Two long months down range with his SEAL team on a series of operations that were completely off the grid left Rourke with a case of homesickness the likes he hadn’t experienced since boot camp. The separation from Jenifer at such a crucial point in their blooming relationship was mostly to blame for his anxiety and urgent need to get home to Vegas. The dramatic way they parted after such a violent situation also scared the shit out of Rourke. He needed to get back to Jennifer as soon as possible. Rourke had a lot of explaining to do.

Rourke had never felt so instantly and irrevocable drawn to another person before, and it was an eye opening experience. He knew without a doubt that he was in love with Jennifer. He’d told Jennifer as much. Unfortunately, it had been a less than ideal time to confess his love, but after the fleeting moments when he thought she was dead, the words just tumbled out of his mouth. It was a good thing he’d told her when he did, though. If he hadn’t, Rourke would have left Jennifer without a goodbye and no idea how much he truly felt for her.

In hindsight, he felt like an idiot for not telling her as soon as he realized he wanted her in his future, in his forever, but he’d felt it was unfair to put any pressure on her given the stress she was already under. He told Jennifer she was his woman and they had a lot to talk about once he took care of Evan. At the time that seemed like enough. If Rourke had known how little time he’d have with Jennifer things would have gone differently.

If he had confessed his feelings, Rourke wouldn’t have been declaring his love to a blood soaked Jennifer after Evan dragged her into a major drug deal that ended with shots fired. The truth came pouring out of Rourke when he held her in his arms, alive if not whole, after the heart wrenching moments he was sure Jennifer was dead.

What a romantic story to tell their children. Rourke’s brain locked up and had to reboot when that idea crept up on him. Children . . . He felt a little dizzy. Rourke couldn’t get that far ahead of himself yet, but the fact this mind had freely drifted the idea of children with Jennifer was telling. Just a few months ago, Rourke didn’t believe he would ever get married, and therefore, would never have kids. Now, all he could think about was securing a future with Jennifer. That future would eventually include little blond haired, blue-eyed babies. But again, he was getting way ahead of himself. It was better to focus on the here and now.

Rourke couldn’t wait to get home when he left town. Usually, it was just the opposite. When he was heading back to base after some time off, Rourke was always eager to jump back in with both feet and get to work. The flight to Virginia from Vegas to report for duty when he was summoned was pure hell for Rourke. He couldn’t read or watch the movie. He couldn’t think of anything but Jennifer’s condition. He believed Jennifer’s injuries were completely survivable, but that didn’t stop him from going crazy with worry until he touched down and was able to call Dolce. All Dolce was able to tell him was that Jennifer was out of surgery and things had gone well. There was only so much information the hospital would give a person who wasn’t family, and she wouldn’t be allowed visitors until the next day.

That was the last information Rourke had on Jennifer. She came through surgery to remove the bullet from her shoulder and repair the damage with flying colors. She would recover. But was she safe? Was she back at the church sleeping in the soup kitchen? Had she gone home to her family in Washington, DC? Rourke had no idea, and it was maddening.

Once Rourke was back on base and being briefed for the upcoming operation, though, he had to put everything but the job out of his mind. Distracted operators were dead operators. Rourke had to do the job right if he wanted get back home in one piece. He had to be the operator above all else when out in the field. That’s what he did. Now, it was time to return to the real world, and it was easier to turn off the sailor than it had ever been before.

Two long months and one week later and Rourke was just about crying in his beer. He had no way to contact Jennifer. She didn’t have a phone or an address, and he still didn’t know her last name. How the fuck had he forgotten to ask Jennifer for a last name? Rourke was right back to where he started, searching for the mysterious woman who’d stolen his heart in a soup kitchen with his best friends and half the homeless population of North Vegas there to witness his downfall.

Rourke called Dolce as soon as he returned to the world. Unfortunately, Dolce had nothing but bad news for him. Dolce had no idea where Jennifer went after leaving the hospital. The day after surgery, when Dolce went to see Jennifer and make arrangement for Jennifer to stay with her, upon her release, Jennifer was gone. And thank god, Dolce learned Jennifer’s last name at the hospital. That would make his search easier. It warmed his heart to know Dolce was prepared to take in the woman Rourke loved and care for her in Rourke’s absence. He couldn’t have asked for a better blood sister. Dolce was closer than blood. She was a sister by choice.

Rourke went straight to the church from the airport when he landed, but Jennifer’s little room was untouched. The fancy dresses she hated still hung on the rack, and her red-bottomed heels rested below them on the floor. The books still lined the ledge of the shelf. Her bed had been stripped of linens. The lamp had been removed. According to the pastor, Jennifer must have used it as a weapon, because it was bent and broken when he found it.

Pastor Davis had no clue where Jennifer was, either. Rourke believed the man this time. He wasn’t withholding information to protect a parishioner’s privacy any longer. The pastor hadn’t seen Jennifer since he saw her limp body dragged out of the soup kitchen and stuffed into the back of a black sedan.

Rourke found the last known address for Jennifer Burks fairly easily on the internet. He went there next, but she didn’t live there any longer. There was a young couple now occupying the space. The rental office manager was no help at all to Rourke. After quite a bit of bullying on Rourke’s part, the woman threatened to call the police if he didn’t leave. There are privacy policies that are taken very seriously, and the rental manager was not willing to risk her job to help Rourke locate Jennifer.

Then, Rourke remembered the neighbor who had contacted Evan and given Jennifer away under the romantic misgiving that she was helping a man in love reunite with his girlfriend. Rourke ran back to the building Jennifer once lived in and knocked on the next door. Marcy was beautiful, but she couldn’t compare to his Jennifer. She was flirty when she opened the door to find Rourke in the hall, but she sobered when he explained that he was hunting for Jennifer.

Marcy was able to tell him a little more about Jennifer’s move. When Marcy saw Jennifer’s things being moved, she sweet-talked one of the maintenance men who had a crush on her into doing a little fact finding in the office. It seemed the receptionist had the hots for him, so he easily pried the facts out of her. Marcy was a resourceful girl. Her wannabe beau found out that Jennifer’s back rent was paid in full before she was evicted by a party the receptionist wouldn’t or couldn’t release to him. A moving company took her things, but they never saw Jennifer. The rental manager had to let the movers in to pack and remove Jennifer’s things in her absence. That was all Marcy could tell him. Before Rourke left Marcy’s tiny apartment, they both promised to contact the other if either of them heard from Jennifer.

Rourke was baffled. He knew Jennifer didn’t have much money. Maybe two or three thousand dollars between her savings and the money Marcy had given her. That wouldn’t have lasted for over two months if she weren’t working. He didn’t believe she would have spent it on movers, but she wouldn’t have been able to do it herself after surgery on her shoulder. Maybe she didn’t have a choice. So where had she taken her things?

Rourke’s next stop was The Winn, where Jennifer used to work as a dancer in a popular show. He nosed around and was able to find a few dancers who had worked with Jennifer. They didn’t know anything about what had happened to her since she left the show. The two girls that had been closest to Jennifer explained that they’d received a message from her when she quit the show. The mysterious note delivered to them stated that Jennifer was in love and was getting married. Her new fiancé didn’t want her to work. So she was resigning. Both women thought it was odd, because Jennifer wasn’t the type to bow to a man’s wishes. They never heard another word from her. Rourke agreed. She wasn’t. The message had to have come from Evan in an effort to cover her disappearance.

He exhausted all of his options and had no idea where to look next. Rourke would have to enlist Luc and his many resources now. Rourke went to Luc’s office, hoping to find him, so he could beg for help face to face, but Luc’s newest secretary informed Rourke that Luc was unavailable, but she’d give him a message.

With no place else to go, Rourke met up with Dolce to wait for Luc at Dante’s, Dolce’s preferred restaurant at The Inferno. He felt like he was chasing his own tail around Las Vegas. Dolce sat next to Rourke at the bar in her sleek black suite, her shining black hair in an elegant knot on her head, and heels so high she should have a nosebleed, with a mournful expression to match Rourke’s woeful mien. They sipped beers and discussed Rourke’s next possible move. Flying out to DC to begin hunting there appeared to be his best option. It was possible Jennifer’s father –the high-powered Washington lawyer– had paid for her move and the back rent she owed.

“Who died? You two look miserable for people who should be happy to see each other,” Luc said as he slid into the seat next to Dolce. Then, he leaned forward to make eye contact with Rourke. “Welcome home. I’m glad your back. Now Dolce will stop worrying so much,” Luc told him and looked away as if uncomfortable. Dolce blinked at Luc a few times before giving Rourke a small smile. She was willing to let Luc put the blame for all the worrying on her, but both she and Rourke knew the truth. Luc fretted every bit as much as Dolce did when Rourke was away surviving their country. He just didn’t talk about it.

“Thanks. It’s good to be back on home soil, but I can’t say it’s a happy homecoming. I’ve been searching for Jennifer since I landed. I’ve been everywhere I can think to look for her,” Rourke explained their sour faces.

“Are you sure you’ve looked everywhere?”

“Yes, I’ve been to the church, her old apartment, and her last job looking for her. She’s moved. That’s all I know. That’s why I’m here. Other than to ease Dolce’s fears.” Rourke smirked. “I’m going to DC to look for Jennifer’s family. After her injury, I can only imagine she returned to her family. I need you to dig in your bag of tricks and see what you can learn about them. An address to hit as soon as I arrive would be enough to start with. Can you do that?” Rourke asked. Luc always responded better to a request than anything that came across as a demand. He was a touchy asshole, but he liked to think of himself as hard and unreachable. Idiot. Rourke loved the messed up man, though.

“I can do some digging. An address, maybe even a phone number shouldn’t be a problem. But I have one question first.”

“Yeah?” Rourke didn’t want to answer questions. He wanted Luc to be on his phone already, working on finding an address for Jennifer’s family. Rourke planned to go straight to the airport as soon as he spoke to Luc.

“It sounds like you’ve covered all the bases here in Vegas, but before I start sniffing around Washington, I have to ask, have you checked your apartment? If Jennifer feels safe with you, and I believe she does, and Evan has no idea who you are, she might have gone to your place for shelter while she heals up,” Luc suggested. “Not to say that Evan is a threat. I’ve been keeping an eye on that situation, as well. Evan is in federal prison on charges of international drug smuggling and murder. But Jennifer won’t know that, and she’ll be looking for a safe place to hide, as she did before.”

Rourke blinked hard but didn’t respond. He was thinking over the possibility. Could it be that Jennifer was waiting for Rourke at home while he ran all around town wasting time? Was she, even now, waiting for him while he sat at the bar moping?

Luc arched a sardonically questioning eyebrow, as if Rourke should have thought of going home to start with and was an idiot for not doing so. Rourke sat wide-eyed with the gears in his mind grinding. How would she get in without a key? How would she take care of herself alone after her injury? It seemed too farfetched to imagine.

Dolce was looking back and forth between the two of them as if there were a tennis ball bouncing back and forth. Her expression changed from commiserating to hopeful.

Rourke leapt from the thickly padded bar stool nearly knocking over his beer in the process. He grabbed his duffle and ran from Dante’s without another word. He hurried through the hotel and hailed a cab. Could it really be that easy to find Jennifer? Would she be there waiting for him at home? He barked the address at the cab driver. When he disembarked from the plane that morning, Rourke hadn’t wanted to go to his empty, lonely apartment. Now, he thought he might lose his shit if the cabby didn’t drive faster. Rourke couldn’t wait to get home.

Back at the bar, Dolce eyed Luc, who studiously pretended not to notice her studying him so closely while he swirled a glass of scotch and sipped on the amber liquid.

“Jennifer was shot, Luc,” Dolce told him, as if he needed the reminder.

“That’s what you told me,” he replied as if he hadn’t investigated the situation himself.

“She was injured and frightened, and she would have needed a lot of help,” Dolce again stated the facts.

“I imagine so.” Luc sipped his scotch.

“She didn’t have a key to Rourke’s place or anyone to help her,” Dolce said to the side of his perfect, dark head. She was smiling. Luc wouldn’t have suggested Rourke go home if he weren’t sure that’s where Jennifer was, because it made no sense for her to go there injured and alone with no way to get in and nobody to help her in her convalescence.

Luc didn’t respond. He just pursed his lips as if pondering Jennifer’s dilemma. He took another drink of his scotch.

“How do you suppose she got from the hospital to Rourke’s place?”

“If that’s even where she is,” Luc prevaricated, as if he didn’t know exactly where Rourke’s future wife was resting. “I have no idea, but she seems like a very resourceful young woman.” Luc threw back the remainder of his drink and instructed the bartended to put Rourke and Dolce’s drinks on his tab before he left.

Luc strode assuredly out of the bar, refusing to make eye contact with the always perceptive Dolce. She knew exactly how Jennifer had gotten settled into Rourke’s home and who had been assuring she was cared for in the meantime. Luc was a good man, and Dolce loved him deeply. She could only pray that one day he would forgive himself for his sins and learn to live without the guilt. Until then, Dolce and Rourke would stand by his side. It was likely Jennifer would be joining their little family, as well. Dolce finished her beer with a smile. God, she loved her brothers, testy as they both could be. They weren’t really her brothers, but they’d taken her under their wings from a young age and taught her to be as tough as one of the guys. They were good men, and she was blessed to have them in her life. Dolce hoped one day, a strong woman would come along to knock Luc off his feet and give him the peace and love he deserved. Much as Jennifer had shaken up Rourke, one extremely regimented Navy SEAL, who needed to learn to loosen up. Maybe one day, Dolce would fall in love, as well. Maybe. If she ever got over the one that got away. And maybe not.

 

*   *   *

 

Jennifer stepped out of the shower and tugged on the thick, charcoal-color terry bathrobe that hung on the back of the bathroom door. She wrapped it around herself and tied the sash at the waist, wincing at the pull on her shoulder. It was too long and dragged the floor, but it was Rourke’s, so she liked to use it. Raising her arm over head to wrap her hair in a towel was a chore. The shoulder that had taken a bullet got better every day, but it was especially sore after a physical therapy session. Today, her therapist had pushed her hard.

Jennifer was so thankful Rourke had been able to get care for her situated before he was forced to return to duty unexpectedly. She bet he felt terrible about leaving her when he did, but Jennifer understood. His life wasn’t really his own. He belonged to the Navy. Waking from surgery to learn Rourke wouldn’t be there for her was tough for Jennifer at first. It was still hard. He’d been gone for nine weeks, and she hadn’t heard a word from him, but she was being taken care of in his home, and that meant a lot to Jennifer.

The day she was to be released from the hospital, she had no clue where she would go or how she would get there. Just as Jennifer was trying to explain to the doctor that she was homeless and needed help until she recovered, a sharp looking blond woman showed up in Jennifer’s hospital room. She introduced herself as Trina, Luc Christianson’s personal assistant. Trina had everything in order for Jennifer. Everything happened so fast Jennifer barely had time to blink before she was installed in Rourke’s empty little apartment. There was a sweet woman named Rosa waiting for Jennifer. She did all the cooking and cleaning, and she stayed there with Jennifer for the first week after surgery to help her get around. All her things from her apartment arrived that first day as well, and they were arranged or put away neatly as she instructed. Jennifer never lifted a finger. Rourke’s sterile apartment now looked much more lived in.

Rosa stopped by every few days with groceries and fresh laundry. Laundry that only existed because Trina stopped by the day after Jennifer was released from the hospital with some comfortable clothes that were great for lounging and stretching when she had therapy every other day. Rosa premade meals for Jennifer that could be popped in the microwave. It was all really more than Jennifer could have imagined. Rourke had thought of everything. Even the physical therapist came to her, so she never had to leave Rourke’s home. A place she was starting to think of as her home.

She was glad to be able stay inside the apartment. Even though the officer who visited the hospital to question Jennifer assured her that Evan was not a threat to her, Jennifer was still afraid. Evan promised to send his men to find her. She believed him. They could still be out there looking for her now, but none of them knew Rourke, and they had no idea where she might go. So she was safe in her little cocoon of peace.

Jennifer was in the bedroom, struggling to pull on her shirt, when the sound of someone messing with the handle of the front door reached her ears. She froze and listened. Maybe she was imagining things again. It happened. Jennifer knew she was more paranoid than was healthy, but that was getting better with time, as well. When the sound came again, Jennifer knew it wasn’t her imagination. Someone had opened the apartment door without knocking. Had she forgotten to lock the deadbolt before she climbed into the shower after the therapist left? She was sure she locked it, but must have forgotten.

As silently as she was able, Jennifer crept around to the far side of the bed. She slid open the nightstand drawer and withdrew the handgun Rourke kept there. She pulled open the drawer one day to look for a pen and was startled to find a gun. She’d never opened that drawer again. With shaking hands, she flicked off the safety and tiptoed to the closet. This was only the second time she’d ever touched a gun. The first time was when she shot at Evan. She’d missed the bastard, but she had fired the gun twice. She knew she could do it if she had no other choice.

Whoever was out there nosing around Rourke’s apartment was up to no good. Neither Rosa nor Trina had ever entered the apartment without knocking. She heard something in the living room hit the floor with a thud. Jennifer ducked into the closet and pulled it almost shut, but because she didn’t want to make any noise, she left it barely cracked. She hunkered down in the floor of the closet and tried to make herself as small as possible.

Fear crept up Jennifer’s back and wrapped itself around her throat, making it difficult to breathe. Jennifer was starting to panic, and she knew it, but she couldn’t stop the waves of anxiety from drowning her brain. Memories were living things, and Jennifer’s time spent locked up in a room in Evan’s condo followed by the hours of hiding in a tiny storage closet from his men after she escaped came crawling out of the darkness that surrounded her as she prepared for whatever might come next.

Footsteps stole down the short hall toward the bedroom. Could it be Evan? No. It wasn’t Evan. Evan was in jail. That’s what the cops told her. But the cops were in Evan’s pocket, right? They could have lied. It could be Evan. No. It was his men. Evan wouldn’t come after her, himself. He would send his lackeys. Footsteps entered the bedroom, and Jennifer brought up the gun. She checked the safety again. Jennifer stopped breathing and waited. She stared at the closet door and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Someone was bumping around the bedroom, opening drawers and closing them. Maybe it was just a burglar. Never in her life did she think she would welcome a damn burglar, but that was preferable.

Jennifer was sweating and shaking. She felt sick. She wanted out of that damn closet, but she didn’t dare move an inch. When the closet door was ripped open and a large hand entered, not to grab her but to hang something from a hook on the side of the closet, Jennifer was stunned into further silence. The hand returned to hang a heavy jacket on the pole above her head. Jennifer leaned forward to peek through the clothing concealing her.

Relief followed by joy combined to make Jennifer dizzy. It wasn’t Evan, his men, or a burglar who’d scared her into hiding.

“Rourke,” his name escaped her lips on a whisper, but he’d heard her say his name. He looked around his bedroom in confusion. “Rourke,” she said again, a little louder.

Rourke spun around and pushed back the clothes hanging around Jennifer. He jumped back and held up his hands defensively.

“Jennifer, baby, please put down the gun. You’re safe now. I promise you, baby. Nothing will ever hurt you again. Not as long as I live.” Rourke dropped to his knees with hands still up as if he were trying to calm a frightened animal. He put himself on her level and waited. “Please come out, Jennifer. It’s just me here. Just you and me.”

Jennifer forgot she was holding a gun. It was loaded and pointed right at Rourke’s chest. Her limbs unfroze and she dropped the gun.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized sincerely. “I thought. I thought Evan . . .”

She could explain all of things she thought. Understanding shone in Rourke’s eyes. It didn’t matter anymore. Rourke was there. He was home and she wanted to touch him. Kiss him. Hold him tight. She launched herself out of the closet. Rourke caught her, but she knocked him off balance, and they tumbled over onto the carpeted floor.

Jennifer kissed Rourke with all of the love she felt in her heart. She’d missed him so much. It made no sense considering she’d been cowering in the closet just a moment ago, but she wanted Rourke now more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. She wanted him more that she’d even wanted to dance on Broadway. She loved him more than he would ever know. Rourke scooped Jennifer up in his huge arms and tossed her onto the bed. He climbed over her with the same heat in his ice-blue eyes.

“Your shoulder.” Rourke jerked back and looked over her apologetically.

“It’s fine. I promise. Get back here.” She wrapped a hand around his neck and pulled his mouth back to hers.

Rourke took over. He came down over her, and his much heavier weight pinned her body to the mattress while his lips took possession of hers. Hot breath mingled, bodies molded and rubbed. The friction was maddening. She needed so much more. Jennifer attempted undo his shirt, but her shoulder protested the movement after the workout the therapist had given it. Rourke saw her struggle and immediately remedied the situation. Clothes went flying. His clothes and hers. When Rourke came back to her, he was gloriously nude. It was like being taken by a Viking god. Her Viking god.

They held each other for long tender moments. Just touching, stroking, and getting to know each other again. Just being in Rourke’s arms was a dream after believing she could never have him, but that was before. Before he’d called her his woman. Before he told Jennifer he loved her. Before she admitted she loved him too. Now, she was grabbing his love with both hands and never letting go. It would be hard to love a man who was gone more than he was home, but Jennifer would never ask Rourke to give up his passionate. She didn’t want to change him. She only wanted to find a place in his life.

Eventually, Jennifer could no longer ignore her body’s longing. Rourke must have felt her restlessness. He inserted his legs between her thighs and settled himself there at the apex of her need. He slowly circled his hips, rubbing himself in her moisture and teasing her throbbing clit. Jennifer moaned and squirmed.

“Look at me, Jennifer,” Rourke said in a husky whisper. She did. His eyes were alight with love and desire. “I love you. Only you. Forever. Do you hear me?”

“Yes,” Jennifer’s heart was stuck in her throat. “I love you, too, Rourke. Now and forever.”

Rourke kissed her. Swallowing her words and stealing her breath. His jutting cock prodded the entrance to her sex and Jennifer relaxed. He pushed and treated, making his way deeper into her tight sheath. If felt amazing. Jennifer was so hot. She was so ready that when his cock stroked over that perfectly sensitive spot inside once, twice, three times, Jennifer detonated. She shouted Rourke’s name and clung to him tightly when the climax dragged under and wouldn’t let go. The orgasm was unending, or so it seemed. Rourke fucked her hard. Riding her through one climax and into another before her body could come down from the crest. Her pussy squeezed him. Gripping and trying to hold onto him as he thrust in and out, sheathing himself and withdrawing.

Rourke held her to him and powered through her clutching heat. He increased the pace. His breathing came faster and his movements became jerky. Jennifer drifted down only to be driven back into another screaming orgasm. Rourke tumbled into the climax with Jennifer. He shouted her name and told her he loved her again and again, as he spilled into her welcoming body.

In the aftermath of their loving, neither of them spoke for a long time. The perfect peace and stillness of the night held them in a bubble Jennifer didn’t want to break. They were together. Soon, they would need to talk about what happened before he was called away. They would need to discuss the future. She would follow Rourke anywhere. Nothing would change that. It was harder than she ever could have imagined to be left behind while he went where she couldn’t go, though. The last nine weeks without a word from Rourke were like a slow, constant torture. But they would get through it. She already had a plan for how she would handle the long separations. She needed to stay busy. That’s what she planned to do.

Jennifer broke the silence first, thought, because Rourke need to know how grateful she was for everything he’d done for her. She would have been dangling in the wind without him.

“Thank you for making sure I was taken care of me while you were gone. I don’t know what I would have done if Trina hadn’t shown up at the hospital when I was discharged. The physical therapist and Rosa’s help have been a godsend to me. I’m getting much better. I’m not as afraid all the time anymore. I know Evan is in jail, but I can’t make myself leave the apartment yet. Having them come to me went a long way to helping me get past my fear.” Jennifer’s fear of Evan was valid, but she knew it got away from her sometimes. Hopefully, now that Rourke was home she could relax and let it go, until he had to leave again. She was afraid to ask how long he’d be home this time.

“I think Trina is right. I need to talk to a professional. Maybe talking it out will help. I’m ready to go see the psychologist you set up for me.”

Rourke looked stupefied.

“I didn’t. I have no idea what you’re talking about, baby. When I left, I only had time to call Dolce and ask her to meet you at the hospital. I had to leave her a message. She was there throughout your surgery. The hospital wasn’t allowing visitors who weren’t family until the next day. When she returned, you were gone. We didn’t know where you were. I was going to fly to Washington to search for your parents. I didn’t know where else you could be when I didn’t find you with the Davis’.”

Jennifer was blow away by this revelation. She’d just assumed Rourke ad been the one to make sure she was settled, even if he couldn’t explain things to her personally.

“If not you, then who?” Jennifer lifted her head to look at Rourke. Rourke blinked in confusion. Then a slow smile spread across his face that had Jennifer helplessly smiling back at him. Rourke didn’t smile often, so when he did it felt like a gift meant just for her.

“Luc,” Rourke shook his head. “He told me to look for you here before I ran off to Washington. The jerk knew exactly where you were. He has this annoying habit of telling people what he thinks the y need to know and no more. He didn’t explain anything to Dolce. He didn’t even tell me. We have him to thank for your helpers, though, he acted as if he didn’t know where you were either. He just let me sweat. You said Luc’s assistant got you moved, right?”

“Yes. I just assumed it was with your permission. I hope you don’t mind,” Jennifer was suddenly embarrassed. Her things had been moved into Rourke’s apartment. She’d made herself at home, and he had no idea it was happening.

“Of course, I don’t mind. You belong with me. Luc knows that. He was only doing what he knew I would do in my absence.”

“How would Luc know that?”

Rourke smiled again, “Because I told him I love you. Those aren’t words either of us takes lightly. To prove just how much I love you, I brought you a present.”

“You did?” Jennifer was surprised. She didn’t think shopping was on the agenda for the SEALs. Maybe he’d picked something up at the airport.

“I hope you like it. I can’t take it back. Ever,” he kissed her forehead. Now, he had her curious. His tone was so serious.

“I’m sure I will love anything that comes from you, Rourke.” She kissed his chest. Rourke turned slightly to switch on the lamp on the bedside table. Soft light filled the room. Rourke turned back to her and she knew a moment of fear. He looked like he had bad news to impart, not a gift to share. Jennifer sat up with him when he slid back and rested against the headboard. Jennifer looked into Rourke’s eyes and she wasn’t sure if it was fear, determination, or a combination in those ice-blue depths.

“What is it?” she asked when she couldn’t stand the silence any longer.

Rourke lifted his right hand and extended his forearm for her inspection. Emblazoned in permanent ink across his skin was a still healing tattoo. It was the SEAL Budweiser, an anchor and an eagle clutching a trident and a rifle. Jennifer blinked hard. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Tears filled her eyes. What had he done?

“But . . . but . . .” She took a shuddering breath. “You can’t do that.” The SEALs didn’t carry any identifying marks. It was too risky if they were ever caught behind enemy lines. They never did anything that would identify as Special Forces until after they left the military. Rourke had explained that to Jennifer.

“I can do that, and I did. I was due for reenlistment after this deployment. I mustered out.” Rourke brushed a tear from Jennifer’s cheek with the hand she wasn’t holding. She stared at his forearm. What had he done? “I thought you would be happy,” Rourke sounded nervous.

Jennifer was finally able to tear her eyes away from the tattoo to look at Rourke.

“Baby, Rourke, I would never ask you to leave the life you love. I want you to be happy. Even if that means I have to learn to be a Navy wife.” She cupped his face and kissed him. He clutched her to him and kissed her more deeply. When he pulled away, the smile that met her was dazzling.

“I accept,” Rourke positively crowed.

“Accept what?” she asked, confused.

“Oh no! Don’t try to take it back now! It’s too late. I already accepted.” Rourke rolled Jennifer under him and proceeded to kiss every bit of her he could reach. She giggled.

“Okay. Okay, I won’t take it back since it makes you so happy. What exactly am I not taking back,” she asked. Rourke’s bright smile was infectious. She was grinning from ear to ear back at him.

“You can’t take back your marriage proposal. Don’t try to take it back because you can’t be a Navy wife. I left the Navy, but you’re still stuck with me.”

Rourke sobered. He gave her a gentle kiss. “I didn’t leave the teams because I had to. I left because I wanted to. I loved my job, yes, but there’s nothing I love more than I love you. Nothing. I don’t want to be away from you. Not ever again. The last months were awful.”

“Are you sure?” she had to ask. Maybe they could cover that tattoo. “I don’t want you to give it all up for me. I don’t want you to resent me.”

“Baby, I didn’t. I gave it up for me. For my happiness. I’m a selfish bastard. I want it all or nothing. I want all of you. I want your every day and all of your nights. Can you give me that?”

Jennifer didn’t reply with words. Instead, she rolled Rourke and climbed over his deliciously muscular body. She showed him with great detail that all of her already belonged to him. Just like she’d told him earlier. She would always love him. Now and forever.

Rourke and Jennifer were married one month later. The small but elegant wedding was presided over by Pastor Davis. Most of Rourke’s SEAL team and many of his other friends attended the wedding. Rourke’s mother sat front and center with tears of joy and pride in her eyes. Dolce and Luc sat with Rourke’s mother in the front row. As it should be. They were his family, after all.

Rourke broke tradition and went to see the bride before the ceremony. Rourke’s wedding gift to Jennifer couldn’t wait. Rourke took a chance and reached out to Jennifer’s parents when Luc presented him with their address and phone number. Mr. Burks was there to give away the bride. Mrs. Burks cried happy tears on the bride’s side of the aisle. Jennifer’s two older brothers glared at Rourke throughout the ceremony and the reception. No one would ever be good enough for their sister. Rourke got that. He didn’t think any man would ever be good enough for Dolce either. Rourke made sure to inform the two sharply dressed lawyers that he knew Jennifer was too good for him, but Jennifer had proposed to him, after all. Who was he to break her heart?

The bride and groom said their vows with love shining in their eyes. No one would ever doubt the connection formed between the pair that fateful Thanksgiving day.

The very non-traditional wedding reception rose eyebrows among the outsiders. The bride and groom welcomed the homeless and needy of the area to a gourmet meal in the soup kitchen. Music and food were enjoyed by all, and everyone was treated like family.

During the father-daughter dance, Jennifer learned the truth about her ejection from the family. The money her brothers gave her the day walked out of their lives had actually come from her father. He didn’t support her decision, but he wouldn’t let her go penniless either. He’d been keeping an eye on her in New York, just waiting for her to give up and come home. He lost her when she took off for Las Vegas. It had been a tremendous relief to both of her parents when Rourke contacted them with the new of her wedding. While their relationship would always be strained, there was a peace made between father and daughter that would be lasting.

When Rourke took Jennifer into his arms for the last dance, they spun around the soup kitchen floor with eyes only for each other. They started their new life together, knowing without a doubt that they were extremely lucky. Lucky in love.