Page 72 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
“You too,” I reply automatically, the words tasting bitter on my tongue as the call disconnects abruptly.
I lower the phone, staring blankly through the windshield for a moment, my thoughts racing. Morales’s simple announcement, your job’s done, echoes in my mind. He has no clue how wrong he is. For the first time in years, I’m prepared to walk away from the life we’ve built. Jax and Cole, I know without question, feel the same. Ava and Eli aren’t just another mission to us. They’re family. Morales might see this as nothing more than closing a file, but for us, the door has only just opened.
I lean back in the driver’s seat, rubbing my forehead tiredly as I consider my next move. Eventually, we’ll need to tell Morales our intentions, but breaking away from government ties isn’t asimple process. Staying below their radar is our way of life, a necessity we’ve never questioned. I’ll need to handle it tactically. But I know I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what we’ve found with Ava and Eli.
Exhaling heavily, I tuck the phone back into my pocket and restart the truck’s engine, turning toward the grocery store. I drive through town, the afternoon sun glinting off the windshield.
As the desert stretches endlessly on either side of the road, unease coils tighter in my chest. I press harder on the gas pedal, speeding up, driven by an urgency to get back quickly. I need to talk to Cole and Jax. We’ve survived too long by never ignoring our instincts, and right now, mine are practically shouting.
28
JAX
Ilean back into the couch cushions, eyes following Ava’s movements around the small cabin. It’s sweltering outside, the Nevada sun baking everything to a crisp. Inside isn’t much better—the old air conditioning unit is struggling to push out lukewarm air. Ava sighs, shifting on the opposite side of the couch.
She’s wearing these tiny shorts and a tank top that hugs her curves in ways that make my heart speed up just looking at her. Ever since that night we shared with Liam and Cole, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. Quick, stolen kisses over the last few days haven’t been nearly enough. Not when I know exactly how good she tastes.
She fans herself, the heat clearly getting to her. With a soft groan, she pushes off the couch and stretches, raising her arms overhead. The tank rides up, revealing a strip of bare skin above the waistband of those tiny shorts. My throat goes dry, heat pooling low in my stomach.
“I’m gonna run upstairs real quick,” she says casually, glancing over at me. “I left my sketchbook up there earlier.”
“Sure,” I respond easily, my voice sounding relaxed even though every muscle in my body tightens as I watch her walk away.
Her hips sway with each step, and I have to bite back a groan. The second she’s out of sight, I push myself off the couch, following behind her. I’m not even trying to pretend I’m not.
I pause briefly at the doorway to her room, leaning against the frame, my arms crossed loosely over my chest. She hasn’t noticed me yet since she’s too busy searching the floor around the bed, muttering to herself.
“Damn, where did I leave it?” she murmurs, frustration clear in her voice.
I grin, enjoying the view as she bends over, searching between the bed and the nightstand. A triumphant noise escapes her when she finally grabs her sketchbook, straightening quickly. When she turns around, her eyes widen, startled.
“Jesus, Jax,” she laughs breathlessly, pressing a hand to her chest. “Why are you following me?”
I don’t answer right away. Instead, I push away from the doorframe and step closer, letting my eyes roam over her. She flushes beneath my gaze, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.
“Jax?” she prompts again, biting at her lower lip.
I finally speak, my voice low, filled with promise. “Can’t stop thinking about the way you taste, Ava. I’ve been craving more of you ever since the other night.”
Her breathing hitches, her eyes widening just a bit more as my words sink in. “Have you now?”
I don’t bother responding verbally. Instead, I reach down and take her small hand in mine, guiding it firmly to the hard length of me pressing insistently against the fabric of my jeans. Her eyes darken, pupils dilating as her fingers instinctively tighten around me.
“Does that answer your question?” I murmur, stepping even closer to her.
She lets out a shaky breath, knees pressing together as desire flares visibly through her.
“Someone could come up here,” she whispers nervously, glancing briefly at the doorway behind me. “Eli or Cole…”
Liam is still in town, talking to Morales, so we know he won’t be the one to intrude. I choose not to respond verbally. Instead, I smirk, kicking the door closed behind me with my foot. The sound echoes in the quiet room, sealing us off from the rest of the cabin.
“Better hurry then.”
She hesitates just a second longer, conflict flickering briefly across her face. Then, decisively, she pushes her shorts down over her hips, kicking them aside impatiently. Her shirt stays on, the thin fabric clinging enticingly to her curves. She backs toward the bed, sinking down onto the mattress, eyes locked on mine. She props herself up on her elbows, watching me, a playful challenge clear in her gaze.
“Tell me what you want,” she says, raising one brow teasingly.
A groan slips from my lips as I step toward her, eyes locked on the inviting sight she makes on the bed. “You know exactly what I want. Spread those gorgeous legs for me.”
