Chapter 1

Navy SEAL Commander Slate “Striker” Hutchinson grinned, grabbing his fiancée Ashleigh Moore’s hand as he led her toward their rental car in the airport parking lot, the winter chill in the air causing her to press closer to him. Snow covered the grass surrounding the area, but the roads had been cleared. The overcast sky and scent of smoke in the crisp air hinted of more snow to come—a perfect background for their romantic vacation.

“I almost forgot how cold it is here in Seattle,” Ashleigh said, shivering slightly and leaning into him for warmth.

His gaze slanted down to her as Ashleigh’s small body pressed up against his. She was petite, with sexy curves that always drew his gaze, long blonde hair, and gorgeous features that made her look feminine and delicate. Slate had nearly a hundred pounds of muscle on Ashleigh, his body in peak physical condition from years of training with the Navy. He might command multiple SEAL teams now, heading up operations in Coronado, but Slate kept in shape just as much as any of his men. At forty-three, he wasn’t exactly young anymore, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t hold his own. He worked hard, trained extensively, and felt lighter than he had in years ever since Ashleigh had come into his life.

And with the surprise he had in store for their romantic Christmas escape? His chest filled with pride. Work had kept both Slate and Ashleigh extremely busy for the past year, the diamond ring on her finger looking lonely without an accompanying wedding band. He was done with waiting a moment longer for them to plan the perfect wedding. Slate was ready to make Ashleigh his—forever.

“This is going to be a fantastic two weeks,” he promised, squeezing her hand. “Christmas at the cabin, dinners and sightseeing in the city, and most importantly—plenty of alone time.”

“I hope so,” Ashleigh said, hesitating as her gaze swept over the rows of vehicles. “The last time we had a rental car didn’t go so well.”

Slate smirked, shooting her a heated look. “Are you sure about that?” he asked huskily. “The last time I whisked you away in a rental car, we ended up in a hotel room, with you spread out on my bed, naked, and coming against my mouth.”

“Slate!” she protested, blushing furiously as she looked around to make sure no one overheard. There was a family several rows over, but Slate had kept his voice low—for Ashleigh alone to hear.

“I thought you were a romance novelist,” he teased, bringing her hand to his mouth and pressing his lips against her satiny skin. “You write love scenes all the time.”

She flashed him a look, her eyes dancing in amusement. While Slate read nonfiction, she shared parts of her books with him. It had always led to a night of passionate lovemaking, Slate making her come again and again as he took her in various positions, showing her just how badly he wanted her. “Yes, I’m a writer, and I thought you were supposed to be the stern and serious one.”

He tried to bite back his smile. “You always seem to enjoy my commands in the bedroom, Ash,” he murmured. “And those aren’t so PG, are they?”

The sudden pink on her cheeks was intriguing. Even after all this time, he could still make her blush with his gruffness and blunt talk. He’d always found Ashleigh’s reactions to him arousing as hell. Slate was a hardened man. He’d led men into battle as a Navy SEAL and now commanded multiple operations around the globe. Slate had killed before, taking out the enemy in order to save countless lives. He made decisions based on facts and raw intelligence, his career fast-paced and high stakes.

Ashleigh complemented him in many ways. She was creative, plotting romances and easily getting lost in her own thoughts. Ashleigh was also feminine and fragile compared to his strength and bulk. He’d been protective of her since the moment she’d appeared at his brother’s cabin last year, with Slate feeling like she was his to keep safe. He hadn’t been able to resist her then despite how damn hard he’d tried. Ashleigh had flushed at his gruff assertiveness, but like him, she’d been unable to resist the magnetic pull between them. The chemistry that sparked when they were close. Once they met, it was practically inevitable that they’d end up together.

She also made him happier than he’d ever been, and for that, he was damn grateful.

His thumb skated over her knuckles before he lowered their hands again. The engagement ring he’d put on her finger last year sparkled in the evening light, and his blood heated. Ashleigh was his. She wrote at his home—now theirs—while he headed into base every day, and they spent long, heated nights in each other’s arms. After he’d whisked her away to the safety of his house in San Diego a year ago, she’d essentially never left. He’d brought her suitcase straight to his bedroom, and that had been that. She was in his bed every night afterward, easily finding a way into his heart.

Nonstop operations with his SEAL teams had meant little time for wedding planning, however. Ashleigh’s busy release schedule for her flourishing career as an author kept her extremely busy as well. She spent hours writing the way some people read to relax, and the surprise he had planned would no doubt give her the shock of her life. Slate didn’t sit back and wait for life to happen—he grabbed it with both hands, jumping right in. And with his current plan now in action, he couldn’t wait to make the woman at his side his wife.

“Getting a rental car reminded me more of the men chasing after us last year,” she said lightly, but he didn’t miss the way she slightly trembled. “We rushed away in the middle of the night from Jett’s cabin.”

Slate growled, not happy that his career had put her in harm’s way. “Hazard of duty,” he muttered. “In my line of work, you make enemies. I hate that you went through that with me but not that it brought us together. You know I’ll always keep you safe,” he said, his voice gruff.

She glanced up at him, her light green eyes so damn trusting. He had kept her safe, but it had involved a daring rescue after she’d been kidnapped. He’d never been so fucking terrified as when he realized she was missing.

“Safe and completely satisfied,” she teased, her mood lightening.

He chuckled, his laughter echoing across the parking lot.

“Well, that’s the damn truth,” he murmured, his blood heating.

He’d thoroughly explored her body this morning, making her come on his mouth and cock before heading to work. Slate was nothing if not thorough, and Ashleigh always enjoyed his attention. Even the men he commanded noticed his good mood today. He might still carry the burden of commanding his teams, of ensuring the safety of his men and that their missions were accomplished, but his off-duty hours were now filled with laughter. Sex. Love. His life didn’t solely revolve around the Navy anymore, the woman beside him now his priority.

“I told Anna we’d be at the cabin for Christmas this year when we talked the other day,” Ashleigh said as they walked up to their vehicle. “She already knew!”

Slate smirked but didn’t reveal to Ashleigh that her best friend was playing a crucial role in his surprise. “You know Jett can’t keep a goddamn secret from her,” he said, his voice gruff. “My brother has always been hopeless when it comes to that woman.”

“He’s totally smitten,” Ashleigh agreed, her eyes alighting with mischief. “Even after three kids, Anna still has that man wrapped around her finger.”

“Apparently the Hutchinson brothers fall hard,” Slate quipped, shooting her a heated look.

She flushed as she met his eyes, and Slate ducked down for a slow kiss, right there in the damn parking lot. While he might like to show his love and affection physically more than uttering sweet words, Ashleigh was it for him. He’d die to protect her.

She whimpered slightly as his big hand palmed the back of her head, holding her as he took what he wanted. Her lips were pink and soft, reminding him of when he’d kissed her hot, wet pussy that morning. Ashleigh had been writhing against him in no time, crying out in sweet pleasure as he brought her to ecstasy.

Her lips parted slightly now, and he teased her gently with his tongue, a promise of what was to come. His cock twitched as he reluctantly pulled back, both of them breathing heavily as the cold air whipped around them in the parking lot.

“I think I proved my point,” he said huskily, enjoying the pink flush of her cheeks and arousal in her eyes.

“You did fall for me pretty quickly, didn’t you?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.

“I told you—as soon as I came out of the woods and spotted you there in the driveway, I was smitten.”

“You told me to leave,” she reminded him.

Slate muttered a curse. “That’s because I was trying to be good. Us alone in that cabin for the weekend was always going to end only one way. You’re far too tempting.”

She giggled, the sound doing something funny to his chest. “Anna is still so proud of herself for setting us up,” Ashleigh confided. “I’m amazed she hasn’t tried to match up Jett’s entire office over at Shadow Security.”

“How do you know she hasn’t?” Slate quipped. “She certainly has her own way of doing things,” he added as they stopped at the big SUV he’d rented. “Jett didn’t exactly oppose the idea. As much as I hate to admit my brother was right about something, I can’t exactly fault him for that. I was shocked when he first started dating Anna years ago, but it did end up bringing you straight to me.”

“I mean, it wasn’t the worst weekend I’ve ever had,” she joked.

Slate growled and squeezed her hand. “Not the worst. I’d say it ended pretty well, all things considered.”

He opened the back hatch, easily lifting Ashleigh’s pink suitcase, laptop bag, and his duffle inside. His lips quirked as he thought of what was already waiting at the cabin—some early Christmas presents he’d had wrapped and sent over, champagne, groceries, and his dress uniform. Slate had arranged for it to be tucked away in the closet where his fiancée wouldn’t immediately spot it and know something was up.

The wedding planner Slate’s sister-in-law hired had been in touch with him almost daily for the past few months. They had close friends flying in. Flowers. A wedding cake. He was taking a chance planning it all without his future bride having a say in things, but damn. Life had gotten away from them, and he didn’t want to wait another minute to call her his wife.

“Anna even wanted me to name our future children after her—and yes, she realizes neither of us actually wants kids,” Ashleigh said. “I think she secretly just wants a little Anna running around somewhere.”

“Maybe Jett can give her a baby girl someday,” he said, shaking his head.

Ashleigh bit her lip, trying not to laugh. “Honestly? I’m not sure what Anna would do with another version of herself.”

“Well, that’s the goddamn truth.

Slate guided her over to the passenger door of the big SUV he’d rented, opening it for her, and then helping Ashleigh inside. Her cheeks and nose were turning red from the cold, her blonde hair cascading over her white parka. She looked so damn cute at the moment, he felt his chest swell.

“You’ve got my laptop bag, right?” she asked, glancing up at him.

“Yep. It’s in the back with our other things,” he assured her.

“Perfect. Because you know I can’t go on vacation without it.”

“Think I figured that out, Ash,” he gently teased. “I’m addicted to current events unfolding around the globe, and you’re addicted to writing.”

“Well, someday you’ll retire from the military. Will you still be fixated on the news and latest intelligence then or will you give yourself a chance to relax?”

He chuckled. “Yes and Yes. Although if Jett has his way, I’ll be running ops for him out west.”

Ashleigh crinkled her nose adorably. “That sounds dangerous.”

“Yep,” he agreed before buckling her in, letting his hands brush over her denim-clad thighs. She smelled damn sweet, like vanilla or something else delectable, and Slate wanted to simply devour her. “Dangerous, yet a job that still needs to be done.” He kissed her slow and sweet, in no hurry to rush off despite the damn cold. It was cute as hell the way she worried about him. Slate wasn’t even going on missions anymore, just commanding things stateside. He squeezed one of her thighs gently, a promise of more to come. He couldn’t exactly ravish her right here, but when they were alone tonight? All bets were off.

Slate closed the door and rounded the front of the vehicle, his gaze scanning the parking lot out of habit as he thought once again about his brother’s offer. Slate had planned to retire from active duty in a few years but stick around Coronado, continuing to work with the teams there. That didn’t mean he’d never be interested in his brother’s suggestion. Jett was former Delta Force and headed up Shadow Security in upstate New York. The Shadow Ops team ran black ops for the government, doing jobs the feds couldn’t or wouldn’t do.

Slate lived by the rules, following the military’s strict chain of command and advancing his career. Jett loved to do things his own way, consequences be damned. Slate wasn’t sure he was cut out for that life, but if it meant ridding the world of further evil, it was hard to find fault with it.

His phone buzzed as he started the engine, and he lifted it to his ear.

“Striker here.”

“I understand you made it to Seattle, brother,” Jett said.

Slate’s lips quirked. “Let me guess—my fiancée texted my sister-in-law.” He exchanged a look with Ashleigh, who shrugged. The women were always texting now that Anna was at home with her boys. For a brief time, she’d been working at Shadow Security, but three kids had changed that. Jett was growing both his operation and family, and Slate had to admit that his brother seemed happy as hell.

“That sounds about right,” Jett agreed, muffled gunshots sounding in the background.

“Are you at a gun range?” Slate asked.

“I was,” Jett said, and Slate heard a door close as Jett moved down the hallway. “I couldn’t talk in there with all the damn noise. Anna just stopped by headquarters while the nanny has the boys. She doesn’t even work here anymore, but I can’t keep her away.”

“Figures,” Slate muttered. He exchanged a look with Ashleigh, who’d already pulled out her own phone. She was used to him constantly taking calls for work and clearly didn’t think anything of this particular one. “So are we all set? Ashleigh and I just got our rental.”

“She’s right there, isn’t she?” Jett asked with a knowing laugh. “Affirmative. Everything’s been taken care of on my end. I had my assistant Lena deliver your dress uniform to the cabin earlier. Don’t worry, she tucked it in the back of the closet where Ashleigh won’t notice. Are you still at the airport?”

“We’re in our rental car in the parking lot. I just started the engine when you called.”

He could practically see Jett smirking on the other end of the line. “Roger that. Whisk her off to my cabin. In a couple of days’ time, we’ll see you at the venue. Anna has the wedding dress here at our place, but she assured me we can fly out to Seattle with it. According to my wife, it’s to die for, not that I know a thing about that nonsense. Anna promised it would fit and be exactly what Ashleigh would want. Of course, you know Anna. She also picked out a pair of stilettos and sexy lingerie.”

Desire flooded his veins, and Slate’s gaze slid to his unsuspecting fiancée. Ashleigh had no idea about the wedding. The plans. The honeymoon. When the time was right, Ashleigh’s best friend and sister would get her ready, making her think they were just trying on wedding gowns and visiting venues in Seattle. He was about to pull off the biggest surprise of his life and couldn’t fucking wait.