Page 25 of Married to the SEAL
16
Matteo laidon the floor of Grace’s bedroom, more tired than he would’ve thought possible from a simple party. It was the pretending that was exhausting, explaining to guest after guest how he’d fallen in love with his new wife, or speaking of their hopes for the future.
Talia and his men had taken more than an hour to let all the guests out of the building. Everyone had been painstakingly matched to the guest list. The exercise offered no comfort, showing only that whomever was responsible for the terrorist attack was also trusted by the president.
The door opened and Grace entered, the baby in her arms. Matteo hadn’t closed the curtains, and soft moonlight lit the room as she crossed to the glider and sat down. He could see her reflection in the dresser mirror as she pulled the fabric that covered one breast completely to the side. He got a clear view of her full breast and dark nipple before she brought her son close and began to feed him.
She obviously didn’t realize he could see her; his makeshift bed was in heavy shadow. She was lovely. He considered telling her he was there, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.
She was naked from the waist up except for the strap and fabric that covered the opposite breast, and as he watched the baby nurse, he thought he’d never seen a woman quite as beautiful as she.
He thought of her lover. Who would leave a woman like Grace?
She leaned her head back against the chair and let it fall to the side, making him wonder if nursing felt good. The women he’d bedded liked having their nipples sucked, but he had a hard time imagining the sensations were similar.
His cock was becoming engorged and he longed to stroke it. It was enough of a violation that he was watching her, his mind beginning to take the fantasy and running with it.
She raised her head and took the baby from her breast, readjusting him at the other side before sliding the second strap off her body. Her other breast was bare, the nipple glistening with moisture in the moonlight. He made a noise down deep in his throat at the sight of her.
Grace’s head turned toward him sharply.
He’d been discovered.
Good. Now she would leave and never undress in front of him like this again.
Her head slowly turned back, her gaze stopping at the mirror. She seemed to be staring straight into his eyes. Did she know he was there? Could she see him? Or did she simply feel his lust that hung heavy on the air?
He expected her to cover herself and leave the room, but she did no such thing. Letting her gaze fall from the mirror, she continued to feed her son until she lifted his sleeping body to her shoulder and gently burped him. She settled her straps back in place and stood up, crossing to the side of the room where Matteo lay.
His cock tented the blanket that covered him, but he ignored his arousal as she settled the baby on the bed and walked into the washroom. He released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
Sharing a room with Grace was going to be a lot more difficult than he had imagined.
17
Mason Petrovich lookedup as the conference room door opened and his commander walked in.
“You missed a fun party. Yourlisichkawas there,” said the commander.
Mason smiled from one side of his mouth. “I should hope so. It is difficult to have a wedding reception without the bride. I’m sure you gave her my best?”
“But of course. Where are the others?”
“On their way.”
As if on cue, the door opened and three more men walked in, all trim and muscular like athletes.
The commander waited for everyone to sit down. “The stadium explosion went off perfectly. Thank you to Mason for making that one happen. As we expected, they determined the call that detonated the bomb came from within the mansion. Except, of course, for the inopportune marriage of the president’s daughter. What do we know about the husband?”
A man with small glasses and spiked hair opened a folder. “He’s American. Arrived in town the day of the reception. He used to be employed by the U.S. Navy, SEAL Team Eighteen. Currently works for a company in Georgia called HERO Force—the Hands-on Engagement and Recognizance Operations team.”
The commander chuckled. “It would seem your girlfriend favors a certain type of man. This HERO Force—they are like us?”
The other man pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. “I believe so, yes. From their website it appears they do everything from hostage negotiations to extractions. They’re skilled in martial arts and weaponry.”
“But they are a public corporation.”
“Yes.”
