Page 45 of Stranded with a SEAL

“I would’ve missed our nights out at Anchors, that’s for damn sure. Good to have you back!”

Hunter walked over to greet them, giving Noah and Mason each a handshake. “Hell, you guys gave Emma a scare. Don’t go getting lost at sea again. She’s beginning to think you’re bad luck, Mason.”

“Me?” he asked with a chuckle, wrapping his arm around Taylor and pulling her close. “Where the hell would she get an idea like that?”

“London,” Hunter said dryly. “Bogota. Shit happens when you’re around.”

“How the hell were either of those my fault?” he asked with a smirk, walking over to grab his and Taylor’s bags as they unloaded them off the small plane. “And you were both places, too. I guess I’ll have to remind her of that little detail.”

“Mason rescued Taylor when she was kidnapped,” Bailey said, her eyes darting toward Hunter. “I mean, that was good luck right there, no?”

“That was skill, sunshine,” Noah said, pulling her close. “It had nothing to do with luck.”

Hunter looked between the two of them, smirking. “It looks like we’re down another man. First me, then C-4,” he said, referring to Colton “C-4” Ferguson. “Then Riptide, and now you, Viper?”

“He’s taken,” Bailey confirmed, and Noah grinned, ducking down to brush a brief kiss over her lips.

“She’s all mine,” Noah agreed.

“Well, hell,” Hunter said. “This calls for a celebration. The Alpha team is having a bonfire on the beach soon—”

“No bonfires,” Bailey said.

“No beaches,” Noah added. “Not for a hell of a long time.

“We’ll think of something else, then,” Hunter said. “Jacob and Ryker will just have to bring dates along or something since they’re the only single guys left.”

“You ladies must have some single friends, right?” Jacob asked with a grin.

Hunter shook his head, smirking. “It’s good to have you both back.”

“I don’t think I’ll leave for a long, long time,” Bailey said. “And I’m definitely never fishing again.”

Hunter eyed Noah as Bailey went over to say goodbye to Taylor and Mason. “Are you fit to report back to duty tomorrow? The CO wants to brief us on a pending op. Since you weren’t in the hospital down in Florida, you shouldn’t need medical clearance to report in to base.”

“I’m ready,” Noah said, nodding. “It was a hell of a swim in the ocean, but nothing we’re not used to with training. It was Bailey I was worried about,” he said, his eyes drifting over to her. “She held up damn well though. She didn’t get scared and fought hard to swim to the island with me.”

Hunter nodded. “She’ll have to be strong to deal with our line of work. She’s got Taylor though. And the other women all stick together when we’re gone.”

“It’s good they have each other. I’ll see you at oh-six-hundred then,” Noah said, nodding at his team leader. “I’ve got to get Bailey home.”

“And I’ve got to get back to Emma. She hasn’t been feeling well the past few days.”

Noah raised his eyebrows. “Is she okay?”

Hunter nodded. “She’s pregnant,” he said in a low voice. “It came as a shock to both of us, but we’re ready. Now I just have to figure out how to handle her morning sickness and take care of a baby.”

Noah let out a low whistle. “And so it begins. The Alpha team is full of kids,” he said with a low chuckle. “Maybe those guys can give you some advice. Hell, you’ve got nine months to get ready.”

“Don’t knock it—you could be next,” Hunter quipped.

Noah chuckled. “Not for a damn long time.”

Bailey walked back toward him, smiling. “What’s wrong?” she asked, glancing between the two men.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Hunter assured her. “I just have to get back home to Emma. Take care of Noah,” he said with a wink.

“Will do,” she assured him.

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