Free Hot SEALs: A Mission of Love (A Hot SEALs / CSA Case Files Crossover) (Kindle Worlds) by Kennedy Layne

engagement ring is only a symbol…our love is much, much more.”
    Schultz released her, letting her grab a towel and get ready for the long evening ahead. He stayed underneath the water a few moments longer, contemplating the events of the day. He’d asked for her hand in marriage on the same day a rogue agent was willing to resort to their murder. Their future was bright while another person’s had gone pitch black. Good versus evil. Balance.
    Julia would have that ring on her finger before they left this apartment. She was his balance and he wanted the world to know. She was his light in the darkness. She was his everything.

Chapter Eight
    TWO WEEKS LATER, Julia entered an apartment full of packed boxes scattered in every room. She smiled at Ken as she closed the door, leaving him at the entrance with two of Schultz’s agents. Ken had been extra sweet to her, going out of his way to make sure she had everything she needed. It was as if he also felt guilt for not realizing that Don had slipped past the mental point of no return. Everyone’s radar had been off on that count. From what she’d heard, he didn’t feel too much regret over what he’d put them through—he was too busy feeling sorry for himself over his wasted career and lost freedom. Schultz had made her promise that she wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about him, but she couldn’t help but feel they’d failed him somehow.
    Julia placed her laptop case on the entryway table, finally noticing the music that came through the speakers. This was their last night in this apartment and Schultz apparently wanted it to be memorable. They’d found a townhouse at Potomac Cliffs in Arlington that both of them were in love with and the former owners had needed to be out rather quickly for a new posting abroad, which couldn’t have worked out better. Both she and Schultz had the next week off to concentrate on their new living arrangement, although their friends had been inquiring about a wedding date. What they didn’t know was that Schultz and Julia had gone to the courthouse for an intimate ceremony and they would make that announcement publicly at the housewarming party they intended to have in a month or so.
    “Schultz?”
    “Right here.”
    Julia yelped when he wrapped his arms around her, not expecting him to be right behind her. She’d thought he was in the bedroom since there were lights coming from that direction. Taking another look, the lights appeared to flicker and she realized they were candles. Arousal shot through her at the implication. She tilted her head back for his kiss.
    “Well, isn’t this a nice bon voyage.”
    “I drew you a bath. There’s a present waiting for you on the bed when you’re done. You have thirty minutes.”
    Julia laughed when he pushed her toward the bedroom door with a pat on her behind. She would have turned around to get a better look at him but he gently kept nudging her until she gave up and did what he asked. Sure enough, candles were lit in the bedroom and the bathroom, creating a sensual intimate atmosphere. She took her time undressing, wondering what was in the box on the bathroom counter. She couldn’t wait until she was done with her bath because the curiosity would have killed her. Her breath caught when she saw the most beautiful lingerie in a pale blue color that matched her eyes. She searched the box but found no panties. The thought of what waited for her outside of this bathroom had her quickly stepping inside the bathtub where she found it hard to relax with all the arousing thoughts swirling in her mind.
    Twenty minutes later, Julia was taking out her hair clip and allowing her hair to fall around her shoulders. The blue lingerie was trimmed with white lace, although it only came down to the middle of her ass. She searched the box one more time but there wasn’t anything for her to wear on the bottom half.
    Taking a deep breath and not wanting to wait any longer than necessary, Julia