SEAL Kissed: A Navy SEAL Military Romance (Hot Dirty SEALS Book 1) by Mia Kenney

say those words out loud.
    His thumbs wipe the tears on my burning cheeks. He closes his eyes and drops his chin to his chest. I don’t know what's wrong. I don’t know him well enough to read his body language.
    In a heartbeat he’s off the bed with his jeans already pulled over his ass. My body shivers in the absence of his warmth. “Reed, what are you doing?” My voice is shaky.
    He’s angry. He gazes down on me and I feel worthless and cheap under his intense scrutiny. “I made a mistake coming here. Don’t worry. You won’t see me again.” His jaw sliding back and forth as tension seeps from him.
    He turns as I start to cry. I don’t want him to leave. “Reed please, just let me try again. Please, I’ll beg...do whatever you want. Don’t leave me…” His back is facing me as he stalks out of my room. His muscles flex as he raises his hand and motions for me to stop. He doesn’t even look back at me. I’ve been cast away again, and it’s my own fault.
    Well screw him. I grab the first thing I find on my bedside table and throw it. And miss. The sound of my cell phone shattering as it hits the wall makes me flinch. His heavy steps leave my apartment and the door slams with such force my windows vibrate. I bury my face in the black t shirt he left behind and sob as I breath him in.
    Maybe it’s better my mom deserted me in that hospital incubator when I was just a baby. I don’t think my heart could of coped having to watch her walk out, leaving me behind as she went forward with her life. I promise myself this will be the last time someone casts me aside.

Chapter Fourteen
    Emerson

    M arigold drags me through the doors of a large barn style building. The floor is dirt, with obstacle courses and bales of hay set up in the center. It’s an open floor plan, with bench seating off to the side. It’s been a month since Reed left me and it feels good to be out. Several men stop, turning to look at me when the door chimes. This can’t be the right place, but a double take at the front desk sign says “The Animal House.” A tall man with broad shoulders and tattoo sleeves approaches me, squats down and begins petting Marigold. Immediately he reminds me of a prison gang member. I’ve watched the cable episodes where jail wardens teach violent criminals how to care for dogs, it’s supposed to promote emotional attachment and prevent repeat offenders once they’re released into society.
    I consider turning and running but there’s a whole bunch of them, and they all look like they came from the same mold. Marigolds little tail is wagging like crazy as she whines and licks his face. All eyes are on me, and I’m cursing myself for wearing a short little sundress. It hugs my curves and the thin straps don’t allow me to wear a bra. It’s something I bought on sale when I thought Reed was interested in me.
    “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. She doesn’t have any manners,” I say and tug the leash, saying ‘No Marigold’ without any luck. I’m failing as a pack leader in glorious fashion in front of a roomful of men who all watch me, scrutiny heavy in their gazes. It’s intimidating as hell, and I turn to leave, deciding I will just go to one of the chain pet stores for training even though they are more expensive.
    The monster of a man stands, looking more like one of those cage fighters I’ve seen on TV than a dog trainer. His head is shaved bald, while the coarse stubble on his face appears to have been left untouched for several days. “Sweetheart, you have the worse dog ever,” he grumbles and smiles from ear to ear.
    “That’s why I’m here,” I say and smooth my sundress against my thigh, wishing it were a few inches longer. “My friend gave her to me and she’s driving me crazy.” Marigolds constant whining and pulling on the leash is exasperating and now my shoulder is beginning to ache.
    The man looks at me and down at Marigold. Holding up his hand she immediately settles and sits at