Elle James - Navy Seal Survival

“No, but the Cancun police stopped by again to ask more questions.” Lisa shook her head. “It’s not like I had anything new to say. Melody was there. Then she wasn’t.”

Natalie’s heart contracted and her eyes stung. The only way she could keep tears from falling was to remind herself that Melody was alive, waiting for her big sister to find her.

Dinner was a somber affair. Melody’s friends spoke to one another in subdued tones, each quietly introspective after the past two days’ trauma.

“Are you ready to go back to our rooms?” Lisa asked.

“No. We can’t leave without drinking a toast to Melody,” Kylie said. “Come on. One last drink before Lisa and Jodie take off in the morning. It’ll be the last legal drink for them until next year when they turn twenty-one.”

“Y’all go on without me. I don’t feel much like partying,” Jodie said.

“You have to come. We’re going to drink to Melody. It wouldn’t be the same without you.” Lisa and Kylie each grabbed one of the girl’s arms and marched her out to the cabana where reggae music was in full swing and a few couples moved to the beat on the dance floor.

Natalie followed the girls to the bar beneath a thatched-roofed cabana strung with twinkle lights.

They all ordered strawberry margaritas and stood around a table, no one making a move to take a seat.

“Melody’s favorite,” Lisa said, her voice cracking as she lifted her glass rimmed with sugar. “To Melody. I hope she’s found safe and returned home.”

Kylie’s eyes filled with tears as she lifted her glass with the others.

Fighting her own tears, Natalie raised her glass. “To Melody,” she whispered. I will find you and bring you home.

Chapter Three

Duff spotted her as soon as she stepped out of the hotel into the cabana bar.

She tagged along behind the group of young women they’d met on the beach following the rescue. They ordered sugar-laced strawberry margaritas, each with a colorful umbrella perched on the rims of their glasses. As one, they lifted their drinks in a toast.

Natalia sipped the sugary concoction and winced.

Duff almost laughed. A gut feeling told him she wasn’t into fruity mixed drinks.

She set the drink on the table and glanced around the outdoor bar as though looking for something or someone. Maybe a rescue from the drink.

Duff strode to the bar and ordered two long-neck beers. Once served, he slipped up behind Natalia. “Looking for someone?”

She turned, the corners of her lips rising. “Not really.”

Duff nodded in greeting to the other women at the table before turning his attention to Natalia.

She stared down at his hands, her brows cocked. “Are you a two-fisted drinker?”

“No, I kind of hoped you would prefer beer to whatever that is you’re drinking.”

Natalie crossed her arms over her chest. “Do I look like a beer drinker?” Her lips quirked again.

Duff chuckled. “Not really but, like I said, I hope you are.”

She relaxed and held out her hand. “Actually, I don’t really like sweet, fruity drinks.”

“Thank goodness.” He handed her one of the ice-cold bottles. “I was afraid I’d end up drinking both. Alone.”

“Glad to help my fellow rescuer out.” She tipped the bottle back and drank a long swallow before glancing up into Duff’s eyes. “You don’t take no for an answer often, do you?”

“I’m persistent. When I want something, I go after it and stay after it until I get it.”

She snorted softly. “A prize to be won?”

“No, a challenge to be met.” He lifted his bottle and tapped it against hers. “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.”

“Like?”

“Freedom. The lives of your friends and family...” His voice deepened. “The love of a woman...”

She blinked, her smile spreading. “Wow, are you always this smooth with the ladies?”

Duff grinned. “Heard that on a movie. That’s the first opportunity I’ve had to use it.” He set his bottle on the table and took hers from her hand and placed it beside his. “Come on. Let’s dance.” He slipped his arm around her waist.

She hesitated. “And if I don’t want to?”

“You do,” he said. The fact she hadn’t told him to bug off already gave him hope.

“Cocky much?” she asked.

“Only when I’m sure of myself.”

“Which is often, I take it.”

Despite his arrogance—or maybe because of it—she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. An upbeat reggae tune had some couples leaving and others stepping up the pace.

Once on the dance floor Natalie tilted her head to the side. “Sorry, but I don’t know how to dance to this music. I tend to be all left feet.”

“Then you haven’t had the right partner.” He swung her away from him and then pulled her into the curve of his arms, her back against his chest, his lips beside her ear. “Just relax. I’ll do all the work.”

The warmth of Natalia’s hand in his and the way she wore that incredibly sexy blue dress, made Duff’s insides curl and his body heat.

He twirled her beneath his arm and back to face him, his hips moving to the rhythm, his feet keeping the beat, urging her to follow.

The more he moved with her, his hand resting on the small of her back, the more her body relaxed. By the end of the song, she could anticipate his moves as if they’d danced together for years and she fit perfectly against him. Her long legs and lithe, athletic body felt right in his arms.

When the music switched to a slow, sensuous rhythm, Duff pulled her against him.

For a brief moment her body stiffened and then melted against him, her hand resting against his chest. He liked how warm and firm it felt there. Yeah, he could get used to this woman.

“So, what brings you to Cancun?” he asked, his lips so close to her ear he wanted to nibble the pretty earlobe. In her heels, she still wasn’t as tall as he was, but she was close.

His arms around her tightened and Duff leaned his cheek against her hair. “I’m sorry. Was my question too personal?”

She glanced up at him as if realizing for the first time that she was dancing with him. Her brow furrowed. “What was it you asked?”

Her question hit him in the ego. He’d have to make a better impression to keep her attention. “What brings you to Cancun?”

“I’m on holiday,” she said with a smile.

“Alone?” he asked.

“I wasn’t supposed to be, but that is the way of it. My friend’s aunt died and she had to cancel at the last minute to attend the funeral.”

“I’m sorry for her loss.” He pulled Natalia close to his body and swayed to the music, his hips rubbing against hers, causing an instantaneous reaction. His trousers tightened and he wished they were somewhere more private—like his bedroom.

Natalia leaned into him, her fingers curling into his shirt, her nails scraping his chest.

Duff swallowed a groan rising up from his lungs. She was doing crazy things to him without even trying.

Natalia smiled up into his face. “What about you? Why did you come to Cancun?”

“Same. Vacation. Long overdue.”

“Tough job?” she asked.

He snorted. “At times.” He didn’t talk much about his work, except to his Special Boat Team 22 teammates. Most SEAL assignments required top-secret clearance. Information about those operations was only shared with people cleared for that particular mission. He found himself wanting to tell Natalia all about it. But he couldn’t.

The music ended and she stepped away. “Thank you for the dance.” She turned to walk away.

Not wanting the night to end yet, Duff caught her hand. “Will you dance with me again?”

She lifted one shoulder. “Maybe, but for now, I’m going to visit with my new friends.”