Ex-SEAL Billionaire: An Age Gap Fake Relationship Romance

Chapter 1

The day starts out peaceful enough. As I navigate through the lush woods, late August heat is draping the afternoon in majestic tranquility. Every crunch of the leaves under my boots pierces the silence, disrupted only by distant bird song.

My thoughts meander until an unexpected rustle snaps me to the present. Instinct kicks in, and my hand drops reflexively to my waist, expecting the reassuring grip of a gun holstered at my hip.

But my fingers grasp at empty space, and I remember with a jolt that I”m now just an unarmed civilian.

A stone”s throw away stands a dark-haired beauty. Willowy limbs that seem to stretch for miles are frozen in fear as she plays an unwitting, dangerous game of statue with a hulking black bear. He is almost my height, well over six feet tall, though much wider, and from what I know from middle school biology lessons, way faster and stronger. Sparring with this guy would likely not end well for me, not even under the best of circumstances.

Carefully, I check that my knife,tucked safely at the side of my backpack, is a quick reach away. The bear”s teeth glint in the dappled sunlight as it towers over the paralyzed woman. If it comes down to a fight, at least I will have a secret weapon of my own.

Compared to the grueling days of Navy SEAL training, I expected this hike to bea blissful stroll. A week of solitude exploring the Appalachian Trail was what I needed to unwind from the uncomfortable buzz of New York”s corporate jungle.

Instead, I find myself howling and clapping my hands loudly as I stomp toward them. “Hey! Over here, you big lug!” My voice bellows through the trees. The confused bear darts its beady eyes between me and the enticing creature before it. When I lunge closer with another shout, it finally decides the woman isn”t worth confronting a roaring madman over. With a snort, it ambles back into the forest”s leafy embrace.

My heartbeat pounds in my ears as the adrenaline fades. I take off my backpack and approach the still-frozen girl cautiously, taking in her slender frame and wide hazel eyes.

She lets out a choked sob, her legs buckling. I sprint to her, the earth blurring beneath me. She”s inches away from the ground when I manage to catch her. Her body, a mix of delicate curves and lean muscle, folds into my embrace. She is surprisingly light. Her heartbeat drums against my chest, her racing pulse nearly visible in the hollow of her throat. Her skin, flushed from the encounter, is warm to the touch, and I”m hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.

Her scent is a wildflower-infused breeze, tinged with the metallic aroma of fear. Cradling her, I study a face etched with beauty and terror, framed by tousled, sun-kissed hair. She has high cheekbones and lips parted in a silent, frozen scream.

“Hey, hey, it”s okay. You”re safe,” I murmur, her body still glued against mine.

“Thank you,” she whispers, tears glimmering in her eyes. Her trembling voice is a soft touch of silk, caressing my skin.

I give her a reassuring squeeze. “It”s alright now. Bears are usually more afraid of us than we are of them. Though this guy came real close.”

She nods.

“I’m Jack,” I say, feeling her heart”s quickened pace. “Hiking solo?”

Another nod.

She is shaky as I help her stand up. “I’m Maddie,” she whispers, straightening. Although taller than most women, she reaches only to my chin.

“What brings you out here alone?” My voice comes out more scolding than intended.

“I’m chasing a hundred thousand TikTok followers.” She smiles weakly, brandishing her phone as I raise my eyebrows. “Finding life”s meaning, you know?”

I smirk and glance at her backpack, bulging with equipment, tent, sleeping bag, and who knows what else.

“You”re hauling all that?” She is clearly not out on a day hike. The weight of that backpack must be staggering. “How long have you been out here?”

“This is my fifth day. I’ll be getting off the trail at Dalton and taking the bus back to the city from Pittsfield.”

“New York City?” My curiosity is peaked. What are the odds of running into a city girl hiking the trail on her own? It’s unusual, to say the least.

“Yes. I moved there recently from New Jersey.”

The sun is already hanging low in the sky, and she looks unsteady on her feet. “Look, it”s getting late. How about we break for the day? I know a nice spot.”

She hesitates for a moment, looking me up and down warily.

She seems to decide that I’m safe. “Sounds good.”

We put our backpacks on, then walk side by side in silence. Soon, we emerge into a clearing with a breathtaking view. A small waterfall cascades down rocks into a tranquil pool, sunlight playing on the water”s surface. Nearby, a shallow cave offers shelter.

“This is beautiful,” she breathes, eyes wide. Her smile washes over me like a warm sunray.

We unpack, laying out our provisions next to the cave’s opening.

”What do you feel like for dinner?” We pull our food out of our individual bear canisters and she looks over our combined stash of canned vegetables and beef jerky. “The least I can do after you saved me from that beast is to feed you.”

“Anything you like. I”m not too picky.” I grin. Ready-to-eat meals and energy bars set the bar pretty low.

She laughs. “Alright then. Rice and beans it is.”

As Maddie hovers over her tiny portable cooker, her hair cascading in loose waves just begging to be brushed aside, I can”t help but watch her. The way her brow crinkles in concentration while she stirs the rice is almost mesmerizing. She is a vision against the backdrop of the wild Appalachian woods. The setting sun throws a soft golden glow around her, making her look like she belongs in one of those dreamy, sun-kissed Instagram posts.

I shake off the distraction and focus on building the fire. The crackling of the twigs and the faint scent of burning wood bring a sense of calm. There is something about making fire that feels deeply rooted in my DNA. As a kid, I always preferred the summer weeks I spent meandering along the Adirondack trails to the sailing camp my father insisted I attend during the other half of the school break.

The fire”s warmth starts to spread, fighting off the evening chill. I steal another glance at Maddie. She is absorbed in her task, her cheeks flushed. A strand of hair falls over her face, and she blows it away with a little puff, her lips forming a perfect O. That simple, unconscious action sends an unexpected jolt of desire through me.

I add a few more branches to the fire, the flames now leaping up in a cheerful dance. It”s getting cozier by the minute, the kind of setting where you”d lean in for a kiss under the stars, the fire crackling and cheering you on.

Maddie turns, catching my gaze, and for a second, everything else fades away. Her eyes sparkle with a mix of mischief and warmth, holding me captive. She offers a playful smile. “Dinner”s almost ready,” she announces, her voice a melody.

I clear my throat, trying to focus on anything but the way my heart seems to beat in rhythm with her smile. “Smells great,” I manage to say, my voice a thick rumble.

I push away the thoughts that buzz in my head. The need to comb my hand through the thick mass of her hair, to sweep it up and expose the nape of her neck, to trail my lips over its slender curve. Her skin would be like plush velvet, her mouth as soft and malleable as candle wax.

Get a grip, man.

“Tell me again why you’re out here on your own?”

She glances away, sighing. “I meant the TikTok thing.” She pauses, gauging my reaction. “It makes a good living. You”re not on it, I gather?” She shoots me a playful smirk.

“No.” I grin. “How does that work anyway?”

“It must sound silly for someone rooted in the tangible world. But there’s an art and science around it. I create videos GenZ connects to. Catchy dance moves, clips about becoming independent, clothes, makeup, travel. You name it. Brands see my voice resonating with their target demographics, and they sponsor posts or products. Et voilà. Rent is easily provided for.” She smiles wistfully.

“But there’s more, isn”t there?” I shake my head as I probe gently. “The reason you’re out here by yourself, I mean. It’s not your typical city girl outing.”

Her voice lowers to barely a whisper, a shadow of something dark crossing her features. “I had the idea to make a vlog series about hiking alone as a girl, about being independent. Maybe pair it with some dance moves.” She pauses, looking at me to fill the silence. I remain still. “But that’s not the whole story, you’re right. I wanted some time alone. I—we need more income, and I’m starting a new job soon.”

“We?”

“Me and my sisters.”

I reach into my backpack and pull two beers out of a portable ice pack, condensation already forming on the cold cans.

“How old are you, anyway?” I stop in my tracks, hesitating.

She raises an eyebrow, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. “Are you going to card me?”

I chuckle. “If I deem it necessary.”

Her laugh is sparkling. “Twenty-two, last I checked. Almost twenty-three. Just old enough.”

“Barely. Did you drink before?” I raise my eyebrows and hand her a can.

“I think most people have a few drinks in college.” She smirks as she takes it from me, her fingers brushing against mine. A warm current zips on my nerve endings. I look into her eyes as we clink the cans together, wondering if she felt it too.

Hands off,I order myself.

She’s too young.

And you’re too fresh out of that hell.

As we eat, the evening sun shines a golden hue over everything, the world around us bathed in soft light. The flickering flames of our campfire cast a warm, intimate glow as Maddie and I settle down after dinner. The gentle rush of water and the chirping of evening crickets are the only sounds in this secluded haven.

She is curled up across from me, her knees drawn up, eyes reflecting the fire”s light, curious and bright. The Appalachian wilderness around us is alive with the chirps of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl, but it”s her presence that fills the space. With her hair tumbling down her back, shimmering in the firelight, she looks sweetly seductive. The less-than-innocent thoughts dancing through my head feel wholly inappropriate.

“So, Jack.” Her voice is soft but clear in the quiet, sultry night. “You seem like a man with a story.”

I contemplate deflecting, not used to sharing my past so freely. But I decide to do it anyway, parts of it, at least.

“Not much to tell. I retired from the Navy SEAL service last year.” Her eyes widen slightly, a mix of surprise and respect, maybe even a hint of something more. “That makes you seem ancient.” She giggles, the laughter bubbly and bright, prickling my skin.

“To you, even someone twenty-five seems old,” I tease. “But I haven’t yet reached such antiquity. Only thirty-six here.”

“I got lucky that you stumbled on me and the bear earlier.” Her voice is like a gurgling brook I want to dive my hands into. “Just out of curiosity, what was your plan if the bear had charged at you?”

“Well, you can’t outrun him, that’s for sure. I guess I would have had to fight him off.” I smirk. “But bears don’t usually attack, so I knew we would probably be okay.”

Her lips part slightly, the moonlight caressing her smooth cheek. Watching the delicate precision of her movements, I’m struck by her almost unbearable beauty.

If only I could freeze this moment.

Touching her would be sheer recklessness, I remind myself. Like shattering a rare ornate vase.

And yet . . . I want to—need to—have her see me as more than the stranger who crossed her path by fate.

She glances up, and I feel naked, dragging my gaze away toward the darkening woods.

She must have noticed the flame burning behind my eyes because she stands up abruptly. “How about a dip under that waterfall?” Her eyes are twinkling playfully as she starts taking off her T-shirt.

My breath catches at the sight of her white skin glistening in the moonlight, her girlish sports bra encasing two perfect mounds. She hooks her fingers on the rim of her shorts, looking at me while dragging them down, revealing a flat belly and white cotton panties.

The contradiction of her seductive play with the innocence of her no-frills underwear is the end of me.

“Afraid of the cold water?” she teases, the purest, sweetest sound I have heard in a long while.

I’m caught off guard by how fucking beautiful she is. Reluctantly, I peel my eyes off her body and nod. The idea is tempting, though it’s by far not the best one.

I try to dispel the tension in the air. “Sure, but no peeking.”

“Deal!” she agrees with a bubbly laugh as I stand up and grab my backpack to look for my trunks.

The pull toward her is undeniable, but I smash the urge.

She”s too young. And I . . . I”m too broken.

“The water is heavenly,” she chirps, already submerged when I step into the tranquil pool. She dips her head in and swims toward the waterfall.

It takes all my resolve to not look at her, afraid I will lose the last shred of control. The water is cool and shallow, and I swim after her until I catch up. We let the cascading waterfall wash over us, the world blurring into a spray of droplets, its sound a deafening roar.

Finally, I give in, turning my gaze toward her. As I watch the moonlight dance on her skin, a swirl of heat seeps into my muscles.

An image of trailing my lips down that gorgeous swan neck flashes through my mind. I snuff it out.

She’s barely legal, I reprimand myself.

My fists are clenched at my sides, almost trembling from trying not to touch her.

But she catches my eye, without a doubt recognizing the unbridled desire. Carefully, she wades through the water. She is standing so close that I could trace every contour of her lips, her breath tickling the end of my nose. A sweet, lavender bergamot scent.

She doesn’t move.

She just stands there, as if she is a bit nervous. But also determined. Her gaze dips to my mouth, her eyes hungry. I can’t help imagining how she would taste.

“Maddie,” I growl in warning. “No. Don’t do this.”

All the blood from my head travels south, turning my cock into a brick.

She takes my hand. It’s a simple, innocent move, and yet, her touch sends a jolt of electricity through my spine.

“Yes,” she says simply, her gaze locked on mine. “I want you.”

I step forward, watching her chest rise and fall, my heart beating erratically.

“Do you know what you’re getting yourself into, Little Bird?” It’s an opportunity for her to turn back. A forewarning. “I don’t know that I’ll be able to stop myself if you come any closer.”

“But I don’t want you to stop.” She places my palm between her breasts. Her heart is thumping wildly, a steady, persistent drum.

“Relationships are not my thing.” It’s one last warning.

She nods, her lips parted ever so slightly. “Understood. Only tonight.”

As soon as I lower my face and my lips finally graze hers, it’s like I caused an explosion. I push her mouth open with my tongue, slipping it against hers, penetrating and demanding. She tastes like a raindrop in a dry desert. I push away all caution as her hands wrap around my neck, her tongue tangling with mine, soft and tender. She clings to me, submitting.

“You taste good,” I say as I move my lips down her neck, then to her collarbone. “Do you want this? Tell me you want it.”

Her back arches against my hands, pliant and malleable, a moan escaping her lips.

“You’re so young, Maddie. I need you to say it.”

Her breath catches as I cup her breast, caressing her hardened nipple through the fabric of her bra. “I want you, Jack. I want this. It’s just for tonight, I get it.”

Her arms brush through my hair, pulling me closer. I grab her by the hips, lifting her up, her legs wrapping around my waist effortlessly. My mind is wiped blank as I carry her through the water out to the clearing, setting her on the ground next to the fire. Her red sleeping bag is unpacked next to her backpack, and I grab it along with a towel and a pack of condoms from my bag. Then I pull her by the arm and lead her into the cave; she follows pliantly. Fire dances on the walls, casting a warm glow.

“Want to dance with me in the dark, Maddie?” I ask as I peel off her wet bra and panties and let them fall to our feet. I take off my trunks, my cock springing free.

At the sight, she gasps and steps back. “Oh my God.”

I take her hand and place it gently on my shaft.

“You can always change your mind,” I whisper, trailing my lips down her neck, pushing her wet hair aside. I haven’t been with a woman in over a year, and I‘m not sure I can be gentle. Yet I can tell that Maddie will need time and patience.

She shakes her head, brushing my cock gently up and down. I grasp her face in my hands and kiss her, darker and more dominant this time.

“Do you like holding me in your hand, Little Bird?”

“Y-yes . . .” she mutters, and I push her gently to the ground, spreading her sleeping bag open and laying her on it.

“Not the most comfortable place for what I have in mind, but it’ll do.” I grin as I lower myself over her and grab a pebbled nipple in my mouth, biting it gently. She writhes under my touch, lifting her hips.

“Easy, Maddie,” I whisper. “We have time.”

“Just don’t . . . stop.” She shudders as I continue playing with her round breasts. Slowly, I slide my hand down to her pulsing center, gliding over her wet folds. I feel her legs press together, and I pull away in surprise.

Did she change her mind after all?

“If this is too much, tell me to stop.”

But she moans and throws her head back, spreading her legs again. “God, no. Don’t stop.”

My fingertips slip gently between her folds again, and I part her, finding her swollen clit and rubbing it in small circles.

“Not God, Little Bird. Use my name when I touch you.”

She cries out against my lips, and I slide down her tight body, leaving a trail of smoldering kisses on her belly and thighs until I reach her pussy. Almost dizzy from the tantalizing scent of her, I swipe my tongue over her opening.

At my touch, she lets out a cry. “Oh, Jack, this feels so good.”

The taste of her is pure heaven, and I lick her greedily as if she is my last meal. In a steady rhythm, my tongue flicks over her while my fingers tease her clit, feeling her core tightening. She is rocking shamelessly against my face.

“Come for me, Little Bird,” I order while her hands grip at my short hair, looking for stability, her body convulsing. She shakes and writhes, her pussy pulsating around my tongue, dripping fluid.

I revel in the endless wave of her orgasm. Once her shaking subsides, I slide up her body and grab the pack of condoms.

But she lifts up on her elbows, making me stop in my tracks. “I feel I need to tell you something, soldier.” Her voice drawls, sticky like molasses.

“That sounds serious.” I put the condoms aside, lowering myself next to her.

She looks away, blinking. I grab her chin with my fingers, turning her face back to me and brushing my lips against hers.

“Do you want to stop?”

“No,” she whispers, looking at me apologetically. “But you should know that I don’t have much experience.”

Jesus.

“How little experience are we talking about here?”

She hesitates. “Very little.”

Christ.

“Was I the first to eat you out?”

She nods, embarrassed.

In heaven.

“I never went all the way. With a boy.”

With a boy.

But I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s only twenty-two.

Walking away now is impossible. I’m like a dry desert in a rainstorm, unable to stop soaking her in. My dick is pulsing with need, my whole body vibrating.

She lifts herself up, her hand sliding up and down my cock, wiping all coherent thought away.

“I want you to be my first.” Her voice is demanding, as if she knows saying no would be costly for me.

I raise my head to hers, brushing her lips with my tongue.

“You will be my ruin, Maddie,” I grind out.

The thought of going where no man has been before is intoxicating. Knowing that I was the first one to taste her, that I would be the first one in her pussy is dizzying.

But I’m not ready for commitment. For her first time, she should be with a man who loves her.

“Does it change things for you that I’m a virgin?” She pushes me gently to lie on my back. She is still gliding her hand over my shaft and looking me in the eyes, the lack of blood in my brain making me lightheaded.

“A little.” I grin, swiping my thumb over her lower lip. “You deserve better than being deflowered in a cave by a one-night stand.”

She exhales, disappointment flickering on her face.

“But I’ll make you come as many times as you can take it tonight,” I say, pulling her back in for a kiss.

“Let’s see how good you are at denying yourself,” she challenges, and my heart is thundering in my chest as she lowers her mouth to my cock, licking the precum.

“Have you ever . . .” I start as she twirls her tongue on my tip.

“I’ve watched movies.” She snickers and takes all of me in, her teeth grazing me lightly.

“Slowly, Maddie. Don’t use your teeth.” I chuckle and grab her head, redirecting her.

“Sorry.” She looks at me playfully then lowers her head again. “You taste good, soldier,” she mumbles.

My eyes roll back as she takes the hint. Her mouth is warm, her tongue wet, silky smooth lips travel down my shaft. I reach for her hand and place it on my balls, showing her how to squeeze them. She sucks me greedily, and too soon, I feel a powerful orgasm build.

“I can”t hold out much longer,” I warn, thinking she would finish me off with her hand. I try to slide out of her mouth, but she doesn’t let me pull away, still sucking at me hungrily as I spill into her, the tension from my body releasing in quick, short bursts. Looking up, she swallows and wipes her mouth, smirking.

I grab her face in my hands, pulling her to my chest. “Seems to me you watched some excellent movies.”

She laughs, settling in on top of me. Her breath is deep and steady as I draw shapes on her back with my finger, feeling her velvety skin.

Leaving her in the morning will be hard. But I know that she can do so much better than a broken former Navy SEAL.