A SEAL's Christmas Surprise (A SEAL Team Alpha Novella) Page 3

  Lizzie said hello, smiling broader when Donovan leaned over the table to kiss her hand. Mike rolled his eyes and indicated Taggart. “This is Jack Taggart, Darci’s husband.”

  Jack grinned and winked at Lizzie. More to piss Mike off than anything. Mike shook his head, unoffended. He trusted these men with his life. And his woman.

  Whoa.

  Lizzie wasn’t his. After the way he treated her she probably never would be. Not that marriage was an option for him. It suited the other guys but not him.

  “And, this is Grey Stone, Reganne’s husband.”

  Grey stood and shook Lizzie’s hand.

  “Brogan and Myranda wanted to be here but he’s picking her up at the airport.” He turned to the group he’d lay down his life for. “Guys, this is Lizzie Lawson.”

  A chorus of ‘nice to meet you’ echoed around the table. Lizzie returned the sentiment, not at all uncomfortable. He’d always admired the way she fit naturally in with a crowd. He wasn’t ready to analyze why he wanted her to fit in with his teammates so badly.

  Donovan’s youngest sister, Angela, arrived to take their orders. He introduced her to Lizzie also, noticing how Lizzie shifted in her chair when she looked at Ang. Self-conscious? Not his Lizzie.

  He watched her hand move to her belly, almost as if she were trying to cover it. A rock dropped in his gut. She wasn’t self-conscious. She was embarrassed. About her pregnancy. And carrying his baby.

  Feeling full and happy, Lizzie said her goodbyes to Michael’s friends as they parted ways for home. None of them had judged her or treated her like an outsider. In fact, they’d all been welcoming and open. For a night she’d actually felt like part of the group. Something she hadn’t expected. She and Michael weren’t anything except friends. Friends expecting a baby, but nothing more.

  Even Donovan’s incredibly beautiful family had welcomed her. Of all the brothers and sisters, she’d met tonight not one of them had been short of can’t-stop-staring gorgeous. The mix of Italian and Irish produced a stunning clan. Next to them she’d felt like a beached whale. Not at all attractive.

  Michael had shut down before they got their meal. No-one else probably noticed but she did. She had known Michael for a long time. He hid his true emotions well but she’d always been able to read him. Although tonight she couldn’t be sure what had caused his withdrawal. He’d seemed fine before they ordered.

  Her stomach dropped. Oh God. What if he’d been put-off by how much she’d eaten. She’d been careful, only ordering the caprese. It had been delicious. The tomatoes tasted fresh off the vine and she’d swear the mozzarella had been freshly made. For a light dish she’d filled up quickly.

  She worked hard to eat right, exercise and follow doctor’s orders, but this last trimester felt like she’d gained a ton. Her doctor told her she was a bit on the low-weight side and to cut back her hours at the shop but that wasn’t possible. If she didn’t make the business a success she would disappoint her family. She’d done enough of that growing up. She wouldn’t let it happen again.

  Heart at her feet at the thought of Michael’s reaction at dinner, Lizzie pushed back her chair. Michael had gone over to talk to one of the Demarco sisters. The breathtakingly beautiful one with mink brown hair that fell in luscious waves down her back and Donovan’s Irish blue eyes. Not to mention her perfect 10 body. Angela, if she remembered her name correctly. Why wouldn’t Michael be talking to her? She was just his type.

  Happy mood vanished, Lizzie pushed to her feet, grabbed her purse and headed for the door. As tired as she was she decided to walk home, which was a tiny apartment right above her shop which was right around the corner. Some fresh air would do her good. Help clear her head. Rid her mind of the disturbing images of Michael with another woman.

  She’d almost reached the door when a strong hand closed around her arm.

  “Hey, wait up.”

  Michael’s sexy voice sent a tingle down her spine. He’d always been able to set her hormones on fire with a single word.

  Traitorous body, she groused silently. No doubt he’d made plans to take Angela home after her shift. Resisting a scowl at the thought, she turned to him. Trying not to let his sparkling blue eyes get to her.

  “Let me give you a ride home,” he said, stepping in front of her to open the door.

  As much as that sounded good since her back ached she didn’t want to keep him from his late-night plans. “No, I can walk.”

  He stepped into the seventy-degree weather alongside her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to a green Christmas and not wearing boots and coat during the winter months. Or palm trees sporting Christmas lights. She’d had to have a blue spruce shipped to her for her shop just to have a real tree.

  “I insist. Come on, my bike is right here.”

  Realization of what he’d said registered on his face. He rode a Ducati. Hot as hell and faster than the devil. They’d sped down the coast eight months ago, the wind in her hair, pressed intimately against Michael’s back, the thrill of the ride exhilarating. And a huge turn-on. They’d stopped at a deserted park and went at each other like animals on that speedy bike. God, she hadn’t come like that—ever. The things Michael did to her body that day…

  “Shit. I’m sorry.”

  Michael’s low curse snapped her out of her thoughts. “Don’t worry about it. I’m fine walking.” She forced a smile and started walking down the sidewalk. There was a time she’d fit on that bike. Not now. Not with the baby growing in her belly.

  He fell into step beside her, not saying anything. The silence continued until they reached the back entrance to her shop. Unused to uncomfortable silences with the man she’d known since childhood, she dug the key out of her purse. “Thanks for dinner.” He had insisted on paying for her meal like they were on a date. Except they weren’t. They’d never been on a real date.

  She went to insert the key into the lock, but it slipped from her fingers and clattered to the ground. Crap. Bending the best she could she attempted to retrieve them. A twinge shot through her back and she let out a gasp, her hand going to her lower back.

  “Here, let me.” Michael retrieved her keys, used them to unlock the door and pushed it open. “Are you all right?”

  The genuine concern in his voice softened her mood. “I’m good. Just forgot I can’t move like I used to.”

  “You sure? Sounded like more.”

  His endearing frown caused the rest of her anger and dang it—jealousy—over his attraction to Angela evaporated. “It’s nothing. Really.”

  “Then why are you holding your back like that?”

  Of course he’d noticed that. He didn’t miss a thing. Never had. “Pregnancy woes,” she said. “A warm bath and I’ll be all set.”

  Something flared in his eyes, catching her off guard. Her body responded right on cue. But, no, she must be reading that wrong. Michael wasn’t attracted to her. Not anymore.

  Flustered, she said, “I’m pregnant. Long days make my back hurt. What do you want me to say?”

  “Say you’re not embarrassed to be carrying my child.”

  Startled by the unexpected request she met his gaze. He was serious. Where had that come from?

  Putting a hand on his arm, she said, “Michael, I love this child. No matter where we stand I will always love him or her. I could never be embarrassed by that.”

  Relief flickered in his eyes. Which made no sense. He had always been confident, never a doubt to what he wanted. What had given him the idea she was embarrassed to be carrying his baby? She’d been in love with him forever. And that secret she would carry to her grave. Michael would run and never be seen again if he found out. He’d never been silent about his wants and needs. Being a father was on the top of his ‘never’ list. She got that, but it wouldn’t change the way she felt about his baby. It was the part of him she could keep forever.

  He started to say something but his cell rang. Her spirits fell. Probably Angela letting him know she was off work
. “Goodnight, Michael,” she said when he reached for his phone and checked the number with an apologetic look.

  “I have to take this,” he said and turned away to speak to the caller.

  Lizzie made her way up the stairs, his voice fading behind her. His carefree laugh followed her into her apartment. With sadness in her heart she closed the door on the one man she would never have.

  Chapter 5

  Michael kissed Angela’s cheek. “You’re a doll.”

  Ang preened with a teasing grin “I certainly am. Now, get out of here before that gets cold.”

  With a two-finger wave he left Demarco’s, black and white bag in hand. He left his bike parked and retraced his steps to Lizzie’s. Her reassurance about not being embarrassed by carrying his baby eased his mind, but something had caused her to withdraw. And he wanted to know what it was, dammit.

  At her door now, he shook his head at the pine bough wreath. Real boughs. No fake ones for his Lizzie. No doubt she’d brought it with her when she moved.

  Moved.

  Not visiting.

  The thought made his throat tighten. This wasn’t a three-day sex-a-thon like her last visit. No, this was permanent. And the stakes were high.

  Pushing the thought away he rang the doorbell. It wasn’t late. Only nine o’clock. Lizzie should still be up. He hadn’t been gone that long.

  When she didn’t answer right away, he took a step back to peer up at the windows. Colorful lights lined the small square, but no other lights shone from inside. Unwilling to give up, he tried the door handle to find it unlocked. He’d have to talk to her about that.

  He took the steps up to the apartment and stepped into the kitchen. The scent of cinnamon and pine hit him full on, throwing him into the past when he used to spend Christmas with the Lawson’s. They’d known his mom didn’t do holidays. She didn’t even put up a tree. Needless to say the only home Santa visited him in was the Lawson’s. They refused to let him spend the holiday alone. He’d wake up to presents under the tree addressed to him from Santa. Those were some of his fondest memories of childhood. And Lizzie’s apartment brought it all back.

  Striding through the tiny space into the living area he froze when he saw Lizzie curled up in a lounger, covered with a blanket sporting holly and ivy, staring at the real pine Christmas tree with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her phone sat on the arm of the chair and a thin white cord snaked under the blanket to her ears. No wonder she hadn’t heard him knock.

  Pain knifed through his chest. This was the first time he’d ever seen his Lizzie cry. All those years getting into trouble with her, accepting the consequences and dealing with angry parents he’d never once seen her break down. He’d thought her indestructible. She looked so vulnerable he didn’t know what to do.

  He set the bag down on a side table decorated with a Christmas village, warm light glowing from inside each little house and shop. But he didn’t pay much attention. His attention was on Lizzie. She still hadn’t noticed him so he walked over to her side, crouched down and lay a hand on her arm.

  She jumped, letting out a startled scream as she tugged the earbuds out of her ears. Eyes wide, she quickly wiped her tears away and asked breathlessly, “Michael. What are you doing here?”

  “Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He reached up and rubbed a tear away with his thumb. “Why are you crying?”

  She pulled away, causing him to drop his hand. “Why are you here? Didn’t you have a date?”

  He frowned. A date? No woman had caught his interest in eight months. Not since Lizzie. She’d turned his life upside down that weekend and he still hadn’t recovered. “I brought you something.”

  Wary, she watched him retrieve the bag from Demarco’s and set it on the coffee table. Carefully, he eased the lidded cup from the bag and handed it to her. “Here. Try this.”

  Brows drawn, she sniffed and took it from his hand. “What is it?”

  “Secret recipe tea from Mrs. Demarco. Old family recipe from Ireland. She said it’s good for the baby.”

  Lizzie’s lower lip trembled. “This is what you had to do tonight?”

  Puzzled, he said, “The tea takes a while to make. I would have given it to you at the restaurant if I could. Ang said she’d have it ready for me when I came back.”

  Tears glistened on her lashes, confusing the hell out of him. “You don’t have to drink it—”

  She cut him off by leaning forward and kissing him. A quick peck that she pulled away from way too soon.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking a sip. Her eyes closed and she let out a delighted moan.

  Mike suppressed a groan of his own. Good Lord, she was the most sensual creature he’d ever known. That kiss. That moan. It took all of his self-control not to pick her up and carry her into the bedroom.

  “I’ve never tasted anything like this,” she said, curling into her chair, hands wrapped around the cup. “It’s delicious.”

  Relieved she’d stopped crying, he dropped down on the sofa. “Mrs. Demarco said she’d have the tea on hand for you. Just give her a call and she’ll have some sent over.”

  “That’s so sweet. I’ll call her tomorrow and thank her.”

  He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped. “We need to talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  He quirked his brow at her round belly hidden beneath the blanket. She put a protective hand over the gentle slope and for the first time he felt like an outsider in her life. Damned if he didn’t like the feeling.

  “We’ve said everything we need to,” she said.

  “I haven’t.”

  “You don’t have to. I already know where you stand, Michael. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Trust me, no one knows you better than me.”

  Feeling cheated, he drew in a deep breath. “We’ve both grown up. Changed.”

  She laughed without humor. “Are you telling me you aren’t a ladie’s man anymore? That you’re ready to settle down and become a husband and father? The two things you swore you’d never be.”

  Stung by the truth of her words, Mike rose to his feet. “Maybe we should talk about this another time. Goodnight, Lizzie.”

  She waved him off, goading his temper even more. She’d always been able to get under his skin, but, damn if tonight didn’t beat all. More annoyed than ever, he left her apartment. Not even the brisk walk to his bike cooled his temper. How could she act so blasé about their situation? They were having a child together. That bonded them for life, like it or not.

  Whatever the hell that meant.

  Lizzie let out a sigh and leaned her head against the chair. Why had she started a fight with Michael after he’d done something so nice for her? He hadn’t been in a rush to get to a date, he’d been thinking of her. And she’d wrote him off like they were strangers without ties.

  What a mess. Michael had been so sweet. Wiping her tears away, going out of his way to bring her this delicious tea. Thinking of the baby’s well-being. And she’d treated him like she didn’t care. When all she’d wanted was to have him pull her into his arms and tell her everything was going to work out. That, despite the fact she was spending Christmas alone and without her family and her due date just happened to be on Christmas Eve and she was terrified of childbirth it would be okay.

  With a sigh she rubbed a hand over her belly, smiling when she felt a little flutter. “Sorry for all the stress,” she said softly. “Your mamma is making a mess of things lately. But, no worries. It’ll all work out. Grandma said so.”

  Leaning her head back against the chair, she sipped her tea, letting the warm brew calm her. She talked to her mom every day and although she hadn’t shared her anxieties, her mom had picked up on them and reassured her everything would work out the way it was supposed to. Her mom was a very wise woman and if she said this would work out Lizzie had no choice but to believe her. Even if doubt lingered in the back of her mind. No one knew Michael like she did
. And she’d offered up everything that terrified him. Hard to imagine a SEAL being afraid of anything. But, they were human and had fears and anxieties like anyone else. Especially when presented as a surprise like she had done.

  Her attitude tonight hadn’t helped her case. Having Michael catch her crying over being alone for the holidays and missing her parents and home hadn’t set well. She didn’t like anyone to see her cry. It wasn’t pretty and made her feel vulnerable. A feeling she wasn’t comfortable with. Listening to her favorite Christmas songs hadn’t helped. It only made her more melancholy. And Michael had caught her during a weak moment.

  Lizzie finished the tea and set the cup aside, eyelids heavy. Only a few hours before she had to get up and make the chocolates for the holiday rush. She yawned and settled deeper into her chair. After that, she’d call Michael and apologize for her behavior. And hope he forgave her.

  Chapter 6

  Lizzie twisted one way, groaned, and tried the other side. Yep. Hopeless. With her due date so close nothing fit right and everything made her look huge. She’d done her best to find a maternity dress with some style and flair for the luncheon today. Darci would look like a million bucks, as always, and she didn’t want to pale in comparison. Even if she couldn’t hold a candle to the tall brunette.

  Of course, she adored Darci. She had a heart of gold and made everyone laugh. In fact, Darci, Cloe and Reganne had all made her feel like one of the group. They had taken turns all week to help her at the shop. Taking over the counter and customers so Lizzie could catch up on getting candy made to keep up with demand. She’d even had time to call the young mother of two who’d made quite an impression when she came in for an interview. Gina Taylor. A widow who had lost her husband a year ago. He’d been in the Navy, too. Not a SEAL, but military to the core Gina had said with a tear in her eye. Lizzie had talked to her for nearly an hour when she called to offer her a job. Gina had been so eager to work she agreed to start the next week. Tomorrow, now. Lizzie was looking forward to having an employee to take some of the strain off her and let the girls get back to their own jobs.