Military Matchmate

by Jade Alters

  It was time for me to start living again.

  When Hunter returned with the news that Debra and Jacob were thrilled to go off together and get ice cream, it hit me that I’d barely eaten in the last few days, and I was suddenly starving. “You probably don’t feel up to a restaurant do you?”

  “I can eat. You’ve probably noticed I’m always hungry.”

  Once we were seated at the diner, it was time for me to get honest. “Hunter, I do want to date you. I’m sorry I’ve been such a crazy person about this.”

  His brows drew together. “You haven’t been crazy. You’ve been totally normal.”

  “No. I haven’t. I feel like all of this is my fault. I’m the one that showed up while you were working. If you hadn't needed to take me home, those men never would have followed us.”

  “Sweetheart. I understand feeling guilty. After all, I am the trained soldier who let them follow us without noticing. But we have reason to believe they'd have found us anyway.”

  “How?”

  “We’ve been seen together at a cocktail party, at a picnic, we were guests at your home. Only the most incompetent criminals wouldn’t have been able to put us together. ”

  “Ah. Well, that makes me feel a little better. And that’s why I’m in the medical field and not a spy.” “I still haven’t talked to my kid about him rushing face-first into danger again. He obviously takes after his dad.”

  “I think he takes after his mom too.”

  “That is not true! I’m a nurse. A damn good one, but I save people with medicine, not heroics.”

  “I seem to remember a certain nurse plowing my SUV into a seasoned criminal.”

  “Well.” I hid my face behind my hands while he laughed.

  “I happen to find that nurse to be the coolest, hottest, toughest woman I’ve ever met.” He ran his fingers across the inside of my wrist.

  A shiver went down my spine and spread to warm the space between my legs. “As soon as you’re healed, just wait.”

  A wicked gleam sparked in his eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with that part of my body.”

  It took a lot to make me blush, but a burning heat flushed across my face and down my chest. I wanted to give Hunter my nurse’s opinion, but it looked like I had a lot to learn about shifter healing. After a fight like that, a human wouldn’t see the outside of a hospital for two weeks, but Hunter was able to joke about sex.

  “Back to your place?” I asked. He deserved to be appreciated, and beyond that, I wanted him. Sitting and staring at his handsome face made me want to get him alone, and fast.

  “Yeah. The guys from my unit came and cleaned everything up this morning.”

  Oh. That was a sobering thought. My mind supplied an image of Hunter’s blood all over the porch. All over my clothes. All over my hands.

  “Are you okay?”

  Swallowing was tough. “Yeah. Just remembered.”

  “From yesterday?” A rueful smile settled on his full lips. “It’s okay if you need more time. Anyone would be rattled.”

  “I’ve seen plenty of blood before,” I insisted. “I’ve even gotten it on my hands.”

  “Not at home though. And your patients aren’t trying to kill you.”

  “Did that guy die? The one I hit with your car?”

  “No. My CO escorted him personally to the hospital. Several FBI agents showed up to interrogate him. He’s going to be locked away for a long time.”

  “Good.” I took a drink of water, relishing the feel of the cold glass in my hand. “Do you get used to it? The death? From the bad guys and yours?”

  “No. I haven’t gotten used to it. I don’t know what it’s like to work with kids; I don’t think I could do it. But I’d imagine it’s like finding out one of your toddlers has cancer. You never get used to it. You’re never okay with it.”

  “You’re right.” I wiped my face with the napkin, probably smearing food and makeup all over my face. “Why do we always end up interrupting our hottest moments like this?”

  “Guess it’s our special talent.”

  “Let’s add that to our resumes. Special skills: ability to interrupt any sexy moment with serious topics.”

  He laughed. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Pushing him around wasn’t an option, but I wanted him more than ever. You’d think I’d be a little better at not taking people for granted, given my history, but it had still taken almost losing Hunter for me to get my ass in gear.

  “How can we do this?” I asked.

  Hunter shrugged out of his shirt. I couldn’t resist peering at his stitches. “One more interruption for my special skills,” I said, tracing my finger over the gash on his side. “This looks really good.”

  “Is that your handiwork?” he asked.

  “Yes it most certainly is, and I don’t want it ruined.”

  “Alright, time to turn off the nurse brain.”

  He hit the lights, leaving us in a mostly-dark room. “Hey, can’t you see in the dark?”

  “Yep,” he said.

  “Not fair. I like seeing your body,” I said as I ran my hands over his hard pecs.

  “I’m removing the temptation for you to slide into nurse mode until I’m back to normal.” He sat down and pulled me over to straddle his lap.

  “Well, something sure doesn’t need any help getting back to normal.”

  He chuckled. “Can’t help it. Nothing keeps me down with you in the room.”

  “Keeps you down,” I giggled.

  He didn’t reply but went after my neck with his mouth. “Need to be inside you,” he said.

  “Don’t want to wait.” I grabbed his pants and got them unbuttoned. He pushed them down and I hitched my sundress up and pushed my panties down. With my dress still on, I stood over his lap.”

  One hand came up to cover my bare backside. His fingers slipped into my folds, finding my wet heat. “You feel ready.”

  “I am.” Sinking down on his waiting cock, I groaned.

  “Cassandra,” he breathed. “I love you. I’m sorry I haven’t said it before.”

  “Your aunt used the word mate to me. What does that mean?”

  “This,” he panted, thrusting into me while he slipped his hand under my sundress to thumb over my breasts. “The way I feel about you. One person, for life. You’re it for me.”

  “I love you too,” I said, sealing my mouth over his as we rocked together. Hearing him confirm what I thought mate meant should have me reeling. Instead, a warm glow unfurled through my body.

  With the addition of his hand between my legs, it didn’t take long for my body to tense. My core pulsed around his cock.

  “Cassandra!” he yelled as he followed right behind me, never letting go as we came down together.

  The following morning Jacob was waiting on us in the kitchen when we finally woke up. “Guess what’s coming up on Saturday?” he asked.

  “What?”

  He waved his tablet around. “Minigolf! And free pizza!”

  “What are you talking about?” I asked. “Are you going to make us meet other people?”

  “No silly! We’ll all go together. Military Matchmaking Mission is hosting a minigolf night.”

  Hunter and I exchanged a look. “I guess we should tell him.”

  Jacob bounced on the balls of his feet. “Tell me what?”

  I pulled Hunter’s hand into mine. “We’re dating now.”

  Jacob slid off the stool and flopped on the ground for a minute before launching himself into the air. “Yay! That means you and Aunt Debra can come to Universal with us in August! And you can move into our house! The bees can come too!”

  Epilogue

  We did end up taking Jacob to the mini-golf night. His friends Charlie and Jessica were going to be there, and now that we weren’t being pushed into a date, we could actually enjoy the night. The evening air in June was warm, and the sky was clear.

  My CO gave me the rest of the week off work, and I used it to
pick out a ring for Cassandra. Maybe some would say it was way too soon, but I knew she was it for me.

  Mate, mate, mate, my bear insisted, every single time I looked at the ring.

  If she said no, I’d accept it. I’d still be there for Jacob, as often as she’d let me.

  I’d already gotten the green light from Jacob. The kid had actually chosen for us to attend this event instead of attempting to have his birthday party again. I was pretty sure he associated the shit-show from the last two weeks with his birthday party, and he was in no hurry to replicate it.

  “I got a hole in one!” Cassandra shouted from ahead of us. She waved her hot pink putter in the air.

  “Good job,” I yelled back.

  I gave Jacob a nudge. “You sure you want to go through with this?” I asked as I flashed the ring box at him.

  His nod was vigorous. “Yep. I’m ready.”

  “Okay. As soon as she hits the last ball, you know what to do.”

  He gave me a thumbs up. A minutes later, we’d all finished putting, including Debra, and Jacob ran over to the play area next to the final hole. “Hey mom, come here. I have to show you something.”

  “What is it, sweetie?”

  Very carefully, I got myself in position next to the wooden play fort. Even with my balance being permanently screwed up, I could still usually kneel if I put my real leg on the ground. The week after being shot and stabbed made things a little harder. The last thing I needed while trying to propose was to fall flat on my ass.

  I made sure I was able to use my arm to balance against the climbing fort on the playground.

  Dusk had set, and Cassandra was squinting. “Where are you, Jacob?”

  Jacob hopped down next to me and got down on one knee as well. “If you start to fall, I’ll grab you.”

  He really was the best kid. “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  Behind us, Debra got into position, ready to take a photo if it went well.

  “Over here, mom!”

  She came around the corner of the playhouse. “I don’t know if I can handle a swing, after all, that food we--”

  She stopped and stood still with her mouth open. Then her hands came up to cover her mouth, and her eyes got big and watery.

  “Cassandra Wyecraft, I know it’s really soon, but we started off with a bang.” Beside me, Jacob giggled, and behind me, I heard Debra mutter, “get on with it.”

  “I’ve already talked to Jacob, and to Debra, and they’re both on board. Will you marry me, and make us a family?”

  Cassandra rushed forward and collapsed to her knees, grabbing both of us around the neck. Luckily I was able to grab the post of the fort and stay upright.

  “I had no idea,” she sobbed.

  “What’s your answer mom?” Jacob shouted.

  “Yes. Of course, it’s yes! I would love to marry you!”

  Cassandra let go of me to squeeze Jacob and then Debra, and I got to my feet. Once we were all standing, I pulled all four of us together.

  “Group hug,” I said.

  “It’s a family hug,” Cassandra said, and Debra and Jacob beamed back at us.

  Afterword

  A Final Note from Jade:

  I hope you enjoyed this story. Well, the good news is that there’s more to come. If you want to be the first to hear about my new releases, promotions and giveaways, I urge you to join my Exclusive Reader’s Club:

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  Also by Jade Alters

  Special Bear Protectors

  Single Dad Matchmate

  Alpha’s Second Chance

  Claimed by a Beast

  Fated Shifter Mates :

  Fated Shifter Mates Box Set

  Mated to the Pride

  Mated to Team Shadow

  Mated to the Clan

  Mated to the Pack

  The Descendants :

  Shared by the Four

  Desired by Four

  Fate of Three

  In the Heat of the Pack :

  Protected by the Pack

  Claimed by the Pack