of hair behind her ear, he ran the back of his forefinger down her arm. Her body quivered with his touch. At least she still reacted to him physically. God, her skin was soft. Her eyes wide. Those beautiful golden eyes. She was the light.

Lauren pulled back, and his heart stuttered. Fear that he’d blown it overwhelmed him.

Jaden Orchard had never been afraid of anything. Until now.

“You blew your cover. Does that mean you’ll be finding a new job? Maybe sticking around this time?” she asked, not giving away her true emotions.

He couldn’t be so close to her without touching her. He brought his hand up to her face, and he guided her lips within an inch of his. She didn’t fight him.

Was it even possible to hope she’d figured it all out? Did he still have a chance?

His voice was low, husky, when he whispered, “Are you sure you want this? Me? I’m far from perfect.”

“I need real.”

“This is real.” He kissed her. “I’m real.”

He finally pulled back and searched her eyes.

“That’s exactly what I want. You.”

His heart practically burst. “Then let’s make it official. Marry me.”

He looked into her eyes like he was issuing a dare. And then bent down on one knee. “I love you. I don’t want to spend another minute without you. Being away the last twenty-four hours was worse than death. I don’t ever want to leave you again. I want to make this permanent. I want you to be my wife.”

Her expression was unreadable when she asked, “Your real name Jaden Orchard?”

“Yes,” he confirmed.

“Then who would I be marrying? Jaden Orchard or Jaden Dean?”

“Both. But I haven’t been Jaden Orchard in a long time. Does the name on the wrapper matter? It’s still me. The man who can’t get enough of you.”

“It doesn’t make a difference to me. I was just wondering if I’d be Lauren Orchard or Lauren Dean,” she said, and she finally smiled. “I love you, Jaden. I knew by the end of the first day with you that my heart was in big trouble. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. You’re my home.”

Her words were pure sunshine on his heart.

“If you marry me, I’ll let you pick our last name and we’ll find a way to protect your brother and keep the two of you in touch. You don’t have to lose anyone again. As for us, we can be whoever you want. How about that?” He kissed her again, soft and tender.

“Yes, Jaden. I will marry you.”

His chest swelled with pride when he heard the word yes. It was the only thing that mattered. Everything else could be figured out along the way.

Jaden swept Lauren off her feet, buried his face in her hair, and then carried her toward the bedroom.

“I hope you plan to be here for a while,” she said, and her eyes glittered with need.

He looked into those beautiful eyes and saw forever.

“Sweetheart, I never plan to leave.”

Epilogue

Daniel Damon sat on a limb high in the old oak at the edge of the Katy Trail playground, watching his five-year-old daughter play. He twisted his wedding ring around his finger a couple of times.

A man should know what to say to his daughter, to his wife.

Daniel came up empty. He was a soldier before becoming an operative. He’d been damn good at both jobs. And he hadn’t been home for longer than a seven-day stretch in more than six years.

Staring at his family, he didn’t have the first idea how to approach them with the news that Daddy was coming home. The Blackwater-type agency he’d spent the past three years working for after serving his country had literally just imploded.

The agency had been compromised. He’d received the code no one at ManTech ever wanted. Gunner, the owner, had issued the Code Eighty-Six after one of its female operatives admitted to putting names and faces out on the dark Web. No one knew for certain if what she said was true. It wouldn’t matter.

Now that word was out that ManTech had been infiltrated, no government agency in the world would hire them.

For the first time in his adult life Daniel was out of a job.

He almost laughed out loud. A job? Being a soldier and then an operative had been his life.

And he had no clue what he was going to do next.

Also by Barb Han

RESCUING EMERY (Brotherhood Protectors)

In Hero’s Junction, Colorado, Ash Cage tries to put the military, his home state of Texas and the past behind him working as a handyman despite nerve damage to his right hand. His plate is full since taking on retired military dog “Seven” who would’ve had a much worse fate if left to the military. Even so, Ash is starting to get his bearings in the civilian world. Until his life is turned upside-down once again when he comes to the aid of a beautiful car crash victim on the run from a killer.

About Barb Han

Barb Han is a USA TODAY, Publisher's Weekly, and Amazon Bestselling Author. Reviewers have called her books "heartfelt" and "exciting."

She lives in Texas—her true north—with her adventurous family, a poodle mix and a spunky rescue who is often referred to as a hot mess. She is the proud owner of too many books (if there is such a thing). When not writing, she can be found exploring Manhattan, on a mountain either hiking or skiing depending on the season, or swimming in her own backyard.

Sign up for Barb's newsletter at www.BarbHan.com.

Brotherhood Protectors Original Series by Elle James

Brotherhood Protectors Series

Montana SEAL (#1)

Bride Protector SEAL (#2)

Montana D-Force (#3)

Cowboy D-Force (#4)

Montana Ranger (#5)

Montana Dog Soldier (#6)

Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)

Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)

Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)

Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)

Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)

Montana SEAL’s Mail-Order Bride (#12)

SEAL Justice (#13)

Ranger Creed (#14)

Delta Force Strong (#15)

Montana Rescue (Sleeper SEAL)

Hot SEAL Salty Dog (SEALs in Paradise)

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