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

what for. The vein in his neck is bulging and he flexes his fists, cracking his knuckles with the movement. I feel small under his trance as the anger in me grows. My intuition tells me he’s hiding something and these men are in on it too. It’s like everyone here knows what’s really going on except for me. Wanting to diffuse the thick tension building between us I decide to break the silence first. “Why did you give me the worst dog ever?”
    A devilish grin spreads across his face and before he can answer Lucas interrupts, “So you would call him for help, sweetheart. Only you didn’t, you came to us instead.”
    Reality slams me in the face destroying the sliver of pride I had left. Reed Callahan used his dog to get into my bed, only to change his mind and leave me in a heaping wet mess. My anger and humiliation merge, stirring a rage in my veins I never knew existed. I have spent my entire life blocking everyone out, building a wall around my heart brick by brick and now in one earth shattering moment everything around me comes tumbling down.
    “Well, I don’t need help from any of you. Go fuck yourself Reed, now get out of my way.” Grabbing the leash from the counter, I latch it onto Marigold and I drag her out, whining the whole way.

Chapter Fifteen
    Emerson

    T hree months have passed since I left Reed standing in the Animal House with his friends. My pay as you go phone is filled with texts and voice mails but I refuse to check them. He’s persistent, I’ve got to give him that. But I will never give him the opportunity to leave me again. No matter how much my body craves his magic mouth.
    Marigold is standing with the leash in her mouth, her way of telling me she is ready for her walk. For being so small she is a bossy little thing.
    “Let me grab my shoes and I’ll come with you,” Olivia says from the couch.
    Ever since she found out her last potential husband was already very married with kids and a mortgage she has taken a break from finding a man to trap. We’ve grown closer, and I must admit it has been nice to have someone to confide in about my Reed drama. I grab my camera and Marigold wags her curly Q pug tail. Together the three of us head out to the dog park.
    “So what’s going on with Reed, have you called him? You know, I really don’t think he was using his dog to get you in bed. I think the guy really likes you.The whole plan sounds like he believed giving you Marigold the Horrible was a way to get you to open up to him. You’re not exactly the most social person out there, you know.” Olivia sounds so confident, like she has her entire life figured out even if she is restructuring her Master Plan.
    “Well it’s too late now. I don’t care if I never see him again. I’ve got Marigold so I consider myself lucky,” I huff as the leash pulls on my arm.

    “ I call bullshit Emerson ,” she declares and cracks her gum. “Obviously his crappy plan proves he’s no genius but I’m telling you I’ve got a sixth sense for these things and that man cares about you. If you’re really not going to respond to his messages then at least stop sulking around the apartment like an old lady. I can’t take your mood swings anymore.”
    I cringe. Past experience tells me she isn’t going to drop this. The beautiful Olivia Masterson is the most relentless person I know. She may be taking a break from finding a husband but I know it’s just to regroup and come up with an improved game plan.

    H er focus drifts to a family playing catch. I’m grateful for the brief distraction. "I’m not doing so well in the man department but I wish you would call Reed back, at least listen to his messages!”

    U gh . This is going to be a much longer walk than I had anticipated. Once Olivia zeroes in on something she can be unforgiving. “My mood swings don’t have anything to do with Reed, well, maybe just a little,” I whisper and suddenly he fills my thoughts. No matter how hard I try to