Free SEAL Forever by Anne Elizabeth Page B

answers sitting there, so she stood and wiped the sand from her long cotton skirt and cardigan. She needed to talk to him.
    The sun was high in the sky. She had been out here since sunrise and the time had flown. She had the evening shift at the gym, so there was no need to rush. But she did want to talk to Declan before the day was through. No sense in stewing over the incident for days. She really liked him.
    She knew it was true. The way he spoke to her when she was upset, the cajoling kindness that helped her face tough moments, and his kisses… Secrets were uncovered about a man when he made love. She knew the depth of his passion and tenderness, and she wanted more. Their time together made her want to know everything about him.
    She headed back down the beach toward home. “I guess that’s my answer,” she murmured.
    She was stuck on him. Regardless, today she would give him a chance to explain about Olivia, and she’d apologize for her temper. She knew anger was anxiety and fear amplified. She just didn’t want to be one of those souls ruled by emotional outbursts; that wasn’t who she was. Rather, she’d prefer to define herself as strong, capable, and independent. She’d proved she was different than Olivia.
    * * *
    Riding in a C-17 was like willingly sticking your ear next to the loudest air conditioner you’ve ever heard for hours on end. Declan had flown in the belly of these aircraft for years, and it never got better.
    The Team was packed into the belly, along with the support staff, gear, and additional mission specialists. It was a tight squeeze.
    Miller was reading off his clipboard. “Packs, check. Money, check. Communications, check. Miller Roth—that’s me and I’m pretty sure that I’m here. Harvey Wilson, Hayes Johnson, Declan Swifton—please don’t roll your eyes. Leaper Lefton—nice bird! I think that fingernail needs a trim. Tyler Kidding—if the flight crew catches you spitting tobacco chew on the ground, we’re scrubbing this place, so quit it. Bunks Fox—you’ve got some nerve popping pills! Oh, it’s Dramamine. And Sobbit Dahl. We’re eight for eight, and we’re loaded, and everyone that’s supposed to be aboard is…so we’re good to go.”
    Pulling a sound-canceling headset and his iPod from his pack would give Declan the few hours of the peace he craved, not to mention save his battered eardrums. There was only so much shouting he could listen to from his Teammates, especially when they involved Leaper’s dirty joke collection. Telling the same jokes every time seemed to be part of his superstition.
    Donning the headphones and dialing up a mix of Placebo, Queen, Beck, Bowie, U2, Bush, Foreigner, and Creed, he closed his eyes and zoned out. His mind was immediately transported to a state of complete Zen. His muscles loosened, relaxing, as images danced through his brain: family, friends, and women. When it finally settled on a vision, he smiled knowingly.
    Maura Maxwell bit the tip of her perfectly rounded fingernail with that sultry smile. He could hear her voice beckoning him. Watching her disrobe, revealing that silky smooth skin, made him lick his lips. He craved to hold her, touch her, and make love to her.
    He walked to her, but she was always half turned away from him. Why wouldn’t she face him? “Maura? Why do you keep moving away?”
    She laughed, throaty and deep. “I’m not. You’re just not fast enough to catch me.”
    â€œYes, I am.” He heard the dare in her words and liked it.
    Then she disappeared, and he was alone.
    â€œThat’s not fair,” he said, getting frustrated with her.
    â€œI’m here now.” She appeared again, but one hand was behind her back. Something was hiding there. She stared at him with her terminally smoky, sea-green gaze. “You make me yours.”
    â€œHow?” He shook his head. He