Sworn By A Kiss: Sworn, #3

By Jill Monroe

The last thing Rachel Sutherland needs is one-on-one time with Riley Wilkes. When her sister mentions the bad-boy Navy SEAL will be alone after a long stint at sea, Rachel agrees to greet him as he disembarks. Everyone deserves to see a smiling face, right?

 

When Riley spots Rachel at the pier, hot and bothered while holding a half-eaten box of cookies, he wants her more than he's ever wanted anything. And that is before she gives him a passionate kiss. But one combustible encounter isn't enough. He craves everything. Rachel insists on a weekend fling. Nothing afterward.

 

Now he needs more. Rachel thinks he's short term, but Riley swears to prove this reformed bad boy belongs in her bed every night. With his heart on the line, he'll stop at nothing to win his prize–forever. In uniform, no one can touch him, but out of it, look out!

 

Author's Note: This book was originally published as SEALed With A Kiss––now refreshed with new scenes!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jill Monroe
• Release date: Jul 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9780998308159

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Rachel Sutherland watched the baggage carousel spin round and round in the hopes her luggage appeared. With each revolution, her posture stiffened, and her faith dimmed. Over the last fifteen minutes, the passengers from her flight had thinned until only she stood waiting for a bag she feared wouldn’t materialize.

She dragged in a breath, fighting for calm, but the combined smells of jet fuel, industrial cleaner and popcorn did little to alleviate her growing frustration. The time glowed in red digital numbers on an overhead display. She’d give it five more minutes, then admit defeat and track down the lost luggage office. She propped her shoulder against the wall, refusing to cave though glanced at the clock twenty seconds later. The weekend trip to and from St. Louis had gone off without a hitch, so Rachel guessed she was due for some kind of disaster.

Ready to hear a story for the dogs?

Now that her fellow travelers had abandoned the terminal, anchors from the local news channel echoed through the emptying baggage claim area. She glanced up at the screen to see happy tail-wagging dogs playing with men and women in camo. The uniform reminded Rachel of her new brother-in-law. He would return from his deployment in less than a week. Too bad her trip to St. Louis hadn’t coincided, so the newlyweds could have days alone together.

The anchor smiled into the camera. California might be known as The Golden State, but for today we’ll be calling it the Golden Retriever State. Or Collie-fornia.

The newscaster beside him groaned. Oh, Eric. We love sharing scenes of returning troops being reunited with their pets, but did you know that many of our soldiers befriend dogs while overseas but are sadly forced to leave them behind?

The camera focused on Eric again. "One local veterinarian is hoping to change that and bring these beloved animals back here to the States for their fur-ever home. Mutts About You! is hosting a fundraiser as it can cost up to seven thousand dollars to––"

Would you like your fortune told?

Rachel jerked away from the screen in surprise. She hadn’t even realized a stranger had approached her. A woman. An unusual woman. Good thing she isn’t a snake––she looks like she bites. With her black flowing skirt and bangles on her wrist, she fit the image of a carnival fortune teller.

An odd quality in the woman’s voice soothed Rachel’s rising irritation. Odd. Not that she believed in this stranger’s powers of clairvoyance, it could be a fun game as she waited. As long as it’s free, sure, I have time to kill.

The other woman’s hazel eyes widened with shock. Really? she squeaked, then cleared her throat.

Rachel lifted a brow. You backing out?

Bangles shook her head. No, absolutely not. Usually I have to convince a– never mind. Let’s take a look at your palm.

Forget my palm. There’s something more important I’d like to know. Rachel canted her head toward the still revolving carousel. Will my bag ever show up.

Her would-be-palm-reader’s shoulders slumped as she glanced at the baggage claim sign. You want the truth?

Hmm. Maybe.

Yeah, no. That bag is long gone.

Forever? Dang. Her favorite concealer was in that bag. Her A game bra. The shoes that never pinched. And why did she suddenly sound like she believed in things like fortunes and palm readers?

Now how about that palm? Bangles asked.

With a sigh, Rachel thrust her hand toward the hazel-eyed woman. Give me some good news this time.

She lifted three fingers as if taking an oath. I’ll do my best. Then her expression grew serious as she gazed at Rachel’s palm, running a finger along the lines. I see a man.

Rachel made a scoffing sound. Oh, come on. You can do better than that. That must be every fortune teller’s go-to move.

Instead of being offended, the other woman’s lips twisted as if fighting a smile. A honeymoon without a groom.

Ah, now there you go? That’s more like it. And also, par for the course when it comes to my romantic life. Actually, that wasn’t true. Unlike her sister who’d been engaged three times before finding her Navy SEAL husband, Rachel had never gotten even close, waiting, waiting and still more waiting. Just call her Ms. Standby. Lady biding time. Being the Queen of cooling her heels had grown old, even if her T-strap pumps were adorable. Mr. Right, where were you?

Her parents had shared a wonderful married life, and when Rachel first began dating, she’d naively believed finding a love of her own would be as easy as her mom and dad made it seem.

A honeymoon without a groom, Bangles repeated more forcefully, as if to say no more interruptions would be tolerated. Four legs to a future. Mr. Wrong Is Mr. Right. Fate plays tricks on who you are.

Now she understood the woman’s game. Offer up Rachel a word salad and surely something will hit the mark.

Bark!

The dog on the TV screen commanded her attention, followed by the faces of the anchors again. Let’s give these dogs and soldiers a new leash on life. Anything is paws-ible.

Rachel’s shoulders shook as she turned to her companion. How many dog puns do you think they could cram into one segment?

But the woman who’d pretended to read her palm oh, so cryptically, no longer stood beside her. Rachel hadn’t even noticed when she’d released her hand. Weird. At least she’d kept her entertained for the five-minute wait for her luggage.

That bag is long gone.

Didn’t need to be an oracle to foretell that cold truth about her suitcase. Bangles had a fifty-fifty shot of getting it right. At least she’d provided the entertainment while Rachel waited. Resigned, she pushed off the wall, ready to start the paperwork on her lost suitcase.

CHAPTER 1

Riley hunkered down and scratched Kasima behind her ears. A massive dog, though nothing more than an overgrown puppy, she was a beautiful mix of shepherd and hound. She leaned into his fingers as he stroked her soft coat, and his back bowed in grief. He was headed home, and this would be his last time to pet this sweet girl who’d wondered into camp, curious and hungry, and stolen his heart––something he hadn’t realized could happen.

While his Team had taken turns caring for the stray, it was Riley she followed around camp. Waited for him to return from a mission, perked up with tail wagging the moment she spied him. Slept at the foot of his bunk. The first living thing that had claimed him as hers.

He slid a carrot from his sleeve, and she snapped it up the way he suspected other dogs tore into a bone. Riley had discovered her love for the vegetable by accident, laughing as she gobbled the first one down. Now he snuck her special treat.

I have to go, but I wish I could take you with me. Kasima paused in devouring her food to sidle closer, as if sensing his sadness and hoping to offer comfort. Stokes promised he’d keep an eye on you and toss you a carrot at least once a week. You remember Stokes, right? He rescued your brother.

His throat ached, and he swallowed down his unexpected reaction to heading back home. As an active-duty SEAL, he’d said goodbye to his parents, siblings, even girlfriends, though they never stuck around past a few weeks after his deployment. Never, not once, had his chest tightened and his gut clenched.

Kasima peered up at him, her beautiful brown eyes soft and trusting. A trust he’d earned over weeks of bribing her with food and speaking to her in gentle tones. Having never grown up around dogs, the bond that had developed between them shocked the hell out of him. But here he was, getting choked up about leaving. But she’d gifted him with moments of escape from the realities of war and been his family when he missed both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

With a final scratch, he straightened. Kasima made to follow him, but he’d prepared for that, snagging her favorite toy, one fashioned from odds and ends he’d found around camp.

Go get it, girl, he encouraged, flinging the plaything as far as he could. That should keep her occupied long enough to make his escape. Tomorrow he’d return to the ship that would put an ocean between him and Kasima and take him home. Had anything ever been so bittersweet?

Her tail wagged as she chased after the toy. The guys will take good care of her. She’ll be fine.

Stomach twisting, he reached for his duffel bag, and swung it up over his shoulder. He pivoted away. She’d be fine.

---

Three Weeks Later

Rachel Sutherland imagined the six inches of air between her sister’s feet and the ground and realized she would always be miserable. Okay, the new Mrs. Peterson wasn’t really floating above the floor, but she might as well be.

Do you have to flaunt your happiness? Rachel asked, teasing.

Her sister, Hailey, practically glowed, and it wasn’t from the heat of the oven where she’d spent the morning baking her man’s favorite kind of cookies. All six batches of them.

Hailey just smiled and tugged the lacy apron over her head and hung it on a hook in the kitchen of their family bed & breakfast, uniquely named, The Sutherland. She draped an arm around Rachel’s shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. As delightful as your sour mood is, you won’t be bringing me down today.

Rachel gave her sister a light hug. I wouldn’t want to.

Hailey’s Navy SEAL husband was returning to San Diego this afternoon after a six-month deployment. In fact, Rachel should probably take advantage of these last few hours alone with her sister. After Nate’s ship landed, or docked, or whatever it was a ship did, she doubted she’d see Hailey for days. Newlyweds were bad enough. Separated newlyweds must be even worse. And she’d grown used to having her sister all to herself.

You’re welcome to come with me. From what I understand the Navy does it big with banners and music. Families carry signs. The works.

Nate was a great guy, and Rachel really liked him. But she doubted even his good nature would extend to his sister-in-law butting in on the much-anticipated reunion with his wife. That had been a long stretch at sea.

I’ll do you a favor and pass. Although you could leave a few cookies in the kitchen for me. I think the seventy or so you’re taking is more than enough.

Some of them are for Riley, and the other soldiers who don’t have families to come home to.

A little thrill landed straight in the middle of her stomach. Just as it always did at the mention of that man’s name. Riley. The image of the tall, handsome SEAL with the cocky lopsided grin filled her mind. Which she immediately attempted to erase. Only where Riley was concerned, it didn’t always work. Usually Rachel was quite good at avoiding the little things in life she didn’t want to think about, like bills or a dead-end job. But Riley’s image persisted.

She would however lay money on the fact that she’d never registered on his radar. The man hadn’t even so much as flirted with her. It was all the more insulting because he seemed to have a more-than-easy smile for every other woman who’d attended SEAL Night—a speed dating event arranged to bring extra revenue to the B&B and hopefully introduce their single female friends to these seriously hot military men. Riley was the most popular SEAL, with the highest level of follow-up date requests on the sheets the women returned at the end of the night.

Why the man intrigued so much was anyone’s guess. Although a rugged, sexy male with a stomach so solid that the term six-pack didn’t describe it properly was worth a second, third and even a fourth look from any woman with a hint of estrogen in her body. But Riley was not Rachel’s type. She’d seen him in action with the ladies, and knew what lay behind those amazing brown eyes, and that was a man looking for his next good time.

She liked having a good time as much as the next person, but she wanted more with a man than just a little fun between the sheets. Rachel yearned for a connection outside as well as inside the bedroom. Something meaningful. Which easily explained her dateless status. For the past six months.

Actually, Riley was the reason I asked you to come along, Hailey said, as she slid cookies into the boxes she’d take with her to the homecoming.

Rachel’s throat tightened. Did he, uh, ask about me? she questioned, trying to sound casual while experiencing something that resembled hope. She knew Hailey and Nate emailed each other when they could. Maybe he had mentioned that Riley had spoken of her…and what was she, in seventh grade?

Her sister shook her head, not looking up. No, I just thought it would be a good idea. Seeing a familiar face.

Pathetic. Man, she was pathetic. Lose the fascination with a man who’s never glanced your way!

I think I’ll pass, she told her sister, as she busied herself returning the butter and eggs to the commercial refrigerator. Rachel loved this kitchen, had spent great nights here talking with her mom and sister about everything from future careers to boys.

Although she and her sister didn’t have the same longing to run the family B&B that had spanned several Sutherland generations, they weren’t able to give up the place either after their parents’ death. Hiring a management company to take over the running of the business freed them up to finish college and pursue their careers.

Two years ago though, falling revenues and several poor reviews online had Rachel booking a quick flight to her hometown. As a marketing exec, she understood reviews were the lifeblood of the small business. She’d found her childhood home in hopeless disrepair. Seeing the upholstery—chosen specially by her mother—now stained and ripped, sent Rachel back to Missouri to make the riskiest move of her life. Riskiest? Who was she kidding? Her actions were the only true chance she’d ever taken in her life.

She quit her job, cashed out her 401k and liquidated the CDs covering six months’ salary just in case. Rachel Sutherland was a woman who believed in saving for just in case moments in life. A lot of them. Then she blew it all on upgrading the kitchen. Merely the first step in their goal to return The Sutherland Bed & Breakfast to its former glory.

Her sister glanced up from the red, white and blue bow she was tying to the box. Just think about how sad it is to come home after six months and not have anyone waiting for your return. He’s got to be lonely.

Ha, Rachel said with a scoffing little laugh. That man is a dog. You remember those SEAL Night speed dating parties we hosted? Riley never missed one. I personally witnessed him score phone numbers with at least three women per event. Trust me, he will not be lonely this evening. In fact, there might be half a dozen women waiting for him to debark. Talk about awkward.

Disembark, Hailey corrected. And what if you’re wrong? It’s dinner. What’s one dinner out of your life to make a man feel he’s glad to be back home?

When did this become dinner? I thought I’d simply be meeting him and handing over a box of cookies.

Hailey smiled. Sweetly.

And Rachel felt herself cave. Although she didn’t have far to fall into the cavern of curiosity she’d created concerning Riley.

Okay, but the first hint of another woman, I bolt.

Riley spotted the Welcome Home signs from deck. The music and cheers would be next. He’d done this drill before. Dress uniforms, manning the rails.

The pier below was dotted with families; excited children, women holding up babies, anxious girlfriends. Riley turned away.

No one would be waiting for him with a warm smile, a hug or promise in her eyes for an all-night welcome reception. After his first couple of goodbyes, he’d embraced clean breaks and no loose ends, and that’s how he’d left San Diego six months ago.

He’d volunteered to disembark last. Men with wives, new babies…they should have first shot at their women. As they approached the pier, the anticipatory mood on board was grew. None more ready to get on that pier