Ranger's Baby Surprise (Special Forces Elite 2)

Jake took the items to the register and reached for his wallet.

“Oh no. You can’t pay for that.” I tried to stop him. I had an account set up for the house repairs. There was less than a thousand dollars in it, but I could afford a latch and some lumber.

“I insist. It’s part of the service.”

“No. I can take care of it.” I fished in my bag for my debit card. It was in there somewhere.

He shoved a credit card in the clerk’s hand before I could stop him again.

I huffed. “Really? You won’t let me pay for it?”

The kid at the register handed Jake a receipt as he threw the wood over his shoulder, turning for the door.

“I told you I’m here to take care of things. A promise is a promise.”

“But it feels like charity. I don’t want to be your charity case.”

I raced after him as he loaded the purchases into the back of his Jeep.

“I can respect that.” He was actually considering my dilemma. I was surprised. “How about this? You could make dinner tonight.”

“Do you know about the fire? The restaurant? Is that why you’re asking?” The mist was turning to rain.

He ushered me into the passenger side, before sliding behind the wheel. “No. I don’t know what you’re talking about. But if you don’t cook…”

“No. No, it’s not that.” His eyes were on me and I had this sudden urge to tell him everything that happened to me in the past month, but that was crazy. He didn’t need to hear about the restaurant. “I’d love to make dinner for you. I can do that.”

“Then we have a deal?”

I nodded, but I had this sneaking suspicion I had just been lured into agreeing with him.

Jake had been working on the railing for the past few hours. It was starting to get dark and the storm had kicked up off the ocean. That was the best and worst part of the house. It sat on the edge of the cliff, giving you the feeling that you were floating right over the sea.

I peaked out of the door.

“Any chance you’re ready for dinner?”

He stood back to look at the rail. “Yeah. I need some of these pieces to set. I can take a break.”

He followed me in the house, and I was aware of his eyes on me again.

“Is there somewhere I could wash up?” He held up his hands.

I pointed the long hallway that ran the length of the house. “There’s a bathroom on the right.”

“Be right back.”

It felt strange waiting for him in the kitchen as if I was getting ready to start a blind date. But Jake wasn’t my date. He was a friend of Elliot’s. He was here to repay my brother for something. Something he wouldn’t share with me.

I fastened a corkscrew to the top of a bottle of Chardonnay, Elliot’s favorite. I debated whether to open it, but decided one glass wouldn’t hurt either one of us.

“Here let me get that.” Jake’s hands wrapped around mine, taking the bottle from me. My breath seized when his skin drifted over mine. The edges of his hands were rough and warm.

“Thanks.” I watched as he eased the cork from the bottle. “I hope you like salmon and sautéed veggies.”

His eyes lit up. “You don’t know how good that sounds.”

He sat at the table, and I placed a plate in front of him.