Read Online Hot SEALs: Protecting Julie (Kindle Worlds) (SEAL of Protection Book 0) by Susan Stoker - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Susan Stoker
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it.
“I can’t.”
“I’ll take you home then. Give you some time to think about it. We’ll talk later.”
Julie nodded, numb inside. She never should have come to California. She hadn’t known at the time this was where the SEALs were stationed who had rescued her, but she should’ve remembered the Naval base nearby was the home of the SEALs and it was a likely possibility.
Patrick helped her with her coat and led her outside to his car. He opened her door as he always did and waited until she was comfortable before shutting it. He got in without a word and they drove to her apartment in silence.
He pulled into a visitor’s parking space and turned to her. “I like you, Julie. I want to be with you. I’m forty-three years old.” He watched as she turned to stare at him in disbelief. “I know, I’ve never told you my age, but there it is. I’m old enough to know what I want in a partner. I’ve never been married for a reason, because I’ve never found someone who I can imagine being with for the rest of my life…until you. I know there’s a fifteen-year age difference between us, but I don’t care.”
“Patrick…” Julie started, having no idea what she was going to say, but she didn’t have to think of anything, because he continued.
“I know you have demons, we all do. You think after spending most of my time in the Navy as a SEAL, I don’t? I’ve seen some of the worst things you can imagine, and even some you can’t. But you have to fight your demons, otherwise they’ll take control of you. And sweetheart, they’re taking you over. I’ve seen it the last month or so. When you first called me I didn’t want to meet you, but you wouldn’t take no for an answer. You were so sure about what you needed to do to move on. But at the first sign of adversity, you gave up. And I know that isn’t you.”
“It is me. You weren’t there, you didn’t—”
“I wasn’t there,” Patrick interrupted without a qualm, “but I’ve been in similar situations. I’ve gone into various countries and rescued kidnap victims. Some were easygoing, some were scared, some were combative and hostile. I’ve seen it. But, Julie, you told me yourself that you were a different person now than you were then. I like the Julie that’s sitting in front of me right now. Is everyone in this world going to like you and want to be your best friend? No. I have enemies. I can be a real hard ass and there are SEALs all over this country that I know wouldn’t mourn me if they learned I’d suddenly passed away. But Julie, that’s their issue, not mine.
“I have friends, good friends. I’m happy with my life. If I could do it all again, would I do everything the same? Of course not, but that’s a part of life. Learning from your mistakes and moving on. I want you to move on with me. But if that’s going to happen, you’re going to have to do what you came out here to do—apologize and thank my men. Whatever they do with that is on them , not you.”
“But they’re your men.”
“They are. And I know them. You think I’d be giving you this advice if I thought they’d hurt you? No way in hell. But you have to trust me, and them. More importantly, you have to do what you need to in order to move on. And God, Julie, I want you to be able to move on with me. I’d like nothing more than instead of waking you up and taking you home, to wake you up with kisses and carry you into our bedroom, where I could make sure you’d sleep like a log every night. I want nothing more than to learn your sweet little body inside and out, to taste you, to hear what you sound like when I’m buried deep inside you—but I can’t until I know you’re with me. Until I know this can go somewhere.”
“Patrick,” Julie almost moaned.
“I know I’m not playing fair, but I need to lay it on the line. I like you. I want you. But you need to forgive yourself, and then let my men forgive you. There’s a company picnic at La
“I can’t.”
“I’ll take you home then. Give you some time to think about it. We’ll talk later.”
Julie nodded, numb inside. She never should have come to California. She hadn’t known at the time this was where the SEALs were stationed who had rescued her, but she should’ve remembered the Naval base nearby was the home of the SEALs and it was a likely possibility.
Patrick helped her with her coat and led her outside to his car. He opened her door as he always did and waited until she was comfortable before shutting it. He got in without a word and they drove to her apartment in silence.
He pulled into a visitor’s parking space and turned to her. “I like you, Julie. I want to be with you. I’m forty-three years old.” He watched as she turned to stare at him in disbelief. “I know, I’ve never told you my age, but there it is. I’m old enough to know what I want in a partner. I’ve never been married for a reason, because I’ve never found someone who I can imagine being with for the rest of my life…until you. I know there’s a fifteen-year age difference between us, but I don’t care.”
“Patrick…” Julie started, having no idea what she was going to say, but she didn’t have to think of anything, because he continued.
“I know you have demons, we all do. You think after spending most of my time in the Navy as a SEAL, I don’t? I’ve seen some of the worst things you can imagine, and even some you can’t. But you have to fight your demons, otherwise they’ll take control of you. And sweetheart, they’re taking you over. I’ve seen it the last month or so. When you first called me I didn’t want to meet you, but you wouldn’t take no for an answer. You were so sure about what you needed to do to move on. But at the first sign of adversity, you gave up. And I know that isn’t you.”
“It is me. You weren’t there, you didn’t—”
“I wasn’t there,” Patrick interrupted without a qualm, “but I’ve been in similar situations. I’ve gone into various countries and rescued kidnap victims. Some were easygoing, some were scared, some were combative and hostile. I’ve seen it. But, Julie, you told me yourself that you were a different person now than you were then. I like the Julie that’s sitting in front of me right now. Is everyone in this world going to like you and want to be your best friend? No. I have enemies. I can be a real hard ass and there are SEALs all over this country that I know wouldn’t mourn me if they learned I’d suddenly passed away. But Julie, that’s their issue, not mine.
“I have friends, good friends. I’m happy with my life. If I could do it all again, would I do everything the same? Of course not, but that’s a part of life. Learning from your mistakes and moving on. I want you to move on with me. But if that’s going to happen, you’re going to have to do what you came out here to do—apologize and thank my men. Whatever they do with that is on them , not you.”
“But they’re your men.”
“They are. And I know them. You think I’d be giving you this advice if I thought they’d hurt you? No way in hell. But you have to trust me, and them. More importantly, you have to do what you need to in order to move on. And God, Julie, I want you to be able to move on with me. I’d like nothing more than instead of waking you up and taking you home, to wake you up with kisses and carry you into our bedroom, where I could make sure you’d sleep like a log every night. I want nothing more than to learn your sweet little body inside and out, to taste you, to hear what you sound like when I’m buried deep inside you—but I can’t until I know you’re with me. Until I know this can go somewhere.”
“Patrick,” Julie almost moaned.
“I know I’m not playing fair, but I need to lay it on the line. I like you. I want you. But you need to forgive yourself, and then let my men forgive you. There’s a company picnic at La
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