The Fearless Warrior: Navy SEAL Romance 2.0 Read online

  The Fearless Warrior

  Navy SEAL Romance 2.0

  Kimberly Krey

  Copyright © 2018 by Kimberly Krey

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  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

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Free Book

  About the Author

  Also by Kimberly Krey

  List of Navy SEAL Romance Books

  Chapter 1

  Graduation Night ~

  Ten Years Ago

  Jace pried the shoes off his aching feet and sank into the lounge chair. One of his graduation gifts, a bottle of fake beer from Dad, rested on the side table while a cluster of teenage party guests filtered throughout all areas of the home. All, that is, except for the loft. Jace had claimed that for himself.

  It wasn’t his party, after all. His younger brothers were hosting. The twins, Leo and Kip, were celebrating the end of their junior high years and the approach of their high school careers. Jace had agreed to chaperone, at the request of his pleading twin brothers. Bless Mom and Dad for making themselves scarce for the occasion, allowing the twins to hang on to their cool factor, untarnished by a hovering mom or lame-joke-telling dad.

  Sure, Jace had considered spending the evening at Connor Belder’s big graduation bash, but he would settle for making an appearance instead. Once the soon-to-be sophomores wrapped things up at twelve o’clock sharp, Jace would head over to Connor’s. After all, it had taken years to earn his status as the Wildest Brute of the Brawl, something he earned an official crown for at the homecoming dance; may as well go out with a bang.

  A vision of the faces he could expect to see filtered through his mind. Logan would be there, angry that he’d shown up so late. The rest of the guys from the varsity football team would be there, most of the cheerleaders and the drill team too. The same tired crowd. Graduation may have taken place just that morning, but Jace had been mentally done with the high school scene for a while now. On to bigger and brighter things. Like the US Naval Academy in Maryland, over fifteen hundred miles away, where new adventures awaited him. Adventures that would—if all went well—lead both him and Logan to positions as US Navy SEALs.

  “Hey, Jace.” Kip rushed into the loft, glancing over his shoulder before approaching him. “Leo picked the lock on the wine cellar, but only so we could use it for three minutes of heaven.”

  “Mom and Dad keep a detailed inventory on that wine, Kip,” Jace warned.

  “I know.”

  “Dad knows every bottle down to the label and cork.”

  “I know.”

  “And if I find out one of those bottles goes missing I’ll single handedly wreck your social life.”

  “Dude, we’re not interested in drinking any of it,” Kip hissed with the sharp jerk of his head. He leaned in, eyes wide and pleading. “We just want a little private lip action with the ladies. That’s it. I promise.”

  Jace tipped his head enough to see who waited outside the loft. Kassy Nelson. Blonde hair, brown eyes. She looked a little like her older sister, Amy, a girl Jace wouldn’t mind getting a little lip action with if he were being honest. Too bad he wouldn’t see her tonight; girls like Amy didn’t frequent parties like the one Connor Belder threw. He wasn’t sure what kind of parties a chick like Amy would show up to—a book club? No, she didn’t seem that serious natured, just beyond the party scene, he guessed.

  “Tell Leo I’ll knock his skull in the dirt if he even looks at that wine.”

  “I will. We’ll wrap it up before Mom and Dad get home for sure.”

  Kip rushed out of the room with a fist pump. Jace snatched the remote, turned up the sound on his game, and tipped back the icy bottle of fake beer.

  Just as the bitter liquid hit his tongue, the doorbell chimed. Jace pulled the brown tinted rim from his lips and shivered. “That’s disgusting.” Not that he was surprised; he’d never taken an interest in the real stuff, no matter how many Belder parties he’d attended. The truth was, Jace had decided to drink it in honor of a different celebration. One that —since his parents were trying to move past—he wouldn’t mention to another soul: Exactly two years ago Jace had taken down the man who’d attacked his mother.

  He hoped now that he’d graduated, he could make a living from ridding the world of other evils that threatened freedom and peace.

  The doorbell rang again. Jace heaved forward, shoving the chair out of recline mode with a grunt. He hurried down the short flight of stairs, counting the guests as he passed by. A trio of girls giggled while thumping keys on the piano as a couple of nervous-looking boys stood nearby. A larger group huddled over a bowl of popcorn while staring at the TV in the front room, some horror flick blaring on the screen.

  “No one’s going to answer the door?” Jace grumbled before creaking it open. His eyes widened as he took in the familiar visitor—the very girl he’d been thinking about just two seconds ago. Amy Nelson.

  He took in her pretty face, lit by the amber glow of porch light as she tipped her head back to meet his gaze.

  She wore her usual: sports shorts and a tee shirt, yet she’d ditched the sneakers for a pair of casual flip-flops that showed off her perfectly polished toenails. Known to be one of the school’s top softball players, Amy often wore a baseball cap. Today was no exception. The Red Sox ball cap shaded her brown eyes while the blonde locks of her hair followed the curve of her shoulders. Always pretty without looking like she tried.

  He gulped down the remaining bitterness in his mouth before speaking. “Amy?”

  Her eyes shot to the bottle in his hand, her lips transforming from a soft smile to one hard line. “Is…” She died off there, her gaze stuck on his grip. “I’m here to get my sister.”

  “This isn’t real,” he said while lifting the cold bottle. “It’s just a lame graduation gift from my dad.” He mustered his manly advertising voice and displayed the bottle with a serious scowl. “Fake beer —the top-rated graduation gift out there.”

  Amy cracked a grin, and Jace felt the heat of it everywhere.

  He puffed out his chest. “I’m, uh… the trusted chaperone this evening.”

  “Jace Burns is chaperoning on graduation night?” She arched a brow. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

  “I volunteered. But I’m heading over to Belder’s party once this thing’s over.” He nodded. Looked over his shoulder. And felt his face fill with another dose of heat. “You can come with m
e if you want, after you drop your little sister home.”

  Oh no. Was that end of the school year desperation he heard in his voice? His friends had often talked about becoming bolder on yearbook day. Asking girls out they’d never dared approach, knowing they wouldn’t see them all summer otherwise. He hadn’t related. If Jace wanted to ask a girl out, he asked her out—the end. Except this particular girl. One of the only girls in school he wasn’t confident would say yes, even if she had flirted with Jace in foods class.

  “Me? Go to Belder’s party?” She smirked. “Does that sound like something I’d do?”

  Dang. His entire face felt like a freshly lit match. He cracked an imitation of his cocky grin and leaned against the doorframe. “Sure. Why not?”

  Amy studied his face, as if she were really searching for an answer to that question as well. “I sort of got to know you in foods class this year. And you know what I wondered?”

  Jace gulped, his pulse rising in hot, pulsing beats as he waited for her to finish the thought.

  “I’ve always wondered why you and Logan hang out with guys like him.”

  Jace recalled hearing Belder brag about dating Amy clear back in junior high. Matt Lever was quick to shut him up, saying Amy dumped him, and quick. “What happened between you two?” Jace asked.

  His heart thumped out of beat as he waited for her response. Was he crossing a line by being so bold?

  “He only wanted one thing.” The words came out like she’d snipped them with a sharp pair of shears.

  Yeah, that sounded like Belder. Jace nodded, his face flushing with warm irritation at his jerk of a friend. “We’re not all like that,” he said, hoping she’d believe him. It was true; Jace was nothing like Connor.

  “I know,” she said softly. “That’s always been the mystery behind you.”

  Whoa. There was a mystery behind him where Amy was concerned? “What has?”

  “The fact that you can even stand to be friends with the likes of Connor Belder and his crew. I don’t get it.”

  He shrugged. “Some of them have pretty crappy home lives. I guess I can see past what they put out there. Besides, just because we hang out with them, doesn’t mean we act like them too, you know? If you come tonight, you’ll find out for yourself.”

  Jace pulled away from the wall, took a step closer while holding her gaze. C’mon, Amy. You know we have chemistry. Read between the lines—I’m asking you out. In sort of a wimp way, but still.

  Amy’s feet stayed pasted in place, her expression soft and kind, that sweet scent of her like a drug. His heart pounded so hard he feared it might be visible outside his shirt.

  “Hey, now,” came some kid’s voice from the couch. “The make-out room is downstairs.”

  “Yeah,” came a different voice. “The Burns Brothers are getting it on with the Nelson girls tonight!”

  Jace shot a glare at the beefy kid on the couch. He was tempted to chuck the bottle right at his head.

  “Make-out room?” Amy mumbled as she pushed past him. “Sounds like a great party.” She stormed ahead of him, cutting through the crowd in the kitchen and toward the basement stairs like she owned the place. Jace hurried to catch up with her, following closely down the stairwell and into the dimly-lit basement. Couples and singles rested on couches, lounged in bean bags, and sat on the massive rug too. Things didn’t look as… innocent down here. Maybe it was the hush that fell over the group. Or the shifty eyes and tight postures. Whispers came next.

  Jace flipped on a light and marched over to the wet bar where he dumped the stupid drink down the drain. “Where’s Kassy?”

  “It’s not even midnight yet,” Leo said, shooting to a stand.

  Jace’s gaze shot to the girl he was sitting next to. Leo was probably waiting for his turn in the wine cellar. Heck, he thought as he scanned the room further. All of them probably were.

  “I know it’s not midnight,” Amy said, “but Kassy has to go.”

  “They’re in the wine cellar,” Dillon Greenwood said, coming to a stand.

  They? Jace didn’t have to ask who she was with; he already knew. Without another word he marched to the wine cellar and pushed open the door. A quick tug of the swinging pull chain and the bulb sparked to life with a hollow pop.

  Beige corks in dark-glass bottles poked from the neatly-filled compartments lining the walls of the small space.

  Somehow knowing Amy had followed him in, Jace glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe they’re down here.” He stepped in just enough to see that the couple wasn’t there at all. “Or not.”

  The cellar door slammed shut.

  “You two just earned three minutes of heaven,” Dillon belted from the other side of the door.

  Jace shook his head. “Actually, Greenwood, you just earned a skull-crushing.”

  “Oh, just play along,” Leo hollered. Or was that Kip?

  “Yeah, Amy,” a female whined. “It’s just three minutes. Then we’ll open the door.”

  Jace shook his head, ready to barrel past Amy and kick down the door, but the look on her face stopped him short. The apples of her cheeks lifted slightly, catching a warm glow of light. One side of her mouth lifted in invitation.

  She’s not angry. She’s not angry. She’s not angry?

  How was that possible?

  He took one step closer. “I really can crush that kid if you’d like.” It came out in a whisper.

  Amy glanced down at her feet and shook her head. “No,” she said, voice in a hush as well. “It’s okay.” She pried off her ball cap and lifted her chin, smoothing a hand over the blonde strands of her hair.

  Hmm. Kissing her wouldn’t have been easy with that cap on. The rounded bill would have acted as a barrier. But now she’d removed it right in front of him.

  They were surrounded by fine wines. Each unique and aged to perfection. The chemistry between them swirled like a brew all its own. An explosive one. And heaven help him, Amy was putting fire to the fuse.

  Jace closed the gap between them with another step, moved a hand to her hip, and let his eyes shut as he cradled the warm, hypnotizing curve. He swept her hair behind her back and leaned in, running the tip of his nose along the length of her shoulder. “I’ve been wanting to ask you out,” he confessed, not daring to look in her eyes yet. He let his lips slide gently over her collarbone as fire roared low in his belly.

  Amy gripped onto his bicep and let out a shaky breath. Jace pulled back and fixed his gaze on her. She looked surprised for a blink, but soon her expression changed, eyes narrowing as her gaze fell to his lips.

  There went that fire in his belly again. The fierce desperation to kiss those full, pouty lips. And so he gave in to it. Moving in slowly, he let his lips glide over hers in invitation. Yes. Sweet, like the taste of victory. Amy Nelson was a challenge—and every guy in school knew it. He tipped his head to the side, urged her lips to part with the gentle taste of his tongue, when suddenly she laughed. Not a full-on laugh; more of a quiet little noise of amusement.

  Jace froze in confusion, unsure of what it meant. Was she not into it? Or perhaps she’d only been teasing him.

  “Time’s up in there,” the group hollered in unison. Jace recognized Kip’s voice in the mix on the other side of the door a moment before it pushed open.

  He pulled away quickly, unwilling to look Amy in the eye, and headed toward the cluster piled at the doorway. Disappointment poured in so hard it hurt, stabbing his chest as he pushed his way past the group.

  “You guys are lucky I’m letting you live,” he grumbled as he dashed toward the stairs. Instead of rounding the landing and heading back to the den, Jace cranked open the back door and hurried out. After closing it behind him, he shuffled across the patio and shoved a hand through his hair. Just what in the world had happened back there?

  She’d laughed at him. Had he read her wrong? Moved in without the invitation he thought she’d given him?

  The last thing Jace wanted to do now was show up to that
stupid Belder bash. Everyone would be pairing off into couples, and Jace wouldn’t be interested in any of the girls there. Besides, he didn’t need one more party to finish off the school year. It was already over. Soon he’d pack his bags, fly out to Maryland, and join the Navy.

  And though he wanted to think about anything but the horrible rejection, Jace replayed it again. Amy definitely was not into him like he’d hoped.

  Yet, as he pushed the recollection from his mind with one last mental thrust, Jace clung onto two telling memories of their shared time: Amy’s hand curling around his bicep, and the sound of her whimper a moment before their lips met.

  Chapter 2

  ~ Present Day

  Jace ducked low, blocked his face with his gloved fist, and stepped in for a hard left hook. He moved back, eyes fixed on the heavy boxing bag, and came in for another round.

  Jab hit cross.

  Jab hit cross.

  Jab block hook.

  He bounced on the balls of his feet, knees soft, breaths fast, fists ready for another round. A quick glance at the mirror showed that Logan was pulling off his gloves.

  “Done already?” Jace asked through a grunt.

  Jab hit cross.

  Jab hit cross.

  “You’ve got a meeting tonight with Sutton, don’t you?” Logan asked.

  Jace stopped mid-jab, straightening in alarm. “What time is it?”

  Logan shot a glance at the wall clock. “Nine-thirty. Your appointment’s at ten, right?”

  Jace cursed under his breath. “We better hit the showers.” He tugged his gloves off and motioned to the locker room. Luckily, the facility was on Sutton’s California estate, but it would still take a short drive to get to the mansion itself.