Steal Me: Steal Me, #1

By Layla Valentine

He's a hard-as-nails Navy SEAL,
She's a twenty-one-year-old virgin.
It's his job to kidnap her.
But things are going to get complicated!

Him:

I'm on a mission
Kidnap the daughter of a notorious criminal and bring her in for questioning.
But this one's full of surprises.
She wants to be kidnapped,
And on top of that, she's hot-as-hell virgin too.
I'm supposed to take her away from her father,
But I might just take her cherry too…

Her:

I needed to get out
Kept under lock and key by my paranoid father, a prisoner in my own home.
Enter my knight in shining armor:
A drop-dead-delicious Navy SEAL, who tells me everything will be alright if I just follow him.
He can see it in my eyes that I want him.
Even if it is my first time…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Valentine
• Release date: Feb 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201350420

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

OWEN

The fact that I had grown bored with the daily grind was an undeniable one. Every day since the end of my last mission had been the same routine, and I was seeking some sort of entertainment.

Entertainment besides the kind I found in the bedrooms of nearly every woman on the island where I was stationed. I wasn’t the type to settle for a monotonous lifestyle, but it wasn’t as if I could simply up and leave the base, so I was left to enjoy all that Hawaii had to offer—which, granted, was plenty.

Was it so unfathomable for a guy to actually want to do his job? I became a Navy SEAL for a reason: to see the world, to serve, for action.

Thankfully, I’d gotten out of my parents’ tiny shack in West Virginia some years ago, but this was the first time I’d had such difficulty dealing with a dry spell. Typically, the time between missions maxed out at a couple of weeks, during which I’d get hammered and do a tour of every eligible lady’s bedroom in town.

You could say I was getting tired of the same shit, different day routine. There was little I could do but suffer through it, going through the same daily workout practices and cleaning schedules.

This day started out like any other, and I only twigged that things were going to get stirred up a bit when Commander Gomez called me away from lifting weights.

I couldn’t ignore the swell of hope in my chest, praying under my breath that it would be the change of pace I desperately needed. Hell, I didn’t ask for much, just the occasional mission.

Meeting in one of the most secure debrief rooms on the base, Gomez watched me with a little half-smile as I settled into the chair across from him. He sipped his coffee in spite of how late in the day it was, though I wasn’t terribly surprised. Seeing Gomez without his coffee was like seeing a kid without his favorite teddy bear.

Evenin’, Commander, I said cheerfully, leaning back in my chair.

He nodded to acknowledge me, seeming to consider his words. He took a long swallow from his thermos, replacing it on the table and pressing his fingers together. I tried to maintain a casual air about me as I waited for him to speak, knowing Mark Gomez to be a man of few words.

Good evening, Lieutenant, he said finally, his tone somber.

I grinned, crossing my arms.

You don’t have to be so stuffy around me, I joked.

He smiled wryly, taking another sip of his coffee.

You should know by now that this is just my winning personality, Caldwell.

I shrugged noncommittally and he seemed to take that as a cue to change the subject.

I suppose you’re wondering why you’re here, he drawled.

There’s a reason? My goodness, I just thought we were practicing your socialization skills.

The commander rolled his eyes, and I realized, not for the first time, that I was the only person he would allow such comments from. At least, in the privacy of a maximum security briefing room.

Sometimes I forget about that attitude of yours. Makes me wonder if I should reconsider giving you this mission, Gomez mused out loud, and though it was obvious that he was joking, my eyes widened a bit.

The idea of finally being given a mission after a month of being bored out of my mind sent an all-too-welcome thrill through me.

Aw, come on, Commander. You know someone has to liven things up around here.

He seemed to consider that, resting his chin in his hand as he looked me over.

I know I keep you around for some reason, at least, he admitted.

I leaned forward, the metal feet of my chair scraping against the concrete floor. He jolted a bit, startled by the loud sound.

All right, all right. You’re good at everything you put your mind to, Caldwell. Even if that irritates the crap out of me, you know your stuff. The FBI asked me to speak to the best man on the base, and I only had to think about it for a few hours before deciding on you, he smirked, and I snickered at his attempt at humor.

The best, huh? Did they also require that he be the most handsome bastard on the island? I asked cockily, receiving an exasperated sigh in response.

Well, while I can’t speak for the FBI’s intentions, I can see how looks might be of use in this particular mission. Are you ready to pipe down so I can go over this with you? Or should I go to the other guy I was considering?

I folded my arms behind my head, resuming my casual leaning in the uncomfortable chair.

You’re bluffing, I said confidently.

The commander sighed, rubbing his temples for a moment.

Your confidence is another reason I chose you. You’re right. I was pretty certain that you’d agree to the job, if just to get off the base for a few days. You’re not as mysterious as you like to think, Caldwell. It’s clear to everyone that you’re getting bored, he said casually, producing a file from God knows where and slapping it down on the table.

He flipped it open, pointing to a blurry photo of a young woman. I was immediately struck by her looks, though I would never admit as much. Even for the poor quality of the photo, it was obvious that the girl was beautiful.

"This is Emily Madden, only daughter of big-time criminal Randy Madden. He’s been on the radar for some time, but has so far managed to evade our attempts to bring him in. We managed to track him to his latest base of operations, but the FBI needs more information before they can actually justify an arrest.

If things go as planned, he’ll either confess in order to get his daughter back, or she’ll have the information we need to get the charges to stick, Gomez explained, and I glanced towards him with a glint in my eye.

Sounds easy enough. Break in, steal the girl away, and then have my wicked way with her, I chuckled.

The commander rolled his eyes.

Focus on the mission, Lieutenant. You’re to take her to a safe house and see that she’s taken care of. As much as I’d like to believe you were joking, I feel I need to clarify that getting involved with Miss Madden could do little but jeopardize the mission, he said wearily.

I held my hands up in a placating motion, and he seemed to relax somewhat.

You know I would never risk a mission. Even if the girl’s cute, I’m sure I’ll find some way to resist her womanly wiles, I offered with a smile.

Gomez rolled his eyes, pushing the file towards me.

It’s not her that has me worried, he said bluntly. "I’m putting my ass on the line for this one, kid. I trust you to get the job done without things getting too