Seals claiming coronado.., p.1
SEAL's Claiming (Coronado Team 2 Book 6), page 1
SEAL’s Claiming
CORONADO TEAM 2
Makenna Jameison
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2023 by Makenna Jameison
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
Table of Contents
About this Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Epilogue
Books by Makenna Jameison
About the Author
About this Book
She’s sass to his rebellious personality. Together? They’ll start an inferno…
Navy SEAL Owen “Havoc” O’Donnell has earned his reputation. He’s reckless, wild, and can’t resist a beautiful woman. When feisty, whip-smart Olivia catches his eye, all bets are off. She banters with him at every turn and sends his pulse pounding. He wants her more with each day that passes and isn’t afraid to chase after the girl.
Olivia Nguyen is independent, strong-willed, and unwilling to fall into bed with a man like Havoc. The assertive and muscular SEAL makes her head spin and her body far too aware of his presence, but it’s his attentiveness and persistence that’s beginning to wear down her defenses.
When Olivia’s plane is hijacked on a business trip, she’s in for the shock of her life as Havoc’s team comes to her rescue. The danger that follows her back home, however, shakes her to the very core. She knows Havoc would do anything to keep her safe, but can she trust him not to break her heart?
SEAL’s Claiming, a standalone novel, is book six in the sizzling Coronado Team 2 Series.
Chapter 1
One month ago
Olivia flipped her jet-black hair over her shoulder and posed beside the bonfire, the salty ocean breeze blowing through her tresses. Her friends were still arriving with food, beach chairs, and blankets, but she and Everly had gotten side-tracked talking fashion. “It looks amazing, right?” Olivia asked with a laugh as Everly snapped a photo. “I went shopping last weekend and found so many cute outfits. I can’t wear this to work, obviously, but the beach, bars, and girls’ nights are calling my name.”
Everly grinned. “You look fantastic. Crop tops are hot right now, and girl, you can totally pull it off. It looks killer with that skirt. Havoc won’t be able to keep his hands off of you,” she said, waggling her eyebrows.
Olivia snorted. Owen “Havoc” O’Donnell, the brash and somewhat reckless Navy SEAL she was “friends” with, had been flirting with her for months. He was hot as hell but also a womanizer, as far as she knew. The rest of the men on his SEAL team all had girlfriends now. He was as single as her, not that they needed to be a couple or anything resembling one. “Owen can look but not touch,” Olivia said lightly. “God knows the stubborn man only wants what he can’t have. I can’t even begin to imagine the number of women he chased after before I graced him with my presence.”
“The guy appreciates a challenge,” Everly said, her laughter filling the air. “And let’s be real—you’re definitely a challenge. Havoc needs the type of woman who’s not afraid to put him in his place. I think he thrives on the push and pull dynamic of it all.”
“More like he just wants a shiny new toy to play with,” Olivia countered. “He’s hot, but holy hell. I’m undecided if a night with him would be worth it.”
“Who says he only wants one night? If you’re asking my opinion—”
“I’m not.”
“I’m sure he knows his way around a woman’s body,” Everly teased. “It would be a hot night to remember for sure. And have you ever noticed his big…hands?”
Olivia burst into laughter, flashing the other woman a knowing look. Havoc was all man. Big and broad, with dark hair and eyes that smoldered when he looked at her. The chemistry between them was palpable but it was also the type of fire that would no doubt burn bright and then quickly fizzle out. Their connection was magnetic, some invisible force always drawing them close to one another. Once they connected, however? They’d repel one another. They were too different. Both too opinionated. No doubt they wanted different things out of life. Besides that, Havoc was overbearing. Bossy. He was the type of man who loved to tease her relentlessly, enjoying their banter as she gave as good as she got. Still, she’d have to be blind to miss his killer physique. “Oh, I’ve noticed,” she said. “A girl could appreciate something like that. But does he know how to wield his weapon? That’s the real question.”
“I mean, go big or go home, right?” Everly joked. “I feel like any man with the nickname ‘Havoc’ must’ve earned his reputation somehow. He’d probably drive you crazy in bed—in a good way,” she added, waggling her eyebrows.
“And what about men with the nickname ‘Mayhem’?” Olivia joked. “That’s got to mean something, am I right?”
“Oh, he knows what he’s doing,” Everly said with a wink. “Hey baby,” she added as her boyfriend Mark “Mayhem” Covington lugged a heavy cooler toward them, setting it onto the sand. Everly beamed at him, and Olivia felt a twinge of…something. The way they looked at one another—wow. Her best friends all had boyfriends now. Addison was with Everett “Ace” Walker, the leader of the SEAL team. Cassie was with Rob “Slinger” McPherson. Olivia was just…Olivia. Single. Independent. Nothing wrong with that.
“What’ll it be, ladies?” Mark asked as his muscular arm wrapped around Everly’s shoulders, pulling her close. “We’ve got beers, hard seltzers, water, and sodas.”
“I need a beer,” Olivia decided. Without waiting for Mark to assist, she opened the cooler, grinning at Everly as her boyfriend stole a kiss. Olivia reached into the ice and pulled out a long neck. Water dripped down the side of the bottle, and she swiped it away before closing the lid. “Who’s got a bottle opener?” she asked.
A little girl shrieked as she ran past them in the sand, and Olivia watched Rachel chase after her. Rachel was dating Tyler “Trigger” Howard, another man on the SEAL team. Their other friends were walking across the beach toward the bonfire as well, including Brian “Blaze” Peterson and his new girlfriend Madeline.
“A bottle opener? I’ve got one,” Mark said, reaching into his pocket.
“Nah, I got it,” a deep voice said, right before a large hand landed on Olivia’s hip and a broad, muscular body stopped right behind her. Havoc. The icy cold bottle she was holding chilled her skin, but the heat that suddenly washed over Olivia caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand up. Even though only one part of their bodies was touching, she felt Owen’s heat and presence. Was aware of every part of him. Havoc’s warm fingers brushed over the exposed skin at her waist, and she resisted the urge to shiver. He smelled of clean soap and man, a hint of something woodsy, and the combination was intoxicating.
Everly bit her lip, smirking, and Havoc plucked the beer bottle from Olivia’s much smaller hand. He shifted slightly to pop the cap, and she instantly missed his touch. Havoc didn’t disappoint though, his muscular hand landing on her hip again as he handed her back the beer. “I like this look, hellcat.”
He caressed her gently again, sending a shiver racing down her spine, and she pulled away, turning to face him. “Owen, I could’ve opened it myself.”
Dark eyes flicked appreciatively over her, almost like a caress. She felt his gaze on her lips as she took a pull of her beer, but they dropped to her small breasts and exposed stomach. Slid down to her bare thighs. She’d felt sexy and unstoppable moments ago, and now she just felt…flushed. Off-kilter. He’d been here for less than a minute, and she was already all too aware of his very masculine presence. She glared at him.
“No need to thank me, O,” he said, his sexy lips curling into a smirk. His tongue darted out as he licked his lips, almost like he was savoring her just from a look. Dirty thoughts filled her mind—of Owen’s mouth on her neck, her breasts. The scruff of his jaw rubbing against her skin as he kissed his way up her inner thighs and ate her out. Made her squirm.
“For the compliment?” she asked, taking another swig of her beer for strength. “I don’t think so. I’m sure you say that to all the girls. Didn’t you get into a bar fight over a woman once? I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that story several times.”
“Yeah, because I was keeping a fucking asshole from pawing at a woman. I’d do the same for you.”
She stilled, momentarily startled. Owen walked over to the cooler and grabbed a beer for himself. He popped the cap off and took a pull, his Adam’s apple bobbing. The sexy five o’clock shadow he was sporting made him look gruffer than usual, and she tried to ignore his corded forearms and strong hands as he casually gripped his beer. The tee shirt he wore hugged his muscles to perfection, and she forced herself to look casual and unaffected. To not let her gaze travel over those wide pecs and broad shoulders. She absolutely was not remembering the way his powerful body had stood behind her moments ago, making her all too aware of his presence. Owen was always so self-assured, and just once, she’d love to see the man ruffled. Nothing she said could ever faze him.
“Well, there’s no need. I can take care of myself.”
“Nothing wrong with letting a man take care of you sometimes, hellcat.” He smirked, that piercing gaze running over her again. Owen knew the effect he had on her. It was always like this between them. Sparks. Chemistry. Arguments. Banter. The sizzle of something that could ignite at any moment.
The problem? He was the only one ready to dive head first into the inferno.
“And I suppose you think you’re the man up for the job,” Olivia said. The breeze ruffled her short skirt, and Owen’s gaze was on her legs again. She should not find the man’s eyes on her so sexy, but her core throbbed. He was everything she didn’t want. Brash. Confident. A tiny part of her loved that he didn’t back off. He just kept chipping away at her walls, forcing his way closer, demanding she acquiesce to him.
Those full lips quirked again as he stepped into her space, and Olivia looked up into his dark eyes. She could feel the heat from his body, feel the electric current arcing between them. “You’ll never know unless you give me a shot, will you?” he asked, his voice deep, husky. “I haven’t gotten any complaints before.”
It was like a splash of cold water over her heated body. “That right there. That’s exactly why we’ll never be a thing. What woman wants to hear about your conquests? Gross.”
The others continued talking a few feet away from them, but it was like they were in their own little world. Havoc ducked down, brushing her hair back as his lips hovered near her ear. His fingers tangled through her dark locks as he palmed the back of her head, holding her in place. She felt his breath on her skin. Inhaled his musky scent. One small turn, and their lips would be millimeters apart.
“I haven’t been with a woman in months, O,” he said, his deep voice husky and coursing through her body like warm caramel. “You’re the one that I want, and I’m not going to be happy until I have you underneath me in my bed, screaming out my name for the whole neighborhood to hear.”
A delicious shiver wracked through her, and as another breeze blew in off the water, strands of her hair got caught in the stubble on his jaw. It was intimate. Intoxicating. She breathed him in, the heat between them almost unbearable. “You’re awfully confident, Havoc.”
He chuckled, shifting his beer so his other hand landed at her bare waist. His touch was so warm, it felt like he’d branded her as his. He was so much bigger than her, she felt surrounded by him. Consumed. “I like it better when you call me Owen.”
“No one calls you that.”
“You do,” he said, nailing her with a look. “I know some people think I’m a fuck-up, but you always call me on my shit. You’re feisty as hell, O, but I like that about you. I need a woman who challenges me. One of these days, hellcat, you’re going to be mine. I’ll make sure of it.” His hand slid from her waist to her bare back, his sure fingers trailing up her spine. She did shiver then, his heat and scent surrounding her. Her lips parted, and Owen smirked as their eyes locked. “But not today, hellcat. You need to meet Brian’s girl.”
Her jaw dropped in surprise as he backed away, grinning. It felt like they’d been seconds away from kissing, his hands on her back and head, his hard body nearly pressed against hers. “You did that on purpose.”
“Did what?” he asked with a wink. He moved again, his hand resting on her back as he guided her toward his teammate. Olivia took a swig of her beer, trying to cool her heated body as arousal and awareness coursed through her. Damn him for making her feel things she didn’t want. Kissing Owen? That would lead to nothing but heartbreak.
“I told Madeline all about you when we were rescuing her,” he said conversationally as they moved across the soft sand.
“You did not.”
“Oh I did. She can’t wait to meet you.”
“And last but not least is Olivia,” Brian said as she and Owen walked up to the couple. The men all knew Madeline since they’d been part of her rescue from the Middle East. Olivia had heard a little about her from Owen, but seeing her in the flesh was another story. They talked for a few minutes, and it was easy to see why Owen had spoken fondly of the woman. She didn’t put up with his bullshit either. Madeline just looked amused as Olivia and Owen bantered back and forth.
“Even Owen was impressed when I talked my way out of a speeding ticket,” Olivia said, finishing her story. “I’m not sure it’ll work everywhere though. I’m going to Asia in a few weeks for work. They probably don’t like American drivers there.”
“What? Where are you going?” Owen asked, suddenly looking serious.
“South Korea. I work for a software development company,” she explained to Madeline. “Mostly apps. I deal with marketing and will be meeting with some business contacts overseas.”
“First I’ve heard of it,” Owen said.
Olivia looked up at him, noticing the way he’d stiffened. Most people might not see the signs, but his jaw was slightly clenched, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He was usually the wildcard of the group, the laidback one, and it was somewhat surprising to see this side of him. Nothing ever ruffled his feathers. “Are you worried about me? I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t usually travel for work,” he said in a low voice. “I’m the one always coming and going. Where are you staying?”
“I still need to book flights and hotels, but I’ll be flying into Seoul.”
“Make sure the hotels are in a safe area,” he ordered.
“Hotdogs are ready!” Ace called out, and Addison said something about returning to the car for paper plates she’d left behind. The group continued talking and laughing, some of them grabbing food, but Owen surprised her by pulling her to the side, away from the revelry.
Olivia clutched onto her beer bottle, surprised by the solemn look in his eyes as he towed her away from the others. “I know you like messing with me, but I’m serious, O. I want you to be careful and make sure you’re staying somewhere safe when you go to South Korea. You never know what’s out there or what sort of trouble you could find yourself in. Maybe it’s a chauvinistic thing to say, but you’re a single woman. You’re more of a target than a guy like me.”
“Are you worried about me, Owen?”
Dark eyes caught hers. “Of course, I’m worried. I don’t like the idea of anything happening to you.”
“Nothing’s going to happen,” she said lightly. “I mean, I know you’ll miss me, but you’ll just have to put on your big boy pants and deal with it while I’m gone.”
“My hellcat is also a smartass,” he muttered. “Don’t make me toss you over my shoulder and carry you out of here,” he mock-threatened.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Smirking, Owen moved closer, and she swatted at him, shocked as he snagged her hand midair. “I’d dare to say a lot of things I want to do would shock you. I won’t let it stop me though.” Time froze for a second, and he raised her hand to his lips. His thumb ran over her palm, sending shivers racing through her entire body. He didn’t let go, just pressed his lips against her skin as her breath caught. She could feel the stubble on his chiseled jaw, the warmth of his mouth, and the strength of his veined hand as he held hers. “I want you safe,” he said huskily. “I already told you that you’re going to be mine.”
Chapter 2
Present Day
“You must be so excited. Traveling to Asia sounds like such an awesome adventure,” Everly said, brushing her hair back.
“I am! I’ve been waiting to take this trip for weeks,” Olivia said, taking a sip of her Bloody Mary. “I am so ready to get away, and I haven’t seen my friend in years. Stopping over in Beijing before heading to South Korea is going to be ahh-ma-zing!”
“I’ll drink to that,” Cassie said with a grin. “Old friends are the best.” The women clinked glasses, with Everly joining in as well.
