Page 46 of Peach

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll call her and ask her.”

“Thank you,” Peach said as his emotions thickened.

“Hey, I’m here for you. You were there for me, and now it’s my turn to be here for you.”

The call ended, and it took another fifteen minutes toget home. He raced into the house, finding Haisley standing in the den with a paper bag.

“I don’t know if you have time to eat, but I wanted to make sure you had something. I packed a sandwich and some cookies that I baked earlier.”

He moved to her and pulled her into a hug, breathing deeply so he could remember her scent when he was in some hellish place that was full of dirt and other things that were so much more disgusting. There was the scent that was all Haisley and something sweeter. It was the scent of cookies she'd baked earlier.

His lips skimmed her jawline and ended up on her mouth. The kiss was electrifying. He didn’t have time for sex, and that was punctuated when his phone buzzed. They were calling them in.

He ended the kiss and checked his messages. Duty called. They were heading out in two hours.

“You have to leave,” Haisley said, a twinge of sadness in her voice.

He nodded. “I have to.”

She cupped his cheeks and smiled so bravely that his heart cracked. "I'll be here when you get back. You're a good man, Robert Barclay."

He rested his forehead against hers and wanted to tell her he loved her, but she didn’t need that pressure if something happened. He would write down his feelings and stick them in his pack. If he didn’t make it home, she might get his letter, then she would know how he felt and know he wanted her to have a good life. He wasn’t expecting disaster, but he knew what they did and knew how dangerous his job was. He would fight like hell to make it back, but sometimes life didn’t work out how the SEALs wanted.

Chapter 30

Mel wasat the door when Andy stepped in. She wasn't going to cry. Andy deserved so much more than her tears. He was one of the bravest men she'd ever met, and she would show him that she could be brave, too.

“I’m so sorry,” Andy said as he pulled her close.

“No, this is your job. We both knew this could happen. I’m staying with Haisley for at least the first few days, then I’ll stay with Rory if it takes more than a week. The rest of the women have also offered up their homes. I will have someone with me until you get back. And you will come back.”

“Babe.”

"I'm not going to accept anything else. I love you, Andy, and we will have a long life together."

Andy nodded and pulled her into a hug. “You’re too good to me.”

“No, I’m just right for you. Now, what do you need?”

“Just you.”

Mel chuckled. "No, really?"

Andy palmed her belly. “Really, turn around and lift your skirt. I want to feel you before I leave.”

She didn’t hesitate as she pulled her clothes off and shoved her underwear low. Andy shoved in, his fingers finding her clit fast. He made quick work of the time they had together, getting her to orgasm so fast she almost lost her balance.

He was coming seconds later but didn't pull out. "I'm going to miss you."

“I’ll hang on until you get home.”

"Not too long, though. You have that baby when it decides to come. I'm going to be thinking about you."

"Pay attention to what is going on there. I'll be okay here."

“I know you will. I love you with everything, Melrose.”

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