose over the river, and he took the cordless phone
and moved out onto the balcony where he'd set up their room-service table. He
smiled. He'd refused to let the bellman inside. He wanted no interruptions,
nothing to disturb these moments alone. Reality would show itself soon enough.
His gaze on her, he dialed her house, waiting for her mother to answer. Melanie
would be anxious to know how Juliana fared without her. He was not anxious to
know how either of his women would fare without him. But his time was growing
short, his leave was almost over. His country, he knew, would soon call.

Melanie sat up sharply, confused, and when she realized she didn't have a baby
to care for, she sank back into the bed. She stretched, taking a refreshing
breath, and realized she was alone. Quickly she scanned the room and found Jack.
Her heart did a little leap and she tossed the covers aside. He was already
sitting on the balcony, reading the paper and sipping coffee, and when she
walked near, he looked up and smiled.
"Now that's a pleasant sight in the morning."
She smiled and reached for her robe.
"Damn."
"I don't think the town is ready for nudist dining."
He smiled and she sat beside him. He poured her a cup of coffee, and she tipped
her head back, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.
"What shall we do today?"
"I need to call Mom."
"Already done. The princess is, as we speak, being whisked away to the park,
then the beach and then shopping."
Melanie smiled, trying to not miss her child and to focus on Jack. "Did you have
something in mind to do today?"
He gave her a velvety look.
"Besides that." Last night they'd played and explored and discovered. And
Melanie thought, he's not running off to some mission. I can still get him near
for a while.
"Sailing, a tour?" He hesitated. "Shopping?"
She laughed. He looked utterly horrified at the possibility. "I wouldn't dream
of forcing you to shop. Besides, I really don't need anything."
"Considering your gender, that's a first."
She nudged him. "Chauvinist"
Jack smiled, and his heart did a little lurch when she brushed her hair back and
the sun glittered off the diamonds on her hand. The last time he'd made love to
her, he'd slipped out in the early morning and headed to Asia. He never forgot
about her. Too many times to count he recalled being on ship in his bunk and
wondering what she was doing, if she'd forgotten about him. She was in his
blood.
Now she was his wife. She wore his ring and he wore hers. He looked down at the
ring she'd placed on his finger during the ceremony, the simple band of gold
meaning more to him than he thought possible. Forever, he thought, and met her
gaze. She was watching him.
"You can't wear that on missions, can you?"
"No. No identifying marks. Does that bother you?"
"No, I wouldn't want you to get hurt because of a ring and I don't believe a
ring makes you married. It's more than that." She sipped her coffee, breaking
off a piece of a muffin and popping it into her mouth.
"Keep going."
She glanced at him, then looked out over the water. "It's commitment,
compassion, honesty. Trust. Those things are marked with a ceremony and a ring,
but they don't make them happen. I learned that the hard way."
He caught her chin, pressing his lips to hers, then pulling back enough to say,
"School's over, baby."
Her eyes teared and she touched the side of his face, falling into his kiss. "I
know." Her voice wavered. "I really know that." She searched his features and
Jack saw her uncertainty, saw the fears.
"Talk to me."
"I don't want to let you down, Jack. You've done so much."
He tipped her face up. "Hey, this isn't about who does more, Melanie. I'm
getting all the benefits—a wife, a daughter…a friend."
"You haven't mentioned lover."
He smiled.
"Kiss me again, Lieutenant."
"Yes, ma'am."
Boy, did he. Melanie felt her insides yank tight the instant his mouth touched
hers.
"I'll want to do that forever," he whispered against her mouth and pulled her
onto his lap.
Melanie sank into him. Forever. It was the same for her. She knew she wouldn't
have agreed to marriage if she wasn't sure there was more than sex and a baby
between them. She couldn't admit to herself that she loved him. Not yet. Trust
was coming, but her heart had tricked her badly before. She would have sworn she
loved her fiances, but this was so different Jack was different, strong,
patient, powerful.
Did she have to choose badly twice before she chose wisely? she wondered when
Jack's hand worked inside her robe and her train of thought disintegrated. He
palmed her breast, whispering how soft she was, how he loved just holding her.
"You're more than holding, Singer, and you best stop or get busy," she teased,
and he grinned and his hand shot downward between her thighs. He nudged them
apart and pushed two fingers inside her.
She choked.
"Busy enough?"
"Oh, yeah," she moaned, curling toward him as he stroked her to incredible
passion. Her hips rocked and Jack stood, carrying her into the bedroom and
setting her on the bed.
Melanie was on fire and she tore at her sash and flung her robe open. "Hurry,"
she said. "Right now, Jack."
He tore off his robe, his arousal full and throbbing. "Aye, aye, ma'am," he
growled. Lowering himself and spreading her thighs, he pushed into her.
"Oh, Jack." She dragged his name out, long and soulful, as he plunged and
plunged, cupping her buttocks and lifting her to greet him.
There was nothing gentle in their lovemaking, only a frantic passion that
overtook them in seconds. They clawed and dug at each other as they met and
parted. Bodies didn't sheathe, they captured. Kisses were deep and hard and
devouring. The crest rose with each thrust, and when Jack thought he'd hurt her,
she'd demand more. He gave it, wanting this pleasure only with her. It was never
typical, each touch seemed to be fresh and new and yet familiar. He plunged
maddeningly deep and she locked her legs around him as they reached the summit
and grabbed for more.
The explosion ripped a cry from her. Jack bit his lip to keep from screaming
like a fool as pleasure erupted in savage demand. His legs and arms trembled as
shudder after shudder razored through his body.
And when it subsided, when they were limp and sated, Melanie laughed.
He lifted his head to stare down at her. "You laugh? Laugh when I can barely
breathe?"
"No, I laughed because I remembered why I went to the hotel room with you in the
first place."
"My charm?"
"I knew it would be mind-blowing exciting."
He rolled off her and lay on his back. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Don't. Your ego is large enough." She stood and he watched her cross the room
to the bath, his gaze on her behind. A second later he heard the shower running.
"Hey, Singer," she called. "You waiting for an invitation or what?''
Air. He was waiting for breathing to come easily again, he thought, smiling as
he pushed off the bed, crossed the room, then pushed open the door. Through the
clear glass he saw her in the shower, wet and soapy. All she did was arch a brow
and run that sponge over her breasts, and he was ready for her again.
He stepped under the spray and murmured, "You're going to kill me, woman." Then
pushed her up against the tile wall and loved her again.

Melanie stared out the window into her backyard, watching her father inspect
Jack's handiwork on the castle-style gym he'd built for Juliana. The two men hit
it off famously, sharing some secret bond. Her father had told her already that
he thought Jack was more than a good choice for her, but he didn't elaborate on
what the "more than'' meant. She wondered how shocked her father would be that
she and her new husband had been romping all over the place, buck naked till the
wee hours.
Smiling privately, she watched Jack and her father inspect a joist. Jack's
father, David, had passed away two years ago, which was the reason Jack had
escorted his little sister down the aisle at her wedding, but she learned that
David had been a wonderful, calm man. She suspected Jack got that from him.
"You don't know what to do with yourself, do you, honey," her mother said, and
Melanie glanced back over her shoulder. Jack's mother and hers were sharing
Juliana like a great prize. The baby was in Grandma heaven.
"Both of you are going to spoil Juliana so badly I'll be tearing my hair out
when you're not here."
"Grandmas' privilege," Laura, Jack's mother, said. "We get to have all the fun
and none of the work." With that, Laura handed Juliana a biscuit. "Do you have
any chocolate?" she teased.
Melanie laughed and, shaking her head, went into the kitchen. Jack's mother was
great, a cut-up like Lisa. It was all…perfect. Perfection in anything but
numbers on a bank account scared Melanie. And it was strange. Strange having
Jack in her house, his things in the bathroom. She wasn't territorial or
anything and had made room for him. But she had to smile when they awoke in her
very feminine bedroom. He looked a little silly there. But that was the only
place. Waking up beside him, staring across the dinner table, talking late at
night, it was all so real and comforting. And it had only been a few days. While
Jack learned she gave great back rubs, she realized he could repair just about
anything. Juliana loved that her daddy was near, and though Melanie had some
time off, she almost dreaded going back to work. And dreaded the moment when
Jack would leave for duty.
Laura came into the kitchen carrying snack trays and dishes from their barbecue.
Melanie reached for them.
"I got it." Laura started rinsing and loading them into the dishwasher. "So how
you doing, honey?"
"Just fine. Great, actually."
Laura, who was petite with dark hair that showed very little gray, moved a
little closer. "You sound shocked."
She looked at Laura. "I wasn't expecting for it to be this…easy."
"It wasn't easy getting to this spot though, was it?"
Melanie scoffed to herself. "No, ma'am."
"I knew there was something between you two at Lisa's wedding." At Melanie's
glance, Laura wiggled her brows. Melanie laughed and knew where Jack got his
charm. "I just didn't know how much, and when Jack called to tell me he was a
daddy, I knew it was you."
Melanie's brows shot upward. She and Laura had spent time together during Lisa's
wedding, and though she lived out of state, most of the preparations had been
taken care of by Lisa and Melanie. And Jack, when he'd arrived. "I'm glad you
approve, Laura."
Laura patted her hand, her voice low and private. "I understand what you're
going through. Sometimes it works and it scares us. We're waiting for the other
shoe to drop, the roof to fall." Laura was staring out at nothing, a sweet
private smile on her face. "Then sometimes you just get more than a little
lucky."
Melanie prepared a pot of coffee. "Jack's a good man. We're married and we're
friends."
Laura laughed sharply."Friends? The way the two of you look at each other?" She
leaned close. "And buddies share a bed, right? Pals can't keep their hands off
each other, although we all know you two have to try real hard. I hate to see
the two of you the minute we all leave."
Melanie blushed ten shades of red.
Laura laughed again. "I've seen the way Jack looks at you. He's drunk with
loving you."
Melanie's gaze snapped to Laura's as she poured detergent in the dishwasher.
"Oh, I don't think so."
Laura folded her arms and smiled as she leaned back against the counter. "I know
my son. I know his reasons behind wanting to marry you, and the two of you may
talk a good game, but I can see it in his eyes. He can do that Navy SEAL thing,
looking all cool and aloof, but it doesn't hold up when he looks at you. So you
keep telling yourself this is just for my granddaughter's sake if that helps you
accept it. But I know better."
Melanie almost resented that
As if Laura sensed it, she stepped close."He loves you. Madly."
Melanie closed the dishwasher, her hands shaking as she switched it on. Laura
slipped out of the kitchen as Melanie looked out the windows at Jack. Love her?
He'd already said he couldn't give her that Melanie wondered what kind of fool
she was even to consider the romantic ideas of his mother. Laura wanted them to
be happy and in love, but that didn't make it so. Marriage didn't automatically
mean happily ever after, especially when they married for reasons other than
love.
And what if he did love her? Could she trust it? After all, Craig and Andy had
said the same thing, and look what happened. Jack hasn't said so, either, she
reminded herself. But she also admitted that everything she had with Jack was
different. Very different. She'd never felt the electric charge go through her
with one look until Jack. Never wanted to be with a man twenty-four/seven until
Jack.
As if her addiction was trying to prove her right, she moved to catch a glimpse
of him. The men were having a beer and discussing woodworking, she didn't doubt.
God, Jack was handsome. The black polo shirt combined with the black hair made
him look dangerous. Desirable.
Laura strolled past, laughing to herself. As if to say, "See? Told you so."
Jack wanted her in his bed, wanted to be near his daughter and to have his last
name on Juliana's birth certificate. Which he'd had changed the day they'd
returned from their honeymoon. He had what he'd wanted. Would he leave now?
Melanie wasn't going to fool herself and live in a dreamworld, believing he
loved her. Just thinking about it would drive her insane, she thought.
Why? Because she wanted his love?
How was she ever to know? she asked herself again. He was kind, considerate, and
there wasn't much about him she didn't like.
Adore. You adore him, a voice in her head shouted.
Yes, she did. She was falling into love with Jack and it was easy. So easy. But
there was a little part of her that refused to accept it. As if she'd be tricked
and lied to again.

Ten

Jack frowned down at the wrapped box tied with ribbon. There was no mistaking
that it was for him, since the card stated his name. He called out for Melanie,
tossing his keys on the table.
She walked out from the hallway. "Shh, she's sleeping."
"What's this?"
"What's it look like?"
"A present for me, but why?"
"Open it and find out, silly."
He eyed her, his lips curving slightly. He tore open the package and lifted out
the heavy toolbox. "Man, this is a nice one."
"Look inside."
Setting it down, he flipped the heavy latches. It was filled with tools: tape
measure, level, a hammer, screwdrivers, even a power drill and handsaw.
"You said all your tools were in storage, so I thought you might like to have a
set here."
He lifted out the drill, checking it out the way only a man could, she thought.
Boy toys.
"Thank you."
She frowned. "You don't seem pleased."
"I am, I love it. It's very thoughtful, but…" He hesitated and her heart sank a
little.
"But?"
"I'll have my things with us. When you and Juliana come with me to Virginia. I
won't be stationed in this area. There are no teams here."
"Well, that I knew."
"Now you don't sound pleased."
"I've tried not to think about it just yet." Truth be told, Melanie didn't want
Jack to leave. Their relationship was growing stronger by the day and she wanted
it to have a better chance before he left.
"You didn't think I was just going to return to work and drop back in when I
have leave, did you?"
She smiled now. "That, Lieutenant Singer, I never considered."
He set the tools aside. "Are you prepared to move?''
"Prepared mentally? No." She tipped her head, holding his gaze. "Is that
necessary right now? You're gone a lot."
His lips quirked. "Ready to kick me out?"
"No," she said without hesitation. "Of course not, but I can handle being
alone."
"Oh, I've no doubt about that. I had to muscle my way in."
Her smile was small and a little embarrassed. "You don't have that problem now,
do you, sailor?"
He moved close, settling his hands on her waist. "I'm stationed where they tell
me to go, and right now it's Virginia. It's nice there, and there are other Navy
wives you could meet."
"I'd like to meet your friends' wives. I would."
"You're not ready to commit that far, huh?" He lowered his hands.
"No, it's not that I'm up to the challenge and we're in this marriage together,"
she said, pulling him back to her. Melanie didn't like the hurt way he'd looked
at her, and she couldn't just do this halfheartedly, not being married to a man
who risked his life every time he went to work. "Sure, I'm willing to move, too.
We're husband and wife. In fact, it would be an adventure," she said, warming to
the idea. "New town, new community. Fresh start. Changing locations would
certainly make Juliana a more well-rounded person."
"And sometimes she'd lose the friends she'd made. So would you."
"I'm a big girl and you act like I haven't thought about this, Jack. I have."
She sighed and looked at her hands, spread over his chest. "I just don't want to
be afraid for you."
That touched him and stung in the same instant. "I'm good at what I do."
"I know."
"Hey." He tipped her chin up, moved beyond words that she was worried about him.
"Let's not think about that right now. How about we start planning? You can look
up some real estate on the Internet, learn about the area. Because I don't want
my wife and child that far away from me. I'll go nuts."
Any arguments Melanie had faded quickly with the look in his eyes. "You mean
that, don't you?"
"Hell, yes. The thought of leaving you in a couple weeks scares the heck out of
me."
Him? Scared? "Why?"
"Because I'm just now getting you to believe in me, and I feel like if I
disappear, we're going to backslide." It was his greatest fear, that all they
had would be destroyed because he had to leave soon. He didn't like this
uncertainty when he was certain they should be together. He wanted to prove to
Melanie that she had his heart, and he was fast running out of ways to convince
her that he wasn't going to break hers.
"That's not going to happen." She found it odd that she was convincing him now.
His gaze raked her. "You so sure?"
"One thing I know right now, right this minute, Jack, is that what I feel for
you is more than I expected and just what I wanted."
He grinned. But her features were somber. "Just don't lie to me. I don't think I
could stand it," she said.
A horrible guilt passed over his spine. He still hadn't told her he was a
bastard, the real reason he'd insisted on marriage. And right now, the words
wouldn't move past his lips. He told himself it didn't matter, but the tiny
voice in his head said he'd better tell her all or she'd never forgive him. And
tell soon.

Melanie followed the notes Jack had left. It was cute, she thought. She took the
glass of wine from the fridge and sipped as she made her way to the bathroom as
instructed. The note said he had Juliana with him, and he was picking up Chinese
food after a quick visit to the grocery store.
She followed his instructions and stepped into the bathroom. Her breath caught,
and something sharp touched her deep in her heart. Steam rose from a bathtub
filled with bubbles, and though only two candles were lit, several circled the
tub. It smelled like lavender and rosemary, and the rough day she'd had, which
she'd complained about, melted away with the anticipation of soaking in the
bath. She set the glass aside long enough to tie up her hair and strip off her
clothes. The water was near scalding hot and her muscles relaxed. She sank to
her chin and closed her eyes.
This, she thought, was pure heaven.

Jack set the bags of Chinese food down on the table, Juliana asleep in his arms.
Quietly he changed the baby and put her down for the night, glad he'd bathed her
earlier and feeling terrible for forcing the child to stay awake while he
shopped. But he had plans with her mama.
He laid Juliana in her crib, tucking her in and bending to kiss her. The child
smiled in her dreams and it cut his heart in half and made it spill with hard
emotions. She has me in her fist, he thought, closing the door. The baby monitor
was on, and he tucked the receiver into his back pocket. He knew where Melanie
was, and as he headed to the living room, he heard the sound of water in the
bathroom. Temptation clubbed him and he paused at the door, pushing it open a
crack.
Her hair was piled on her crown, and a mountain of frothy bubbles surrounded her
shoulders. The lights were off and each candle was lit, flickering around her.
Steam rose from the surface. Her eyes were closed.
"You're letting in a draft," she whispered.
"Do you know what you do to me looking like that?"
Her eyes flashed open and across the short distance he felt electrified.
She smiled. "I have an idea. This was very sweet of you, Jack." She reached for
her wineglass, sipping. "It's just what I needed."
"After the bad day you were having and whining about, I figured some downtime
would make you sleep better."
"All you had in mind was sleep, huh?"
He gave her an innocent look. "Of course."
"Liar. Wanna get naked and wet with me?"
He smiled, stepping inside and leaving the baby monitor on the sink. He stripped
and she watched him, loving the jump and flex of his muscles. Hottest body on
the planet, she thought, delighted that he was hers. She shifted and he slid
into the tub. Water rose to the rim. She was glad she'd opted for the
garden-style tub when she'd bought the house, she thought, although she'd never
had a man in her tub. She'd never had a man this deep in her life, she realized.
She offered him a sip of wine, but he shook his head, sinking back and just
staring at her. She slid her foot up his leg, the water and slick oils in the
bath making her dainty foot feel like silk passing over his skin. Jack felt
himself grow harder, and when her foot slid higher, he caught it.
"Are you inviting me to play?" His look was dark and sly.
Her smile was devilish. "Talk is cheap, sailor."
He leaned forward, his big shoulders glistening with water, slick with bath oil
as he slid his hands up her thighs, across her belly to cup her breasts. She let
out a telltale moan.
His touch was a force to be reckoned with, addicting. She'd wanted him from the
moment she got off work, wanted to feel his arms and his kiss and be soothed by
his strength. Then he went and touched her heart by drawing a bath for her. How
lucky could one woman get? And when he stepped through the door and looked at
her as if he was going to eat her alive, she was helpless. With Jack she never
had much resistance, and when his lips came into play, his tongue sliding
luxuriously over her nipple before his mouth latched on, passion coiled around
her in heat and steam and man.
"You know, there is some of my training that comes in handy sometimes."
"Oh, really? What's that?" she said, her voice a little slurred as his thumbs
slickly circled her nipples, deeper with each stroke. She couldn't think of a
thing beyond the stamina the man possessed, which would be beneficial right now.
"I can hold my breath for nearly two minutes."
"Really?"
A second later he was under the water tasting her, and Melanie shrieked. "Oh, my
goodness, my goodness!" she said, as pleasure slathered over her in hot thick
waves. He gripped her hips, refusing to let her move as he tortured her, her
mind struck between amazement and the erotic pleasure ricocheting through her
body. Her heartbeat was like a sledgehammer in her chest. Her legs went numb and
trembled, her breathing wouldn't catch up with her need, and she grabbed at the
side of the tub as he played her like an instrument.
Her body was singing to him; Jack was so in tune with her that he could tell
when she was near, when she liked something. This she liked and he tormented her
for a while longer, until he was certain she was struggling to hold back her
climax.
"Jack…Jack!"
He straightened, smiling, raking his wet hair back off his face.
Instantly she climbed onto his lap. "Come here. I'm…I'm going to—"
"Yeah, I know. Mission accomplished, then,'' he growled, pushing into her,
filling her in one stroke. She groaned deep in the back of her throat, grabbing
onto his slick shoulders and thrusting. Her mouth mashed over his, her tongue
spearing between his lips, and he felt devoured. She rocked and her pleasure
made him harder, pulled him nearer to satisfaction. Her uninhibited desire
pushed water to the trim of the tub, extinguishing candles. Slick muscles
clamped him and she trapped his face in her palms as her climax spread through
her like molten fire. The sight of it made him come unhinged, and he bucked,
thrusting deeper and deeper, and feeling her body claw his in a velvet fist.
Squeezing, flexing. Seething.
She leaned back, bowing, and his fingertips dug into her hips as convulsions
beat a wild song through them. She fell onto him, her lips molding over his
hungrily as her pleasure and his floated away on soft waves.
Jack let out a long breath, his hands smoothing her back as he laid back in the
tub. Occasionally he cupped water and poured it over her spine.
"I am a contented man."
"Oh, yeah. Can I join the club?"
"Are you content, Melanie?"
"Yes." She snuggled in his arms, hating that the water was cooling so quickly.
"I know this is going to sound really stupid, but is it the sex?"
She snickered and leaned up to look at him. "You're kidding, right?"
Once she got a close look at his expression, her smile fell. "Oh, darling," she
said, cupping his face and staring deeply into his eyes. "No, it's not. It's a
plus, but if that's all it was, would I be so unhappy about you leaving for who
knows how long?" Her eyes teared. "I'm your wife, Jack. For better or worse, I
am. With you here or not, I'm still your wife." The words spilled from her, but
she was too scared to speak right now of the feelings locked deep inside. "I
want that. I cherish that. If the Navy says move here, I'll be with you. We'll
be with you. Right by your side." She kissed him lightly. "I can't believe you
asked that."
"That's how we started, and you were the one who insisted that great sex didn't
mean we were meant for a lifetime."
"That was before I got to really know you. And we're doing that now, aren't we?
Shooting for the lifetime?"
His smile was slow in coming. "Oh, yeah."
"You have to be the gentlest man I've ever known, which contradicts your
profession, you know."
"You made me this way, baby."
She shook her head. "If anything, Juliana did."
He smiled, all papa proud. "Yeah. She is something."
She laid her head on his shoulder, hugging him. "So's her daddy," Melanie said.
"He's a knight you know. Sir Galahad. Maybe you've heard of him?"
Jack laughed to himself. A man would never have to worry about his ego or pride
around Melanie. He felt like a king in her arms. He felt loved and wanted. And
Jack already knew that he'd fallen madly in love with Melanie.
And he was worried that because he didn't tell her he was a bastard, the little
lie would tear them apart and destroy her trust.

Sarah Beauchamp was a tall leggy blonde from California married to a lieutenant
commander in the Navy, who was a fighter pilot with the Navy squadrons attached
to the Marine Air Group 31 in the area. Sarah was a civilian OR nurse and the
head of the Naval Ombudsman Association, a job that, coupled with wife and
nurse, seemed monumental to Melanie. Sarah had been adding bits to the
conversation, but right now was enthralled with Juliana, whom she was holding.
Beside Sarah, wearing chic slacks and a blouse was Sue Bradshaw, the LINKS team
leader, who was married to a marine gunnery sergeant in Force Recon. While her
son, Shawn, was having a blast on the gym set, Sue's husband, Gary, was on the
other side of the yard standing at the grill with Jack and Sarah's husband,
Daniel. Maria, a black-haired Hispanic woman who seemed to know every answer to
every question, sat next to Melanie. She was a former Marine, though at first
glance, she was the last person Melanie would have expected to carry a weapon
and shout "oo-rah." Maria was head of the Marine Key Volunteer Program for two
bases in the area. The women were a font of information, yet after about ten
minutes of talking in abbreviations and acronyms, they had Melanie's head
swimming.
"Okay, let's see, BX means Base Exchange, PX means Post Exchange," Melanie said.
"Yeah, Post is Army talk," Maria said, "and practically blasphemous."
Melanie smiled. "MP means Military Police, MWR means Morale Welfare and
Recreation, and that includes child-care centers, BX bowling alley, gyms, shops,
theaters." She stopped. "So what's TMO?"
"Traffic Management Office. Those are the household-goods supervisors, freight
shipping, passenger travel, all on orders. They're the people who'll organize
the moves for you."
"They do it all?"
Sue laughed softly. "No, they don't. You have to fill out paperwork until you
are blue in the face, but they do great things like come by and inspect the
movers in action. Take action if anything is damaged or improperly packed."
"And sometimes you do it all yourself if your husband is out of the country,"
Maria said. "My husband is deployed right now."
"I can do that."
"Good, because with Jack's MOS—method of service," Sarah clarified, "you'll
likely do it at least once alone." Sarah crossed her legs and bounced Juliana on
the top of her foot.
Melanie was learning more in one afternoon than she thought she could in a year.
They brought her booklets and actual books on how to be an officer's wife, books
about protocol, relocation packets and change of duty. Services. She'd be
reading for a week, she thought, feeling overwhelmed.
"Hey, Singer, do you need a Marine to show you how to cook that steak?" Sue
called out.
"The Navy can handle it," Jack said. "Anyway, we have a Marine, though I don't
know what good he's doing."
"I'm reminding you when to flip the steak," Sue's husband said.
The four men growled out "Hoo-yah" and "Ooh-rah."
"Oh, Lord, the testosterone level is hitting new heights," Sarah said, cuddling
Juliana, then looking for permission from Melanie before she offered the baby a
cookie to gnaw on.
"Ask and you shall receive," Maria said. "If I don't know the answer or Sarah
doesn't, then we know who can give it to you."
"And come to LINKS," Sue said. "It teaches you how to be a military wife.
Sometime the service member thinks either we don't need to know or we already do
know after one coffee klatch or a chat in the commissary."
Collectively they rolled their eyes in agreement.
"The one thing is that Jack's a SEAL, which means that more or less the wives
are on the need-to-know basis," Sarah said. "SEAL actions are classified, so
don't expect to learn where he's been and what he's doing. It's the same with
Force Recon."
Sue leaned forward and said, "And they'll debate for years about which is the
more macho, Recon or SEALs. I never add my two cents. I like my Navy friends too
much." She patted Melanie's arm.
"Oh, forewarned," Melanie said, smiling.
"When they are deployed, there's a chain of command for information. Because I'm
the Key Volunteer, I get it straight from the colonel and the sergeant major. My
job is to keep the spouse informed and stop nasty rumors," Maria said.
"Same here," Sarah said.
"How do you get over the fear?'' Mel asked.
"You don't," Sue said. "You live with it. Your job—our job—is to make certain
when our men go into battle, they won't worry about home and family and they'll
know you'll be okay. Learn to handle anything they throw at you and do it in
a—''
"—proficient military fashion," the rest of the women joined to say.
Melanie laughed. "Okay, as long as I can call on you all, I'm content."
"Good." Almost in unison, they set aside the paperwork and books and leaned in.
"Daniel's known Jack since the academy," Sarah said. "And I know Gary and Jack
served together, but neither of them will say doing what. So how did you meet
Jack?''
Melanie glanced over at Jack. "His sister is my best friend. She was my pledge
to the sorority. I'd heard a lot about him, but had never met him until two
weeks before Lisa married."
"It must have been awful learning you were pregnant when he couldn't be
reached."
Melanie had been up front with the women, especially when Jack announced to
their husbands that he was married with a child. "It wasn't pleasant, but I
dealt with it."
"True Navy-wife material," Sue said. "My husband wasn't around for one of my
pregnancies. Left when I wasn't even showing and arrived home three days after
I'd had our second child. I wasn't exactly feeling frisky, if you know what I
mean."
Melanie smiled again, admiring them and wondering how they survived so well. She
wanted to be a valuable part of this elite group of women, as she was, by virtue
of marriage. They were strong and resourceful and giving. She looked over at
Jack, suddenly thinking about more children and years down the road with him.
She'd been on birth control since Juliana was born, but the thought of having
another child didn't scare her as she'd thought it would. She had some of the
burdens to share. Well, all of them to share, she corrected.
"Oh, I remember that look," Sarah said, when Melanie didn't take her eyes off
Jack. He was smiling at her, his gaze doing that lazy prowl over her that made
her feel beautiful and desired and possessed. She wanted to be possessed.
Because Jack did it in the best way.
"Catch all you can now, honey," Sue said. "We have to make it last through tough
times."
Melanie stood and walked to Jack. The other men backed up a bit, offering a
greeting, but Melanie slid her arms around Jack and kissed him.
The group howled with applause.
Jack caught his breath and said, "What's that for?"
"Thanks for inviting them, Jack," she whispered.
"I thought an introduction from the ladies would be clearer than hearing it all
from me."
"Oh, it is." She eased back, but he kept his arm around her waist. "Now," she
said, looking at the men. "I want to know how come the Marines are a part of the
Navy?"
Gary spoke up. "We need someone to sail us to the war."
Good-natured laughter erupted, and Melanie thought she might be afraid for Jack,
but she would be well taken care of—her family had just grown so much bigger.

Eleven

It was official. She had an ID card with the most dreadful picture of herself
ever, stickers on her car, and she could actually speak in acronyms and
abbreviations, like IPAC, Cencom, SecNav, and know what they meant. In the back
of her heart, she felt she was destined for this. She soaked it up like a
sponge. Jack had shown her the local base, and although they were Marine
installations, he wanted her to get the feel of it, be aware of passing by armed
guards, security checks and know the territory that was off-limits, as well as
all the facilities. He'd answered her questions patiently, and she felt her
excitement build. Life with him was going to be an adventure. She was looking
forward to it. Which surprised her.
"You need to stop grinning to yourself," Lisa said. "People are gonna talk."
Melanie swung her gaze to Lisa's and smiled. Juliana was in bed, Jack was off
helping Sarah's husband put in a dog fence at their quarters, and she and Lisa
had enjoyed a good hour of cappuccino and catching up on their friendship.
"You stop in the middle of a conversation and just grin," Lisa said.
"Yeah, so?"
"Lord, you sound like Jack," Lisa said with a laugh.
Melanie frowned questioningly.
"He can't stop talking about you two, the future, and he does that same—" Lisa
gestured meaninglessly "—face thing you do."
"And your point is?"
Lisa's eyes widened. "You're in love with my brother, aren't you? Despite
everything that got you here, you fell in love with him."
"Yes," Melanie admitted. "I did."
"Have you told him?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'd thought I was in love before and it came back to bite me."
"Jack loves you."
Melanie rolled her eyes and knew she shouldn't have said anything. Lisa was just
as bullheaded as Jack. '' You're prejudiced.''
"No, honest. I know he's in love with you."
"He said that?"
"No, but it's the face thing. We sisters know when they're guilty, too."
"Oh, really. How so?"
"Don't try to change the subject. You're scared."
"Sure I am. We're married—it's lifelong in my book."
"So you think you're going to go through, say, thirty years of marriage and
never say the words to him?"
"No." Melanie looked down at her coffee cup. "He didn't marry me because he
wanted to, Lisa, and I'm having a hard time believing what he's feeling. He was
doing the right thing in his mind."
"Oh, Melanie," Lisa said sympathetically. "He'd love you without Juliana."
"He married me because of her."
"And how do you think he feels, marrying a woman who did everything she could
not to say I do. He could have just married you and gone back to work. Or never
showed up at all."
"I know."
Lisa frowned. "You don't trust him."
"I trust Jack, the man. Feelings are another subject. He was so adamant about
marriage, almost fanatical. Like it was the only solution."
"For Jack it was."
Melanie opened her mouth to agree, then she focused on Lisa's expression. It was
almost sad.
"Jack's honorable, and it means a lot to him for his child to have his name."
"It was more than that."
Lisa hesitated for half a minute. "That's because of his father."
Melanie frowned. "He loved his father. He talks about David all the time."
"David was my father, not Jack's."
"I don't get it."
"That's because I was born a bastard," came the response from the doorway, and
Melanie looked up as Jack entered the kitchen through the garage. He set his new
toolbox, which no longer looked new, on the floor.
Lisa got up to prepare a small pot of coffee.
Jack winked at her, assuring Lisa that she hadn't done anything she shouldn't
have. He didn't think she believed him. "Lisa and I have the same mother, not
the same father," he said to Melanie. "My father skipped out on Mom when she was
pregnant with me. So she raised me alone until she met David."
Lisa grabbed her purse and, whispering that the coffee was on, said goodbye to
Melanie and quietly slipped out.
Melanie only nodded, her gaze on her husband.
"So you see, Melanie, I know what it's like being called a bastard to my face."
"Why didn't you tell me this?"
"You didn't want to marry me in the first place, and I figured you would think
my own illegitimacy wasn't reason enough to marry me."
"Your lineage doesn't matter to me, Jack."
Jack's mouth quirked in a smile. He should have known. "When my mom fell in love
with David, I was a happy kid. He treated me like his own and adopted me, so I
had his last name. He was the greatest father in the world." Jack smiled to
himself, missing the heck out of David and thinking he could use his advice
right now. "Then they gave me a sister to tease."
Melanie realized that though Jack might be telling this casually, it meant a
great deal to him. He looked at Melanie, his eyes hardening. "I lived for a few
years with the stigma, and it wasn't pleasant. Not till David changed
everything. I remember being called names, but it was the judging looks from
adults that hurt the most." He moved toward her, gripping her shoulders and
staring down into her beautiful eyes. "Juliana won't have anyone but us, and I
couldn't stand that everyone would think her father didn't have the guts to
marry her mother. Or that he didn't care about her."
Melanie looked down, feeling her heart moving on shaky ground. "I see."
He tipped her chin up, dread crashing through him at the tears in her eyes. "Oh,
honey, I didn't mean to keep that from you this long."
"But you did, when I've been honest with you."
"Were you?"
"Of course I was. I've told you how I felt."
"Sure, about everything except what's in your heart."
As if he'd discovered some secret, she curled away, breaking his hold. "And what
have you said, Jack, other than the same thing all along—'I want marriage for
her sake.' I actually feel jealous of my own child because she had your heart
first."
He reached for her. "Melanie—''
The phone rang. Jack snatched it up, about to bark at the caller before he took
a breath and said hello. He listened, and Melanie watched his expression grow
more serious, harsher. He grunted at the caller and hung up.
"That was Reese," he said. "I have to report back in two days."
"Two? But you still have a few days' leave left."
"Not anymore. This means I have to leave tomorrow morning for Virginia."
Damn, Melanie thought. Panic swept her. Oh, damn.
She stared at him, angry with him, with herself for distrusting her heart, and
wanting him just to hold her.
Her continued silence cut him. "I have to pack," he said, and moved past her
toward the bedroom.
"Let me give you a hand."
"No, it won't take long. I travel light."
She felt a door shut between them, and she wasn't going to let that happen.
"Jack," she called, following him into the bedroom. He already had a duffel bag
on the bed. "Stop."
He stilled, clothes in his hands, and looked at her with cool eyes. He was mad.
Or just irritated with her?
"You can't leave like this."
"I have to. This is what it means to be in the service."
"Dammit, you know what I'm talking about. Jeez, why do I feel guilty all of a
sudden?''
"You figure it out."
"You're the one who lied."
"No, I just didn't tell you I was a bastard. I was, frankly, ashamed of it."
"Oh, honey, you shouldn't be. It's not your fault."
"Right, and I wasn't going to make my father's mistake with my daughter."
"Yes, sure," she snapped. "Marry the mom and make you feel better." She wished
the words back the instant they left her mouth.
He glared at her, hurt glittering in his blue eyes. "You know that's not true,
dammit."
"I'm sorry, I do, but—"
Juliana began to cry, and when Melanie went to get her, Jack moved past Melanie,
saying he would. She let him go, wondering what she was doing to them right now
and thinking herself foolish. The phone rang a few minutes later. She answered
it and then went to the nursery, where he sat with the baby in his arms and a
solemn look on his face.
"It's Reese again."
Jack took the phone from her. "Yeah, okay fine," he said into the receiver after
a moment. He checked his watch. "No, I'll be there." He shut the phone off,
handing it back to her.
Melanie clutched it to her chest.
"They have a Marine transport plane leaving from the Air Station, headed to
Virginia, and room on it for me."
"What's that mean?"
"I leave tonight. At midnight."
Melanie sighed and nodded. Her two days just turned into a few hours.
Well, she'd expected this. He'd warned her. She stared at the phone in her hand
and swore she wasn't going to make a scene. What had Maria said? It was her job
to be strong so he didn't have to worry. She swallowed and when he whispered her
name, she met his gaze.
Jack's heart shattered right then. "Come here," he said, and she flew to him,
trapping him against her. Juliana snuggled herself against her father's chest
and grabbed a lock of her mom's hair.
Jack pressed his lips to Melanie's temple. He didn't want to leave. God, not
now.

Melanie cooked as though she expected Jack never to eat again. He was amused and
didn't have the heart to tell her he wasn't really hungry—not for food, anyway.
But the meal eased the tension between them, and he hated that she was hurting.
She wasn't alone in her pain, and when Juliana was in her crib for the night,
Jack struggled with the goodbye he didn't want to say, knowing the baby wouldn't
miss him that much, since she was so young. Then he stowed his gear by the door,
pressed and laid out his uniform and glanced at the clock. He felt like a man
about to go to execution if he didn't confess. And his salvation was with
Melanie.
He walked into the bedroom. She stood in the shadows, moonlight falling over,
missing in spots, showing her beauty in others. Without a word she crossed to
him, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him hungrily.
His knees softened with the force behind her kiss, and Jack needed nothing more
than the freedom his heart felt when he was holding her. In moments their
clothes lay scattered on the floor, and their bodies naked and hot and clinging
to feel more and more. The desperation in them magnified each movement. Each
touch had power, like needles of heat sinking into their skin.
In her mind Melanie couldn't let him go. In a small place she refused to
acknowledge, she understood that this could be the last time she touched him.
And Jack knew it. It made his throat constrict. They had a couple of hours, no
more. And both wondered if it would be their last together.
Melanie poured herself into every kiss, adored him with every keening breath.
She left her imprint on him, claiming him completely. He tasted her flesh like a
man about to be imprisoned. To him he was. Separated from Melanie would be
madness. It was already creeping in, and then, unable to temper his need, unable
to think of anything but proving the feelings spilling through his heart, he
pulled her beneath him, held her as he pushed her thighs apart and possessed
her. She flexed beautifully, a smooth lush arch, and Jack thrust into her, his
fingers laced with hers as he slid back and then pushed home. He watched her
face, saw love shining there and wished she'd speak of it. He loved her so damn
much his insides came apart with the thought of losing her, with the very idea
that she couldn't trust her heart to him. She was scared of being hurt. So was
he. But he took the risk and let himself love her at first sight. There was no
turning back. Never had been.
Emotions and movements blended. When he touched, his actions spoke of his love
for her. She responded with soft moans and sweet smiles, and then she gave back
to him. In simple ways, such as a kiss, a stroke of her fingers through his
hair, the way her hips lifted now to greet him.
Their loving was tender and patient, though time was their enemy. He challenged
it, wanting her totally, wanting everything, selfishly, greedily. With her gaze
locked to his, he watched the exquisite fire of her climax rise and rise. He
shoved and the passion broke, splintering, then flowing through them like hot,
red wine.
They clung together madly, fingertips digging, bodies fused, and even after the
haze settled round them like a soft blanket, they kept their bodies tightly
woven in a tangle of arms and legs.
Jack lifted his head, kissing her before he whispered, "I'm going to miss you,
baby."
Melanie felt her heart crack. "Oh, Jack. I hate that you're leaving. I know you
have to, I accept that, but I can barely stand it"
"Me neither." His gaze searched hers, his fingers pushing the damp hair off her
face. "I didn't think it would be this hard." Because I love you, he thought
"You'll be back soon. I'll keep busy. I'll look for a place in Virginia."
He kissed her again and glanced at the clock.
"I have to get showered."
She nodded, and when he moved off her and slipped from the bed, she turned her
back on him, not wanting him to see her cry.

Lisa had come over to sit with Juliana while Jack and Melanie went to the
airstrip. Melanie glanced at Jack as he returned the sentry's salute and drove
through the airfield gates. Jack was wearing a khaki uniform, his chest covered
in too many ribbons and gold emblems for one so young, she thought What had he
done to earn them? How many more would he earn and she'd never know what for?
Her breath shuddered through her. He pulled onto the flight line, parked her car
and climbed out. Carrying his bags, he walked with Melanie to the hangar. She
was awed by the size of it, the noise level high. Jack didn't say anything
except salute Marines before they came to the huge open doors.
A wide gray aircraft was several yards away, a group of Marines loading cargo
into it.
A young Marine wearing red headphones trotted up to Jack, stopped and snapped a
sharp salute. Jack returned it
"Ma'am," he said, touching his fingertips to the brim of his camouflage cover.
Melanie nodded and tried to smile.
The Marine looked at Jack, his gaze dropping briefly to the SEAL emblem on his
chest. "Glad to have you aboard, sir." He gestured to the duffel. "I can stow
that for you if you'd like some more time with your lady, sir."
Jack nodded, handing over the bag. The Marine spun around and trotted back to
the plane.
Jack looked at Melanie. "I have to get on board. Hate to have them dogging me
because I held up the flight."
Melanie bit her lip, refusing to embarrass him with tears. But with each passing
second she felt she was being drained of life.
His lips quirked in a smile. "This is about the only time I'm allowed to kiss
you in public, you know."
She smiled weakly. "No public displays of affection, I know."
He held her gaze, his blue eyes going dark with emotion. He brushed a kiss to
her lips and whispered, "I love you, Melanie." Then he turned and walked away.
She blinked and swallowed. "Don't you drop a bomb like that and think you can
walk away, Singer."
He stopped, but didn't turn around.
"You really love me?"
He turned, and with an unreadable expression, strode back to her, gathered her
in his arms and kissed her senseless. Absolutely senseless.
"Yes, I really do." He scraped her hair back off her face and cupped her jaw.
His gaze was dark and intense. "You've been in my mind and heart from that first
day, Melanie. Sure I love our daughter, but I loved you first. You. Because
you're still the woman who knocked me over at my sister's wedding. That's the
woman I fell in love with."
Melanie stared into his ice-blue eyes and saw only cool calm seas. The distrust
and fear she held unwound like a velvet ribbon. Her heart no longer struggled
and the words tumbled off her lips. "Oh, Jack," she whispered, "I love you,
too."
His grin was slow and wide. "About time you said it."
"Excuse me?"
She gave him an affronted look and he laughed softly. "I knew you did. You were
just too scared to say it."
Her anger left her before it had the chance to boil. "You're right, I was
scared. I've been so happy these past weeks that I was terrified it wasn't real,
that I wanted it so badly that I couldn't trust what I already knew. But it
doesn't matter. Scared is okay. Fear keeps you sharp." She repeated his own
words back at him. "Nothing, not even fear or our being apart is going to ever
change my love for you, Jack Singer." Now she cupped his face, her confession
giving her the freedom she'd always wanted. "Not the date on a license or
certificate, either. It doesn't matter how we started this marriage, only how we
live it."
The plane's engine revved.
"Oh, Jack."
"I love you, Melanie. I was a goner the moment you called me Sir Galahad."
She grinned through a teary smile. "My hero," she said, and he kissed her
deeply.
The Marines watching them hung out of the transport, howling like Comanche
raiders. Someone called out and the engine noise grew louder.
"I have to go."
"Go then. I'll be here. I'll hold down the fort, waiting for you to come home to
me."
He brushed her lips with his fingers and stole one more kiss.
"This time and forever, Jack."
Jack's chest locked with emotion, and defying the pilot's orders to get aboard,
Jack grabbed her and kissed her again, then let her go and walked to the plane,
happiness lighting his face.
Once inside, he gripped a strap, then looked back to see her smiling. A smile
that lit her entire body and shouted back at him, I love you!
Then just before the hydraulic door stole her from his sight, she yelled,
"Hoo-yahh!"
LL Jack Singer, U.S. Navy SEAL, would always remember this moment as the day
Melanie brought him to his knees with her declaration.
A surprise baby had given him the love of his lifetime. His soul knew it the
first time he saw Melanie. And nothing was ever going to keep him from having
the pleasure of proving it to her for the rest of her life.

Epilogue

Three years later

Jack stepped into the kitchen. Melanie didn't look at all pleased and Juliana
was sitting in a chair pouting and sniffling.
He set his briefcase down and said, "Hey, what's up?"
Melanie spun around, then came over to him and kissed him.
"Hi, Daddy," Juliana said sullenly.
"Hey, princess."
Melanie said clearly, "We've had a difference of opinion. I thought she
shouldn't be messing with the scissors, and she thought she could give herself a
haircut."
Jack groaned, just now noticing that Juliana's hair was much shorter. He
squatted down in front of his daughter. "Oh, man." He touched the shortened
locks. He eyed her darkly.
"I'm sorry," his little girl blubbered, her lip quivering, and Jack felt himself
about to cave.
Melanie cleared her throat, and when he looked at her, she inclined her head.
Jack knew better than to go soft on his daughter right now. Even when she stared
at him with those soulful blue eyes.
"I want you to think about what disobeying me has cost you, honey." Melanie
hated punishing Juliana. "Go to your room."
Juliana slipped off the chair and clomped toward her room.
As soon as she was gone, Melanie's face broke into a smile. "You should have
seen the haircut. Thank heaven that Dara next door is a hairdresser. I was about
to scalp that child with a Marine regulation high and tight I was so mad."
Laughing, Jack crossed to her. "Anyway I can ease the tension?'' He wrapped his
arms around her.
"Yeah, you can." She sighed into his arms, feeling his strength and drawing it
into her. "I want chocolate and a bubble bath."
"Easy enough."
He kissed her warmly, wanting more and wondering if their daughter would stay in
her room as she was told. He'd only just returned from a short deployment a
couple of weeks ago, and he and Melanie still had some catching up to do.
They parted and she went to the stove, stirring a pot of homemade soup. Jack let
his gaze wander over her. Every day he thanked God for that night after his
sister's wedding.
"Can you come over to the Command tomorrow at nine?'' He snatched a carrot from
the cutting board and munched.
"Sure, why?"
"I'd like you to pin on my oak leaves."
She whipped around, her eyes wide. "You got the promotion!"
He just grinned and her smile went hundred-watt bright.
"Oh, Jack!" Melanie dropped the spoon and launched herself at him, jumping into
his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. "I'm so proud of you!"
Jack laughed and didn't think he could feel any better, but he did. "Is this the
behavior of the wife of a lieutenant commander?''
"Have I ever been politically correct?'' She kissed him hard and met his gaze.
"This is so great. And we'll need the money."
He frowned. "Anything specific you have in mind?"
"Saving for two college educations."
He just stared at her.
She tipped her head to the side and said, "You know for a lieutenant commander
selectee you're slow on the uptake."
His eyes flew wide. "We're pregnant."
She smiled. "If you want to have this baby, I'll see if it can be arranged."
"Oh, Lord," he said softly, and swung her into his arms, then sank into a chair.
"Happy?"
"Yes!" He rained kisses over her face, squeezing her. He was going to get the
chance to see her pregnant, and although he'd viewed the videotape and had seen
the pictures of her last delivery, it was not the same as being there. Thoughts
of putting in for a SEAL-instructor position for a while popped into his mind.
"We might get a boy this time."
He lifted his gaze to hers, and Melanie was unhinged by the look in his eyes.
"I don't care."
A woman couldn't ask for more, she thought. Jack never failed to surprise her.
"I love you, Jack."
"I love you, too, baby," he murmured, and stood up with her in his arms,
carrying her from the kitchen into the living room and settling comfortably on
the sofa. He never let her go. "How do you feel?''
"Ask me in the morning," she said, grinning. "This promotion means orders,
doesn't it?"
"Yes, very likely."
"To where?"
He shrugged. "California. Maybe West PAC."
She waved off the Navy installations he suggested, not really caring where they
went, as long as they were together. "When?"
"A few weeks to a few months."
Hurry up and wait, she thought, and looked around at their darling house and all
the work she'd put into it. Oh, well, she thought and sighed into his arms.
His hand slid down to her belly, slipping under the band of her jeans, his palm
warm and teasing on her skin. She studied his expression, the awe in it, and was
glad she'd get to experience this baby with him near this time.
"I want to know everything," he told her.
"Oh, swollen ankles, barfing at the crack of dawn…oh, so sexy," she said.
His expression remained serious. "It is to me, Melanie. Everything about you
is."
"Daddy," his daughter called from the hallway.
Melanie arched a brow.
"Yes, Juliana," he said in a tone that reminded her that he was not pleased with
her behavior this afternoon.
"Can I come out?"
He looked at Melanie. She nodded.
"Sure, honey."
Juliana stepped around the corner, her eyes red-rimmed and downcast.
"Come on, munchkin," Melanie said, and her daughter leapt onto the sofa,
instantly snuggling up to her father and mother.
Melanie didn't tell her that she was going to have a brother or sister. She'd
save it for later and savor the private knowledge with Jack a bit longer. She
lifted her gaze to his, touching the side of his face. Gently he kissed her,
whispered his love, then looked down at Juliana.
While Jack bestowed one of his lessons about disobedience on their daughter,
Melanie shifted into the cushions, listening, watching the way Juliana looked at
her father with complete trust and adoration.
Melanie smiled, thinking of the new life inside her, the new branch of strength
that would be her family. In her arms was all she loved. All that mattered to
her. They'd travel the world together, face whatever the Navy threw their way.
Jack called them his homeport, his anchor, when in reality, they were hers.
Long ago Melanie had admitted that she'd been lost to the pain in her heart,
filled with distrust and sinking fast. Then Jack stepped through the door. Her
future had started with a velvety look and a wonderful man in Navy dress whites.
Sir Galahad had definitely ridden to the rescue that night, she thought, and
he'd stolen away with her heart.