SEAL's Desire (Alpha SEALs Coronado #1) - Makenna Jameison Page 0,26

mumbled slightly in her sleep, his gaze shifting to the makeshift tent. He’d expected she’d have trouble sleeping out here on the ground, but surprisingly, she’d drifted right off. He’d assured Clarissa she was safe with him, and she’d apparently trusted him enough to believe it. The thought she was comfortable enough to sleep a few feet away from him, out here in the rainforest, made his chest swell with pride.

She trusted him. He’d told her that she was safe, and she’d taken him at his word.

She certainly wasn’t like the women he met back home. She hadn’t fawned over him, hadn’t complained. She was scared and hurt but trudged along without complaint. She mumbled again, and he watched her for a beat until she settled once more.

Clarissa was a beautiful woman, no doubt. Her long, blonde hair, striking green eyes, and gorgeous curves must attract male attention wherever she went. He assumed she had a boyfriend or husband back home. She wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but it wasn’t unheard of for women to take them off when they traveled.

No doubt a woman as smart and beautiful as her was attached. She loved the outdoors. Was easy to talk to.

Damn.

Naturally he’d meet the first woman who’d piqued his interest in months in the middle of a damn op.

Blake rolled his shoulders, looking around. No sense in dwelling on her. She was in his care right now, but in a matter of hours, they’d be headed home. His entire team would be there. She’d probably rest on the flight, happy to be on her way back. And then they’d land and go their separate ways.

He quietly tested his headset again, muttering a curse when he still got absolutely nothing. It had been two hours since they’d stopped to rest and was now nearly three a.m. His men had either gotten rides out on the Humvees or were searching for him. Even in the middle of the jungle, he would’ve been able to hear the helicopters. They were quiet, but not enough for his trained ears to miss.

His team would’ve tried to signal him somehow if they were out here. Most likely, they’d gone after Abboud, as they should.

Clarissa suddenly cried out in her sleep, flailing, and Blake was on his feet in an instant. He turned the flashlight back on and was moving the few feet toward her without thinking. He ducked back down, not wanting to scare her, and reached out to lightly touch her leg.

“Clarissa,” he said urgently, trying to wake her up. “Clarissa,” he repeated, lightly rousing her.

Suddenly she fully awoke and screamed.

He moved over her, covering her mouth with one hand. “Shhh, it’s Blake. It’s just me,” he said as she shook in fear. “You’re safe, sweetheart.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and Blake felt like an asshole for scaring her further.

She was shaking beneath him, and he could see the swells of her breasts over the camisole she had on. The button-down top was rumpled, and his blanket was twisted around her.

“Blake?” she asked as he moved his hand, frantically trying to sit up.

He dropped the flashlight and reached to assist her, not letting go as she sat trembling beside him in the makeshift tent. “Yeah, it’s just me. You were having a nightmare, thrashing around. I woke you up.”

“I dreamed I was back there,” she choked out.

Without thinking, he slid his arm around her slender shoulders, pulling her close to him. It wasn’t meant to be anything sexual—he was genuinely concerned about her. Blake didn’t like the way she shook beside him, trembling in fear. He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her into his arms, holding her there in the tent.

Tears continued to roll down her cheeks as she tried to collect herself, and he ducked his head down, inhaling the floral scent of her hair. “Shhh,” he murmured. “It was just a dream. You’re safe, and nobody can hurt you.”

“It felt so real,” she whispered, relaxing into him.

The fact that she needed him right now sent male pride surging straight through him. He felt protective toward this innocent woman—attracted to her, too, if he admitted it. Not that he’d make a move. She was a hostage he’d rescued, and she probably already had someone back home in Texas.

But as for right now?

He’d offer what he could, holding her safe in his arms.

“I know,” he said, his voice gruff. “Your mind can play tricks on you, especially when you’re tired. Why don’t