Desert Alpha: A Lady Boss Press Navy SEAL Novella Bethany Lopez (brene brown rising strong TXT) 📖

turned her head and looked so happy to see me I had the sudden urge to curse the Navy for the orders they’d just pushed down.

“Hi,” Cass replied, her tone mimicking her expression.

“Hey, Rip,” Lori said when I joined them.

“How’s it going?” I asked offhandedly, not taking my eyes off of Cass. “Can I talk to you?”

Her lips pursed in concern and she told Lori,” I’ll see you later,” before turning her attention back to me and saying, “Let’s go.”

I wanted to take her hand but knew she wouldn’t appreciate me doing so in public, so I kept my distance, and my hands to myself.

Once we were off to the side and relatively alone, I stopped and turned to her.

Before I could say anything, Cass put her hand on my shoulder and asked, “Did he say something to you?”

“Who?” I asked.

“Rich.”

I blinked, confused for a moment as I tried to place the name. When I remembered he was her stalkery ex, I asked, “Why? Has he done something?”

Cass sighed and dropped her hand to clasp it with the other one and wring them together.

“He stopped me outside of our pad this morning. Said he knew that I’d been with you.”

“Did he threaten you?” I asked, anger filling me at the thought.

She let out a choked laugh and said, “Not outright. More of a veiled threat. Rich is too much of a coward … He pretty much enjoys having something to hold over my head. He seemed kinda pissed about it, but I don’t think he’d actually jeopardize my career by telling anyone.”

“Son of a bitch,” I cursed. “Maybe me leaving will actually help you out then.”

“What?” Cass asked, her eyes wide as she looked up at me. “You’re leaving?”

“Yeah,” I replied, running my hand over my hair. “That’s what I wanted to tell you. At the meet this morning Chief showed us our new orders. They came down this morning. We’re heading out…”

“When?”

“I’m about to go pack up, we’re leaving in about thirty minutes.”

“Wow. That soon,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Come with me,” I said urgently, needing to hold her but knowing I couldn’t right there.

I started off at a brisk pace toward our pad with Cass hurrying behind me at almost a jog as she tried to keep up.

Once we were inside the tent, I pulled her in for a hug and held on tight.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured against the crown of her head.

She shook her head against me, and said, “You have nothing to be sorry about,” as she fisted her hands in my shirt. “We knew you were going to have to leave. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.”

“I know.” Neither did I.

I pulled back slightly, reaching down to place my finger under her chin and lift her face toward me.

“I’ll miss you,” I said, before lowering my head and brushing my lips against hers.

“Me too,” she whispered against my mouth.

Cass reached up to put her hands behind my head and pulled me closer, her mouth claiming mine as she swept her tongue inside, deepening the kiss.

We stayed like that for a few moments, holding on to each other almost desperately.

“Here,” I said, pulling a piece of paper out of my pocket. “You can write me at this address. I can’t promise I’ll get it right away, but I will get it eventually.”

She took the paper and asked, “Do you think you will come back here once you’re done?”

I shrugged and said, “I have no idea. Depends on how fast we complete the mission and whether or not something else comes up. There are many possibilities, but since we’ve already been gone a while, it’s unlikely we’d have another R & R trip before going home.”

“Do you have any idea of when you’re supposed to be back home?”

I shook my head. Even if I did know, I wouldn’t be able to say so.

“Do you have your cell on you?” When I nodded she stepped back and held out her hand. “I’ll put my information in there, so if you don’t come back you can get a hold of me whenever you’re able to.”

I handed her my phone and watched as she put in her phone number and address both here and at home.

“Want me to do the same?” I asked.

She smiled, pulled her phone out of her pocket, and handed it to me.

Once we were done, we exchanged phones back and just stood there for a moment.

I looked her over from head to toe, memorizing every inch. I’d need the memory to get me through the next few weeks, months, or even years, depending on what kind of shit we were about to walk into.

Cass moved in to hug me once more and said, “Stay safe.”

“Always,” I promised, before asking, “Do you need me to pay Rich a visit before I go?”

“No, I can handle him, but thanks for asking.”

“If that changes, let me know,” I said, even though I knew once we left I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it, even if she was able to get ahold of me.

“I will.”

When she showed no signs of moving, I called her name gently.

“Hmmm?” was her response.

“I have to go.”

Usually one to be gung-ho about getting to our next mission, I felt surprisingly reluctant to let her go and leave.

“I know,” Cass said softly, stepping back until we were no longer touching, the look on her face forlorn.

With a heavy heart, I moved to pass her, pausing for one last kiss before saying, “See ya.”

“Bye,” she replied, and I forced myself to walk out and leave her behind.

Chapter 13

Cassandra

“Am I crazy to miss someone I’ve only known a couple days?” I asked Lori.

Somehow our days off had lined up, which was a rare occurrence, and we’d gotten approval to go off base to get our hair done … another cause for celebration. Unfortunately, I was finding it hard to gather up excitement for something so frivolous, when