Lock and Load (SEAL EXtreme Team) by Kimberley Troutte Page B

She didn’t need another dead boyfriend on her conscience.
    Boyfriend? She hardly knew Charlie.
    But in a real way she knew the Black Pirate better than any of the men she’d dated.
    If she was being honest with herself, she’d always cared deeply for the Pirate. There was something so strong and loyal about him. He was generous and kind. While they’d played video games, she’d told him things about herself she shared with anyone. That time he talked about his mom—a single-mother who raised him and his brother by herself—Amber’s heart had melted. At that moment, she’d been missing her own mom. She trusted him, completely. But he was a persona, not real. What if he and Charlie really weren’t one and the same? She stared into his green eyes, trying to see the Pirate inside. The man holding his breath didn’t move as if he was waiting for her to make up her mind. To see him.
    Sucking in a deep breath, she filled her lungs, and then pulled the thingy out of her mouth. She handed the breather to Charlie. He cocked his head, studying her. Then he took a couple hits off the rebreather and handed it back.
    He offered his hand and she took it. They locked their fingers together and swam deep under the water, sharing life breaths as they went. For now, she was going to put her faith in the Black Pirate and cross her fingers. God, she hoped Charlie really was a good guy.
     

     
    They rose to the surface at the far side of the junk .
    “All clear.” Charlie motioned for her to go first. “Duck behind the protection screen once you're aboard.” Strong hands onboard reached to pull her up, while Charlie, still in the water, gave her ass a shove.
    Shooting a glance over her shoulder Amber snapped, “Hey, watch where you’re putting your hands.”
    “He’s watching all right. Got himself an eye full.” Shielding her with his muscular frame, the man on deck moved her behind a screen.
    “Shut up,” Charlie grumbled and hoisted himself aboard. He followed behind, shucking his scuba gear as he moved. "Amber, this is my brother, Willy."
    She eyed the brother. Damn, he was hot too. These boys were blessed with top male model faces and weight-lifter arms.
    “Towel?” Willy offered.
    “Please. I’m freezing.” She was dripping and colder than she’d been since her last trip to the Himalayas.
    “I can fix that.” Moving as fast as a cat, Willy wrapped the towel around her. He rubbed her shoulders and back, warming her up. There wasn’t much room behind that screen. Willy stood so close that his thighs bumped the back of her legs, knocking her off-balance. She had no choice but to lean into him.
    “Relax. I’ve got you.” His voice was a soft purr in her ear. She could feel his heat, and as cold as she was, it took all her strength not to snuggle even closer.
    “What are you doing?” Charlie ran a towel over his tanned, bare chest.
    Her heart nearly stopped. With Willy pressing into her back and Charlie’s half-naked beauty in front, she could barely think straight.
    “This is called warming up a woman, Charles. Shit, how long has it been since you’ve held one?” Willy teased.
    The way Charlie’s green eyes flashed, she suspected a nerve had been hit.
    “I’m warm. Thanks.” Amber cinched the towel tight around her.
    “You two were out there a long time. Mack was just about to send a search party. What happened?” Willy’s breath made the hairs dance on her neck.
    Amber wasn’t going to mention the kiss. It seemed like a dream, anyway. She’d been fantasizing about having her way with the Black Pirate for weeks and bam, there he was, as if she’d created him from need and desire. She was getting warmer by the second remembering how right his lips had felt on hers. Who kisses like that while treading water in the middle of the harbor?
    Charlie’s gaze was on her. “Triad had us surrounded. We had to stay down.”
    Willy rested his hands on her shoulders. “You had one rebreather the whole