Page 24 of SEAL's Secret

Hudson zipped up his duffle bag, moving quickly around his rental home to make sure everything was secure. Time was of the essence. The team was readying to go wheels up in a matter of hours, and he had a million things on his mind. He swiped a hand over his face, feeling unusually rattled. Hudson left without fanfare every single time they deployed. He’d left on ops since he’d met Layton as well. Hell, he dropped her off at Emersyn’s that night with Layton’s panties still in his fucking pocket, then jumped on a C-17 in the early morning hours.

Everything felt different now. More important. Every decision significant. Things he’d never even considered before rolled through his mind. He tried to shrug it off, but damn. His life had changed in a heartbeat. He’d have a kid to support. Layton might be pregnant with their baby now, but soon it would be an entirely new person. And while Hudson intended to be there, not pull a disappearing act like his own so-called parents, the reality was, he had a dangerous career.

His child would be his dependent. And Layton? He half wondered if he should propose to her. People got married for lesser reasons, but then at least things would be settled as far as his kid went.

But the baby wasn’t the only child involved, either. Layton had a daughter. If he did propose, which was a crazy thought, would he become a stepfather as well?

Rattled, Hudson moved into his bedroom. His gaze swept the room, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything. He pocketed his keys and grabbed his cell. His eyes landed on the big, king-sized bed he’d teased Layton about. He’d never even brought her back to his home, he thought with regret. She deserved everything, and he’d been practically in denial for the past month.

Who knew life would get so damn complicated just from a failed condom?

Grabbing his phone, he texted Aaron.

Hudson:Hey. What day is Layton flying in?

Aaron:Supposed to be next Tuesday. Em is picking them up from the airport.

Hudson frowned. The least he could do was to meet her at the airport, but in all likelihood, he wouldn’t be here. His first priority would always be the Navy, his duty to God and country. And didn’t that just suck at this precise moment. It had suited him fine until now, but Hudson had other people to be concerned about.

And yes, he absolutely cared about Layton. He’d felt protective toward her months ago, and now that he’d gotten his head on straight, he felt an almost primal need to keep her safe. To take care of her.

To make her his.

Hudson clenched his fist. She had to forgive him before he could attempt anything else. He had to earn her trust. And he’d be gone when she arrived. He thumbed back a response to his buddy.

Hudson:It should’ve been me picking her up.

Aaron:Maybe. Maybe not. The reality is, we can’t always be there.

Hudson:Maybe I wanted to be there.

Aaron:Look, Layton thinks you’re going to bail out on her again.

Aaron:Find another way to show her you care about her.

Aaron:Gotta go, buddy. I need to say a proper goodbye to Em.

Hudson muttered under his breath. Fucking hell. He wanted to kiss the hell out of Layton right now. Promise her he’d take care of them. He needed to get Layton’s address. Maybe arrange to have groceries delivered. It wasn’t much, but shit. He wanted to make her life easier, not harder. He’d already let too much time pass as it was.

A new thought dawned on him. Had Layton found out if it was a boy or a girl yet? He assumed she’d have told him, and it seemed too early for the doctors to know that, but wow. He was relieved as hell that she was coming to Hawaii, because otherwise, he would literally miss out on everything.

Texting Emersyn, he got Layton’s new address. It was a risk to order groceries in advance in case she was delayed for some reason, but what could he do? Hudson might not be back when she arrived, and he wanted her to have some necessities. It’s not like he could order food in the middle of an op.

Her shipping containers of household goods wouldn’t arrive when she did, and it seemed that her plans were to move into her rental right away. A new thought popping into his mind, he decided to order her a single-cup coffee maker, too. It was a silly little thing, but he remembered how relieved she’d been when he’d opened the box of kitchen stuff at Emersyn’s and she’d declared she could die happy knowing she’d have her coffee first thing the next day.

Glancing at the time and knowing he had to hustle, he flipped open his laptop and set up the grocery order. Basics. Coffee. Tea. Soup. Some plain foods like saltines, because Layton had mentioned feeling nauseous. Hesitating, he decided to send her flowers, too. Layton deserved something to make her happy, and he wanted to be the man to put that smile on her face. Wouldn’t she be shocked when she pulled up and found an entire delivery waiting on her doorstep. Selecting the day and time, he clicked the final button.

Hudson needed to roll out. Nearly stumbling on his rush out the door, he realized he hadn’t even told her he was leaving. Shaking his head, he shot off a text. It wasn’t the best he could do, but he was literally out of time.

Hudson:I’m sure you’ll hear this through Emersyn, but the guys and I are headed out. Talk when I’m back. Have a safe trip, princess.

He smirked as he pocketed his phone. She’d probably be annoyed at his calling her that, but damn. She was a fucking princess. Layton was pretty. Sweet. Unattainable. Except he was going to find a way back into her good graces if it took the rest of his life.

Chapter 14

Dumbfounded, Layton stared at the groceries on the front porch of her new home several days later. There were six brown bags lined up in a row, recently delivered, and one had a bouquet of flowers peeking out the top. The Hawaiian breeze blew through her hair, soft and fragrant, and she briefly looked around the front yard in confusion. Layton double-checked the house number, making sure her sister hadn’t somehow gone to the wrong address.

Nope. They were definitely at the correct house. It looked exactly like the photos she’d seen online. Layton was renting it for an entire year, and maybe after that, she’d look into buying property on Oahu.

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