Free A SEAL's Seduction (Alpha SEALs Book 4) by Makenna Jameison Page B

swallowed.  He sat so large, looming right in front of her.  But she felt safe.  Sheltered.  Even though logically she knew the man they’d seen wasn’t Lexi’s kidnapper, who was behind bars, she had to admit that it felt good to have someone take care of them.  To take care of her.  Her own parents were never around, and this man she barely knew, who was friends with Lexi’s fiancé, had rushed to their aid without a second thought.  How ironic since her own family didn’t seem to see things that way.
    “I know I freaked out over nothing, but I swear it looked just like him,” Lexi said.
    “That asshole is behind bars,” Mike said, swinging his glance over to her.  “But I swear to God, Lexi, none of us will let anything happen to you again.  If you’re ever frightened, and Christopher’s not around, you can give any of us a call.  We’ll be there immediately.”
    Mike pulled his cell phone from his pocket.  “What’s your cell number?” he asked Lexi.
    She recited it, and Mike punched it in and sent her a text.  “Now you have my number.  Save it in your contact list,” he instructed.  “Kenley, tell me your number, too.”
    Startled, Kenley recited her cell number.  She felt strangely excited about Mike knowing how to reach her.  Obviously he wanted it for safety measures—for emergencies.  But the thought that he could now call her at any time had her heart racing.  She tucked her phone back into her purse after she added Mike to her contacts, telling herself she was being silly.  If something happened and they needed help, it made sense to be able to contact some of the guys.  That was all this was about.
    Mike started the engine and pulled into the street, heading the opposite way of her car and the restaurant and toward Christopher’s apartment.  His heated blue gaze met hers in the rearview mirror, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.  Maybe riding alone with him wasn’t such a good idea—at the moment, she had the craziest desire to give in to her urges.  To pull him close and kiss him, inhaling all of his soap and spice.  To give in to whatever he wanted, letting him command and control her body as easily as he had yesterday.  To allow him just one night.
    She swallowed nervously, immediately quashing that idea.  Mike was being nice now, yes, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t act like a jerk again when the mood struck.  His cocky, holier-than-thou attitude wasn’t something she needed or wanted.  His rush off to save the world lifestyle wasn’t something that would offer her any safety or stability.  She’d lived that life as a kid, having family that was never around, and when she did eventually find a man she wanted to spend her life with, he’d be there for her one hundred percent of the time.  No questions asked.
    She glanced out the window, watching the restaurants and hotels go by.  She wouldn’t even be in town much longer to pursue something if she’d wanted to.  She’d go her way, and Mike would go his.  Life moved on, and a guy like him would never be a permanent fixture in hers.

Chapter 7
     
    “Is she okay?” Patrick asked half an hour later, his brow furrowing.
    They’d all gathered back in Christopher’s apartment, and Mike glanced over to where Lexi stood in the kitchen with Kenley and Christopher.  They each had an arm around her, and Christopher was rubbing her back in a soothing motion.  “Yeah, I think she just got spooked.  They saw some guy that looked like the jackass who kidnapped her.”
    Patrick stiffened and clenched his fists.  “That shit is messed up.  I wish they would’ve let us deal with him our own way; I would’ve beaten that son of a bitch within an inch of his life.”
    Mike nodded grimly.  “Not if Christopher had anything to say about it.  He would’ve killed him with his bare hands.”
    “There’s something fucked up about guys who harm women and children.  I swear to God, if anything