Page 6 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

He chuckles, shaking his head. “You know, you're nothing like I imagined a runaway bride would be.”

I raise an eyebrow, teasing him. “Oh, and what did you imagine? A damsel in distress with a tiara?”

He laughs, a sound that warms my heart. “Something like that. But you're more like... a rebel in disguise.”

I grin, feeling a sense of camaraderie with him. “I'll take that as a compliment.”

“You should really freshen up. Come on. Let me show you to the guest room.” He leads me to a room with a well-laid bed and a dresser.

“Bathroom’s that way if you want to take a shower. I’ll get you something to free yourself from this modernized prison wear so you can be more comfortable. I’ll just put the clean clothes on the bed. Food will be ordered by the time you are out.”

“Thanks. Hey, Chase?” I call as he turns to shut the door.

He looks back with a raised eyebrow.

I look at him, feeling so much gratitude and safety that I can’t believe how terrible I felt an hour ago.

“Just… thanks,” I say finally.

Chase nods once before heading out, but I don’t miss the look in his eyes. I’m sure it’s not pity anymore. It’s something else entirely.

Chapter two

Chase

The living room pulses with life as I bob my head to the music coming from the speakers. I try to focus on arranging the puzzle pieces of my next mission on my laptop screen, but Nora’s presence lingers in my mind like a mystery.

I mull it over, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. There’s something about her that drags me in, something beyond her pretty smile and friendly demeanor.

Maybe her flair for work.Yes, that’s it. She is hardworking and has been the best colleague I’ve worked with so far. While I’m never quitefriendswith the people who work for me, I’ll admit that on occasions, the line blurs with her.

When she called me, I couldn’t have imagined that she needed me to pick her up from her own wedding. The way she’d looked, drenched in rain water and her own tears, is something that is sure to haunt me.

I steal a glance at her from where I’m sitting, impressed by her determination to see herself through this period. She’s always been a tough one.

Nora looks up and catches me staring at her. She smiles.

“I didn’t know you like classic rock, too,” she calls out from the kitchen. “Which other genres of music do you like?”

“Mostly other types of rock. But, you know, I dabble.”

Her brows jump. “Dabble?” she asks, mirth apparent.

“Dabble,” I repeat. “You know, folk, country, even the occasional EDM.”

“Hmmm…interesting. Some revelation that is. I can’t wait to share it with the team. They would find it so hard to believe that Rogue can actually have fun.”

“You wouldn’t.” I glare at her playfully, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Oh, yes. I would. You’re always so high and alpha at work. They certainly think that you don’t have fun, besides the once-in-a-blue-moon celebratory party after a mission, of course. That makes me wonder if Lieutenant Commander Chase Steel can actually have…fun.” She says, dragging out the last word before clicking her tongue. “Tsk, tsk, I doubt it.”

She wipes her hands on a napkin and looks up at me with a sly smile. Oh, she’s on to something. And I’m going to find out. I clear my throat, pretending to be unfazed by her words and switching to a bossy tone.

“Is that a challenge, Nora?”

“Umm… if you’re up to it. If you are capable enough.”

“Now, you’re daring me. What’s the challenge?”

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