Coyote Heat (SEALs On Fire) (7 page)
“Jesus!” He tilted her face up and kissed the tears tracking down her cheeks. “What an idiot not to realize he already had the most special woman of all.”
She hitched a breath. “You think so?”
“Cori, I told you I don’t tell lies. I might have to keep secrets but not about feelings. I told you I got in the habit of keeping my feelings to myself because, being a SEAL, I’m not necessarily in a position to make a commitment to a woman.”
“I know,” she began, “and—”
He touched the tip of one finger to her lips. “But you’ve changed all that in such a very short time. I guess it’s true that time can telescope when it’s necessary. I know there are assholes in the military,” he went on, “but they exist everywhere. And you can’t paint us all with the same brush. I’ve never lied to a woman, and I don’t intend to start now. Whatever this is between us, Cori, for the first time in my life I don’t want it to end. You’re more woman than any man could ask for. Ever.”
She looked up at him, studying his face, trying to read what was in his eyes. What she saw made her entire body heat up.
“You know what my life is like,” he continued, “but other SEALs have had successful relationships. For the first time, I want one. With you.” He paused. “How do you feel?”
She let out a shaky breath.
Do it or not, Cori.
“I feel the same way. I want to take a chance.”
“
Mi corazon,”
he breathed. “My heart.”
They made very slow, delicious love this time, exploring each other’s bodies. Drawing out the pleasure. At last, they fell into an exhausted sleep, curled into each other.
A sharp piercing noise woke her, and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. What was going on?
“Shit.” Coyote reached for his pager and pressed a button on it then picked up his cell phone and pressed a speed dial number. “Yeah?” he said when apparently someone answered. “Okay. Right away.” He disconnected the call and turned to Cori.
“You have to go.” She said it before he could. “It’s okay. I knew that from the beginning, and I’m all right with it.”
“Cori.” His cell phone rang. “Damn. Don’t move.” He clapped the phone to his ear. “Yeah, yeah, I got the page, too. I’m on my way.” He tossed the phone to the foot of the bed and pulled Cori toward him. “This is just the beginning,
querida.
I can’t tell you when I’ll get back but I will be back.” He grabbed for his jeans and T-shirt, hastily yanking them on. “Write down all your phone numbers for me and your email and keep your cell with you at all times.”
He started for the door.
“Wait. Cruz. Don’t just run out the door like that. I—”
“My master calls,
mi amor,
but I’m not gone yet. I’ll be right back.”
She waited impatiently, wondering what he was doing outside, for one brief moment panicking that he’d decided to split after all. Then, seconds later, the front door opened and he was back. In his arms, he carried a large stuffed animal.
“What—?”
He grinned at her, holding the big toy. “It’s a seal, Cori. And his name is Coyote.” He thrust it into her arms. “Read the message. That’s what took me so long in the store.”
She reached for the ribbon around the animal’s neck where gold printing sparkled. One wide tail of the bow had the kind of writing she’d seen created by embroidery machine. The kind they had at county fairs and amusement parks. She had to read it twice to be sure she understood. Then happy tears clouded her eyes as she read it yet again.
“Cori. I will always, always come back to you. Coyote.”
He was fully dressed now, pager and cell phone clipped to his belt. He reached down and hauled her to her feet, stuffed animal and all.
“I mean what this says, Cori. And I wanted you to have this to look at every day so you’d know for sure I’m telling you the truth.”
“I believe you.” She smiled through her tears.
“I’ll call you every chance I get,” he assured her. “And email you whenever I have a connection. Please, Cori. Please, please let me into your life. I want to spend mine with you.”
She leaned into him, the seal squished between them. “Of course. Same goes here. I know we started out this weekend saying it was just good fun, but—”
“But it’s a lot more than that,” he finished. “Just because we didn’t expect it doesn’t mean it isn’t real or it won’t last. Because it is and it will.”
“And this Coyote and I will keep the lights on for you,” she promised.
He kissed her, hard, then whispered, “
Te amo.”
“Te amo,”
she answered.
She followed him to the door and stood there in the open entrance long after he’d left, fingers touching her lips, holding the stuffed seal. Wrapped in promises of the future.
Warmed by Coyote heat.
About the Author
Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories.
She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for best BDSM book of the year, winner of the prestigious Holt Medallion as well as two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, and is published by five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work, “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”
You can find her at
www.desireeholt.com
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Twitter @desireeholt.com
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Also Available
Conquering Zeus
by
Cerise Deland
Getting in the party mood for a weekend with his SEAL teammates is no easy deal for “Zeus” Calderon. He’s hung up on a woman he saved from terrorists months ago. He should be able to forget a gutsy blonde reporter who showed resilience and humor under fire. Shouldn’t he?
Kim Stansfield got the instant hots for the hunky Navy SEAL who led her out of harm’s way—and she’s got proof Zeus feels the same about her. He’s stubborn about declaring how much he cares for her, but she’s devised a plan to conquer him.
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