Hot SEALs: SEALed For Life (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Donna McDonald Read Free Book Online Page B

people that Gower was a friend who could come back to her waiting room once she was dressed again. Before a half hour had passed, he was leaning casually against her exam table while a junior medic sawed off the walking cast.
    Gower’s arm came around her shoulders to hug as she groaned softly and wiggled her foot once it was free of the plaster.
    When the medic left, Gower walked around and perched on the stool the medic had vacated. He lifted her foot and gently rubbed it. Her lids dropped at the comfort his touch provided. And it made her think of all the other things she might like him to touch in that same caring manner.
    “See how great a boyfriend I could be? I’m already trained in foot rubs.”
    Melina chuckled at his plea bargaining. “Why don’t you just text me a list of your good points, Beckett? It would save you time explaining them every five seconds.”
    “Nah. I’d really rather show you.” Gower lifted her foot and placed it in his lap until it was draped over his crotch, which instantly started to swell. His touch was gentle on her ankle as he stroked the top of her foot. It was a pleasure to know how easily she aroused him.
    “Beckett…”
    “Yes, Angel?”
    Despite her better judgment, Melina grinned at the sweetness in his tone as he said her last name in retaliation. The doctor opened the door before she could swear at him for the ploy. She narrowed her gaze as Gower lifted her foot slowly away from his now bulging zipper seam and set it back down. Never taking his gaze from hers, he stood reluctantly to let the doctor have his seat.
    A cursory examination later, she was told to take it easy, and to try and avoid future accidents, at least until her ankle had properly healed.
    Then she was given a brief lecture about how much longer bones took to mend after a person turned forty. After that came the standard medical advice which she knew they had to offer each and every visit.
    Get extra rest. Maintain a proper diet. Limit activities for another two weeks. No active duty until she returned for yet another follow-up.
    It was the last pronouncement that had her sighing. She couldn’t decide whether it was with consternation or relief.
    Glancing at Gower, she saw a twinkling in his gaze that told her he’d missed nothing the doctor had said. She couldn’t stifle her relieved sigh when the doctor finally announced she could return home.
    “See that you take it easy for a few more days, Gunny.”
    “Yes, sir. I will do my best.” Melina answered automatically.
    She snorted in disbelief when the doctor turned to Gower.
    “I’ll help her if she’ll let me,” Gower said with a shrug, reading the unspoken question in the doctor’s gaze.
    “Try hard with her, Beckett.”
    Gower grinned at the doctor who’d remembered him and gave a mock salute over the order.
    “Yes, Sir. I would like nothing better than to try anything hard I can with Gunny Angel. Could you write her a prescription? It might increase my chances.”
    Melina slapped his arm hard the moment the door closed behind the grinning doctor. “Now he thinks we’re a fucking couple,” she accused. “Do you know the shit I’m going to get if he passes that around?”
    Gower’s satisfied male laugh echoed in the small room. It was almost louder than Melina’s continued swearing over having outed them to the world.

Chapter 7
    Melina told herself that going out so early was not because she was being a coward. Leaving her condo this morning was simply a prudent measure to avoid an overly solicitous former SEAL who kept returning. Gower seemed determined to insinuate himself in her life whether she wanted him there or not. Since her mind and her body were on completely differently pages about the matter, steering clear of the sexy annoyance seemed the wisest course of action.
    Pushing open the door of her favorite pet store just after they opened, she hobbled inside. The cane added a clip-clop sound to her movements, but it beat