Page 47 of Tempted by a SEAL

Chapter9

Hunter emerged from the shower and quickly toweled off, crossing the master bedroom toward his dresser. His reflection in the mirror showcased his bare torso—muscles, tats. Hell if pride hadn’t filled his chest as Emma had practically gawked at him.

He worked damn hard in training though and didn’t exactly mind the way she was attracted to him. His cock was half-hard just thinking about her, naked in the bath down the hall. He may have needed to be back on base ASAP, but a quickie suited him just fine.

Too bad she’d looked utterly exhausted though.

She’d been through a lot in a short amount of time and deserved some time to relax. Deserved more than a quick tumble between the sheets, too, he thought as he muttered a curse. He was used to charging into unknown situations, guns blazing. Deploying at a moment’s notice. She may love to travel, but she was certainly in over her head this time.

Grumbling as he pulled on some clothes, he gave Ice a quick call.

“Heard you ran into a little trouble in London,” Patrick said as he answered.

“That’s an understatement,” Hunter muttered. He heard kids screaming in the background and ran a hand over his jaw. Hell. How anyone had the patience for that, he’d never understand.

The noise quieted as he heard a door closing. “Just the kids,” Patrick said. “Don’t know if you heard yet, but we’re expecting another.”

Hunter chuckled. “Well hell. After hearing that, I bet you’re happy to deploy all the time.”

“Makes a difference when they’re your own kids, your own family that you’re leaving.”

“Yeah, I can imagine,” Hunter said. Patrick and Rebecca were married now, but when they’d first met, a stalker had been chasing after Rebecca. If anyone understood the situation of feeling helpless while someone was targeting your woman, it was Patrick.

And damn.

Since when was Emma his anyway?

“My CO said you ended up bringing the woman you were helping in London back with you,” Patrick said.

“Yep. That’s actually why I’m calling—I need a favor.”

Hunter explained the circumstances, and Patrick said Rebecca would drop by to give Emma a hand. A busy lawyer, Rebecca worked full-time while she and Patrick wrangled the kids on the weekend. She’d know exactly where to take Emma shopping to buy whatever clothes or other items she needed.

“I appreciate it,” Hunter said. “I’ve got to head into base, debrief, and Emma literally has nothing but the clothes on her back.”

“Give her my number,” Patrick instructed. “Just in case she needs anything. She may be safe here, but that doesn’t mean she’ll feel comfortable with you gone.”

“Thanks. Let’s catch up over drinks sometime.”

Patrick laughed. “I’m never at Anchors anymore,” he said, referring to the popular bar along the Virginia Beach strand.

“Didn’t think so,” Hunter said. “Thanks again.”

He hung up and finished gathering his things. Grabbing his backpack from the bed, he accidentally knocked Emma’s leather one to the floor. She’d left it open, and some of the contents spilled out. He bent down and began to pick up her belongings, frowning as he spotted a gold band on the ground.

Picking it up between his thumb and forefinger, he stared at it in confusion.

This wasn’t just any ring—and it’s not like Emma was carrying around lots of jewelry with her anyway. He turned it over, noticing it had definitely been worn for a while. There were a few tiny, small nicks and scratches in the metal—something a jeweler could buff out.

And it was small. Feminine.

The wedding band would fit perfectly on one of Emma’s slender fingers.

There weren’t many reasons men took of their wedding ring—except when they were picking up women.

And people who were divorced didn’t carry their wedding band around with them.

His stomach turned as he gazed at the gold band, feeling a sickening feeling rising inside him.

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