Page 30 of The SEALs' Single Mom Baby Surprise

“Do you want to explain to me exactly what you think you’re doing?” I’m proud of the fact that I’m able to keep my voice quiet and infuse my you’re-in-fucking-trouble tone I’ve rarely had to use as a mom.

“You needed help.”

I swear he doesn’t even blink. “I didn’t ask for it.”

“You didn’t need to.” His brows twitch, and I hate the way he’s trying to read me. No boundaries. None.

And now, he’s got one on me. “You’d better not hold this against me later.”

That flashes shock across his face, but his stare doesn’t soften. If anything, he’s more intense. “Why would I hold it against you?”

Because now I owe you. When you want something, you’ll use this as leverage to get it.

If I admit that to him, I’ll have to explain other things. Secrets.

When I don’t answer, Cole nods back to Reese, and I go to plant a kiss on her head, gathering her up to take her home.

He’s beside us as we cross the street, opening the back door and tucking her into her booster seat with a soft smile. She doesn’t complain once.

My hands plop on my hips. I would get anI-can-do-it-Mommyfrom her independence streak.

Closing her in, Cole straightens and pins me in place with a look over the roof of my car before he circles around to open my door for me. “I’ll see you at your place.”

Matter of fact.

No argument.

Hard-ass Boss mode.

It doesn’t stop the look I throw at him.

Cole leans in. “Don’t worry, I won’t even ask to be let inside.”

He gestures for me to get in, and I slide behind the wheel, more than aware of him behind me on the way home.

I park and unload Reese from the car, and true to his word, Cole doesn’t make a move to come inside. I walk over. His window rolls down by the time I make it to him.

“Come on.”

Cole just stares at me.

Reese waves at him to get out, and his expression changes when he looks at her. It makes me wonder if he’s a father. Cole nods, rolls up his window, and gets out of the car.

I don’t wait on him, ushering Reese into the apartment building. There’s nothing to worry about. Cole’s long legs mean he catches the door behind me.

Once we’re closed inside the stairwell, this feels like a mistake. He’s so close, and although he doesn’t say anything, his presence is so big.

Raising a brow when I hesitate, he peers down at Reese.

She tugs at my hand. I take a deep breath and march on. I’ve already set this in motion. I may as well heed my instincts.

On the second floor, Cole’s hand closes around my shoulder, halting me as he slips past.

The door to my apartment is unlatched. My pulse cranks up when Cole holds his hand out to us.

“Wait here.” A gun is in his hand before I can blink, pointing into the gap as he goes in.

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