The Navy Seal's Promise (9 page)

“You’re crazy,” he said, dropping a kiss to the top of her head then
pulling her in tight. “I’ve been counting down the days.”

Saskia leaned back in his arms. “So we’re really doing this?” When they’d
promised to meet at the airport, she’d been full of hope and excitement. But
the reality of a man waiting for her,
wanting her
still after all this
time, when they’d barely spent two days together, had started to feel more like
a fantasy the longer she was away.

But seeing him here now? Being cradled in his arms like he’d waited a
lifetime for her to return?
This had been worth the wait and the worry.

“How long are you back for?” she asked, watching as he reached down for
her bag, slung it over his shoulder, then pulled her back in against his hip,
arm around her shoulders. Saskia put her arm around his waist, fingers tucked
into his jeans pocket as they walked.

“I’m back for… awhile,” he said.

Saskia squeezed her eyes shut, just for a moment, needing not to think
about what could happen to him. Because she knew firsthand the reality of
deployment, only Luke would be in situations far dangerous than she’d ever
experienced.

“So we just enjoy the now and see what happens?” she suggested.

“No,” Luke said, stopping and forcing her to turn towards him. He dropped
her bag again and took her face into his hands, palms cradling her cheeks.

She didn’t understand.

“I’m staying put for now, Saskia. I’ve done my time, I’ve given years to
the SEALs, and now it’s time for me to work behind the scenes. At home.”

Saskia gulped. “Are you doing this for me?” Because she didn’t want him
giving up something he loved for her, didn’t want to be the one responsible for
that, not when they’d barely spent 48 hours together.

“No.” He shook his head and kissed her so gently, so carefully, that it
was as soft as a feather being trailed across her skin. “I’m doing it for me,
and I’m doing it for us.”

Saskia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Whether this could even be
real… but she knew all his letters had been real, that the phone calls had been
for real. So why not this?

“Come on, let’s go,” Luke announced, tugging her along by the hand. “I’ve
got a little boy to get you home to.”

This time she did laugh. “Strangely enough that sounds
very
familiar.”

“Yeah, only this time I’m driving you in a Chevy.”

Saskia grabbed Luke around the waist and held on tight. Trouble was, she
didn’t ever want to let go.

THE
END

Loved
this book? Then why not read another great story by Soraya Lane!

The
Navy SEAL’s Bride (Harlequin Romance)

Available
now!
Click
here

Ex-navy SEAL Tom
Cartwright is struggling to return to civilian life. His little niece is his
only ray of sunshine and he agrees to be the "show" in her school
show-and-tell.

Teacher Caitlin
Rose knows all about past disappointments—once, she danced in the spotlight but
now she shows others how to. She's learned the hard way to rely only on
herself. Yet as soon as Tom looks at her with those big brown eyes, she's done
for….

Can Caitlin crack
the walls around this soldier's battle-worn heart?

The
Soldier’s Sweetheart (Harlequin Romance)

Available
January 2013
Read
more

About the Author

As a child, Soraya dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward
more than a few years, and Soraya is living her dream! Working as a freelance
writer and now a professional author too, she writes every day and loves her
job. Soraya describes being an author as "the best career in the
world", and she hopes to be writing romance for many years to come. Soraya
loves spending her days thinking up characters for books, and her home is a
constant source of inspiration. She lives with her own real life hero and son
on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office
overlooking a field where their horses graze. For more information about
Soraya, her books and her writing life, visit www.sorayalane.com or follow her
on twitter @Soraya_Lane.