SEAL Kissed: A Navy SEAL Military Romance (Hot Dirty SEALS Book 1) (7 page)

M
arigold drags
me through the doors of a large barn style building. The floor is dirt, with obstacle courses and bales of hay set up in the center. It’s an open floor plan, with bench seating off to the side. It’s been a month since Reed left me and it feels good to be out. Several men stop, turning to look at me when the door chimes. This can’t be the right place, but a double take at the front desk sign says “The Animal House.” A tall man with broad shoulders and tattoo sleeves approaches me, squats down and begins petting Marigold. Immediately he reminds me of a prison gang member. I’ve watched the cable episodes where jail wardens teach violent criminals how to care for dogs, it’s supposed to promote emotional attachment and prevent repeat offenders once they’re released into society.

I consider turning and running but there’s a whole bunch of them, and they all look like they came from the same mold. Marigolds little tail is wagging like crazy as she whines and licks his face. All eyes are on me, and I’m cursing myself for wearing a short little sundress. It hugs my curves and the thin straps don’t allow me to wear a bra. It’s something I bought on sale when I thought Reed was interested in me.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. She doesn’t have any manners,” I say and tug the leash, saying ‘No Marigold’ without any luck. I’m failing as a pack leader in glorious fashion in front of a roomful of men who all watch me, scrutiny heavy in their gazes. It’s intimidating as hell, and I turn to leave, deciding I will just go to one of the chain pet stores for training even though they are more expensive.

The monster of a man stands, looking more like one of those cage fighters I’ve seen on TV than a dog trainer. His head is shaved bald, while the coarse stubble on his face appears to have been left untouched for several days. “Sweetheart, you have the worse dog ever,” he grumbles and smiles from ear to ear.

“That’s why I’m here,” I say and smooth my sundress against my thigh, wishing it were a few inches longer. “My friend gave her to me and she’s driving me crazy.” Marigolds constant whining and pulling on the leash is exasperating and now my shoulder is beginning to ache.

The man looks at me and down at Marigold. Holding up his hand she immediately settles and sits at his feet. I briefly wonder if they had a previous relationship in jail. The guy bends and unclips the lead from her collar. “She doesn’t need this,” he says and steps back, Marigold’s bulging eyes following him but she doesn’t leave her spot. I’m floored.

“How did you do that?”

He straightens up, and cracks his knuckles just by flexing his fingers. “I’m always in charge.” The innuendo isn’t lost on me and I immediately think of Reed. A sense of defeat sweeps over me. Chimes from the front door rattle, and I’m instantly relieved knowing I’m not the only customer in here.

“
W
ell
, if you could just show me how to be in charge too, I’d greatly appreciate it. My friend Reed gave her to me, and I made a promise I intend to keep and take care of her.”

His eyes bore into me and I tangle my hair around my finger. There’s a stretch of silence, and his head tilts as if I’m a mystery.

“Bacon.” The baritone of voice swirls around me and my nipples instantly harden. A swoosh of air escapes me as I turn to face him and his gloriously hard body. Shirtless and covered in a thin sheen of sweat he looks like a sex god. My not so distant memory of him face down between my thighs makes my insides tingle and as if he could read my mind the corner of his mouth slants up. I need to stop this.

“What do you mean, bacon?” I ask in my weak attempt of distraction. I really want to ask what the hell he is doing here but my rational side blocks my heart. I’m floating on an emotional precipice, my body already physically reacting to his presence as my voice of reason desperately convinces me not to have a mental breakdown in a room full of men. My common sense wins, deciding not to hash out the reasons why he left me in front of a live audience. It doesn’t matter anyway, reinforced a lesson in protecting my heart I won’t soon forget.

Reed walks towards me, each step echoed by his heavy boots and I’m immediately eclipsed by his broad frame. Jaw clenching side to side, he doesn’t answer my question. He circles me, close enough so I can feel his brooding presence but slightly out of reach. I sense his gaze raking over my body and pray he doesn’t notice my clenched thighs. He appears in front of me, his hot breath against my ear as he whispers, “The scent of your pussy is driving me insane.” And then, to prove his point, I watch in disbelief as his eyes close and his chest slowly rises, the outline of his ribs accentuated by the exaggerated breath.

He cocks his brow as I pull my arm back to slap him. I stop mid way, my anger turning to humiliation. I’m so confused, he wants me, he doesn’t want me. If he can’t make the decision then I will make it for him, even though it shreds my heart.

A cough behind me brings me back to reality and I’m reminded of the other men in the room. Reed nods his chin in the direction of Marigold.

“She’s following commands because Lucas has bacon in his pocket.”

“Wait, you know these guys?” Now that he has me distracted I look over to the guys who work here. Reed glances to them and back to me and I wonder what kind of communication just occurred. “Yeah, we all work together.”

“Oh, I had no idea you’re a dog trainer.” This revelation shocks me. It’s not the career field I would have pinned him for.

He raises an eyebrow to me as if I just offended him. “Do you have a problem with that pretty girl?”

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath and exhale deeply before responding. “Well, no. It’s just not what I thought you did. I thought maybe you were in construction or something like that. And you no longer have the right to call me pretty girl or make comments about my pussy.”

There’s a gaggle of laughter behind me and someone is choking. But I don’t care. No way do I want Reed Callahan to think I’m pining for him. There’s a moment of quiet between us, and I feel like it’s some sort of test but I’m not sure what for. The vein in his neck is bulging and he flexes his fists, cracking his knuckles with the movement. I feel small under his trance as the anger in me grows. My intuition tells me he’s hiding something and these men are in on it too. It’s like everyone here knows what’s really going on except for me. Wanting to diffuse the thick tension building between us I decide to break the silence first. “Why did you give me the worst dog ever?”

A devilish grin spreads across his face and before he can answer Lucas interrupts, “So you would call him for help, sweetheart. Only you didn’t, you came to us instead.”

Reality slams me in the face destroying the sliver of pride I had left. Reed Callahan used his dog to get into my bed, only to change his mind and leave me in a heaping wet mess. My anger and humiliation merge, stirring a rage in my veins I never knew existed. I have spent my entire life blocking everyone out, building a wall around my heart brick by brick and now in one earth shattering moment everything around me comes tumbling down.

“Well, I don’t need help from any of you. Go fuck yourself Reed, now get out of my way.” Grabbing the leash from the counter, I latch it onto Marigold and I drag her out, whining the whole way.

T
hree months have passed
since I left Reed standing in the Animal House with his friends. My pay as you go phone is filled with texts and voice mails but I refuse to check them. He’s persistent, I’ve got to give him that. But I will never give him the opportunity to leave me again. No matter how much my body craves his magic mouth.

Marigold is standing with the leash in her mouth, her way of telling me she is ready for her walk. For being so small she is a bossy little thing.

“Let me grab my shoes and I’ll come with you,” Olivia says from the couch.

Ever since she found out her last potential husband was already very married with kids and a mortgage she has taken a break from finding a man to trap. We’ve grown closer, and I must admit it has been nice to have someone to confide in about my Reed drama. I grab my camera and Marigold wags her curly Q pug tail. Together the three of us head out to the dog park.

“So what’s going on with Reed, have you called him? You know, I really don’t think he was using his dog to get you in bed. I think the guy really likes you.The whole plan sounds like he believed giving you Marigold the Horrible was a way to get you to open up to him. You’re not exactly the most social person out there, you know.” Olivia sounds so confident, like she has her entire life figured out even if she is restructuring her Master Plan.

“Well it’s too late now. I don’t care if I never see him again. I’ve got Marigold so I consider myself lucky,” I huff as the leash pulls on my arm.

“
I
call bullshit Emerson
,” she declares and cracks her gum. “Obviously his crappy plan proves he’s no genius but I’m telling you I’ve got a sixth sense for these things and that man cares about you. If you’re really not going to respond to his messages then at least stop sulking around the apartment like an old lady. I can’t take your mood swings anymore.”

I cringe. Past experience tells me she isn’t going to drop this. The beautiful Olivia Masterson is the most relentless person I know. She may be taking a break from finding a husband but I know it’s just to regroup and come up with an improved game plan.

H
er focus drifts
to a family playing catch. I’m grateful for the brief distraction. "I’m not doing so well in the man department but I wish you would call Reed back, at least listen to his messages!”

U
gh
. This is going to be a much longer walk than I had anticipated. Once Olivia zeroes in on something she can be unforgiving. “My mood swings don’t have anything to do with Reed, well, maybe just a little,” I whisper and suddenly he fills my thoughts. No matter how hard I try to forget whatever it was we had I still miss that man.

“
I
f you’re not going
to forgive him then you need to find someone else stat.” Ever since Olivia become a registered nurse she manages to find ways to throw in medical terminology into even the most mundane conversations.
I could eat Ben and Jerry’s twenty four seven. Your salad looks anemic. I have a headache, it could be an aneurysm.
It’s getting on my nerves.

“Every girl remembers the first guy who licked her vagina and made her come,” she continues so matter of fact. I cringe at the anatomically correct description. “Now you need to find someone else who will make you come all over his face. I still can’t believe you’re a virgin though. That is quite shocking.”

Sometimes it shocks me. I’ve never heard of someone unable to lose their virginity. I eagerly offered mine to a man I thought cared for me only to have him leave me. Maybe this is my destiny. Instead of being a crazy cat lady I’ll become the crazy pug lady.

People are passing by us in the park and Olivia continues to blabber on about oral sex and losing my virginity. This girl has no shame. But I admire her honesty. “Shhh, people are looking at us,” I say and shove my elbow into her ribcage.

“They’re not looking at me. They’re looking at you. You’re a twenty two year old virgin for Christ’s sake!”

Marigold chooses this moment to do meet and greet with another dog. It’s big drooling and missing patches of fur. And so is the guy holding his leash. I give her lead a tug and get away from the creep as quickly as possible.

“Ewww, that perv was eye fucking you Emerson. Did you see his big armpit stains? His axillary glands are working double time. Nasty! Men like that are the reasons we need to find worthy husbands now. I read in Cosmo that once a woman graduates college she has a better chance of being struck by lightning then finding a husband. We really need to step up your game.” I’m not sure if I should be more shocked that Olivia read something that isn’t a medical book or that she believes I’m still on the prowl for a man. Purposefully I pick up our pace. She’s had me so distracted I haven’t taken any pictures even though the park is busy. My mother could have walked right passed me.

“I think you should give this Reed guy another chance. He sounds like a real badass, and every girl needs one of those in her bed at least once. I still think he just got scared that you would be one of those girls who becomes all teary eyed after finally giving it up.” We stop again when Marigold comes across a dropped cookie on the path.

“
I
can assure
you I will not be calling Reed Callahan. Ever.” I’ll just regret it for the rest of my life. A twinge of sadness crawls its way through me.

“Well, maybe you can work this virgin thing to your favor. Some guys are all into the innocent act.”

“You’re missing the point. I’m fine with never having sex and staying single. I like being by myself. Plus, I have Marigold now. She makes me happy.”

“That’s only because you don’t know what you’re missing. Sex is like crack. One hit is never enough. You just need to let someone hit your stuff,
wink wink.”
Olivia doesn’t know I was born drug addicted. I’ve never told a soul.

“Would you mind introducing me to Reed? I need a good hard screw to clear my head and help regroup my strategizing efforts. He sounds like the perfect guy for the job.”

I feel ill and maybe like I want to strangle her for just a little bit. And the thought of his hands touching another woman makes me want to rip off his head.

“We need a girls night out,” she continues and the excitement in her voice is palpable. “We can find a man who will eat and fuck you all in the same night, erase every memory of Reed right out of your brain. And who knows, he may be the marrying type.”

T
here’s only
one man I want to fuck. He had me naked and begging for his cock and he still wouldn’t have me. The embarrassment and shame he inflicted on me still makes my eyes burn. What did he see in me that was so horrible it made him run and leave me, legs open and my sex aching on my very own bed?

Reed knew he was my first blow job and unfortunately I wasn’t very good at it. But is there really such a thing as giving bad head? It’s not like I bit him or pulled on his balls. There must be something I’m missing, but I’ll never find out.He is the closest ‘boyfriend’ material I’ve ever had and I’m still not over him. His texts stopped months ago and my voice mail has been full for just as long. Everyday I bring Marigold to the dog park and hope to see him but he is never here. Reed stopped texting a months ago. I wouldn’t have thought a man like him would have given up on me so soon. Maybe it’s time I listen to his messages.

My thumb hovers over my cell phone. It would be so easy to read his texts, listen to his messages but I can’t bring myself to do it. The idea of him belittling me over the phone would be too much for my heart to handle. My insides ache and my chest hurts. Even my bra is becoming loose around my ribs. I haven’t had an appetite since he left. The temptation is too great and I shove the phone back into my pocket. If I’m going to listen to him berate me over the phone I want some privacy.

“Olivia, I just remembered I’ve got some errands to run. I’ll see you later, ok?” Even I can hear the lying in my voice.

“I know you’re up to something. Just promise me if you get any dick I’m the first person you tell.”

I roll my eyes. “Who else would I tell? And I can assure you I am not on a dick seeking mission right now.”

“Haha. Whatever. I’ll see you whenever.” Olivia turns away.

And then Marigold and I step up our pace.