SEAL's Redemption (Alpha SEALs Coronado, #6), page 1
SEAL’s Redemption
AN ALPHA SEALS CORONADO NOVEL
Makenna Jameison
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Makenna Jameison
Cover Design: Fantasia Frog Designs
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Table of Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Books by Makenna Jameison
About the Author
About This Book
A SIZZLING NIGHT OF passion. An obsessed stalker on the loose. And a Navy SEAL who’ll fight for the woman he wants.
Navy SEAL Logan “Hurricane” Hudson never forgot the gorgeous brunette from last summer. One kiss left her memory emblazoned in his mind—and her storming off in anger. When their paths cross again, he comes to her aid—and gives her a night that will change their lives forever.
Bakery owner Harper Greenwell knows she’s playing with fire, but a night with the handsome SEAL was supposed to be only that—one night. She’s got a business to run and no time for a major flirt like Logan—no matter how tempting his muscles and cocky smile may be.
When vandalism to her property escalates to dangerous threats, Harper discovers a crazed stalker is after her. But she also has a secret that changes everything, and Logan will do anything to keep her safe. Can he rescue her from danger and convince Harper he’ll be the man she deserves?
SEAL’s Redemption, a standalone novel, is book six in the addictive Alpha SEALs Coronado series.
Chapter 1
HARPER GREENWELL FLIPPED her long, black hair over her shoulder as she strode down the San Diego boardwalk, inhaling the salty ocean breeze. Her ripped skinny jeans were trendy and comfortable, and the leather flip-flops she had on made a slapping sound against the wood. Her stack of bracelets slid back down to her wrist as they walked toward the bar, and she glanced over at her best friend. Caitlyn was practically giddy with excitement, grinning from ear to ear. She might as well have had little cartoon hearts floating around her head with the lovestruck look in her eyes. Caitlyn and Troy hadn’t been dating long, but damn. Her friend was smitten and more than a little excited to see her new boyfriend tonight.
Although Harper was looking forward to meeting the man who’d captured Caitlyn’s heart—not to mention saved her life during a hostage standoff on a yacht a few weeks ago—she wasn’t quite as excited about meeting Troy’s Navy SEAL teammate. She’d met a couple of Navy guys in the past few years; she lived in San Diego after all. It was hard to avoid ever running into a military man. Most of them had seemed cocky and arrogant. Maybe that had worked when she was younger and down for some beers and flirtations every weekend, but someday, she’d like to settle down. Meet a decent guy. Start a family. And that wouldn’t exactly happen by bar-hopping every Saturday night.
Tonight they were just meeting for drinks though. If Troy’s buddy was an ass, she’d leave. Caitlyn and Troy would have fun with or without them.
Caitlyn took a sip of her iced coffee, her red hair blowing in the breeze. The two of them were total opposites in looks. Harper was tall and willowy, with jet-black straight hair and a tiny nose piercing. Caitlyn was petite and perfect—with curves that men loved, red waves that framed her face, and even a cute smattering of freckles. Harper swore men always gravitated to Caitlyn because she was so damn cute and bubbly.
Harper was friendly and outgoing. She had to be given that she owned a bakery and talked to new customers daily. That didn’t mean people drifted toward her the way they did with Caitlyn though.
“Hey, there are the guys!” Caitlyn said excitedly.
Harper looked to where she was pointing, seeing two muscular men sauntering toward them. The blond guy was no doubt Troy. He was staring at Caitlyn like he was about to eat her right up, and she looked like she’d let him. The dark-haired man next to him had her doing a double take as her heart pounded and awareness washed over her. He was handsome as hell—at least six-feet tall, with chiseled good looks and an athletic frame. He had broad shoulders and moved comfortably, like he knew all eyes were on him.
They were.
She noticed a group of women off to the side sneaking a glance, and she was practically ogling him herself.
His eyes were scanning the water though, and she frowned as a feeling of déjà vu slammed into her.
The man’s head turned, and then his dark gaze met hers. She nearly stumbled, wishing she could slowly sink into the ground. She knew him. Knew what it felt like to have his hands lightly running up and down her arms. Knew what it felt like to have those lips moving against hers. And she’d seen that hard body and those muscles up close—felt the power constrained within him, even though they’d gone no further than those few stolen moments when he’d kissed her.
Holy shit.
This guy had pressed her up against her car last summer and kissed her like he meant it. Never mind that they’d basically been strangers. The chemistry between them had been immediate and impossible to ignore. He’d helped her carry some things to her car and then—bam. They’d flirted a few minutes, and he’d moved in and kissed her. Passionately. It had been the type of kiss a woman remembered months and months later. Which was a problem.
“Hi! What’s wrong?” Caitlyn asked, looking at Troy with concern. Both men did look a bit tense—tired, too. But Caitlyn had told her they’d been in training in Coronado all day. While Harper stood on her feet for hours baking and decorating wedding cakes, it certainly wasn’t anything compared to what these guys did. Hostage rescues. Underwater dives. Shoot-outs. They probably jumped out of airplanes, too. All she knew was that they’d saved her best friend’s life a few weeks ago. For that, she’d be eternally grateful. They were clearly professionals and well-trained by the Navy.
But drinks with the jackass walking toward them? That was a hard pass.
She realized that Caitlyn was introducing her, and she knew immediately that Logan recognized her, too. She’d tell him off and then get on her merry way. She had better things to do than stand around with a womanizer like him. Troy might be a decent guy, but clearly, he had some improvements to make in the friend department.
She shook Troy’s outstretched hand and was thankful Logan didn’t act like they’d never met before. “Shall we go grab a drink?” Logan asked. He gestured for Harper to go ahead, and she began walking toward the bar, leaving her bestie behind her talking quietly with Troy. They deserved a moment of privacy, and Logan deserved the tongue-lashing he was about to get.
“Where’s your date?” she asked casually as he fell in step beside her. “I assume you’re meeting another woman here as well.”
“There’s no other woman,” he said, his deep voice causing her belly to do flips. “I’m not seeing anyone right now.”
“Sure. I assume she’ll show up after you start flirting outrageously with me. That’s how you roll, right? Do you need an entire harem to feed your enormous ego?”
He chuckled beside her, and she tried not to let him get under her skin. She probably should’ve never used the word “enormous” around a guy like him. No doubt Logan was thinking with his dick. Hadn’t that been the case when he’d pressed her against the car and kissed the hell out of her months ago?
“I’m a one-woman type of guy, sweetheart.”
Their friends were dawdling behind them, and Harper stopped in front of the bar, angrily looking at Logan. Sweetheart? No chance in hell would she ever be this guy’s sweetheart. She had exactly zero intentions of going inside and making small talk with him.
Logan stood too close for her comfort, looking down at her with those full lips pressed together, his dark eyes unreadable. He didn’t look the slightest bit embarrassed. And damn him for looking so handsome even now. She was tall for a woman—five foot nine. And Logan still had to glance down to meet her gaze.
Warmth flooded through her as she recalled his large, muscular body pressing against hers. He wasn’t obnoxiously muscled—just athletic. Strong.
Taken, too, as she recalled.
“Are you still baking?” he asked. “I broke up with that chick right after the bridal shower, but she raved about the cupcakes you made.”
“Yes, I still own a bakery. And I haven’t made out with the boyfriends of any party guests again if that’s what you’re asking.”
His lips quirked. “I couldn’t exactly leave her stranded there. No joke—we broke up that night. It was essentially over with her when I met you.”
“Uh-huh. And you conveniently didn’t mention that when you asked for my number?”
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “I wanted to text you. Go out for drinks sometime. I wasn’t exactly planning to kiss you right then. It just happened. It’s not li
“You’re an asshole. I’ll tell Caitlyn I can’t stay.”
“Tell them whatever you want,” he said, his voice gruff. “I was a dick. I can admit it.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“Look, I was planning to break it off with that girl anyway before I met you. Maybe I should’ve mentioned I was picking her up, but I saw what I wanted and went after it.”
“It being me,” she said dryly. “How flattering.”
“I don’t regret kissing you,” he said huskily. “You were cute as hell trying to lug all that bakery stuff out to your car. I didn’t mind helping you—or feeling you pressed up against me when I made a move. I swear I can still smell that floral perfume you had on.”
Her skin heated. She remembered every moment as well—their connection had been instant. Electric. Logan’s skin had brushed against hers as he’d taken the large box from her arms, and it was like something inside her had lit up. They’d only stood outside a few minutes talking and laughing, and she’d given him her number before he’d backed her against her car door.
That didn’t mean any of it was okay. He’d been there to pick up his girlfriend. Date. Whatever the hell he wanted to call her. She’d assumed he was a relative of the bride who’d arrived to help clean up and gather the presents. Not somebody’s boyfriend.
“I’m going to leave,” she announced.
“Nope. I will.”
“Works for me. Try not to kiss any strangers on the way home.”
Logan clenched his jaw, looking annoyed. Not that any of it was her problem.
“Hey! What’s going on?” Caitlyn asked as she and Troy hurried toward them. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve got to split,” Logan said. He glanced at Harper again, and she wondered if he was going to make a snide comeback. Or tell them she’d let a guy she didn’t even know back her against her convertible and kiss her senseless.
His head swiveled back to their friends. “I’ll see you tomorrow, T. Bye Caitlyn.”
Without another word, Logan turned and headed the other way, hands shoved in his pockets. Harper bit her lip, feeling the tiniest bit guilty. Not that she should. She’d been single all those months ago. It’s not like she was the one who’d done anything wrong. The fact that he didn’t even bother to say goodbye to her stung just a little though.
“What was that about?” Caitlyn asked, looking completely bewildered.
Harper rolled her eyes. “I met that asshole six months ago. Turns out, he’s a total dick. It took me a moment to place him when you guys first walked up. Don’t worry, we didn’t sleep together or anything. Not that he didn’t ask. You two enjoy your drinks and dinner. I’ll just head out.”
“Harper, no. You can join us.”
“Absolutely,” Troy said. “I don’t know what happened between you and Logan months ago, but I can talk to him if he needs to apologize.”
“Hey, it’s no big deal. I’m sure you guys want some alone time. Call me tomorrow, all right?” she said, looking at Caitlyn. Her friend looked concerned, but without waiting for an answer, Harper walked back the way she’d just come. Caitlyn was head-over-heels for Troy, and they didn’t need her around as the third wheel tonight. They’d just gotten serious with one another and clearly were looking forward to a night alone later on.
The ocean breeze blew through Harper’s hair as she walked back along the boardwalk. Now she’d have to figure out what to do for dinner. Maybe she should’ve ordered some food to-go and taken it home. Too late now.
Blowing out a sigh, her anger lessened. Sure, Logan was an ass, but she wasn’t going to let him ruin her night. Besides, she had a hell of a lot to do before the weekend. With a wedding cake to bake, a cupcake order for a baby shower, and a few smaller custom orders, she mentally ran over the list of ingredients she needed. She’d just told Caitlyn earlier about her plans to expand the bakery this year. She’d have an actual storefront after she found a new, bigger location. Harper would need an assistant, cashiers to run the front bakery section, and probably a new website as well. She was thrilled she’d secured a business loan to be able to expand her bakery, but now her to-do list was a mile long.
Crossing the street, she walked over to where she’d parked along the curb, her leather flip-flops slapping on the asphalt. Her convertible was exactly where she’d left it, but something didn’t seem right. Was her car tilting slightly?
She groaned as she realized her back tire was flat. Had she run over a nail? Her car had been fine thirty minutes ago.
Cursing, she stood there looking at the flat for a moment as if that would magically make it better. How in the hell had this happened? She didn’t need something else to deal with at the moment. Harper would have to call a tow truck and have the driver put on the spare. Although she’d learned years ago how to change a tire, she wasn’t sure she could actually do it, especially on the side of the busy road.
Why hadn’t she ever practiced changing a tire again? It seemed like an important skill to have.
Harper pulled her dark hair back into a ponytail and crouched down, looking more closely at the tire. Damn. She didn’t see any nails sticking out or anything like that, but what did she know? It could be on the bottom. How was she supposed to know what had happened? Standing back up, she pulled out her cell phone. No doubt Troy and Caitlyn would come help her, but she didn’t want to bother them. She’d find a towing company to come meet her here instead.
“Harper,” a deep voice said from behind her, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Shit. Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I parked a couple of cars down. You’ve got a flat?”
She turned around to look at Logan, who had the nerve to still look handsome as hell there on the sidewalk. Chiseled jaw. Tall, athletic frame. And those deep brown eyes that were boring right into her. Well, even though she didn’t like the guy, she’d accept his help if he offered. Who knew how long she’d be waiting for a tow truck?
“Yeah. It was fine earlier when Caitlyn and I parked, but I just got back to my car and noticed....” She trailed off as he looked at her quizzically. “What?” she asked.
Logan cleared his throat. “I’ve never seen you with your hair up.”
“Okay. Well, a ponytail is a common look. Pretty popular for the average American girl.”
His lips quirked. “Yep. But you’re anything but average. Do you have a spare?”
“Ponytail?”
He chuckled. “Tire. Do you have a spare tire?”
She shrugged. “Just the donut kind—not a full size one. It should be in my trunk, but I have to admit, I haven’t actually checked to make sure it’s okay to use either. I assume so.”
Logan knelt down on the ground, the spicy scent of his soap wafting through the air as he moved. Damn. Did he have to be so mouth-watering? He was good-looking and knew it. And he obviously knew she was attracted to him. They’d made-out leaning against this very car six months ago, hadn’t they?
That didn’t mean she’d make the same mistake again.
“Shit,” he muttered, running his fingers over the damaged tire. She looked down and totally ignored his muscular forearms and hands. She was focused only on the tire and damage to it. Obviously.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, growing concerned at the expression on his face.
“Someone slashed your tire.”
“What?” she asked in surprise, crouching down next to him. She tried to ignore the goosebumps that were suddenly covering her skin. Logan was a jerk. A jerk who was helping her at the moment, but a jerk nonetheless. No doubt he probably assumed she’d sleep with him or something to profess her undying gratitude for his helping her right now.
“Right here.” Her gaze landed on the spot he was pointing to. She’d missed it when she’d crouched down earlier, but sure enough, someone had taken a knife or sharp object and cut right into the tire. He looked up, glancing around the area. “Maybe one of these stores has security camera footage we could take a look at,” he said, nodding at the one closest to them. “They might have caught whoever did this. If not, I’ll call Ace.”
“Who’s Ace?” she asked, watching in fascination as Logan quickly jumped to his feet. She took the hand he held out, letting him pull her up beside him. His hand was muscled and warm, and damn. He was tall. She felt almost petite next to him, which was crazy. Caitlyn was petite. Harper was tall and slender, without any of her best friend’s curves.
