The SEAL’s Surprise Marriage (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) Read online

He moved down her body and kissed both her breasts. He gently rubbed his teeth across her nipple, and hot pleasure flashed through Emma’s body.

  As Niall moved downward, he rolled the condom on and, lifting her hips, plunged into her hot tightness.

  A surge of sheer euphoria shot through Emma’s body. Heat and pleasure filled her. There was nothing in her life that compared to the rush of desire and wonder that engulfed her.

  She was tight and hot. Niall moved slower to let her adjust to him. Gradually, he sped up and watched her face. Seeing the pleasure and delight in her expression made him harden even more.

  A sense of joy filled his body. He’d forgotten how true pleasure expressed itself between lovers.

  When the crest of delight and joy started to roll over them, he leaned forward and kissed her breast. She arched and stared into his eyes as the wave hit them both.

  Niall pulled her into his arms and held her close. Emma shook as the shivers of satisfaction gradually faded. Niall kissed her forehead and tipped her chin so she looked at him.

  “Wow,” she said softly.

  “I assume that means you enjoyed yourself,” he said in a teasing voice.

  Emma raised her eyebrows. “And you didn’t?”

  “Yes, I did.” He glanced around the room with a funny look on his face.

  “Is something the matter?”

  “No, but I’m going to shower, put on my pajama bottoms and check on Melissa.” He got out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom.

  Emma sat up against a pillow. She chewed on her bottom lip as she only did when very concerned. Had it all moved too quick for him? Well, if so, it’s his problem. He started it. But for me it was perfect. I’ve never had those feelings or such an experience with anyone. She chuckled sadly as a tear fell. I wonder what he’d think if he knew I’d only made love twice and it was nothing like this time.

  She shook her head, wondering if he’d be pleased or shocked that a woman her age had so little experience with sex. At least he didn’t appear disappointed.

  When he came out of the bathroom, his hair damp and tousled, Emma went in to take her own shower. She wrapped herself in a towel and walked down the hall to the room where she’d left her clothes. After putting on her nightgown, she climbed into bed and pretended to sleep. She heard the door open and he said her name softly. She stayed turned toward the wall and didn’t respond.

  Chapter 10

  Emma had Melissa dressed and they were both ready to go when Niall came into the kitchen. “Do you want breakfast? Melissa and I have eaten.”

  “I’ll skip it this morning. We need to go. I’m hoping I’ll be called first this morning.” Niall grabbed a to-go cup and poured his coffee.

  “I’ll toast you a muffin, and you can eat it on the way,” Emma said. So far, she’d avoided looking directly at him. She felt awkward. I can’t figure out what happened last night.

  “I want you two to stay on the base today. It’ll be safer.”

  “I expected you would want us there. I found out there’s a children’s playgroup near the commissary. I’ll leave Melissa to play while I grocery shop, and then I guess someone will show us where to go afterward.”

  “There’s an empty guest house. I’ll stop by my office and get the key, then I’ll drop you off there.”

  “I can drive us in my car, and you can go straight to the courthouse.”

  “No, I’m taking no chances. You can drive your car, and I’ll follow right behind. Don’t get too far ahead of me.”

  “All right. I’ll get my purse.” Emma hurried to the bedroom she’d used last night. She grabbed her purse and turned to find Niall in the doorway.

  “About last night, I—”

  “We can’t talk now.” She brushed by him and smiled at Melissa, who stood nearby. “You can ride with Daddy, and I’ll be right ahead of his truck.”

  Melissa took her hand. “I want to ride with you. You look sad.”

  Startled, Emma glanced at Niall. Then she knelt in front of Melissa. “I’m fine. I have a bit of a headache. But it will go away soon.”

  “Did you take medicine?”

  “Yes,” she lied.

  “Good.” When Melissa smiled at her, Emma knew she had already fallen in love with this very bright four-year-old.

  Emma put Melissa in the car seat that Niall had transferred to his truck. When she straightened, he stood right beside her.

  “Please don’t worry about last night. We’ll talk more tonight, but I more than ever want you to marry me.” He leaned down and kissed her before getting into his truck.

  Puzzled, Emma’s hand touched her lips. But then she turned and walked briskly around to the driver’s side. She kept an eye on Niall’s truck in her rearview mirror as they drove to the base. Niall pulled in front of her as they came to the gate and talked to the guard. Once they were let through, she followed him to a house much further from the gate.

  Niall helped Melissa out of her car seat. “This is where you and Emma will stay until Daddy comes to get you. You do what Miss Emma says, and I’ll return as soon as possible.”

  “Okay, Daddy.” Melissa took Emma’s hand. “We will be good and wait for you.”

  Emma had to turn her face away, so Melissa wouldn’t see the laughter she was holding back.

  Niall knelt by his daughter. “I’m sure you will both enjoy the day.” He kissed her and straightened. “Remember, don’t leave the base for any reason.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Emma grinned and saluted. Melissa giggled. Emma picked her up and took the key from Niall. “You’d better hurry. Court will be starting soon.”

  Niall took the time to transfer the car seat to Emma’s car, then got in his truck and drove quickly out of sight. Emma carried Melissa to the door and opened it. Someone had painted the walls in bright colors. She put Melissa down, and they took a quick tour of the two-room bungalow.

  “Shall we explore the base?” Emma asked Melissa.

  “Yes!”

  “All right. Let’s go.”

  Niall hated leaving Emma without an explanation of his behavior last night. He hadn’t expected to be so blown away by their lovemaking. Feelings he never expected to return had swept over him, and when he showered, he had both a desire to make love again and the tormenting sense that in some way he had betrayed Morgan.

  Damn, I planned on having a marriage of convenience with pleasure in our relationship, but not the overwhelming feelings Emma aroused in me. Confused and not certain how to act, he had left the bathroom by way of Melissa’s room, and didn’t return to his bedroom. Now Emma’s upset, and I can’t blame her.

  The drive to town took longer than he expected, and he was a few minutes late. The guard was watching for him as he got off the elevator.

  “Judge Carter is upset about your being late. There’s been confusion in the courtroom. A man who identified himself as Glenn Tilford said he was the one who took the defendant’s picture. He says he remembers the face in the picture now and it’s the defendant. You’d better go on inside.”

  “Finally,” Niall said and walked briskly to the courtroom door. He pulled it open and all eyes turned to him.

  “It’s about time you got here, Captain Buchanan,” Judge Carter said.

  “Sorry I’m late, but I had to make sure my daughter and her caregiver were in a safe place before I came.”

  “Humph. Get sworn in so the prosecutor can ask you some questions.”

  After Niall was sworn in, the prosecutor pointed to a man sitting in the front row. “Do you know that man?”

  “Yes, he’s retired, Master Sargent Glenn Tilford. He took a picture of the defendant and then dropped the USB in the lap of a reporter. He was captured and beaten, but he didn’t tell them anything. His injuries were so severe, they forced his retirement.”

  “Thank you.” To the judge, he said, “Your Honor, I’ll dismiss this witness for now, but I may have further questions later.”

  Abbot Dugal’s lawyer stoo
d. “I have a few questions, Your Honor.”

  “Go ahead,” Judge Carter said.

  The defense’s lawyer walked across to face Niall. “Isn’t it true you and the defendant were roommates in college?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you were friends.”

  “At first, later we were more like casual acquaintances,” Niall said firmly.

  “My understanding from my client is that you were friends until he became successful, and then you resented him.”

  “Your client is wrong. I never wanted to be anything but a SEAL. Money was not my objective.”

  “That is hard to believe,” the lawyer said.

  “Your Honor, the defense’s lawyer is making statements about Captain Buchanan, not asking a question.”

  “If you don’t have any more questions, let the Captain be excused,” Judge Carter ordered.

  “I have no more for now.” The defendant’s lawyer said. When he sat down, he leaned across to whisper to his client.

  “Captain Buchanan, you are excused for now.”

  The prosecutor asked for Glenn Tilford to be sworn in.

  Mr. Tilford, I appreciate you coming so far to testify regarding Abbot Dugal. I understand you paid a high price for the information you got on the defendant. I’m sure you miss being a SEAL.”

  "Everyday.”

  “And you are certain this is the man who was in the Middle East when you took a picture of him?”

  “Very certain.”

  Dugal’s attorney jumped up. “He supposedly has memory loss. It’s convenient how it just returned.”

  “How did that happen?” the prosecutor asked Glenn.

  “I’m working at a ranch out West. A few days ago, when I was in the small town nearby, I saw a man who looked very much like the defendant. It startled me.

  “I moved closer and didn’t understand why my heart started racing. And then I saw the defendant in my mind and remembered what he looked like.”

  Glenn turned and pointed to Dugal. “When they tortured me, they repeatedly told me Dugal had authorized my beatings, and they wouldn’t stop until I told them what I’d done with the USB. But I never told them anything. I was lucky the SEALs rescued me before I died.”

  A hush settled over the courtroom. Most of the people and Judge Carter were looking at the defendant.

  The prosecutor told Glenn to step down and motioned for the Captain to return to the witness stand. The judge reminded Niall he was still under oath.

  “I understand,” Niall said and then verified everything Glenn said in his testimony. Niall further explained how the reporter destroyed the USB, but she memorized the face, first.

  “She’s a good artist. She made a drawing of him, from memory, the night before meeting with me. I recognized him immediately. We’d been college roommates, but never very close. He wanted to make lots of money and me…” Niall chuckled, “I wanted to save the world or at least make it safer.”

  Dugal glared at Niall from across the courtroom. Niall shrugged. “Are you finished with me?” Niall asked the prosecutor.

  “Yes, I’m satisfied that this finishes my side of the case, Judge.”

  “Then tomorrow we’ll see what Mr. Dugal’s lawyer has to say.” Judge Carter turned to Niall and Glenn. “Don’t leave town. You may be called back.”

  “Yes, Judge,” Glenn and Niall said.

  They quickly left the courtroom. Niall didn’t look at his former roommate as he passed the defendant’s table and took a deep breath when the courtroom doors closed behind them.

  “Do you know how I can get in touch with Vivian?” Glenn asked

  “She married Hawke and is back at work here in San Diego.” Niall wrote down a number. “This is their home number. Why not come back to the base with me and spend some time seeing some of the guys?”

  “I’d like that, thanks.”

  Bear grabbed Glenn’s offered hand and pulled him in for a hard hug. “Damn, it’s good to see you.” He glanced at Glenn’s leg. “How’s the injury doing?”

  “Better, but probably will never be SEAL-worthy again.”

  Heath and Shadow and the rest of the men shook his hand and slapped him on the back. “We’d love to see you be able to qualify as a SEAL,” Shadow said.

  “Me, too, but it’s not too bad. I like ranch work, and Jackson gave me the name of a retired Navy SEAL who started up a business doing civilian and government jobs. He uses retired SEALs who still want to work in the field. I may qualify if my leg keeps improving.”

  “That’s great news,” Niall said. “Let’s head to the chow hall before it gets crowded.”

  “Good, I’m hungry,” Hawke said.

  “You’re always hungry.” Shadow laughed and bumped Hawke on the shoulder.

  Glenn moved back to walk beside Hawke. “I was wondering if you’d mind if I called and visited Vivian. We got to be good friends when we were in Germany. I was happy to hear about your marriage.”

  “No problem, brother. Call her anytime. Maybe take her to lunch. She’d like that.”

  “I’ll do both. I’ll see if I’m required to be in the courtroom tomorrow. If not, it’ll be a good day for lunch.”

  Glenn enjoyed the meal and the jokes and laughter, but his heart ached that he wasn’t a part of a team anymore. I’m lucky to be alive.

  Hawke leaned close to Glenn. “I hope you get that job you mentioned.”

  “I do, too, but I’ll still work on a ranch between assignments. Jack, who started the company lives in the next town over, and his working ranch is the main base when not on assignment.”

  “Perfect for you.”

  “Yeah.”

  Vivian opened the door and hugged Glenn. “I’m so glad you got off for lunch. Hawke told me last night you’d be stopping by.”

  Glenn stood back and looked her up and down. “Marriage agrees with you.”

  “It does. I’m very happy. How about you? Hawke mentioned a possible job that would make the most of some of your SEAL skills.”

  “Yes. I hope the man hiring for the team will take me on.”

  “Come into the kitchen. We’ll have a cup of coffee before we leave. It’s early yet.”

  Vi poured the coffee, and they sat by a window with the sunshine warming them. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve wondered how you were doing.”

  “The work’s been good for me. My leg has gotten much stronger.”

  “How have people reacted since you got home? I know you grew up in the West.”

  “Are you trying to ask me if my girlfriend moved with me?” he asked and grinned.

  “I hope I’m not too nosy.”

  “Never. I thought we might have something real, but she let me know her preference was for a real SEAL and she had no intention of leaving San Diego. I hear she’s dating a guy on another Team.”

  “Well, I’m glad you found out what type of person she was before you married her.”

  “Yeah, but I’d considered asking her.”

  “You’re going to find a wonderful woman who will adore you.”

  Glenn grinned. “You have a great way of making a guy feel better. I’m not in a hurry. I have to see about this other job and feel more settled myself before I ask someone to join me.”

  Vi stood. “Enough talking. I’m hungry now. Let’s go eat.”

  “We’ll take my rental car. Tell me the way to your favorite restaurant.”

  Later in the day, Glenn drove back to Vi and Hawke’s home, and the three sat around talking. “When are you returning to your job?” Hawke asked.

  “As soon as the court releases me. I’m anxious to get back to work,” Glenn said and took a sip of his drink.

  “Let us know whether you change jobs and go with this new group.”

  “If they accept me, I’m joining them.”

  “They’ll offer you a job,” Hawke said confidently. “They’d lose a good man if they didn’t. I know Jack, we were on the same team when he decided to retire. Woul
d you like me to put in a good word for you?”

  “If they need a reference, I’ll put down your name. Thanks for the offer, though.”

  “No problem. Do you want to run with us tomorrow on the beach, or will that be too much strain on your leg?”

  “I’m going to the courthouse to see how much longer I need to stay in town. I hope I can get a release to go home. If not, I’ll join you all and see how well my legs do. I’d better head back to my hotel.”

  Hawke shook his hand, and Vi hugged him. “Don’t wait so long to visit,” she said.

  “You can stay with us next time,” Hawke added.

  “It’s a deal. First break I get, I’ll come visit.”

  Chapter 11

  Niall had started to leave his office when the phone rang. Damn, I want to get home to talk with Emma. He hesitated. Too disciplined to ignore the call, he turned back and picked up the receiver.

  “I was going to call your cell.” The Commander’s voice came through the phone loud and clear.

  “I was on my way out when the phone rang.”

  “An assignment’s come up. Are you through with the court case?”

  “I’m not sure. They indicated I might be called back. I can try to speak with Judge Carter. Maybe he’ll release me.”

  “Do that. Bear’s team is up for the assignment. It’s a rough one. I’d like you to go with them.”

  “I’ll call right now and get back with you.”

  “Good.” The receiver went down with a snap.

  Niall took a deep breath and then pulled the card, with the courthouse number out of his wallet. He might catch the judge before he went home.

  Part of me wants to go with Bear’s Team, and the other part wants to stay here and clear up things with Emma.

  When the operator answered, he asked to speak with Judge Carter.

  “He’s in court. Give me your name and number, and I’ll ask him to call you.”

  “Tell him it’s urgent,” Niall said and then gave her his name and numbers both for his cell and his home phone.