A SEAL for Christmas (Novella) Read online

  A SEAL for Christmas

  By Jennifer Lowery

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  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Free Book Offer

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  About the Author

  Other Books by Jennifer Lowery

  A SEAL for Christmas

  By Jennifer Lowery

  Copyright ©2014 by Jennifer Kamptner

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Cover design by The Killion Group, Inc.

  Editing by Piper Denna

  Author photograph by Trent Anderson of GreatScotMan Photography https://www.facebook.com/GreatScotManPhotography

  I dedicate this book to everyone who loves the holiday season as much as I do. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

  There are many people who helped me finish A SEAL for Christmas. For me, I never would have reached the end without the loving support of my family. My hubby, Mike, I owe for taking on the burden of supporting the family while I followed my dream. I love you, honey! And my children, Hunter and Jenna, for helping keep the house clean so I could write! My sisters, Abby and Melissa, for their support and humor and fun times when we got together for coffee and great conversation. My mom for always being my biggest fan. My dad for being my biggest supporter. I still have the cards and kind notes, Dad! Thanks, guys, for being there for me. Love ya!

  A special thank you goes out to my critique partner, author extraordinaire and dear friend, D’Ann Lindun. She was there when I needed her and dropped everything to help me get this manuscript in shape in time to meet my deadline. Without her I never would have made it. So, thank you, lady! You are the best!!

  To the most fabulous editor in the world, Piper Denna, who makes me a better writer! Thank you, Piper, for your humor and encouragement, and guidance. My books wouldn’t be complete without you!

  To the fabulous authors of the SEALs of Winter-thank you for welcoming me into the group and making me feel like part of the team. It was an honor to be part of the lineup with all of you.

  To Sheri Fredricks, author extraordinaire, for your research help on all things California! You rock!

  A special thank you goes out to my JTTs! Your friendship and help making me a better author is greatly appreciated! You are the best Street Team ever!

  And, to anyone I may have accidentally overlooked please know you are not forgotten. I appreciate each and every one of you who helped me get through the writing of this book.

  Last, but not least, I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to all my readers out there! Without you I wouldn’t be here. My wish is to one day meet each and every one of you so I can personally thank you for your generosity and support.

  All my best,

  Jennifer

  Chapter One

  A car horn blared. Tires screeched. Déjà vu hit Cloe Carter like a wrecking ball as a red sports car careened through a stop light straight for her. Like a deer in headlights she froze, memories assaulting her, immobilizing her.

  Not again.

  Her last thought echoed in her head along with the sound of tires squealing and metal crunching. Pain jarred her body and she went airborne. In those few seconds her world merged with the past and she screamed for the other passengers in her SUV, guilt driving her to protect them from what she’d done.

  Nothing except air met her hands before she hit the pavement with bone-crunching agony, knocking the breath from her lungs. Her vision narrowed as nausea turned her stomach. People crowded around her; concerned faces blurred her vision.

  She had to get to her SUV. Get to Lance. And her parents. See if they were all right. This was all her fault. If she hadn’t insisted on working so late like she always did…

  Gritting her teeth against the pain, Cloe sat up. An elderly man with a Santa’s beard covering his face gently pushed her back down. “No, dear. You stay right there. You’ve taken quite a tumble. The paramedics are on their way.”

  “But I have to go check on Lance and my parents.”

  His face crinkled into a soft expression. “I promise you, they are in good hands.”

  Cloe went still, staring at him. “You can’t possibly know that. They were in the accident. In my car.”

  “Honey, you were riding a bike when another motorist hit you.”

  Searching his face for truth, she shook her head, then groaned when sharp pain shot through her skull. When she looked down she noticed the jolly elf wore Bermudas and sandals with his red fur-lined coat and hat. A warm breeze blew over her bare arms and she sat on warm pavement. Not an icy mountain road.

  Flashback.

  Sadness filled her with such force, tears sprang to her eyes. She suddenly wanted to slap the jerk that caused her to go back to that horrible time and make her relive the worst moment of her life.

  The other part of her wished he’d hit her harder.

  The man patted her shoulder and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “This Christmas, Santa is bringing you something special. You just have to open your heart and accept the gift.”

  Before Cloe could question his cryptic comment, he had disappeared into the crowd. Her confusion quickly evaporated when she heard another voice over the din of concerned murmurs. This one angry and male. Getting closer. And aimed at her.

  Cloe tried to push to a sitting position, but a wave of dizziness stopped her.

  The shouting grew closer and the crowd parted to reveal a tall, irate man barreling toward her. There were sweat stains under the arms of his crisp, white dress shirt.

  Uncertain of his intentions, she scooted back, bumping into the curb. He looked ready to strike her.

  “Are you the idiot who crossed the street on a yellow light?” he ranted, bending down to get in her face.

  Her temper rose, overriding her fear. “I crossed at the appropriate time. You’re the one who ran a red light.”

  His face turned crimson and his hand fisted.

  “Sir. I’m going to ask you only once to step away from the lady.”

  The deep, cultured male voice broke through the crowd, drawing everyone’s att
ention. Most of all, hers. It slid over her like dark satin, cool and smooth. Her eyes traveled up a pair of long, muscular legs encased in black slacks, met by a narrow waist, washboard abs beneath a white, button-down dress shirt that stretched across a broad chest, and, oh, my. The most dashing man she’d ever laid eyes on. Neatly trimmed dark hair, blue eyes and the most incredible features on a man she’d ever seen. Masculine and perfect, with sculpted lips she couldn’t look away from.

  The motorist threatening her straightened and faced her hero.

  “She just cost me a brand new Ferrari.” The driver pointed a finger at her.

  “I’d say you cost her a hell of a lot more than that and you owe her an apology.”

  “Apology? Are you kidding? She’s lucky I’m not suing her!”

  Cloe gasped. Sue her?

  Her hero quirked a dark brow. “Apologize to the lady for injuring her and for being an asshole.”

  Her gaze snapped to her champion. Sirens sounded in the distance. Good. She didn’t want an innocent man getting hurt because of her. The driver looked ready to come to blows. Of course, he had just been called an asshole. Good call.

  “Go to hell. Who are you, anyway? This is between me and her.” The motorist turned back to her, reached for her.

  Next thing she knew, he was on the ground, blood pouring from his nose and her hero standing over him, his stance daring him to get back up. The man howled in outrage, but made no move to get up. Cheers went up in the crowd.

  A face appeared in front of hers. Her hero crouched in front of her, his gorgeous blue eyes searching hers. “Hey,” he said. “Ambulance is almost here. You okay?”

  Mouth dry, she nodded, then noticed her head felt lighter. She reached up and touched her hair. “My helmet’s gone.”

  His expression softened. “It flew off when you landed, but I’m sure it protected your fall. I’ll have the paramedics check for a concussion just in case.”

  “Are you a doctor?”

  He grinned and her heart flip-flopped.

  “No. Just had some medic experience in the Navy. Here come the paramedics. Lie still, in case anything’s broken.”

  She nodded as the crowd parted for two paramedics. One, a woman, knelt beside her, while the other, a very young-looking man, opened an orange and white box that resembled a tackle box used for fishing.

  “Hi,” the woman said. “I’m Tori. Mind if I take a look at that cut on your head?”

  Cloe shook her head, swallowing the panic building in her chest. Please let her be okay enough to take a cab home instead of go to the hospital. She didn’t think she could ride in another ambulance as long as she lived. And stepping foot in a hospital? No way. Just the thought made her sick to her stomach.

  As the paramedics checked her over, she noticed her hero stood by her side, watching. Every now and then he’d cast her a reassuring smile, but she knew why he stayed. He was making sure her attacker didn’t make a move on her again. His eyes stayed on the man who now had cotton stuffed in his nostrils from the young paramedic who treated him. That didn’t stop him from casting glares her way every chance he got.

  When the cops showed up he tried to blame her for crossing on a yellow, but the cop shut him down when he said witnesses proved the man had run a red light. Thankfully, the man hadn’t been driving too fast or else she’d be on her way to the hospital already.

  “Doesn’t look like anything is broken, but I’d like to take you to the hospital just to be sure,” Tori said.

  “No. I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital. I’ll just go home and sleep it off.”

  “You took a quite a spill, and that cut on your head could mean a concussion. You really need further tests run,” Tori pushed.

  She’d rather drink a pot of coffee and stay up all night in case of a concussion than go to the hospital. “No. I’m fine, really. Let him have it. His nose is going to need repair.”

  Tori sighed. “I can’t force you to go, but I’m seriously recommending it.”

  “Thank you, but no.”

  “All right. We’ll take him.” Tori began packing up her supplies. “Do you have someone who can stay with you tonight? In case of concussion.”

  Her chest tightened with a familiar ache. What did she say? Lie and say yes? When in truth she had absolutely no one left to sit with her.

  Against her will, tears sprang to her eyes. She quickly looked down so no one saw, forcing them back.

  “I’ll be staying with her,” her champion said. “I have some experience with concussions so she’ll be in good hands.”

  Cloe’s head jerked up. Her hero watched her with a penetrating gaze, making her feel vulnerable and exposed. Dammit, why was this happening? All she’d wanted to do was go to the store, pick up a frozen dinner, and have a quiet night in front of the television.

  Like every night. Quiet and alone. No one to talk to. No one to share it with. Not since…

  “Good enough. I’ll sleep better tonight knowing you aren’t alone,” Tori said, causing more tears to well in Cloe’s eyes.

  Blinking rapidly, she pushed the tears back. Her heart pounded in her chest. Maybe her rescuer was still helping her and had no intention of staying with her. Had to be it. They were strangers, and strangers didn’t spend the night together. Well, they did, but for other reasons and she didn’t do casual sex so he better not have anything else on his mind. Although, it had been a year since she’d had sex and this guy looked like he could please a woman. More than once.

  What the heck?

  Giving herself a mental shake, Cloe returned his gaze. Try as she might, she couldn’t read his thoughts but it sure felt like he read hers. She looked away before he could read too many.

  Within minutes the paramedics had the driver of the car loaded into the ambulance and were driving away. It wasn’t until they had turned the corner and were out of sight that Cloe let out a relieved breath.

  Before she could get to her feet and thank her hero, he leaned down and swept her into his arms. The movement made her head spin and she clung to his broad shoulders.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as he carried her into the Italian restaurant she’d passed numerous times on her bike rides, but never stopped in to eat because she refused to dine alone in public. Too many questioning looks. And honestly, it was too lonely.

  “Getting you somewhere more comfortable so we can talk.”

  Heavenly scents assailed her the instant they entered the café. Her stomach immediately responded with a loud growl.

  “Hungry?” Her hero asked, weaving through the crowded tables. “You’re in the right place for that.”

  As if she could eat anything with her stomach churning and her head aching. All she wanted was to go home, take a long, hot, bath and try to push the memories of today and yesterday back where they belonged. Buried deep, where the pain didn’t overtake her.

  Embarrassed at being carried and making a spectacle of herself once again, she whispered, “Put me down, please. I can walk.”

  “As you wish.”

  He eased her down into the only empty seat in the restaurant. In the back, next to the window. Aware of the looks she received, she said, “I need to call a cab. Could I use your phone?” Her phone had gone flying when the car hit her. Probably in pieces on the pavement by now.

  Her hero knelt beside her. “I’ll take you home. But not until I get you something to eat.”

  He wanted to feed her? Leave her sitting here alone, eating alone. Could this day get any worse?

  “No. That’s very kind of you, but I’d really like to go home.”

  “All right, you win. Let me tell my brothers I’m leaving and then I’ll drive you. I’ll have Luciano pick up your bike and drop it off.”

  Something made her nod an agreement. Maybe because this man had protected her from the minute she’d landed, or maybe she had hit her head hard enough to make her lose her good sense.

  “What’s your name?” she asked when
he rose to his feet.

  “Donovan. Demarco. Be right back.”

  Demarco? As in Demarco’s Italian Café and Restaurant? This was his restaurant. That explained his charming, dark looks.

  She watched him stride away. He truly gave tall, dark and handsome a new name. The grace with which he moved captivated her.

  A young, dark haired woman with Donovan’s blue eyes hustled over to her. She wore a black dress that hugged her slender figure and looked like it came straight from a fashion magazine.

  “Oh mio gosh,” she exclaimed when she got a look at Cloe. “Are you all right?” The young woman switched to English as she took one of Cloe’s hands in her own.

  Cloe nodded.

  “My brother better be getting you a glass of wine. You look like you could use one.”

  Wine sounded like a good idea, but she knew it wasn’t. “Donovan is your brother?”

  “One of four. I’m Angela. Can I get you anything?”

  “No. Donovan is taking me home. But, thank you.”

  Angela patted her arm. “You’re in good hands, then. I’ll have Luciano put together some dinner for the two of you. Some good Italian cooking will get you back to one-hundred percent in no time.”

  Before Cloe could tell her she had no appetite, Angela hustled away. The Demarcos seemed intent on feeding her. She rubbed her pounding temples. This was all too much. Just this morning she’d woken up to another day without—

  “Ready to go?”

  Startled out her thoughts, she glanced up to see Donovan standing next to her, a white bag in his hand that smelled heavenly, despite her churning stomach.

  He helped her up and guided her out of the restaurant through the back door. When they passed by the kitchen she saw two dark-haired men, Angela, and another gorgeous woman busy at work. They bickered as they hustled around, but Cloe didn’t hear any real anger in their voices.

  “My family,” Donovan said as they passed. “I’ll introduce you another time.”

  Another time? Did that mean they were going to see each other again? Anticipation replaced the roiling in her tummy.