Baby, It's You (Uncharted SEALs Book 5) by Delilah Devlin Page B

both have this all worked out.”
    “Yup. Son, only person you have to convince this’ll work is your girl.”

Chapter Nine
    ‡
    T hat night, much to Melanie’s consternation, Emmy insisted on “Unca Carter” tucking her in and reading her a bedtime story. Not that she could blame the little girl. There was something about Carter tonight. Something she couldn’t quite pin down. He was different.
    Maybe he was just more relaxed. After the three men had returned from their “prison break” and Papa had been settled into his bed for a long nap, he’d seemed more at ease, happier even. More watchful, too. Every time she turned around, he was there, his blue gaze raking over her body, reminding her he knew every curve intimately.
    She’d been a bundle of nerves, on edge all afternoon. When he’d invited her to ride, she’d turned him down. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with him because she knew she’d throw herself at him, and it was humiliating enough that he’d resisted her nightly invitations, seeming content to cuddle her like she was a pillow, while every stray brush of his fingers set her on fire.
    Not that he was immune to a female in close proximity. Every night, his cock prodded her backside, a salve to her wounded pride.
    She’d have thought by now he’d be eager for a little relief. She’d promised there’d be no expectations from her side. What was his deal?
    She sat on the edge of her bed, still dressed. Waiting for the sound of him moving down the hallway to his bedroom. Maybe tonight she’d have the fortitude to undress and slip beneath her own covers.
    Her bedroom door opened, and she glanced upward. Carter filled the space, his shoulders nearly touching each side of the frame. Lord, he was a beautiful sight to behold.
    He curled his fingers. “Come. Unless you’d rather I join you here?”
    In her bed? Her heart fluttered. No. When he left, she didn’t want any lingering ghosts keeping her awake at night. She pushed up and walked slowly toward him, aware again that his gaze was darker, narrower. Suddenly, she felt like a rabbit quivering beneath a circling hawk. “She make you read two?”
    “No, I read her one. Then she told me one.”
    “Girl’s gonna be a writer,” she said, slipping her hand inside his. Together they walked toward his bedroom door.
    She shot a glance around the hallway, but there was no one there to witness her moment of weakness.
    At his door, he dropped his gaze and gave her a little smile. A smile that seemed to be communicating something. His hand tightened around hers.
    When he opened the door, she sucked in a quick breath. There were lit candles lined along the dresser top and on the nightstand. The bedcovers were pulled back.
    “What’s this?” she asked, suddenly breathless.
    “Operation Get The Girl.”
    She frowned when she glanced upward.
    “The candles were my dad’s idea.” He chuckled. “I’ll tell you later.”
    Her gaze landed on the carafe of red wine on the nightstand.
    “Lee’s idea.”
    She shook her head. “Is this supposed to be a seduction?”
    “They thought I needed a little coaching.”
    She couldn’t help it. She laughed. “Is that what today was all about? Them pulling you aside to give you advice?”
    Carter grinned. “I guess it was.”
    “Those rascals.”
    His gaze turned smokier. “Come here.” He tugged her hand to bring her against his chest. His hands settled on her hips then rucked up her shirt. He sent it sailing.
    Melanie drew another deep breath, sure he could hear her pounding heart. “So they know?”
    “That we haven’t done it , yeah.”
    Melanie grimaced. “Oh no. You explain I wasn’t the reason…”
    “I told them I wanted things to be right between us before we took the next step.”
    Melanie was afraid to meet his gaze. “I haven’t changed my mind.”
    “I haven’t explained my intentions very well. I’m hoping you’ll rethink your position once you hear me out.”
    “Then