Page 49 of Tempted by a SEAL

Emma returned with two glasses of water and sank down onto the sofa in the living room by Rebecca. “So you were asking about the SEAL teams,” Rebecca said. “Both are based out of Little Creek, but Patrick is the leader of the Alpha SEALs and Hunter leads the Delta team.”

“Hunter’s the leader of the team?”

“Afraid so. It’s quite busy for them actually, as I’m sure you can probably imagine. They were all out on an op together recently when Patrick was injured.”

“Oh my God, is he okay?” Emma asked.

“He is now, thankfully. I don’t really know all the details of what happened, but I do know Hunter’s team was there as well. They provided cover while Patrick was flown out.”

“Wow. That’s positively terrifying.”

“It was,” Rebecca agreed. “But that’s their job. They train hard and fight harder. They’re really protective, too—which I gather you already know since you’re here.”

“I’m afraid we’ve already had a bit of a misunderstanding though. Judging from the way Hunter blew out of here? I’m beginning to think coming was a mistake.”

“What happened?”

“Oh, it’s stupid, really. When I travel alone, I wear a fake wedding band—just to keep the strange men away.”

“That’s not stupid, that’s smart,” Rebecca said with a laugh.

“Maybe so, but I left it in my backpack. I’d just gotten back from Kabul and hadn’t even unpacked everything yet. I mean, I was barely back in London a day before I was being chased. It looks like my backpack fell over in Hunter’s bedroom, and he found it. The ring I mean. The next thing I knew, he was storming out. Slamming the front door. He didn’t even stop to discuss it, just ran out.”

“I’m sorry,” Rebecca said.

Emma shrugged. “It was probably stupid to come here—I thought I was doing the right thing to get away. But I barely know Hunter. Flying across the ocean to stay with a man I barely know is somewhat ridiculous if you think about it.”

“Maybe, maybe not. When you know it’s right, you know.”

Emma stood up. “Maybe so, but’s it’s not like we discussed anything. I mean, the plan was for me to come for a few weeks, but it seems like I foolishly rushed into this. I was frightened, yes, but I was also a little dumbstruck by Hunter. He’s so big and brash and—I don’t know. Not like any other man I’ve met.”

“Do you want me to take you out now? Get your mind off things?”

“No, I think I’ll take a raincheck. Thank you so much for letting me borrow a few things.”

“Of course. I wrote down our number. Please give Patrick and me a call if you need anything. And let’s get together soon, too. I’ll introduce you to all the other girlfriends and wives. I think all of Hunter’s team is single, but the men on my husband’s team are all coupled up at this point.”

“Wonderful. Thanks again,” Emma said, closing the door as Rebecca left.

Uneasiness rolled over her as she walked back toward Hunter’s room. She could certainly understand why he’d be upset if she were married, but to automatically assume the worst? Slam the door without discussing anything.

She sighed, eyeing her backpack.

Coming here with Hunter had been a bad idea.

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