SEAL's Desire (Alpha SEALs Coronado #1) - Makenna Jameison Page 0,2

Troy said as he watched Shawna walk off. “I kind of like the redhead over there though,” he said, nodding at another table across the bar. “I might have to go over and introduce myself.”

“How about you Blake?” Grayson asked. “See anything you like?”

“Too many. They’re all the same though—the waitresses flirt with us for the tips. The single women see a group of teams guys and just want to bed one for the night.” He shrugged. “It’s too damn easy. I’m starting to think I need more of a challenge.”

“I’m good with a woman who’s easy,” Ethan said as the others roared with laughter.

Blake raised his eyebrows as Ethan shrugged. “Hey, I didn’t say I was looking to marry the girl,” Ethan said. “I wouldn’t take someone like that home to my parents, but I’m cool with taking her home for the night.”

“Hell yeah,” Grayson agreed, bumping fists with him.

Troy stood up, catching the attention of the redhead he’d been eyeing. “Excuse me, gentleman. I found the woman I’ll be taking home with me.”

Blake exchanged a glance with Jackson. Although the other guys were big flirts and enjoyed chasing after anything in a skirt, Jackson was more of the strong, silent type. He’d probably be the first in their group to settle down—if he found a woman he was into. And while Blake certainly enjoyed spending the night with a woman, hearing her moan his name, he just wasn’t into the easy marks anymore.

“What happened to that woman you were seeing a few weeks ago?” Blake asked. “That cute little blonde?” He took a swig of his beer, watching his friend.

Jackson shook his head. “I took her out a few more times, but she broke it off.”

“Her loss, man.”

Jackson shrugged. “She couldn’t deal with my crazy schedule. Hell, most women can’t. It’s exciting until it isn’t, which is exactly why we’re all still single.”

Blake chuckled, grabbing a handful of peanuts. “For some of us it’s by choice. I haven’t met a woman I’m willing to settle down with, and besides, running ops is rough on a relationship. Plenty of women seem willing to have a Navy SEAL for a boyfriend, but, nah. None of them were worth it to me.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call my seeing the same woman for three weeks a relationship,” Jackson said.

“In this crowd it is,” Blake laughed.

“I heard that,” Logan said, looking over at the two of them. “Is that what happens when you reach your thirties? No more one-night-stands?”

“Fuck no,” Ethan said. “Blake just took a woman home last night.”

“Hoorah!” Grayson said, catching the end of the conversation. “Our boy needs to have a little fun.”

Blake shook his head, smirking. Damn. Maybe he was getting too old for this scene. Not that that stopped him from going out with his teammates. A night of drinking that ended with a woman in his bed wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He worked hard and fought harder. He deserved a little fun sometimes. It didn’t mean he’d keep it up forever though, either.

Chapter 2

Clarissa Rothschild ducked down to the stream in the Colombian rainforest, collecting water samples in vials. She marked the first one after she’d capped it, tucking it into her backpack. Two more samples, and then she’d collect some of the sediment for analyzation.

Standing back up, she tucked a stray blonde strand of hair behind her ear. In her hiking boots, cargo pants, and camisole, she was comfortable and mostly protected from the elements and insects. She’d slip her long-sleeve top back on after she was done.

She swatted at a mosquito, wondering if she should’ve applied more insect repellent.

The branches overhead moved, and she saw several birds fly through the air. She watched them for just a moment, relishing their freedom to soar wherever they wanted. Not that she was exactly trapped in a lab on this research trip.

Two weeks in Colombia were a godsend. She’d take photographs and numerous samples, collect all the data she could, and then write up a study when she returned back to her university.

“Ten more minutes, and we should head back,” her guide said in his accented voice, his eyes scanning the area as she looked up at him.

“Do you hear someone coming?” she asked, pausing in her work.

Sounds of the rainforest filled the air around them, but she didn’t hear any voices or footsteps. That didn’t mean the area was entirely safe though.

“There’s been more movement in this area lately. We should be cautious. Collect whatever you need,