Love United (Hollywood Series Book 3)

by Avery Michaels

  “Hey, don’t offer it if you don’t mean it around here.”

  “So what do you do around here, Blake Westin?”

  “You just saw me do it. I’m the medic in that unit. We escort civilians around outside of the wire, um, off base. Mostly contractors or reporters, though. You’re my first celebrity. That’s why you need an escort inside the wire as well.”

  I looked around. There was no one following us. No one even gave me a second look. I laughed. “Yeah, it looks like I may be mauled by overzealous fans.”

  “Ya never know,” he joked.

  “So, how old are you, Westin?”

  “Twenty-nine.”

  “Are you a fan?” I smiled.

  “Not really.” He scrunched up his nose but winked.

  “Dang! It’s okay to lie sometimes, soldier!”

  “Pop isn’t really my thing.” We were walking as I was eating. He pulled a bottle of half-frozen water out of one of his pouches and took a long swig. He tilted it my way, so I took it and drank everything except the ice. “Really?”

  “Don’t offer it if you don’t mean it, right?” I tossed his words back at him with a smile.

  “Touché’.”

  “What do you guys do for fun?”

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  I nodded eagerly, feeling more and more attracted to Blake Westin. “You better be sure because shit gets real around here.”

  “What is it?” I felt a little nervous as we approached a large tent. I had a flashback of Logan showing me through those double doors and briefly imagined what that experience would’ve been like with Blake Westin.

  He slung back the curtain of the tent, revealing a bunch of people watching Caddyshack.

  “Are you for real?” I laughed.

  “Yep. It’s a classic.”

  I sat down in the dirt outside the tent, but he didn’t join me. He remained standing. “Relax, soldier. At ease.” He looked around intently. When he realized no one was in sight, he sat down too.

  I picked at my jeans. “This seems like a wasted trip. Like a huge waste.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Look around.” I laughed a humorless laugh. “No one even cares that I’m here. They are more interested in watching a movie that came out twenty-five years ago than meeting me.”

  He didn’t deny it. “Why did you agree to come here? I mean, who in their right mind would volunteer to come out here?”

  “My manager and the people at my label made it sound patriotic. They made it seem as if it would make a difference.”

  “It will.” He nudged me and smiled. “They act like a bunch of badasses, but they really are excited that you’re here. Personally, I think it was really brave of you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Of course.”

  We sat there and chatted for about an hour about absolutely nothing. It was one of the most enjoyable conversations I’d had in years. I’d heard of others having instant connections, but I’d never really experienced it myself, until now.

  I decided to stop beating around the bush and get real. I was interested. It was stupid because he was a soldier and would be halfway around the world, but that was okay with me. I was rebounding off of Grant. Spending the evening with this gorgeous, interesting man would suit me just fine.

  “Are you married?”

  “No,” he said quickly. “I wouldn’t be sitting here with you like this if I had someone back home waiting. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  “Well, since you don’t have a someone, would it be appropriate to kiss me?” I flirted. He just stared at me with those light eyes, so I leaned in, but just as my lips touched his, he stood up.

  “I can’t Ms. Royce. I’m on duty. Besides, no fraternizing. It’s a thing. You know what else? We don’t even know each other,” he rambled. I couldn’t tell if he wanted to be pursued or not, but he was definitely rambling. It was cute.

  I stood up and pressed my body against his. He held firm, not backing away but not touching me either. I pushed up on my tiptoes, wrapped my hand around the back of his neck, leaned in, and whispered, “Sweet dreams then, soldier.” When I released him, his whole body relaxed. He’d been as tense as a tick. I turned on my heel and walked away, heading back toward my room.

  “Wait!” he called after me. “I’m supposed to stay with you.”

  “I remember the way, Westin. Have a nice night.”

  Chapter 4

  I really expected Blake Westin to follow behind me, but he didn’t. Pity. He could’ve made this trip worth my while.

  Oh well, couldn’t blame myself for trying. I wasn’t one of those girls who was ashamed to ask for what I wanted. I also wasn’t someone who was accustomed to being turned down. I undressed and slipped on a ribbed tank top and clean undies. I went to climb into bed but hesitated. Instead, I walked over to my door, softly pushed it open, and looked out. He was just standing there. I cracked the door a bit more. He stood stock-still, reminding me of the Queen’s Guard.

  “Hey, Westin,” I said softly. “Want to fraternize?”

  He turned toward me then, looking me up and down. He bit down on his lower lip. It was sexy as all get out. He was warring with himself. I could tell. “Ms. Royce, you’re beautiful, and I enjoyed your company this evening but…”

  I sauntered out to where he was standing, just a few feet outside my door. He looked around nervously. I grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him inside. He didn’t resist…much.

  As soon as I closed the door, it was as if I had flipped on his man switch. He ran his hands down my body, only stopping at my behind to lift me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, all the while looking into his eyes. His pupils dilated slightly, a natural reaction to arousal. I fumbled with his jacket, but I couldn’t figure it out. He smiled that tilted grin, propped my back against the wall, and took it off.

  That was when my switch flipped. His upper body was ripped. He had barbed wire tattooed on one bicep and something written on the other that I couldn’t make out. That’s when I crashed my lips into his. He pressed his need into me. Through the thin fabric of my cotton panties, I could feel all of him.

  “Roxy,” he whispered, “I’ve never done this before. I’ve never slept with a stranger.”

  “Really?” I said between kisses. He looked like the kind of guy who had been with a lot of women.

  “Really.”

  It made him even sexier. The truth was, I’d technically never had sex with a stranger either. I became emotionally attached easily so avoided one-night stands. I knew if I slept with someone, I had intentions to see them again, but not this guy. Not Blake. He would literally be half a world away after tomorrow.

  I basically clung to him like a spider monkey as he walked toward the bed. He was quite a bit taller than me and much broader as well.

  “Roxy,” he said again before laying me down.

  “Yeah.” I kissed his neck, cringing at the stage name. I’d never been called that during sex. I would simply shush my partner rather than to hear that made-up name, but I didn’t want Blake to be quiet. His accent made me feel at home.

  “I feel like I should tell you that it’s been some time since I’ve been with a woman. I’ve been here for almost a year, and even before that—”

  I cut him off with a kiss. He was big and strong, but his kisses were soft and slow. For it to have been a while for him, he didn’t seem eager. His tongue was smooth and warm, teasing mine. His skin was salty from sweat and tan from working out in the desert sun.

  What I thought would be a quick –wham, bam, thank you, ma’am— turned out to be something entirely different. I began to explore his body. I felt bedazzled by him. I was enthralled by every move he made. With every article of clothing he removed, I wanted him more.

  There was something missing though. The awkwardness. That awkwardness that was ever present during a first sexual encounter wasn’t there with Blake. He didn’t seem overly eager, no
r did he harbor any of that nervousness from earlier. It felt natural.

  As I kissed down his body, he said, “Roxy.”

  I couldn’t do it.

  “Maddison, um, Maddie,” I said, pulling myself back up to look him in the eye. “My real name is Maddie. Roxy is just a stage name.” He blinked a few times before realization dawned on him.

  “Okay, Maddie.” My name rolled off his tongue with a smile. He ran his hands up my thighs as I straddled him, both of us still wearing our undergarments, me still in my tank. “I’m on this shift all night, so there’s no need to rush.”

  “Won’t someone be by to check on you?”

  “Nah,” he said simply.

  I ran my hands up and down his chest and stomach, enjoying the feel of his muscles. He had a bit of a five o’clock shadow. It made me want to nibble at his chin.

  He sat up and kissed me again, pulling my legs tighter around his waist. After a moment he broke the kiss and looked me in the eye. He laughed a little, but not a funny laugh, more of a nervous laugh.

  “I have to ask you something.” I nodded, eager to get back to having fun. I was having so much fun! “I know you’re a celebrity and all, and a lot of things get made up about celebrities…”

  “Mmm hmm,” I hummed, leaning in to kiss him again, but he pulled back.

  “Did you, ah, did you make a sex tape? I heard on television that the actor, Logan Mason, and you were together and that y’all made a tape.”

  I halted, blinking several times before replying, “No, that’s crazy talk.”

  He smiled. “Sorry, I just had to ask.” Then he was rolling me over, kissing down my neck.

  Why did he have to ask? What did it matter? I felt my blood pressure rising at the amazing moment we were sharing being tainted, but then Blake eased his hand behind my head, pulling my face up to his.

  “I like kissing you,” he said. “Kissing you makes this place feel like home. It makes that desert, along with everything that happens in it, disappear. I can almost hear crickets chirping.”

  I giggled. “That’s not a good sign in my line of work.”

  “You know what I mean.” I knew. Back home, crickets chirped lullabies.

  Funny, charming, honest, and handsome: four of my favorite qualities in a man. Qualities that were rare to find in one person.

  He eyed me carefully, gauging my reaction when he went to lift my tank top. In fact, it felt as if he was gauging my reaction to everything he did. He wasn’t like the other men I had been with. He wanted to make me feel comfortable. He seemed to want to please me first. He wasn’t about himself at all. We lay there side by side like a couple of teenagers, kissing until my lips were chapped.

  Even though we were both naked except for our undies, he still hadn’t made a move to touch me, except to rub my back or brush the hair off of my cheek. He was so gentle. Maybe even too gentle, if that were possible.

  After a while, the buildup was too much. I rolled onto my back. He rolled with me, as though there were invisible strings holding us together, but I pushed him back so that he was on his side. I took his hand and ran it up my thigh toward my most private place. He took the hint, at least, I thought he had, but instead of stopping where I wanted him to, he ran his hand all the way up to cup my breast.

  “Is this okay?” I nodded, rubbing my lips together. “I mean is it okay if we just slow it down?”

  “Soldier, if we slow down any more, we’ll be at a standstill,” I pointed out.

  He rolled onto his back, rubbing his face. He let out a frustrated growl. “I’m sorry. Like I said, I’ve never done this. Not like this. Especially not here while on duty.”

  “Well, we don’t have to…” I grabbed the blanket, pulling it over myself, feeling embarrassed that I’d pressured him.

  “I didn’t mean that I didn’t want to. Oh, I do. Look at you. Look how sexy you are. Do you even know? The first thing I noticed about you was your eyes,” he said as he leaned over, kissing each of my eyelids. “The stark contrast between those baby blues and your dark hair is astonishing. Then your skin, it’s so soft.” He pushed the blanket to the side to kiss the skin around my navel. “Maddie, you’re beautiful. But I guess you must hear that all the time.”

  “No,” I told him truthfully, “not like that. No one has ever said it like that before.” No one had ever analyzed me that way.

  “Well, they should. What man wouldn’t want to be in my shoes—or skivvies— right now?” He smiled.

  I dropped the blanket. “May I?” I asked, reaching for the waist of his boxers. I usually wasn’t much of a giver, but his innocence made me want to do things to him. I climbed back on top of him and slid them down as he watched. He didn’t break eye contact until I licked him. That was when he moaned and dropped his head back.

  After I teased him for a bit, he grabbed me by my shoulders, lifting me up to straddle him. Then he pushed up all the way until I was straddling his face. I’d been in a lot of positions, but this hadn’t been one of them. It was naughty and exposing, but deliciously so.

  He didn’t just dabble like most lovers. He devoured. When I squirmed, he rolled me onto my back and held me in place until I came. He hummed with satisfaction as if it were him that had orgasmed.

  At that point, we were both done with the extensive foreplay. I reached into my suitcase beside the bed and pulled out a condom. I rolled it on him and he pressed inside me without hesitation. I guess any doubt he’d had shattered when I did.

  He was gentle at first, allowing me to adjust to his size, but then he dropped his head into the crook of my neck and said, “I need to…”

  “I know,” I said, knowing that he needed to come. I knew because it was how I felt before he went down. We had been making out for hours. I thrust upward to encourage him. That was all it took. He pulled me up like a ragdoll, sitting me in his lap. He bounced me, sucking, licking, and nibbling until I was about to come again. When I cried out, he slapped his hand over my mouth, laid me back down, and thrust until he came. When he released me, he kissed me chastely and laid back down beside me, scooping me up into his arms.

  “Wow,” I said.

  “Yeah,” he managed. He looked at me with those eyes and said, “Let’s do it again.”

  I giggled as we proceeded to do just that.

  Chapter 5

  Even at midday, daylight came early after a night like that. A wonderful night. Every other man I’d been with paled in comparison to Blake Westin.

  I rolled over in the small bed and found a yellow flower with a note that said:

  Sagebrush: the only flower in this wasteland. Have a great show. See you later. P.S. You looked unbelievably gorgeous in those old faded jeans! – B

  The little flower was as ugly as a flower could be, but it made me smile. He made me smile. I had butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing him again, “later.” I loved the way it felt meeting someone new. Being with Blake was like that times ten. It was as though we had combined months of dating into one night. We’d shared a meal, talked, made out, had a one-night stand, cuddled, talked some more, and laughed; we laughed a lot. After all of that, Blake made love to me then held me until I fell asleep. He was perfect. A small pang ran through me as I remembered that I would be leaving him behind later.

  I switched my train of thought. I got up, grabbed a pen, and began tapping it on my teeth. I flipped the note Blake had written me over and wrote down, These old faded jeans…

  The words of the song, inspired by Blake, flowed from me like water from a faucet. Speaking of water… I needed to start getting ready for my show. I hadn’t even showered. After a night like that, I couldn’t decide whether I was disgusting, for wanting to keep Blake’s scent on me, or romantic for not wanting to wash it away.

  Either way, I had to do it. And I had to admit I would be sad to leave him, but not this place. This hot, sticky, dirty place. I could hardly wait to get home. I just wished I could take him with me.

  Ugh
! This was exactly the kind of distraction I wasn’t looking for. I’d always been gun-shy when it came to guys. Well, not always, but definitely since Logan left me fending for myself that night... I just didn’t trust them anymore. I would date a guy and push him away before he could reject me. I’d taken a chance with my most recent boyfriend, Grant, and look where that had landed me.

  It didn’t matter with Blake though, because he wasn’t an option. He was off duty, probably sleeping somewhere, and I had a show. By the time it was done, I would have a couple of hours before I had to be back at the airport to catch my private jet. There was no way, and I mean no way, I was missing that baby! I didn’t want to be stuck here, nor did I want a replay of my flight out here.

  Besides, it was a fling; we both knew it. I was fine with it, and so was he. He’d been so amazing, though. Memories of the night before flooded my mind. I brushed it off, grabbed my small tote, and stepped out into the dirt, finding Jana in Blake’s stead.

  “Shower?” I asked.

  “Sure,” she said, motioning for me to follow her. “How did you sleep?”

  I stopped mid-step. “Ah, fine. I mean all right, I guess.”

  She looked at me like I was crazy. “Really?” Oh my goodness. Did she know? Blake had made it very clear that he would get in big trouble if—

  “It usually takes weeks for me to get a good night’s sleep when I get back here. This is my third tour.”

  Whew! Secret safe. “Wow, third? That’s really brave of you.”

  “It’s hard to just go back to grocery shopping and watching Wheel of Fortune after you’ve seen this,” she explained. I stared at her intently, admiring her. I didn’t realize we’d arrived at the showers. “Anyway, grab a shower, and I will be waiting when you’re ready, Roxy.”

  I stepped into the gym-style showering area. I hadn’t been prepared for it. No one had mentioned that I would be showering with other women, so when I walked in, I stopped and seemingly stared at them. Then I made a quick retreat.