Page 35 of Single Mom’s Navy Seals (Claimed by the Alphas #2)

Eli turns to me, beaming brightly. “Thanks, Jax!”

“Anytime, kiddo,” I respond, giving his hair an affectionate ruffle. “You’re a natural up there.”

Eli looks at Liam last with a shy expression. “Did you think I did good, Liam?”

Liam crouches down, meeting Eli’s gaze directly. His voice is gentle yet filled with sincerity. “You did perfect, buddy. I’m really proud of you.”

Eli’s eyes shine with happiness, and he throws his arms around Liam’s neck, hugging him tightly. Liam hesitates only briefly before returning the embrace fully, the affection clear on his face.

As Eli pulls back, Cole returns Cocoa to her pasture mates, securing the gate. Eli races ahead, chattering about his new skills and how brave Cocoa was. Ava walks beside Liam, a small, private smile on her lips. I fall into step next to Cole, bumping my shoulder against his.

“Nice job with Eli,” I say quietly. “He really trusts you.”

Cole shrugs modestly, glancing down briefly. “He’s easy to love.”

We walk for a moment, letting the peace of the morning settle comfortably around us. Ahead of us, Liam reaches out to take Ava’s hand, entwining their fingers together. She doesn’t hesitate or pull away, offers him a warm, shy smile, accepting his touch naturally.

“I still can’t believe we’re really doing this,” I say to Cole, gesturing toward Ava and Liam ahead of us. “It feels too good to be true.”

Cole smiles faintly, nodding in agreement. “Yeah. But we deserve good things, Jax. All of us.”

I watch as Ava laughs softly at something Eli says while Liam stares down at him with a soft expression I only ever see for two people.

“Yeah, I’m thinking you’re right.”

Cole and Liam exchange a few quiet words as we near the barn. Liam turns to Ava, placing a soft kiss on her temple. “We’re gonna walk Eli back to the house. You okay here for a minute?”

Ava glances between them and me, her brows lifting in curiosity. “Yeah, of course.”

Liam smirks just a little and nods. “We’ll see you soon.”

As the others head off, I slow my pace, hanging back until it’s just Ava and me in the middle of the open pasture. A gentle breeze rustles the grass, warm sun pouring over us. I shove my hands in my pockets and glance sideways at her.

“You know…” I begin, voice low. “Last night meant more than I can say.”

She turns to face me, her fingers toying with the hem of her sundress. “It meant a lot to me, too.”

“I’m not just talking about the sex, Ava. It was... something else, something real. Like finally breathing after being underwater for too long.” I reach out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “And I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since.”

Her lips part, but no words come out. I step closer, my hand sliding to the small of her back. “You stayed with us. You didn’t run.”

“Because I didn’t want to,” she whispers.

“Good,” I say, mouth curving into a soft grin. “Because I’m not done showing you how much I want you.”

Ava inhales sharply, eyes searching mine. The tension builds in the charged silence, the weight of everything unspoken hanging in the space between us. I lean down, lips brushing hers slowly—once, twice—before deepening the kiss. She melts into me with a soft sigh, arms wrapping around my neck.

The field stretches endlessly around us, wild and sunlit. Her body presses against mine, her soft curves fitting perfectly as I tug her close. The kiss turns hungrier. She tastes like strawberries and coffee and everything I’ve ever wanted.

Without breaking contact, Ava drops to her knees in the grass, hands running down my chest, then lower. Her eyes lock onto mine, dark with heat and something deeper—devotion, maybe.

“Ava…” My voice is thick, warning, and reverent all at once.

“I want to,” she murmurs, fingers deftly unfastening my jeans. “Let me take care of you.”

The sound of my zipper feels louder in the quiet field, the breeze whispering through tall grass. I bury my hand in her hair as she frees me, her warm breath ghosting over my skin.

She licks the head slowly, teasing, her eyes never leaving mine. “You’ve been so good to me, Jax. I want to make you feel good.”

A ragged groan escapes me as she wraps her lips around me fully, her mouth hot and soft and perfect. I stagger slightly, bracing a hand on her shoulder and another in her hair.

“Fuck, Ava…” I whisper, hips jerking forward. She takes me deeper, her tongue swirling in lazy, deliberate strokes. Her hands settle on my thighs as she sets a rhythm, slow and sinful, sending waves of heat crashing through me.

Sunlight spills over her skin, making her glow like some wild, untamed goddess on her knees in the grass.

I’m already close, too close, but I don’t want it to end. I bite my lip, trying to hold back, my body strung tight.

Her moan vibrates around me, her tongue flicking just right, and I lose it. My climax tears through me, pleasure ripping like lightning down my spine. I choke out her name, spilling into her mouth as she swallows every drop, slow and sure, like she was made for this.

She pulls back slowly, licking her lips, her cheeks flushed and eyes dark with satisfaction.

I reach down and pull her up into my arms, kissing her fiercely. “You’re fucking dangerous, you know that?”

Ava grins wickedly, brushing her lips against mine. “Lucky you.”

I tuck her hair behind her ear again and rest my forehead against hers. “Next time, it’s your turn, baby. I plan on making you scream loud enough that the horses run.”

She laughs, head tipping back as she presses a hand to my chest. “Deal.”

We walk back together, fingers twined, hearts pounding in rhythm, the breeze cooling our heated skin. The field may be quiet again, but something loud and undeniable now pulses between us.