Page 5 of Winter Surprise (Seasoned SEALs #4)

“No.” His admission seemed to hurt. “Short version. A crazy bitch had been stalking me who I’d dated twice and fucked once.

She was so convinced that we were married, she came and saw my CO demanding her ID card.

I had to change my phone number and get a restraining order even though I was leaving the country.

My head was in the wrong frame of mind to even consider any relationship, even with a woman I considered a friend.

Genevieve told me she and the captain later discovered that Kylie had tried to get hold of me once she discovered she was pregnant.

I have no idea why she didn’t go to my CO or ask her father to track me down. ”

Dylan shrugged. “I guess I understand why she didn’t ask her father. He was stationed on the East Coast at the time, estranged from her mother who she lived with most of the time.”

He glanced over his shoulder at the tent where he could see his sleeping son.

Love completely changed his face. “I’m now in a long-term relationship with that little guy.

For the first time in my life, I understand love in a way I never did before.

Single parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the scariest part is, it will never be over.

I will always worry about my son. Is he happy?

Is he healthy? Am I doing the right thing for him?

As a single dad, I worry if he is going to grow up jaded because he doesn’t have the balance of the woman in his life.

Even though he has Genevieve, she’s his grandmother, not his mother. ”

“Are you telling me the only thing you’re looking for is a woman to be a mother to your son?” This was a damn serious conversation. Deep, but more like good friends of the opposite sex. Eve sat up facing him.

“No! Not at all.” Dylan shook his head. “Ian has taught me that true love is unconditional. I refuse to settle for anything less from a woman. He deserves someone who loves him beyond everything else in this world. I deserve someone who loves me that same way.”

Could this man be real? Eve’s heart melted even more.

Ian chose that moment to wake up.

After a quick diaper change, a few tablespoons of oatmeal mixed with puréed carrots, the baby was ready to play. They slathered him down with SPF one hundred and the three of them frolicked in the chilly surf then built sandcastles.

Eve couldn’t remember when she’d smiled so much, thoroughly enjoying the antics of the two boys. Dylan was such a wonderful father. He was animated yet always careful and protective of Ian. It was easy to tell how much he loved that boy.

When Ian started to get fussy again, Dylan noted, “I think he’s had all the fun in the sun he is willing to take. Would you be upset if we ended the beach portion of the day?”

She instantly started gathering their things. “Not at all.”

Dylan unfolded a fat-tired wagon and started packing it. To her surprise, everything, including Ian, fit into it perfectly. All she carried the short distance across the beach and Ocean Boulevard was her bag.

Once inside the house, Dylan suggested, “Go ahead and use the shower in my bathroom. I’m going upstairs and giving Ian a bath. If you’re done before me, feel free to raid the refrigerator and freezer. Select something you like for supper.”

Although she wanted to take her time and check out his bedroom, she hurried through to the master bathroom.

Eve knew how to take a quick yet thorough shower.

She’d done three overseas tours, one at a forward operating base.

She also didn’t want to use up all the hot water, so she bypassed washing her hair.

In less than ten minutes, feeling refreshed, wearing her favorite pastel plaid shorts and a coordinating light yellow crop top, she headed to the kitchen. Ian unhappily sat on his father’s hip as Dylan made a bottle one-handed.

“Here, let me take him.” She snatched the baby from his father and started walking and bouncing. “Your daddy is working as fast as he can,” she told the infant.

When Dylan appeared at her side with the bottle, he held his arms out for the baby.

“I’ve got him. I’ll feed him, and you go take a shower.” She smiled down at the child in her arms. “Do you think he’ll go to sleep?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he napped for an hour or so.” Dylan’s voice echoed from down the hall.

“I’m going to feed him upstairs in case he falls asleep.” She headed for the steps.

“Thanks.” The bedroom door closed.

Ian’s room had a definite woman’s touch.

Genevieve’s work, Eve guessed. She sat in the rocking chair, the baby in her arms. When Ian’s little hand covered hers holding the bottle, she thought her ovaries were going to burst. This was exactly what she wanted.

The baby fell asleep before he’d finished the bottle.

She managed to get a decent burp out of him before she laid him down in his crib and covered him with the soft blanket covered in frogs.

Although he didn’t need it, she stood by his crib rubbing his back for a few minutes.

Yes, she firmly decided. Now that she was finished with her schooling, she needed to start dating.

After the horror stories she’d heard from nurses, dating apps scared the shit out of her.

She refused to consider anyone who worked at the hospital.

She didn’t have any friends to set her up on blind dates.

Maybe after she was established at the hospital as a PA she’d make more friends.

Yes. That was a reasonable goal. Dylan was fast becoming a friend.

Given their conversation that afternoon, he seemed quite comfortable talking about almost everything.

Maybe she’d ask him if he’d consider setting her up with some of his single friends.

She saw the monitor that Dylan had brought downstairs the night before and picked it up, taking it with her to the kitchen.

“Leftover lasagna or this really good chicken casserole?” Dylan asked, his head still in the refrigerator.

Even from the back, the man made her heartbeat increase.

His broad shoulders barely fit as he dug through leftovers.

She wondered if his friends were as handsome, intelligent, damn good-looking, physically fit, and thoughtful as him.

She could easily pull their medical records, but she already knew what she’d find.

No doubt, they’d had a few bumps and bruises as a kid, more once they’d become SEALs.

There was a strong possibility they’d even been shot at least once, but she wasn’t afraid of scars.

To her, they were more than badges of honor—proof they’d gone above and beyond to defend the country she loved and served.

Did she dare ask him? And what if he said yes? Would that put him in an uncomfortable position, especially if the date didn’t work out?

As he turned around and looked at her, those green-gold eyes flashed yellow before turning closer to the color of jade.

“Eve, you’re looking at me as though you’re about to give me bad news. Is something wrong with Ian?” She could see the fear through him.

“No.” She thrust the baby monitor toward him and quickly replied, “He’s sleeping.”

Relief washed over Dylan’s face.

“Would you consider us friends?” She asked tentatively.

“Yes, of course.” He handed her a casserole dish, then a bottle of white wine. “Why do you ask?”

“I want to start dating and I wondered if you might introduce me to some of your friends?” There. She’d said it and set the first step to her future in motion.

When Dylan didn’t reply, she turned and set their supper on the counter.

He closed the refrigerator door and faced it, his muscular shoulders rising up and down. He turned slowly but when their eyes met, his were a deep green.

“No.” His word hung in the air for one heartbeat, two, three.

She let out a long slow breath. So much for that idea.

He stepped so close she could feel the heat from his body. Cupping her face in both hands, he held her gaze. “I don’t want you to date anybody but me.”

His lips were soft, the kiss tender. Tingles traveled through her body all the way to her toes and back up, igniting a fire at her core then hardening her nipples. She opened her mouth and deepened the kiss.

This is what she wanted and hadn’t known.