Hot SEALs: Discarded Heart (Kindle Worlds; Danger Incorporated Book 2.5) by Olivia Jaymes

oxygen.”
    Laughter bubbled up and she luxuriated in the sheer joy of being this close to him. This was love and she’d almost missed out due to sheer fear and stubbornness.
    Cal reached for his pants and snagged his phone from his pocket to check the time. “We have a little while before we have to pick up Alex. We could take him for an ice cream sundae if you’re in the mood.”
    Cal was always thinking about not only her but Alex too. Another reason she’d fallen for him again. He’d matured while he was away and become a man she could depend on no matter what might happen.
    “I think that’s a great idea but I want to say something first.” She propped herself up on her elbow and gazed into his eyes. They didn’t really need to say it. One look at either of them told the story but she was tired of being the scared female she’d become. She wanted to be brave and fierce. She wanted to set a good example for her son about reaching out and grabbing life and love. “I want to say that I love you. Very much. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
    Cal’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I love you too. I’d never give up. We’ve been around and around and here we are. I think we’re meant to be together. I swear to you here and now that I’m going to get my shit together and become the kind of man you deserve to spend your life with. The kind of man you’d trust to guide Alex. I’m sort of drifting right now but I won’t be for long. I promise you.”
    She believed him. Cal had been good at everything he’d ever tried so he could certainly find a new vocation. One that made him happy and fulfilled.
    “I didn’t mean for this to get all mushy.” Mika wrinkled her nose and giggled. “I know you hate that.”
    “I think I can make an exception for you. Now we have about forty-five minutes. Where were we?”
    “Naked and happy,” she sighed, laying back down on the rug and beckoning to him. “We have just enough time.”
    Together at last, they had all the time in the world.

Chapter Thirteen
    “MIKA. ALEX. THIS is my friend Jon Rudnick from over in Virginia Beach.”
    Cal was happy his friend had been able to join them for opening night at the haunted house. It was the perfect autumn evening, crisp but not too cold, with the crunch of leaves underneath their feet.
    “Nice to meet you.”
    Mika smiled and shook Jon’s hand and so did Alex before she motioned to the refreshment table groaning under the weight of delectable food. On the first night of the Autumn Festival everyone went all out and provided a dish for the buffet. There would be dinner, a few speeches, and then the food would be whisked away and the house would be open for business. It had been this way since before Cal was born and it would probably be the same for Alex’s children.
    “Wow, this is some spread,” Jon enthused as they all filled their plates. “I may have to make two trips. Everything looks so good.”
    “I usually make at least two if not three,” Cal agreed, piling a scoop of pistachio salad next to some baked beans. “You won’t go hungry here, that’s for sure. Alex, make sure you try some of my mother’s famous chocolate pie. It’s legendary.”
    Cal had helped his mother make those pies. She’d sat and directed and he’d done the grunt work. They’d turned out pretty damn good if he did say so himself.
    The four of them found an unoccupied folding table outside close enough to the bonfire to feel its warmth without the messy smoke flying in their faces. When Alex excitedly asked Jon what it was like to be a real-life former Navy SEAL the conversation naturally turned to Cal and his friend’s time in the military.
    Cal’s phone lit up and he dug it out of his front shirt pocket, frowning at the screen. “Excuse me, I need to take this.”
    Stepping away, he swiped the screen and pressed the cell to his ear, listening in disbelief. The call was from his former boss at the FBI and the