Harrier's Healer (28 page)

“Come on, now. Don’t want the mother of your child getting tense,

now, do you?”

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“Full body massage?” He untangled their bodies and rolled her

over so she was lying on her belly. “Don’t move. I will be right back.”

Head turned towards the left, Alexis noticed the room fell dark-

er as he drew the shades and turned on some low, smooth jazz. The bed

dipped as his large body settled back on the mattress with her.

Large hands touched her shoulders and she felt the smoothness

of the oil he had on them. The room began to smell like sandalwood

and eucalyptus. His movements were just strong enough to be effective

but not so hard they would be painful.

Deliberate motions went all over her back, down the back of her

arms, her neck. They spread across her firm buttocks and down the

backs of her legs and onto her feet. A quivering mass of Jell-o, Alexis

had no resistance when he repositioned her on her back.

Scott poured more oil over her now slightly rounded body. He

hadn’t said a single word since the massage began and still remained

silent. The only parts of him talking were his eyes and his hands.

Nothing verbal.

Alexis closed her eyes and just felt his touch when he began

once again with her feet, this time rubbing the tops of them. His strong

fingers sent her body to a whole new plane of pleasure.

His hands worked their magic as they moved up one leg and

then the other. It was amazing how good the gently sliding, massive

hands felt on her body. The massage was not sexual, at least not for

Alexis. She was just learning to relax and the man who wielded those

miraculous hands was doing a damn good job.

Up her belly, over her increasingly tender breasts, and down

each arm he rubbed, kneaded, and delivered satisfaction. By the time

his hands reached her face, Alexis was sound asleep, so she missed it

when, ever so gently, Scott kissed her eyelids and gathered her oiled

form against his hard, naked body before he covered them with the

sheet he had picked up previously.

“I’m your daddy. I will always love you and your momma.” The

whispered voice and the light touch on her abdomen helped to awaken

Alexis from the most sated sleep she’d had in months. Extremely

relaxed, Alexis didn’t move right away; she just lay on her back and

listened to the masculine voice that was so exceptionally tender.

“I don’t care whether you are a boy or a girl. I am going to love

you so much. In fact, I already do. I can’t wait to meet you.” More

feathery touches on her stomach.

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Aliyah Burke

Scott’s voice continued. “You are in the safest place for you right

now. Your momma loves you and will keep you safe. I will keep your

momma safe and when you arrive, we will both keep you safe.”

“Of course, your mother is stubborn. Like right now she’s eave-

sdropping on us instead of sleeping like the doctor ordered.” Alexis’s

body jerked slightly. In a louder voice, he spoke to her, “I knew the

second you awoke, my sexy healer. You need to sleep.”

Alexis touched the back of his head and smiled as she realized

just how close to her abdomen he had his face. “I’m hungry.”

“There you have it, my little sailor.” His voice was once again

low. “Your mother is hungry. That is where I come in. As your father, it

is my job to provide for your mother and you. Perhaps while I am

getting her some food, you can put in a good word for me and help me

convince her to marry me.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt his lips press against her

belly. “I will always love you, my little sailor.” Alexis almost missed the

hushed whisper. She was still trying to blink the tears away when a

blond head moved up beside her. Scott kissed her gently and sighed

against her mouth, “I will always love you as well, my sexy healer.”

His large body curled around hers and strong hands covered her

softer ones as they settled on her belly. “What did you want to eat?” he

asked softly, his eyes closed as if he just enjoyed holding her.

Alexis pulled one hand out from under his and began to move it

up and down along the light blond fur on his arm. “I am going to want

a military wedding, formal dress, swords…you know, the whole nine

yards.”

Scott eyes flew open. “What did you say?”

“I think you heard me,” she said quietly.

“I heard you, but I need to hear it again,” he muttered in her ear.

His heart was beating hard at her back. “I said I want the whole

nine yards.”

“Are you marrying me because of the baby or because you love

me?”

“Both.” At the tensing of his warrior’s body, she added. “But the

baby wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love you.” Alexis rolled over in his

arms so they were nose to nose. “I love you, Commander Leighton, and

I would be proud to be your wife. If the offer is still open…”

Blue eyes filled with so much love it spilled over. “That was one

offer that was never going to close. I will never let you go, Alexis Milele.

You do know that, don’t you? This is binding for eternity.”

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“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Commander,” she

purred, running one finger down his stubble-covered jaw line.

“I don’t. We belong together. I have known that since the first

time I laid eyes on you. It was a feeling that grew stronger and stronger

every time I saw you. I don’t want to live without you. But let me ask

again.”

Scott placed his powerful hands on either side of her face, his

eyes sincere as they caught and held her gaze. “Alexis Milele Rogets,

will you marry me?”

C h a p t e r T w e n t y - F i v e

“Oh, my God!” The screech filled the hospital break room. “Of

course I will! I can’t believe it. Finally!” Sharon shrieked and hugged

her friend.

“Thank you, Sharon,” Alexis said sitting down at the table. “It is

going to be formal for the men, but I have dresses in mind for my

bridesmaids.”

The blonde took a seat beside her and whispered conspiratorial-

ly, “I can’t believe he really proposed in bed. Damn, girl, I would love

to go to bed with that!” She smiled. “Sorry, but you have got to admit

he is one fine-assed man!”

“I know, believe me. I know.” Alexis winked. “I have to contact

a few more women and make sure they can come as well. It is going to

be in September.”

“That soon? How many will there be, total?”

“Seven.” At her wide-eyed look, Alexis said, “Scott wanted his

whole SEAL team to stand up with him.”

“Are all of them officers?”

“Nope. Why?”

“No reason. Are any of them single?” Sharon grinned.

“All but one, well two, if you include the groom-to-be.” Alexis

shook her head at her friend. It was as if the woman had forgotten she

was happily married.

“I am so happy for you! I haven’t seen you look this content

since you got here.” Sharon touched her shoulder gently. “He’s a good

man for you, Lex.”

“Thank you,” a masculine voice interrupted. Both women

turned to see Scott striding towards them, looking mouthwateringly

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delectable as usual. He leaned down for a kiss from Alexis and smiled

at Sharon. “I think I’m a good man for her too. Scott Leighton.” He

offered his hand.

“Sharon Beacher. Nice to meet you, sir.”

“Call me Scott, please. I’m not in uniform.” His intense blue eyes

fell back to Alexis and he asked her, “What time will you be home?”

“I am going to my home about eight. Why?”

“So I can have dinner ready. And I was going to be there waiting

for you. I came for your key.” He held his hand out expectantly.

“Pushy man,” Alexis snapped as she rose to get her key from the

locker.

“You like it when I push,” he quipped, following her to the gray

locker and waiting patiently for her to hand him the key. He grasped it

and her hand. “See you at home, my sexy healer.” After a lengthy kiss

for Alexis, he caressed her belly and muttered, “You, as well, my little

sailor.” Then he was gone, leaving with that same fluidity with which

he had arrived.

Alexis turned to see Sharon fanning herself. “Damn, Lex, I’m

jealous. That is one man that makes my bones melt!”

“Don’t let your husband hear you say that. But you are right, he

does have that affect on me as well.” Fanning her flushed face also,

Alexis left the break room with her friend and went back to work.

“Mom, Dad, this is Alexis. My fiancée. We are getting married

the last Saturday in September,” Scott announced as he stood beside the

quiet woman in the atrium of his parents’ mansion.

Silence reigned while the older couple fought to keep the

shocked expressions off their faces. “Harrington Prescott Broderick

Leighton, what the hell is the meaning of this?!” his mother hissed.

“The meaning, Mother, is that we are getting married and are

inviting you to the wedding. The invitations aren’t done yet and we

wanted to tell you in person.” He held up one hand as his mother

opened her mouth. “It is not a matter up for discussion, Mother. I love

her. I’m going to marry her. End of story.”

“Say something to your son!” the narrow-faced woman ordered

her husband.

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Aliyah Burke

With a deep breath, Scott’s father swallowed and said softly,

“Congratulations, son.” Turning his blue eyes on the woman standing

with him, he added, “Nice to meet you, Alexis.”

“That’s it?!” Mrs. Leighton screamed. “That is all you are going

to say to him for marrying that…that…that—”

“Mother,” the deadly calm voice filled the area. “I would advise

you to not even begin to finish that sentence.” Scott shook his head, his

disappointed gaze alternating between his parents. “I am ashamed that

I brought her here, that you are still stuck in that stupid mindset.

Father, I hope you will be there. Mother…goodbye.”

Turning around with Alexis in his protective embrace, he

walked out the door. “I’m so sorry, Lex. I had hoped that my family

would be better.” His lips brushed her temple as he helped her into his

car.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. You can’t control how your parents

feel.” Alexis tried to keep her voice as light as possible and Scott knew

it.

Gently turning her face towards his, he peered into her eyes. “I

choose you over my family. You are my family now, you and
our
baby.

My parents and I have never entirely seen eye to eye on the whole race

issue, but I was hoping they would still be happy for me. I am not

letting them run my life. You are my life, Lex. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Scott.” Leaning forward, she brushed her lips

over his.

Moaning with frustration, he pulled away. “Are you sure you

have to go meet Sharon?”

“Yes, I need to get the dress. It’s not like I am getting skinnier

before the big day. I feel like I am gaining five pounds a day,” Alexis

complained.

Starting the car, he laughed. “Sweetie, you have barely gained

anything. Your breasts are getting bigger and the swell of your belly,

but not much.” Capturing her hand, he kissed the back of it. “You will

be the most beautiful bride the Navy has ever had.”

She climbed out of the car as he stopped in front of a bridal

shop. “I will meet you at the restaurant no later than seven. We have

reservations for seven-fifteen.” Waving over her shoulder at him she

disappeared into the store where Sharon was waiting for her.

At seven-fifteen exactly, Alexis walked beside her handsome

fiancée through the restaurant. The engagement ring he had picked up

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that day shone on her slim finger. The solitaire diamond was two and a

half carats in a brilliant cut, set in a gold band. She wore an elegant

floral dress and Scott was in a dark blue suit.

Her body relaxed a bit as Scott’s increasingly familiar touch ca-

ressed her between her shoulder blades. “Relax, my love,” his voice

caressed her.

“I’m nervous,” she admitted looking at him.

“You’ve already met Reeve. It will be okay. I’ll make it up to you

later, I promise,” he crooned.

This afternoon with your parents didn’t go okay.
“I’m not feeling so

hot,” she mumbled as her hand rested protectively on her belly.

“Lex,” he said, halting their movement.

She looked up to meet his smoldering gaze. “What?”

“Just this.” Scott’s lips found hers and he kissed her until her

body sagged against him.

“Okay,” she slurred, licking her lips to further prolong the taste

that was purely Scott.

“Ready now?”

“Keep kissing me like that and I will be ready for anything.” She

ran her hand lightly over his firm ass.

“Let’s do this, then. They’re right over there.” He pointed to

their destination.

Alexis watched the two men at the table stand as they ap-

proached. “Evening, Alexis,” Reeve said with a smile and pressed a

quick kiss to her cheek before slapping his brother on the shoulder.