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EVERLY SHRIEKED IN excitement a month later as they got ready for a bonfire on the beach. Mark’s lips quirked as he looked over at her. “What is it?” he asked.
“You know how I’ve been waiting to hear back from the clothing designer? She wants to do a collaboration with me! We’ll use some of my sketches and come up with some new designs together. Oh my God, oh my God! This is amazing.”
“That’s awesome,” Mark said, picking her up in his arms and twirling her around. She giggled as he set her back down in the soft sand, ducking for a heated kiss.
“Hey you two lovebirds, knock it off,” Havoc joked. “Trigger is coming.”
“Oh, my brother will just have to get over it,” Everly said. “He knows I’m staying here in San Diego.”
“No shit?” Havoc asked.
Mark nodded. “It’s official. I requested leave to fly home with Everly next week. I’ll help get her packed up, and we’re having her things shipped out here. She’ll be living with me permanently.”
“I broke the lease on my apartment,” she confirmed with a smile.
“Well congrats,” Havoc said with a grin.
“Wait, you’re really staying?” Addison asked, stopping from where she’d been stashing drinks in the cooler. “That’s fantastic news. Yay! More girls’ nights for us.”
“And why am I the last to know this?” Olivia joked, walking over to hug Everly. They’d gotten to know one another better after the night the security guard had been arrested. Everly loved all the women she’d met here and couldn’t believe how amazing her new life in San Diego was turning out to be.
Ace and Brian began building the bonfire, arranging the logs so they could light it. Tyler and Rachel were playing down near the water with Keira, and a couple of men from the other SEAL team on base had also shown up with their wives and girlfriends. One couple was talking with Rob and Cassie, who’d seemed to have grown slightly closer in the past couple of weeks.
It was an absolutely perfect weekend, with the email from the designer only the icing on the cake. Mark snagged her hand, pulling her close to him as they walked away from the others for some privacy. “I’m so proud of you, Ev. I know that was your dream. You did it.”
“And you made it possible.”
“How do you figure that?” he asked with a laugh.
“Well, you saved my life when I fell in the ocean. And you saved me from freaking out and spiraling into a full-blown panic attack afterward. I would’ve been a nervous wreck about the entire stalker situation if you weren’t there for me all this time. You make me feel safe, Mark.”
His eyes shone with intensity as he looked down at her. “I’ll always keep you safe, Ev. And I’ll always be here for you.”
“I know,” she said, nodding. Her eyes filled with tears.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked in surprise.
“Nothing. I’m just happy. I can’t explain it.”
Mark’s large hand landed on the small of her back as he guided her closer, his thumb rubbing just beneath the edge of her tank top. His touch on her bare skin soothed her, grounded her. His other hand lightly cupped the side of her neck, and he ducked down for a soft kiss, his thumb moving over her throat.
“I’m happy, too. You’re mine, Everly,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Mine to take care of and laugh with. Mine to hold every night. Mine to make love to.”
“I love you,” she whispered, her nipples pebbling at the deep, commanding tone of his voice.
“I love you, too. I thought I was doing fine on my own all this time, but that’s just because I hadn’t met you yet.” He kissed her again, deeper, both large hands cupping her face as they stood there on the sand, the gentle breeze blowing off the water. It was a kiss of promises to come, never-ending nights together, and a future together so amazing, it would shine brighter than the stars.
♦ ♦ ♦
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Mark and Everly’s story! If you enjoyed this book, you’ll love SEAL’s Oath. Find out what happens with Rob “Slinger” McPherson and Cassie.
She’s afraid to trust again, but he’ll battle for her heart...
Navy SEAL Rob “Slinger” McPherson has been attracted to the gorgeous blonde in their group of friends since the moment they met. She makes all his protective instincts rise, and while his body takes notice anytime she’s near, it’s their instant connection that has him hooked.
Cassie Miller has a secret. Hurt by a man she barely knew, she’s only half living her life, afraid to tell anyone the truth. The buff Navy SEAL she met through friends makes her feel safe and sends her heart racing, but she’s scared to let herself fall for him—or tell him the details of her past.
When the man who harmed Cassie threatens her, the truth comes pouring out. Rob will stand at her side, putting his career on the line to keep her safe, but can he also win her heart?
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