No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology

by Elizabeth Knox

  Her soft lips uttered a gasp and then she gazed up at him with a saucy smile.

  She held her hands out in front of her and beckoned to him. “I want you, Sterling.”

  “You just broke up with Phil. Shouldn’t you be . . .”

  “What? Moping in a corner somewhere? Waiting by the phone for the cheater to call me and apologize? To hell with that. I want you to make me feel better. Don’t you want that too?”

  Damn it. He did.

  He placed his hands on her bare shoulders and then realized his mistake when she started unbuttoning his pants.

  “Abby, please. I don’t want you to have any regrets. We’ve been best friends for far too long to lose our friendship over a fling.”

  “Who said this was a fling? I meant it when I said I want you, Sterling. It’s been way too long since you’ve been gone. Don’t you think I deserve a reward?” She winked. The familiar sound of his zipper pinged against his eardrums. He drew in a sharp intake of air as she slipped her tiny hand over his boxers.

  He groaned. “Abby . . . Abby, damn it.” He pulled her hand out of his pants, hissing as she caressed him slowly on the way up.

  “I didn’t know you liked me that way. All this time and you never said anything.”

  She placed her hands on his waistband and tugged down.

  He, slowly, shook his head. “I don’t think we should be doing this.”

  She tilted her head to one side. “But why not? We’re both adults.”

  He shoved her hands away and took several steps back. “You’re not thinking clearly. This will change things.”

  She hunched her shoulders and gazed at the floor, scuffing her pointed big toe randomly across the tile in front of her. The corners of her mouth sunk pulling her lips into a slight frown. “You don’t want me?”

  The impact of her words tugged at his heart, their sentiment chastised his mind. What in the world made her come to that conclusion? What did he do to add to her defeated state?

  He threw his hands up in the air in resignation and took two steps toward her. “Fuck it. I can’t fight you anymore.” Circling his hands behind her head he pulled her in for a kiss and then uttered a long, low groan as he victoriously slipped his tongue through her welcoming cavern. She moaned in reply. Damn, she was sexy and sweet. Maybe he wouldn’t need the conditioner after all.

  Chapter Five

  Abby rubbed her fingers through Sterling’s hair and pulled at several short strands as he continued his exploration. First, he French kissed her—the actual length of time he took could’ve been years for all he knew. Blissfully unaware of little else except for the gorgeous female in his arms, time became irrelevant. His mind, instantly, went numb with pleasure everywhere he touched.

  Stroking his hands down her sides, he enveloped her breasts within the palms of his hands, elated they spilled over the sides of his fingers. Sterling always loved Abby’s generous form even if she, at times, debased herself because of it. She’d learned through the years not to belittle her figure in front of him. With a great sense of humor, a flirtatious, kind-hearted nature, and a loyalty that surpassed the basic meaning of the word, she was perfect in every way. Her feminine assets only added to the already stellar package.

  Sterling knew whoever won her heart would be lucky, indeed. He never figured she might choose him, in the end.

  With a tinge of regret, he broke their kiss. Leaning his forehead against hers, he inhaled deeply, striving to regulate the normal cycle of oxygen flow and smiling when he found her, too, happily out of breath. He sensed the stirrings of his heart, inhaled several deep breaths of air and, finally, confessed to her his true feelings. “I love you, Abby, and not just as your friend. I’ve loved you for a long time now.”

  She caressed the side of his face, her fingers passing over his skin with short, gentle strokes. “Why didn’t you tell me, Sterling?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I never thought I had a chance.”

  She smiled up at him. “You’re my best friend, silly. We already have half the relationship down pat and in our favor.”

  He gazed at her, fondly, while a warm, cozy sensation filled his heart to capacity.

  “Undress,” she ordered, standing back a bit and watching in admiration as he stripped his clothes quickly off. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him beside her into the shower and closed the curtain. She placed her hands within his, and gazed into his eyes.

  “And by the way, I love you too, Sterling. I always have. I think I’ve been waiting for you to love me back.”

  He scooped her into his arms with a big, goofy grin. “I love you so much. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

  Giving him a full view of her bare ass, she bent over and turned the water on. Swiveling toward him, she placed her hands across his bare chest and whispered. “Well . . . You can start by soaping me.”

  The next day, they stayed in, cuddled, and made love. Only when they grew hungry for something besides each other, did they dare step out of the bed to fix a sandwich or pour a glass of iced tea.

  She caught Sterling watching her, eying her as if he was waiting to catch her slipping out the front door. In the past she might’ve done that, yet today, she wasn’t going anywhere. As soon as she invited Sterling into the shower with her, she knew their relationship would change. She decided, from that moment, she’d set aside her nagging reservations and see how far they could go. That was—if he was willing to take the unknown journey with her.

  Being with Sterling had always been an untouchable dream. An elusive wish, she imagined possible with all of the girls he dated but never with her. Yet, here she was, encased within his solid, perfect arms when years ago she’d find him holding someone else, instead.

  Gunner slipped beneath the sheets, startling them. He stalked toward them and slumped down, forcing his furry body between their happily fused, nakedness. Abby balked, screeching as Gunner’s wet nose slid across her stomach while Sterling pointed to the floor and ordered Gunner out with a stern tone of voice. They watched as Gunner’s ears flopped down and he slowly slinked off the bed as if in apology. Turning toward each other, they laughed merrily at his antics.

  For, possibly, the first time in her life, Abby’s heart was full. With Gunner and now, Sterling, in her life, in the way she’d always wanted, everything was as it should be. She couldn’t think of anything else she wanted to make her life whole. It already was.

  Abby patted the lower edge of the bed. “Poor Gunner. Come here. You can lie down right here.” Gunner leaped onto the foot of the bed and, promptly, received caresses and belly rubs from them. His paws hung in the air and his tongue lolled out of his mouth as they continued their adoration with plenty of chuckles and glee.

  Sterling turned toward Abby. Lowering her head back onto her pillow, he stared into her eyes. “I adore you.”

  She smiled, the corners of her mouth widening as wave after wave of joy rushed through her. Inviting Sterling to take the next step was scary but she was more than thrilled that she leaped over the edge into the unknown and that he took the fall with her.

  Awe and respect for the soldier, currently planting kisses across her cheeks and her shoulders, shone through her eyes. This man, her best friend, fought bravely to defend their country. His selfless act of service and his generosity rendered her speechless. The one man she’d always loved and admired looked deeply into her eyes, the golden flecks adorning his filled with something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It was something she’d never seen from anyone in a very long time.

  “I love you.” The force of his words cut straight through her heart. The way he said them and the deep, adoring look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.

  “I love you too. Always, Sterling. I will always love you, no matter what happens to us.”

  Lifting her hand toward his mouth, his lips planted soft, sweet kisses across her knuckles. “I don’t know what you’re planning, Abs, but I expect to be with you, fo
rever.”

  Abby caressed his cheek. “Good, ‘cause I’m not letting you go. I can’t, Sterling. I can’t imagine my life without you. I think I would be incredibly sad.”

  Sterling tilted her chin up, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. “We can’t have that. I never want to see you sad. And when you are, I want to be there for you, always, my sweet Abby.”

  Abby blinked. “I can’t believe this is happening. I mean, I never thought we’d end up together. I had hoped and pictured it, at times, but never thought it would be real one day.”

  “Well, it is and I’m glad. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. Everything I looked for but never found.”

  She curled her finger around a wayward strand of his hair. “I’m so glad you said yes.”

  “As am I. I love you, Abby. Just so you know, you’ll have to pack up and move in with me because I don’t think we’re ever leaving my room.”

  She chuckled. “But your dad . . .”

  “He’ll be thrilled. He’s always pictured us together. He’ll be happy to know we are, finally.”

  She widened her eyes. “Really?”

  He licked the back of her ear and then whispered into it, his hot breath and his suggestive words causing a delightful shiver down her spine. “Yes. Now . . . open those sexy legs of yours and let me reward you for taking a chance on me.”

  She did as he asked and then squealed as he turned his salacious proposal into a pleasurable promise.

  The End

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  Saving Grace

  K.C. Stone

  AVAILABLE NOW FROM

  K.C. STONE

  SERIES: LAWLESS MC

  Demanding Dom (Free Prequel)

  Rescuing Jules (Book #1)

  Breaking Locke (Book #2)

  SERIES: DIAVOLO MAFIOSO

  Devil May Care (Book #1)

  ANTHOLOGIES

  Santa’s Naughty Helpers: A Christmas Themed Anthology

  Sweet Treats: A Valentine’s Day Anthology

  No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology

  Warning: My playlists are a bit all over the place.

  Godless – BANKS

  Not Afraid Anymore – Halsey

  Helium – Sia

  The Hunted – The Rigs

  Heaven – Julia Michaels

  One Woman Man – John Legend

  War of Hearts – Ruelle

  Jealous – Nick Jonas

  Acknowledgments

  Knox Publishing - Again I can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to tell stories. Thank you for taking the chance on me.

  Jessica Evans - Thank you for all the hard work you do. Without your patience and kindness, I would not be doing this today. You lady are amazing, you are such a fantastic friend and thank you for being there for me.

  To Michael, thank you for everything. Thank you for having faith in me and telling me that no matter what, you believe in me and that you are proud of me. Thank you for allowing me to have the endless nights of writing while you get ignored. Everything I do is for us! I love you!

  This book is for all the service men and women that have given everything for our country so that we may have the freedom we have. Thank you for your sacrifices, your honor and service to our country.

  Chapter One

  Jax

  “Fuck, why does it have to be a billion degrees out here?” I yell as I walk out of the sleep tent.

  “Because we are in the Devil’s asshole,” Rider jokes.

  “You ready to check the gears?” he hollers back.

  “Let’s do this,” I tell him, making my way from the tent to our vehicles prepping them for our ride out.

  “Hop in let’s go,” I shout out. This should be short and simple, it has been pretty low key the past few weeks, like the low-key days but something tells me all of our low-key days just mean something bigger is coming.

  “You ready for this shit to be over?” Rider asks, sitting in the back of the Humvee.

  “Hell yes, I’m ready for a little down time, R&R, some pool time, beer, you know all that boring shit,” I tell him.

  “I just can’t wait for real food, and I’m going to sleep for days,” Rider says.

  “Hell yes. We have two days and counting,” I agree.

  This will be my third but not final deployment. After this one I get to kick it up by the pool and just relax for three whole days before I have got to head back to base. I can’t wait to see my family. Looking around I see nothing but desert sand, but that doesn’t mean you can slack. Out here you have to pay attention, or you pay with your life and the lives of your men.

  “All clear,” I hear over the radio.

  “Roger that,” Rider confirms.

  Heading straight we are six miles from the next checkpoint let’s keep an eye out.

  “Keep alive boys,” Riggs shouts to the back of the Humvee slapping the roof.

  Looking left then right I see it out of the corner of my eye.

  The Jeep in front has no time before the explosions. Sand and metal go flying, the blast so loud and close I can feel the heat from it. We barely have enough time to react before the second explosion throws us from our vehicle. The pain is insurmountable, I look over and see one of my best friends lying on the ground covered in a mixture of blood and sand.

  “No, Rider!” I yell just before everything fades to black.

  Jerking awake I curse as I look toward the alarm clock, the numbers mocking me. “Damn it.”

  It’s three-fifteen in the morning. Same shit different night, cold sweats, long nights, and a hell of a lot of pain, I pull the blanket back trying to circulate air. I lean over and rub my leg. It has been twelve months and I still feel every bit of it. When I close my eyes, I am right back there again.

  Making my way to the living room I grab a drink and head to the couch, no sense on lying back down it won’t help. I know sleep will evade me for the rest of the night. I hate nights, I can no longer keep myself busy as the past comes back to haunt my dreams.

  Nobody can ever prepare you for coming back, as much as they tell you what will happen or what they think will happen, unless you have experienced it you never fully understand. We spend so much time in the noise, between trucks, constant chatter of radios, people talking not to mention constantly needing to be aware of everything around us that when we are home, and it is dead silent, the ghosts of our pasts come back to haunt us.

  A knock at the door brings me around, I look up and notice the clock on the wall shows six-thirty. I must have fallen back to sleep, standing I head toward the door, when it opens wide and in walks my sister.

  “Morning, Apple Jax,” she says, kissing me.

  “Don’t call me that, I hated it as a kid, I hate it now,” I tell her, my tone laced with sudden annoyance. “Why are you here? I haven’t had enough coffee to deal with you yet,” I say mainly kidding. I love my sister; she has been my rock but even she can’t help shake my anxiety from my dreams.

  “Uhhh, did you forget what today is?” she asks a little too excited.

  “Yes,” I say, pouring steaming hot coffee into my favorite mug. “So, why don’t you tell me,” I say, dragging in my first sip of the day.

  “Dogs Inc. come today to deliver your dog.” Her tone showing just how excited she is.

  “Rebecca, I told you I don’t need a service dog, I only
signed up for the program because the therapist said it was necessary,” I say, looking down at the paperwork.

  “Yes, it is. So, Evelyn May and the dog should be here in one hour. You might want to take a shower you stink, Apple Jax,” she says with a wink and leaves the kitchen, while I storm off and shower.

  A short time later there is a knock at the door, damn it why do I have to do this? I think to myself.

  “Because you need to.” My sister looks at me and at first I am thrown by the fact that she knows what I am thinking.

  “Stay out of my head,” I tell her, damn you for being a twin and she shrugs her shoulders and lets out a laugh.

  My sister and I have always been closely linked; people say growing up we were inseparable from birth all the way up until I left for the Army.

  I knew when I got back, I was different. Military changes you, life changes you. My sister has always been my rock, sometimes she’s a rock I want to throw in the Grand Canyon, but she is still my rock.

  Her excitement shows as she bounces with glee when I reach for the door.

  “Hi, I’m Evelyn May from Dogs Inc. and this is Grace.” She waves her hand downward.

  “Are you Mr. Cole?” I look down to see a German shepherd puppy with the largest ears I have ever seen perked straight up, her head tilted in acknowledgment.

  “Come in.” My sister’s voice rings from behind me.

  “Ahh, yeah come on in,” I second, opening the door wider, then head toward the couch.

  Pain radiating up my leg this damn thing is killing me. I make a mental note to call the VA and get it checked. Absentmindedly I rub where my prosthesis starts.