Dakota’s Delight Read online

  A light burned bright, taking over his face. He lowered his head, his passion finding a matching flame inside her. Within seconds they were consumed by that fire.

  She switched positions and rose over him to slowly lower herself on his erection. Fully seated, she stopped, gasping as shudders of perfection rippled up and down her spine. She tilted her head and arched her back. She stopped and gasped again.

  “You okay?” he asked, his voice thick, guttural.

  She nodded, her eyes closed, her face toward the ceiling. “It’s just been so long.”

  His hand slid up her hips, and he held her firm as he whispered, “Good.”

  She chuckled, leaned over, and, using his shoulders as a brace, picked up her tempo, taking them both to a home run.

  When she collapsed back down again, he wrapped his arms around her tightly. “If you’re sore tomorrow, the doctor will be upset,” he warned.

  “I’ll tell him exactly what caused the damage. I’m sure he’ll understand,” she said quietly.

  He froze for a long moment and then chuckled. “Yeah, I guess he would.”

  *

  When Dakota walked her into the doctor’s office the next morning, it was strange and yet comforting. They held hands the whole time they waited, as if they couldn’t get close enough. He didn’t want to let go of her.

  When she was inside the exam room and sitting on the table with her shirt up to let the doctor check her over, Dakota paced the small room.

  The doctor glanced at him. “What’s the worry?”

  “Her back okay?” Dakota demanded.

  The doctor looked at him in surprise, glanced down at the stitches and said, “It looks fine. I’m taking out the last of them right now.”

  Bailey chuckled. “He was worried our lovemaking may have hurt my back.”

  “I’m sure he took good care of you, and it’s a good sign he’s worried about you,” the doctor said comfortably. He quickly finished the job, added some antibacterial ointment. “Do you need another bandage on this?”

  Bailey shook her head. “No, thank you.” When the doctor was done, Dakota and Bailey walked back outside. “See? You worry too much.”

  He grabbed her and held her close. “For you, I will always worry. Because I don’t want to spend another day without you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  She froze, looked up at him and gave him such a beautiful smile that he could feel his heart sigh on the inside. He hadn’t realized how much he’d been missing having somebody like her in his life. No, not like her. There was nobody like her. She was so damn special.

  “Hardly,” she said with a half laugh, making him realize he’d made the last comment out loud.

  He bent and kissed the tip of her nose. “So special.”

  She wrapped her arm through his. “Show me.”

  “When we get home,” he said. “There I’ll be happy to show you how perfect you are. We are … forever.”

  She looked up, suddenly serious. “Promise?”

  He lowered his head, and, just as his lips whispered against hers, he said. “I promise.”

  Epilogue

  Michael shook his head at Levi’s persuasive argument. “I’m not ready,” he said quietly. “Honestly, Levi, I might never be ready.”

  “Take your time. It’s an adjustment for all of us. There’s no right or wrong way. Just take the time you need. Then when you’re ready, call me. I’ll have a job for you.”

  Michael ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket. He knew Levi meant well. He was a hell of a team player and never left a man behind. Technically Michael wasn’t one of Levi’s men, but they were on the same side. Different SEAL units yet had been on missions together. For both Michael and Levi that was enough. They belonged to a special brotherhood. And neither would ever forget that.

  But Michael wasn’t sure he wanted to go back to the same line of work as they’d done in the military. He’d gotten out, and he wanted to stay out.

  He understood Levi’s arguments about how much good they could do and that Michael had skills they needed. He understood it all, but he was sick inside. Sick of the ways in which people could hurt each other. The darkness on a global scale. So much ugliness was out there, and he’d been a part of it for so long … until he couldn’t do it anymore. And he’d walked away.

  It would take something major for him to step back into the game. He was afraid, if he ever took that step, he’d never leave again. He didn’t want to walk in darkness forever.

  At one point he’d hoped for a wife and children. For a normal life. Whatever the hell that meant.

  For a long time he’d pushed that life off as being something intended for men who didn’t deal in violence every day of their lives.

  When he’d become a civilian, it had taken months for that old dream to resurface. He hated to let it go again.

  But there was no doubt that, if the right call to action came, he’d go willingly. He’d put that dream on the back burner again. Although he wouldn’t do it for anyone, but, if there was the right cry for help, he’d step in and answer.

  He could do no less.

  But, until then, he would stay here and work on creating that normal life.

  This concludes Book 9 of Heroes for Hire: Dakota’s Delight.

  Book 10 is available here.

  Michael’s Mercy: Heroes for Hire, Book 10

  Buy this book at Kobo.

  Welcome to Michael’s Mercy, book 10 in Heroes for Hire reconnecting readers with the unforgettable men from SEALs of Honor in a new series of action packed, page turning romantic suspense that fans have come to expect from USA TODAY Bestselling author Dale Mayer. This book is ALSO Book 3 in the continuity series SLEEPER SEALS.

  When things go bad, in Michael’s world things go horribly, terrifyingly bad.

  It’s been a year since hardened Navy SEAL Michael Stanton walked away from his career. He never thought to go back, but then his former commander calls with the news that an old friend was murdered while undercover – and he needs Michael’s help.

  Knowing the next dead body might be his, Michael takes his friend’s place at the home of a terrorist. His official mission is to find all he can to bring the man’s operation down. His personal mission is to find out who murdered his friend.

  Mercy got the job as a maid that her sister had last held – just before she disappeared. With the police lacking leads and interest, Mercy decides it’s up to her to find out what happened. Inside the huge home, she meets Michael and becomes immediately suspicious … and immediately attracted.

  When they collide in the worst way possible, she realizes he’s not who he seems either.

  Can they each find the truth about their objectives and about themselves? Or will the terrorist get wind of the traitors in his midst and take care of them before they can take care of him?

  Levi’s Legend: Heroes for Hire, Book 1

  Stone’s Surrender: Heroes for Hire, Book 2

  Merk’s Mistake: Heroes for Hire, Book 3

  Rhodes’s Reward: Heroes for Hire, Book 4

  Flynn’s Firecracker: Heroes for Hire, Book 5

  Logan’s Light: Heroes for Hire, Book 6

  Harrison’s Heart: Heroes for Hire, Book 7

  Saul’s Sweetheart: Heroes for Hire, Book 8

  Dakota’s Delight: Heroes for Hire, Book 9

  Michael’s Mercy: Heroes for Hire, Book 10

  Jarrod’s Jewel: Heroes for Hire, Book 11

  Author’s Note

  Thanks for reading. By now many of you have read my explanation of how I love to see Star Ratings. The only catch is that we as authors have no idea what you think of a book if it’s not reviewed. And yes, every book in a series needs reviews. All it takes is as little as two words: Fun Story. Yep, that’s all. So, if you enjoyed reading, please take a second to let others know you enjoyed it.

  For those of you who have not read a previous book and have no idea why we authors keep ask
ing you as a reader to take a few minutes to leave even a two word review, here’s more explanation of reviews in this crazy business.

  Reviews (not just ratings) help authors qualify for advertising opportunities and help other readers make purchasing decisions. Without triple digit reviews, an author may miss out on valuable advertising opportunities. And with only “star ratings” the author has little chance of participating in certain promotions. Which means fewer sales offered to my favorite readers!

  Another reason to take a minute and leave a review is that often a few kind words left in a review can make a huge difference to an author and their muse. Recently new to reviewing fans have left a few words after reading a similar letter and they were tonic to a tired muse! LOL Seriously. Star ratings simply do not have the same impact to thank or encourage an author when the writing gets tough.

  So please consider taking a moment to write even a handful of words. Writing a review only takes a few minutes of your time. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy book report, just a few words expressing what you enjoyed most about the story. Here are a few tips of how to leave a review.

  Please continue to rate the books as you read, but take an extra moment and pop over to the review section and leave a few words too!

  Most of all – Thank you for reading. I look forward to hearing from you.

  I love to hear from readers, and you can contact me at my website: www.dalemayer.com or at my Facebook author page. To be informed of new releases and special offers, sign up for my newsletter or follow me on BookBub. And if you are interested in joining Dale Mayer’s Fan Club, here is the Facebook sign up page.

  Cheers,

  Dale Mayer

  Your Free Book Awaits!

  KILL OR BE KILLED

  Part of an elite SEAL team, Mason takes on the dangerous jobs no one else wants to do – or can do. When he’s on a mission, he’s focused and dedicated. When he’s not, he plays as hard as he fights.

  Until he meets a woman he can’t have but can’t forget. Software developer, Tesla lost her brother in combat and has no intention of getting close to someone else in the military. Determined to save other US soldiers from a similar fate, she’s created a program that could save lives. But other countries know about the program, and they won’t stop until they get it – and get her.

  Time is running out … For her … For him … For them …

  DOWNLOAD a complimentary copy of MASON? Just tell me where to send it!

  Touched by Death

  Adult RS/thriller

  Get this book at Kobo.

  Death had touched anthropologist Jade Hansen in Haiti once before, costing her an unborn child and perhaps her very sanity.

  A year later, determined to face her own issues, she returns to Haiti with a mortuary team to recover the bodies of an American family from a mass grave. Visiting his brother after the quake, independent contractor Dane Carter puts his life on hold to help the sleepy town of Jacmel rebuild. But he finds it hard to like his brother’s pregnant wife or her family. He wants to go home, until he meets Jade – and realizes what’s missing in his own life. When the mortuary team begins work, it’s as if malevolence has been released from the earth. Instead of laying her ghosts to rest, Jade finds herself confronting death and terror again.

  And the man who unexpectedly awakens her heart – is right in the middle of it all.

  By Death Series

  Touched by Death – Part 1 – FREE

  Touched by Death – Part 2

  Touched by Death – Parts 1&2

  Haunted by Death

  Chilled by Death

  By Death Books 1–3

  Vampire in Denial

  This is book 1 of the Family Blood Ties Saga

  Get this book at Kobo.

  Blood doesn’t just make her who she is…it also makes her what she is.

  Like being a sixteen-year-old vampire isn’t hard enough, Tessa’s throwback human genes make her an outcast among her relatives. But try as she might, she can’t get a handle on the vampire lifestyle and all the…blood.

  Turning her back on the vamp world, she embraces the human teenage lifestyle—high school, peer pressure and finding a boyfriend. Jared manages to stir something in her blood. He’s smart and fun and oh, so cute. But Tessa’s dream of a having the perfect boyfriend turns into a nightmare when vampires attack the movie theatre and kidnap her date.

  Once again, Tessa finds herself torn between the human world and the vampire one. Will blood own out? Can she make peace with who she is as well as what?

  Warning: This book ends with a cliffhanger! Book 2 picks up where this book ends.

  Family Blood Ties Series

  Vampire in Denial – FREE

  Vampire in Distress

  Vampire in Design

  Vampire in Deceit

  Vampire in Defiance

  Vampire in Conflict

  Vampire in Chaos

  Vampire in Crisis

  Vampire in Control

  Vampire in Charge

  Family Blood Ties Set 1–3

  Family Blood Ties Set 1–5

  Family Blood Ties Set 4–6

  Family Blood Ties Set 7–9

  Sian’s Solution – A Family Blood Ties Short Story

  Broken Protocols

  Get this book at Kobo.

  Dani’s been through a year of hell…

  Just as it’s getting better, she’s tossed forward through time with her orange Persian cat, Charmin Marvin, clutched in her arms. They’re dropped into a few centuries into the future. There’s nothing she can do to stop it, and it’s impossible to go back.

  And then it gets worse…

  A year of government regulation is easing, and Levi Blackburn is feeling back in control. If he can keep his reckless brother in check, everything will be perfect. But while he’s been protecting Milo from the government, Milo’s been busy working on a present for him…

  The present is Dani, only she comes with a snarky cat who suddenly starts talking…and doesn’t know when to shut up.

  In an age where breaking protocols have severe consequences, things go wrong, putting them all in danger…

  Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy Series

  Broken Protocols

  Broken Protocols 2

  Broken Protocols 3

  Broken Protocols 3.5

  Broken Protocols 1-3

  About the Author

  Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It’s a Dog’s Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

  She honors the stories that come to her – and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

  To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

  Connect with Dale Mayer Online

  Dale’s Website – www.dalemayer.com

  Twitter – @DaleMayer

  Facebook – facebook.com/DaleMayer.author

  BookBub – bookbub.com/authors/dale-mayer

  Also by Dale Mayer

  Published Adult Books:

  Psychic Vision Series

  Tuesday’s Child – FREE

  Hide’n Go Seek

  Maddy’s Floor

  Garden of Sorrow

  Knock, Knock…

  Rare Find

  Eyes to the Soul

  Now You See Her

  Shattered

  Into the Abyss

  Seeds of Malice

  Eye of the Falcon

  Psychic Visions Books 1–3

  Psychic Visions Books 4–6

  Psychic Visio
ns Books 7–9

  By Death Series

  Touched by Death – Part 1 – FREE

  Touched by Death – Part 2

  Touched by Death – Parts 1&2

  Haunted by Death

  Chilled by Death

  By Death Books 1–3

  Second Chances…at Love Series

  Second Chances – Part 1 – FREE

  Second Chances – Part 2

  Second Chances – complete book (Parts 1 & 2)

  Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy Series

  Broken Protocols

  Broken Protocols 2

  Broken Protocols 3

  Broken Protocols 3.5

  Broken Protocols 1-3

  Broken and… Mending

  Skin

  Scars

  Scales (of Justice)

  Broken but… Mending 1-3

  Glory

  Genesis

  Tori

  Celeste

  Glory Trilogy

  Biker Blues

  Biker Blues: Morgan, Part 1

  Biker Blues: Morgan, Part 2

  Biker Blues: Morgan, Part 3

  Biker Baby Blues: Morgan, Part 4

  Biker Blues: Morgan, Full Set

  Biker Blues: Salvation, Part 1

  Biker Blues: Salvation, Part 2

  Biker Blues: Salvation, Part 3

  Biker Blues: Salvation, Full Set

  SEALs of Honor

  Mason: SEALs of Honor, Book 1

  Hawk: SEALs of Honor, Book 2

  Dane: SEALs of Honor, Book 3