Lillian keeps on. “I don’t understand why she won’t sleep more than thirty minutes at a time at night and look at her now? She’s sleeping like a baby, like she should be, because she is one.”
I set down my coffee and reach for my youngest daughter. Izzy, who’s just as perfect as her older sister, is snoozing away in her swing. She’s four months old and, since I’m a baby expert, I know she should be sleeping at least four to five hours at a time, if not longer.
On my wedding day, Grady Cain put a curse on me and it stuck. So far, I’m outnumbered in this house, three to one, if I don’t count the dog. All girls so far, but in about nine months, I’ll start sweet talking my wife into small human number three. It only took me a day to convince her to let my sperm do what it does best before I knocked her up with number two, so this means the sooner I can get Izzy to sleep through the night, the sooner I can let my boys free again.
Izzy stretches in my hands as I hold her up to my face. “Izzy, we need to conference about something important.” Her fists rub her eyes and she yawns, drawing her chubby little legs up. She’s just as bone-tired as the rest of us. “Your mommy is gonna keep you awake as much as possible today. You’re not going to go in the car, or listen to the hair dryer, or hang out by the laundry room. There will be no white noise for you all day. And tonight, you’re going to sleep in your own room for the first time—”
“No!” Lillian argues. “She’s too little. We need to keep her close where we can hear her.”
I ignore my wife. “—in a room that your father spent a fuckin’ mint to decorate—”
“Gabe! Watch your language.”
“—not to mention all the high-tech equipment I’ve installed to watch you from everywhere in the house and our phones and our computers because your father not only has the strongest sperm around—”
“Would you quit with the sperm?”
“—but he’s also a technological genius.” I smile at my daughter who’s now sort of awake and reaching for my nose. “And you know what, baby? You’re gonna sleep so good tonight because your mommy won’t wake you up with her snoring.”
“Gabe Blackburn. I do not wake her up.”
I look down at my tired but beautiful wife. “I love you, but you do. She’s sleeping with the giraffes tonight. It makes my stomach turn every time I think about how much money I spent on that damn room—it’s time for some return on our investment.”
Lillian’s tired brown eyes float to our baby who I’ve got settled in the crook of my arm that was made just for her. “She’s too little to be away from us.”
I lean in to kiss my wife’s forehead. “We’re not sending her to boarding school. She’ll be in the next room, with a well-insulated wall between us so she can get some shut-eye. Trust me. I know babies. Now, go take a long shower. I can skip my first meeting.”
My sweet Lillian doesn’t head for the shower, she falls into my chest. I wrap her up in my free arm and put my lips to the top of her messy-haired head that really needs to be washed. “I love you.”
Imma has wrapped herself around my leg, sitting on my Magnanni Italian leather dress shoe.
“Daddy!”
I look down at my oldest human. “Yeah, baby?”
“Fuckin’ mint!”
Lillian’s whole body tenses and I tighten my hold on her so she can’t move.
“Gabe!”
“Shh.” I put my lips to her head, holding her in a vice grip. “That didn’t just happen. You’re tired and hallucinating.”
Rosco jumps on me, barking, and Imma giggles, pulling at my leg. “Gimme a ride, Daddy.”
Lillian looks up at me and gives me a tired smile and shakes her head.
“Aren’t you glad you married me?” I ask her this every time I find a way to annoy her.
She lifts up on her tired toes and puts her lips to my jaw. “Everyday. I love you.”
With Imma yanking my leg, Rosco about to hump me, and Izzy grabbing at Lillian’s hair, I pull my wife up to kiss her long, hard, and deep. When I let her mouth go, I tell her the truth. “You still bring me to my knees, baby. The most powerful woman in the world.”
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed the story of Gabe and Lillian. Grady Cain, mentioned in the Epilogue, already has his own book. Read how he and Maya find their happily ever after in Paths, the second book of my Killers Series, also available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
A Note from the Author
I have so many people to thank for their help in the final product of Blackburn. I needed this book turned around quickly and my team was there for me, just like always.
Elle, thank you for always pushing me when I feel stuck in the writing muck. I can’t believe Gabe is a close second to Cam for you. That’s huge! Kristan, you not only fit me in your tight schedule, but polished my words to make them pretty as a picture. I adore you and the team we’ve become. Shannon Brown, thank you for our morning sprints. Could not have finished this on time without you. Laurie, Ivy, Kolleen, Carrie, Gillian, and Gi—you’re the best beta team. I don’t know what I’d do without you. To Layla Frost and Sarah Curtis, your proofs and daily support mean everything. Sonya, my cover kicks ass because of you.
To my Review Team—I’ve come to love our group. Thank you for being there for me to read all my words.
And to all my readers and bloggers—I can’t say enough. Thank you for coming back for more with every book. I’ll never take you for granted.
Every time I sit down to write a book, I like to find a way to challenge myself. A different type of character or a new trope. My goal was to write a workplace romance but do it differently than I’ve ever read. I also wanted to write an over-the-top, all-in, possessive, yet sweet, egotistical hero.
Lillian is Gabe’s yin to his yang.
I hope you loved them as much as I loved writing their story.
Other Books by Brynne Asher
The Carpino Series
Overflow – The Carpino Series, Book 1
Beautiful Life – The Carpino Series, Book 2
Athica Lane – The Carpino Series, Book 3
Until Avery – A Carpino Crossover Novella
Killers Series
Vines – A Killers Novel, Book 1
Paths – A Killers Novel, Book 2
Gifts – A Killers Novel, Book 3
Anthologies
Little Black Dress – An Anthology
About the Author
Brynne Asher lives in the Midwest with her husband, three children and her perfect dog. When she isn’t creating pretend people and relationships in her head, she's running her kids around and doing laundry. She enjoys decorating and shopping, always seeking the best deal. A perfect day in “Brynne World" ends in front of an outdoor fire with family, friends, s’mores, and a delicious cocktail.
Blackburn
Brynne Asher
BrynneAsherBooks@gmail.com
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As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary (Oct 2018)
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Mil
ena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope (Sept 2018)
Shelter for Quinn (TBA)
Shelter for Koren (TBA)
Shelter for Penelope (TBA)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
susan@stokeraces.com
More Books in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha World!
Brynne Asher - Blackburn
Denise Agnew - Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Jillian Anselmi: Protecting Ava
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Delilah Devlin: Between a SEAL & A Hard Place
Delilah Devlin: Headover SEAL
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Fifi Flowers: Protecting Maya
Fifi Flowers: Shielding Alice
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: Kisses from the Kremlin
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Caleb Pirtle: Lovely Night to Die
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Lynne St James: Protecting Faith
Lynne St James: Protecting Ariana
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth