Page 28 of SEAL's Secret

“I know you’re protective,” she said softly. “You were in shock before when I told you that I was pregnant, and given your upbringing, I’m not surprised. It’s a big change, but I already have a child. I know what to expect.

But I know you’re always watchful. When we were moving Emersyn into her place, you kept scanning the hallway, almost expecting for something dangerous to happen.”

“You noticed that?” he asked, surprised.

“Yes. And even when we went to the beach that night, you were looking around. Observant. You weren’t going to take me somewhere that wasn’t safe. I’d bet my life on it.”

Hudson blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think most people noticed things like that.”

“I’m a woman realtor. Of course I notice. I’m careful about who I’m with. If I don’t think I can trust someone, I’m certainly not going into an empty home alone with them.”

“Shit. I know what you do, obviously, but when you put it that way….”

“I’m fine, Hudson. I’ve been doing this for years, and I’m always cautious.”

“But you’re pregnant now,” he protested.

“I was pregnant then, too. Don’t forget that I have Caroline. You’re hardly one to talk. I’m sure I don’t know the half of your missions, but you’re a Navy SEAL. Your job is a million times more dangerous than mine.”

“I’m bigger than you, princess,” he said, his voice deep. “I can hold my own. Hell, I had to learn to fight just living where I did growing up.”

“Hudson.”

That funny feeling in his chest was back. It was cute as hell for Layton to worry about him, but something about it just socked him in the gut, too. He wasn’t used to someone caring about him, he realized. Sure, on missions, his buddies had his back. But in real life?

Nah. It wasn’t the same at all.

Except with Layton.

“I’m okay. I survived my childhood. I’ve got a pretty good gig now living in sunny Oahu,” he added, trying to lighten the mood. “What more do I need?” It was a rhetorical question. The answer, however, was right in front of him. A woman. A family. Ironic that he was getting some of it, when he hadn’t even been looking. Hudson was determined not to mess this up any more than he already had. Layton didn’t completely trust him—not with her heart, at any rate. But he’d prove it to her somehow. Be the guy she could depend on.

Hudson wasn’t going to give up without a fight. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes with some food.”

“Didn’t you just get home?”

“Yep. I did. I’ll see you soon, princess.”

Chapter 16

Groaning, Layton flushed the toilet again and took a tiny bite of her saltine cracker. If she could just settle her stomach, she’d feel better. She quickly swished some mouthwash around in her mouth, glancing at the time on her phone. Hudson would be there at any moment, and she felt awful.

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Caroline asked, knocking at the door.

“Yes, baby. I’ll be out soon.”

“I’m hungry!”

“I know. We’ll eat dinner in a few minutes. Mommy wasn’t feeling good.”

Layton heard her daughter whining, and held her hand to her stomach. Nausea roiled through her again, but she was determined to finish the cracker. Geez. The first time she’d been pregnant, she hadn’t had another child to care for. This added a whole other level to it. She couldn’t just lie down and rest. She had a four-year-old who required almost constant care.

The doorbell ringing had her jumping in surprise. Looking at her face in the mirror, she ran a hand through her hair. Layton hadn’t even seen Hudson since that afternoon on the beach. They’d texted. Spoken on the phone a bit. Anxiety roiled through her. He’d probably look as handsome as always, and she felt a bit like a disheveled mess. Perfect.

Striding barefoot down the hallway, she frowned at the emptiness of her home. The furniture set to arrive next week in her shipping containers had been delayed. Not surprising, but it was hard to live in such a sparse home. They were making do, but nothing about it was ideal. She stepped over some ofCaroline’s small toys in the living room, heading toward the foyer. She could see Hudson through the windows on either side of her front door, and her heart stuttered. He looked good. Too good.

Hudson seemed bigger than she remembered. His shirt hugged his broad shoulders, and she could see his big biceps stretching the sleeves. Even his legs were muscular. All of him was big, as she recalled with a flush. The frown slid off his face as she opened the door, and she wondered if he’d noticed through the windows how her home was empty.

“Layton.” His deep voice made her tummy do a funny little flip, and it had nothing to do with morning sickness.

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