Outcast (SEAL Team: Disavowed Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Eden.
    “Let’s see . . . We have playlists called—and I’m not kidding: Weight-lifting, Screwing, Driving, Gun Range , and one far too vile for your tender ears.” Hoping for the best, Jasper picked the second.
    Then all hell broke loose to the soothing strains of Marvin Gaye crooning, “ Let’s Get it On .”
    Bam . The cat struck rock.
    The impact jolted Jasper forward and then back. He shot his arm out protectively to brace Eden.
    With the vehicle slanted at an unnavigable angle, the tracks lurched, then groaned while gliding back.
    The motor chugged, coughed, then died.
    Helping himself to what remained of the precious battery power, Marvin kept right on singing above the wind’s eerie howl.
    Jasper killed the music.
    How long would they have before the bone-chilling temp killed them?

5

     
     
    EDEN WINCED, CUPPING her gloved hands over her eyes to shield them from the painful glare of sun against snow.
    Confused didn’t begin to cover how she felt; her head ached and grogginess left her disoriented, but then she saw Jasper and the nightmare with Leo came roaring back.
    “Good morning,” Jasper said from a few feet away. He sat cross-legged alongside a camp stove, stirring what looked and smelled like scrambled eggs. She spied an open package of a freeze-dried breakfast complete with peppers, potatoes and cheese.
    Coffee also flavored the frigid air.
    “Hey.” Her stomach rumbled. “Mind letting me in on what happened? I mean, I remember the showdown with Leo and his thugs, but—” she shivered despite wearing full outdoor gear and being inside a sleeping bag “—how did we get from there to what I’m guessing is a crashed snowcat?”
    “Funny story,” he said with the crooked grin she’d fallen for the first time they’d met at Tattered Cover , her favorite Denver bookstore. It had been snowing, and he had been nursing a hot chocolate while searching for the latest Martha Stewart cookbook for his landlord. Here was this big, strong guy oblivious to his adorable whipped cream mustache. She’d fallen fast and hard. She’d helped him find the book, then cancelled that afternoon’s office hours at the small college where she taught English Lit. The rest of the day was spent talking and laughing and kissing and eventually tumbling into bed. She’d never gone that fast with a man—before or since. But Jasper did things to her heart and mind and body that she still didn’t fully understand. And now, thanks to her diagnosis, she never would. “Those two Neanderthals who nailed us? I had the pleasure of returning the favor. I figured from there we were home free. All I had to do was drive a ways before riding out the storm, but then a big pile of rocks attacked us, and wham . We’re kinda stuck.”
    “The rocks attacked us?” She cocked her right eyebrow.
    “It was bad, babe. Glad you weren’t awake to witness the carnage.” He turned off the stove to cross the short distance to kiss her. Lord help her, she let him. His lips were at first cold, but then warmed with their combined heat. She groaned when he offered a sweep of his tongue. “Mmm . . . I missed you. Let’s for sure have more of that in a bit. But first, let’s get this food in you before it gets cold.”
    He handed her a fork and they both ate from the pan.
    “Almost forgot,” he said between bites. “I made instant coffee.” He reached next to the stove for a tall, stainless steel covered mug. “It’s not exactly a Starbucks, and no cream or sugar, but it’s hot.”
    “That works for me. Thanks.” The soothing drink and food heated her from the inside out. They were lucky to have it. “Don’t suppose you’ve seen any pee funnels? Going in the snow is frowned upon.”
    He winced. “Afraid not. Leo’s crew wasn’t especially environmentally friendly. Hold on a sec, and I’ll at least make you pee bucket.” He dumped gear from a five-gallon model, and even found her a pack of wet wipes. “I’ll head outside.