A Seal’s Strength by JM Stewart is out now! This second chance romance is the second novel in her Military Match series. Read the excerpt below and enter the giveaway!
This second chance was worth the wait . . .
As a SEAL, Gabriel Donovan did the toughest jobs imaginable without blinking an eye. But three years after his wife’s death, the idea of dating still makes him sick to his stomach. His daughter desperately needs a mother, though, and there’s nothing Gabe won’t do for his little girl.
Stephanie Mason doesn’t run from anything. Not even coming face to face with the “one that got away” on a blind date. Steph’s body vividly remembers every single thing about Gabe and while some things have changed, the way he makes her feel sure as hell hasn’t.
Gabe and Steph know that love comes with risks, but if they’re brave enough, this second chance might just bring them the love of a lifetime.
Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time she was honest with him.
Careful to keep her voice low, she turned her head and looked off down the street. Honesty might be the best policy, but she couldn’t force herself to look into that disarming hazel gaze while she said the words.
“I wasn’t prepared for this. I was prepared for a weekend. A little fun with someone I trusted once. That’s different, you know, than a hookup in a bar. But you’re…you. It’s childish, really, to still feel that way. To be jealous of a dead woman.” She heaved a sigh and finally forced herself to look at him. “But I am.”
Her insides shook as she waited. That was the most she’d ever told him. She didn’t know if she actually wanted his response and yet part of her craved it. A holdover from all those years ago. Back in college, she’d wanted him to know she’d fallen in love with him, because she’d held out this hope he’d tell her he loved her back. Pathetic that the need still hovered beneath the surface.
Those keen eyes worked her face. Then, finally, he smiled, warm and alluring. “So, dinner? Next Friday?”
There was that sexy smile she’d known would make an appearance, and she was caving, exactly the way she’d known she would.
She heaved a sigh and nodded. “Fine. You win. I’ll have dinner with you next Friday. But since I owe you for the car and clearly you’re not taking my money…”
“Nope.” He winked, eyes gleaming with playful impishness and a touch of smug self-satisfaction.
Giddy, happy little butterflies took flight in her stomach. “Then I’m cooking.”
One dark brow arched and the corners of his mouth twitched. “Can you do that?”
This time, her facade cracked. She punched him in the shoulder. “Yes, thank you very much. Contrary to popular belief, I have actually grown up.”
Those gorgeous eyes glinted at her. “So you have.”
“Friday. Six o’clock. Don’t be late.” She pivoted and marched toward her car, determined to get away from him before she embarrassed herself. As she reached into her purse, however, it hit her. Gabe had her keys. She halted, sighed, and, face hot as Hades itself, turned back.
Gabe stood grinning at her, his right arm extended. He jangled her keys, dangling from his thumb and forefinger. “Missing something?”
She rolled her eyes and strode back to him, but when she reached for the keys, he held tight to them.
“I look forward to seeing you, you know. I’ll say it again, in case you missed my point last time. Were you anybody else, that first date wouldn’t have gone this far.” He finally released her keys and winked at her. “And I won’t be late. I’m never late.”
