“Figured you’d be by. Women are inside.” He punctuated the statement with a jerk of his head.
“Thank you.”
Reeve headed for the front door and knocked. Soon, he found himself face to face with Jayde. Her large brown eyes widened a bit before she gave him a smile and waved him into the open living room.
“She’ll be back in a few. Can I get you anything to drink? Tea? Water? Coke?”
“Coke would be wonderful, thank you.” He wiped his hands down his slacks and loosened another button on his long-sleeve silk shirt.
“No problem.” She slipped away.
Movement pulled his attention from Jayde’s retreating form to Affrica’s approaching one. She drew a sharp breath the moment she spied him and hesitated before she entered and sat on the white sofa.
“Mr. Leighton,” she said, tucking her legs under her. “What brings you out this way?”
Her lilt flowed over him, soothing wayward nerves. He approached and sat catty-corner to her in a chocolate brown leather chair.
“Are you okay?” he asked as Jayde returned, only to set his drink down then vanish again.
“Some reason you feel I shouldna be fine?”
He trailed his gaze over her, taking note of the bandages on each arm. In fact, there were two on her left.
“Don’t play games with me. Are you okay?”
She sighed and leaned back against the sofa. “Aye, I am. Not something I’d care to do again. Thank you for your concern.”
“What happened?”
He wanted her to share with him. More than that, he wanted to gather her close and hold her. Take her to his place and tend to her. Shit! What the hell was going on with him?
“I went with someone to take some photos and it didn’t turn out well.”
Taking a drink of his Coke, he moved to sit beside her. Immediately, he noticed her stiffen. “I’m a pretty good listener.”
Her bark of laughter had no humor in it. “Since when?”
He bristled. “I’m not a total ass, you know.”
“Look. I dinna know your game here, but I’ve not forgotten our last meeting.”
Leaning closer to her, he breathed in deep her scent and closed his eyes in pleasure. “Me either, sweetcheeks. And I meant what I said about having a repeat of that kiss.”
He wasn’t sure what he expected but it wasn’t her soft laugh. “You Leighton boys recall what you want to.”
“Get what we want, too,” he purred in her ear.
The clearing of a throat had him straightening and swallowing hard. Tyson stood there, beer in one hand and warning fire in his eyes.
Christ. And to think I used to believe him as one of the more easygoing guys on the team.
“Everything okay?” Tyson asked, setting a bottle and a glass of water down near Affrica. “Take your pills.”
Reeve shifted away from her, not much, but a slight bit. “We’re fine.”
Another dismissive glance from Tyson. It was weird. Reeve had never felt uneasy around the man before, yet now, he did.
“Okay. Yell if you need anything. We’re going to Scott’s in two hours.” Tyson retreated from the room, beer in hand.
“I’ve ne’er seen him so prickly. Do the two o’ ya nae get along?”
He brushed away her question, not wanting to talk about himself. “Tell me what happened.”
“I did. I ran into a bit o’ trouble, found mahself in a pickle and was rescued.”
He narrowed his eyes at the image of someone else saving her.
Get a grip and grow up, man,
his brain admonished.
She’s safe, and that’s the important thing.
“Who got you?”
A soft and wistful smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “Your brother, Osten, Ross, and Tyson.”
She closed her eyes and leaned back. Reeve stared at her, memorizing every curve, the slight flare of her nose, how thick and curly her lashes were. He dug his fingers into his palm to keep from reaching out to her. This wasn’t the time or place to jump her. The rod in his pants informed him it was all for the jumping.
All
for it.
“How come your brother didn’t go get you?”
Her entire body stiffened before her lids slowly lifted, exposing her concerned gaze before it slipped away. “He’s in Antarctica.”
There was something else going on but a lusty wail pierced the air. Affrica smiled, and his heart skipped a few beats. Gorgeous. She was simply gorgeous.
“Logan’s up,” she said, her eyes twinkling with honest humor.
He took a drink and cocked his head to the side. “How can you tell one from the other? Couldn’t it be…” he trailed off, embarrassed at the realization he didn’t know the children’s names.
“Ethan has a higher pitched cry. Dinna you know them?”
The blush raced up his skin. Not really the way to impress her by letting her know he’d not made an effort to get to know the members of his brother’s team.
“Not really.” He cleared his throat. “You must spend a lot of time here if you can tell the boys apart by their cry.”
She pursed her lips and shook her head. “Nae. I unfortunately dinna spend as much time here as I’d like to. Just good with remembering things.”
Jayde entered, carrying the twins, and he watched as one reached out and made grabbing motions with his hands. Affrica pushed to her feet and took him, cooing to him as he laughed and hugged her. She sat back the child in her lap and talked to him in Gaelige.
“What exactly are you telling my son?” Jadye asked in a teasing voice.
“Oh, ne’er you mind. This be top secret between me n’ the wee one.” She nuzzled his neck, causing the boy to squeal with pleasure. “Inna that right, Logan?”
Jayde snorted and rolled her eyes. Tyson walked in but Reeve returned his attention to Affrica who continued to carry on a conversation with Logan.
“How can you tell them apart?”
“Tis easy. Logan here is slightly bigger, features are fuller, and is slightly more adventurous.”
He glanced between the two and couldn’t tell a damn thing. A small fist grabbed his shirt and tugged. He found himself staring into warm hazel eyes. He froze. Hell, when his own niece and nephew were around, he barely interacted with them.
“He likes you,” Affrica said. “Take him.”
“I don’t think—”
She plunked the child on his lap before he could finish the sentence. Crap! He had no clue what to do, where to put his hands, anything.
“Just hold him up. He won’t break.” She positioned his hands for him, causing his heart to stutter. Then, she moved her touch to his leg, and he held his breath until he realized it was only to adjust Logan’s pant leg. “Don’t drop him, either. Tyson might kill you.”
He snuck a glance at the Navy SEAL who watched over his son with hawk-like vigilance.
Might? Hell no, that’s a definitely.
Regardless of the laughing women, Tyson “Cade” Kincade was emotionless.
Great, like I needed something else to worry about.
Jayde and Affrica chatted easily as he held Logan. Every now and then, Affrica would reach out to the boy and touching him. In doing so, she connected with Reeve as well. He relaxed more and more as Logan played with a toy that Affrica gathered every time he dropped it. She never even halted her conversation, just grabbed the toy like second nature. The realization she’d make a wonderful mother hit him out of the blue, and he swallowed hard as he digested that information.
Reeve was amazed when Tyson said they should get on their way. The time had flown by, and he’d enjoyed sitting there listening to the women talk.
“Well now, wouldcha look at that. Ya’ve managed ta hold the wee one all this time.” Affrica gave him a smile which hit him like punch to his solar plexus. She stood and reached out for the boy. “Come on, me braw boyo.”
Logan went easily to her, and Reeve didn’t blame him one bit. If she held out her arms to him, Reeve would have been jumping into them. She shot him a wink, and he preened.
“Ride with me,” he said after Tyson claimed his boy from her.
“Ya have something other than that pretentious Enzo?”
“Not yet.”
She sighed and shook her head with what he took to be disappointment.
They walked to the door where he took the bag she attempted to lift. Her frown was ignored as he caught a glimmer of approval in Tyson’s expression.
“She’ll ride with me,” he informed the Navy SEAL.
Not giving her a chance to argue, he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her past them, out the door, beyond Tyson’s truck and to his Enzo.
“Bye!” Jayde called out. “See you there.”
Like a gentleman, he held the door for Affrica and gave her the bag to hold. She sat stiffly as he climbed in on the other side after closing her door.
“You okay?”
“Fine,” she said.
He whipped the powerful car around and headed for his brother’s house, grateful to have her all to himself.
“Is there a fire?” she questioned.
“No, why?” He glanced at her.
She gave him a pointed look, moved it to the dash and back. He followed her gaze and swore as he noticed the speedometer. “Sorry,” he said, flashing a flirtatious grin. “It’s easy to forget how fast you’re going in this.”
She breathed deeply and turned her attention out the window. Not impressed was the vibe, and he read it loud and clear. He observed her in his periphery as they cruised along the interstate. Gradually, her fingers relaxed from where they’d held her bag.
“You okay over there?”
“Of course.”
He didn’t believe her. Reaching out, he turned down the music and took another opportunity to watch her.
“Really? You seem awfully tense.”
“I’m tired is all.”
He veered off on the needed exit. “You know I won’t spread it around if you want to tell me what’s bothering you.”
She glanced at him and, he knew she pondered his offer. The precise moment when he thought she’d open up, he noticed Scott’s place come into view, and just like that, she closed up again.
Damn.
Parking, he couldn’t help but notice how quickly she bolted from his vehicle. Mulling over his next move, he got out and followed her up the walk. He just needed an opportunity.
* * * *
Dinner passed and was a lot of fun; however, exhaustion had set in by the time they’d finished the after-dinner drinks. The kids had been put down, including the twins, Ethan and Logan, who rested in Brodie’s room with him.
“You know you can stay here, Affrica,” Scott said as he sat back down after retrieving more coffee.
She gave him a grateful smile even as she shook her head. “Thank you but no.”
He appeared so different now than when he’d come to her rescue. The face paint gone, his blue eyes full of love and contentment versus how indifferent and hard they’d been in the desert. Tyson also. These men amazed her, doing what they did. For her. And knowing they did it for their country on a regular basis.
Then, there was Reeve Leighton. Dark brown, almost black, hair where his brother was a blond. Cornflower blue eyes for Scott while Reeve had deep chocolate ones. Unbidden, her gaze drifted to Reeve. He sat beside her, one hand curved around the glass coffee mug resting on his knee.
“Or our house,” Jayde said, drawing Affrica’s attention from Reeve.
She licked her lower lip as she stared at her friend. Of all the women who were with the men of SEAL Team Seventeen, she enjoyed Jayde the most. A fellow artist, they would often spend much time discussing shots or paintings. And she truly admired Jayde’s inner strength.
“I dinna wish to be a bother, and you all hae already done so much for me.” She glanced pointedly to the men. “I’ll get a hotel room and take a taxi to the train station.”
“Nonsense,” Reeve said. “I have an extra room at my place. Sleep there, and I’ll take you to your train.”
Scott and Tyson voiced immediate refusals. Tilting her head, she caught Reeve watching her, a hint of challenge in his eyes and an arched brow.
“It makes perfect sense. Y’all have kids, and I have no plans come morning. What do you say, sweetcheeks, think you can handle being that close to me all night?”
Sweetcheeks. She ignored the fluttering of her heart and stomach as she held his unwavering gaze.
“I was shot in the arm, not the head to make me lose common sense. You make a valid point—these men work as do their wives, so I’ll take ya up on yer offer.”
“Affrica,” Tyson said.
“Leave off, Tyson. Affrica can make her own decisions.” Jayde’s calm voice came next.
Everyone stood. Affrica couldn’t miss the glares from Tyson and Scott toward Reeve. Deciding not to mention it, she helped Lex clear the table then hugged the women before their husbands.
“Thank you,” she said. “For not letting me die there.”
Scott pulled her close for a hug. “You never have to thank us.”
Then, it was Tyson’s turn. “Are you sure about this?” he asked as his arms banded around her, mindful of the injury.
“Aye. He’s harmless. Not to mention scared o’ ya.”
Harmless. Not even she believed that one.
“Humph.”
She drew back and held hazel eyes before glancing to Scott and back again. “Find him, please.”
Both men grew somber and nodded. She knew they would do everything in their power to locate her brother whose plane had gone down in Antarctica. Scott stepped away and called to his brother for a private chat. Five minutes later, she walked beside Reeve down to his car and climbed in with a final wave over her shoulder to all.
Bag on her lap, she closed her eyes as he drove, maintaining easy breathing. She had no clue where he lived and, honestly, right now, was too tired to care. Sleep was essential for she had a job lined up in Oregon before she eventually flew back to Ireland. Granted, she could sleep on the train but her body still hadn’t caught up from her jaunt in the desert for her nights were plagued with nightmares.
She stirred and looked around when the car slowed and turned. They drove into a garage, and the door lowered behind them. A light overhead illuminated the area fit for two cars. The place was immaculate and a surprise.
“Come on, sweetcheeks,” Reeve said after he climbed out, opened her door, and took her bag.
“Must you call me that?”