She swallowed hard and gripped the side of her desk. “Umm…oh, uh…Logan…” she sighed softly as his lips kissed her lobe once again. “Allow me to write up my notes and I’ll let you know.”
His hands moved to find her hips and he gripped her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I’m not sure how much longer I need to wait for you, but I’m willing to do it.” He kissed her jawline, then her cheek.
If she were to turn her head just slightly, their lips would meet. He smirked as her head began to move toward his and Logan pulled away. “I look forward to hearing your verdict soon.” Logan took a few back steps out of the room, then turned to leave.
He heard Miranda let out a rush of sexual frustration. He chuckled inwardly and left the hallway. Once he made it to his bike, he adjusted himself so not to sit uncomfortably on his erection. He glanced up to the window of the office she stood in and shook his head.
What happens once you have her, will you still want her?
That was the question of the day. Logan sighed and started up his bike, then took off for his home. He knew the old game of wanting what you can’t have.
He shook it off. He would want Miranda afterward, wouldn’t he? Of course he would.
Right?
Right.
Chapter Seventeen
Logan sat in the barracks and cleaned his Beretta M9. He loved his gun and wanted it in pristine condition. A weapon was only as good as its handler. The quote from his commanding officer echoed through his mind each time he tore the weapon apart, cleaned each piece, then placed it together again.
Once he completed the task, he loaded it, and readied it for firing, to include the set of the safety. He placed it on the table and looked up toward one of the windows. He gazed out upon the afternoon as the sun began to set. Logan smiled as he thought of Miranda.
She handled herself well in the bar that night, and damn did she look good. He wanted to see more of her, wanted this doctor patient bullshit done and over with. He wanted to know her better, maybe even consider her girlfriend material. He wanted to see her in and out of her clothes. He knew he liked her a lot, but how much? Who really knew?
After the shit went down with his wife, he did not like the thought of opening up to someone again, just to have them shit on him once more.
But you’re opening up to her now, dumbass.
“Chase, you up for the town t’night?” Looking up at the nickname he’d picked up over time, Tom Brody walked in with a wicked grin on his face. He wore a fitted white T-shirt with “U.S. Army” across the front. The white of the shirt was a contrast to his dark skin. Tom was thick like Logan and shaved his head. He was an Army Ranger and went through basic with Logan before going into the Ranger program.
Tom had Logan’s back whenever it was needed, battlefield or not. Logan would always return the favor. Through his time home, Brody became somewhat of a wingman for Logan.
“’Sup man?” Logan stood and shook Brody’s hand.
“Ahh, nada, man. Just looking to get laid t’night. I’m feeling anry!” Brody chuckled and dropped down on the seat next to him. “You up for it? Hell, who am I talking to, of course you are. Go on, shit, shower and shave, man. Meet me at my door when you’re ready to go.”
Logan chuckled. “Cool, all right. See you in a few.”
Brody stood and left the room. Logan grinned with a thought. Speaking of getting laid, if I were to go out tonight and meet some woman in the bar, what would be the harm in taking her home and fucking her? Do I self-medicate with sex?
He sighed and thought it over for a moment.
I don’t self-medicate with sex. That’s bullshit.
He shook his head to the self-argument. What the fuck will it hurt to go have a few drinks? He stood from his chair and immediately regretted his decision in playing captain, or in this case tonight, wingman.
The environment was crowded with the afternoon happy hour. The bar played top music from the radio stations at a level almost too loud for the ears. Logan and Brody stepped inside, their presence drawing attention. Two large men who could easily lift and hold, hours on end, one hundred plus pounds of equipment, definitely needed room to maneuver through an entryway.
Smiles from women pulled to their attention, as did the booze behind the bar. Logan put on his best front and followed Brody. He glanced up to what appeared to be a birdcage, but for the size of a human. A woman danced inside it and she barely wore clothing that covered her tits and ass. She had a toned body and looked damn gorgeous moving about.
A part of him wanted to go take a closer look; the other wanted a drink first, maybe watch from the bar.
“Who’s got your attention, man?” Tom clapped him on the back and leaned in. Following his gaze, Tom chuckled. “Damn, bitch is hot, Chase. Go tap it.”
“Nah, just got here. Let’s check out the place, then we’ll work.”
Brody nodded then turned to the bartender. He ordered two beers and two shots of Jack Daniels. He handed one of each of Logan with a grin.
“Here’s to the bitches who’ve used us, fucked us, and left us. Here’s to the ones we’ve not met, yet, and to the ones who’ll break our heart. And here’s to the ones who will get away.” Brody tapped Logan’s shot glass and threw it back.
And here’s to the ones who will get away. The thought ran through Logan’s mind for a moment and he thought of Miranda. Her lips, the way her body moved in his arms, the way she tasted when he kissed her…
“Dude, shoot the shit already!” Brody tapped his arm and brought Logan from his thoughts. Logan looked at the Jack and nodded, then drank it.
“Wow, damn!” Logan shook his head in an effort to settle the burning in his throat, then set the glass on the bar. “Thanks man, I needed this.”
“You look stopped up. Loosen up, fucker.” Brody chuckled and took a pull on his beer.
“Fuck you,” Logan said with a grin, then did the same. He turned on his seat at the bar and glanced around the surroundings. The bar had laser lights pointing here and there, then the pattern would change. A mirrored ball hung and the lights reflected off the walls, ceiling, and floor. The music pumped and he felt it against his body. He took another pull and when the bottle came down, he made eye contact with a woman.
She stood tall, possibly five foot eight. Long legs to her neck, short dress that hugged her body, tanned skin, definitely fake tits. He was not into fake or plastic shit, but this woman made it work for her. The dress was a halter style and it pushed her breasts up that much more.
I wonder if she wore panties under that dress, he thought. Her dark hair, almost black, had been pulled into a messy ponytail with small pieces of loose hair hanging around her face. She smiled and casually lowered her gaze, playing coy. She looked to him again and winked.
“Let the games begin, my friend,” Brody mumbled in his ear.
“Nah, go for it. Not interested.”
“She’s fucking stacked, man. Go.”
Logan took a drink and looked to his friend. “You go for it. I wanna watch you crash and burn, fucker.” He chuckled and pushed his friend toward the woman. Brody shook his head as he crossed the floor.
The woman smiled to Brody as he approached. They exchanged words, the woman looked to Logan. He chuckled and shook his head with a grin. Logan turned on the bar stool away from them and ordered another beer. Glancing to his watch, he checked the time and sighed.
This has got to be a first, he thought to himself. Why the hell do I feel out of place? I would rather see Miranda here and play up a first date type of scenario than be stuck playing hide the stick game with some chick that probably thinks plastic is organic and grows from the ground.
A tap on the shoulder pulled him from his thoughts. As Logan turned, he began to speak. “Didn’t work for you, did it--" he realized instantly it was not Brody. He cleared his throat and put on his best charm. Logan smiled and faced the woman he saw across the bar earlier.
“Hello, there good lookin
g. I’m Brandy. Nice to meet you.” She smiled and her teeth were pretty white. She either used the whitening stuff a lot or she was a hygienist. Most likely the former.
“How you doing, Brandy?”
“I’m doing pretty good,” she shrugged slightly, “maybe better now.” She stepped closer to him and leaned to the side slightly. He wondered for a moment what she was doing, then as he glanced down, he chuckled to himself.
The woman was making an attempt to put her goods on display without removing her clothes. She bent over slightly and used her arms to push her tits together. Being damn proud of them, she knew they looked amazing.
He looked back to her, glanced to where Brody was prior, and found him talking to someone else. He looked back to Brandy and she smiled. “So, come here often?”
He chuckled. “You really just said that?”
She giggled and shrugged again. “Seemed appropriate this time.”
“Right, well, yes then, I suppose I do. What may I do for you, Brandy?”
“I’m glad you asked. For starters, you may buy me my next drink. Then, go out there and dance with me. If you’re lucky, by the end of the night, I might be riding on top of you.”
He raised his brows to the abruptness of a woman he just met. “Do you talk to all the men you stalk this way?”
She raised a brow and pulled back slightly. “For one, there are no ‘all the men’ as you so put it. Another, I am a confident woman and go after what I want. So, Logan,” she ran a finger down his chest to his abs, “are you game, or are you going to pussy out on me?”
He chuckled and removed her hand from his body. “I think you’re a beautiful woman, Brandy, but no thank you. I’m not interested in getting you drunk just to take advantage of you. Go sell your shit somewhere else.”
She raised her brow in surprise and took a few steps back. “Fuck you, asshole.” She stomped away.
Logan shook his head and took a drink of his beer. Feeling a hand grab his shoulder, he turned to find Brody standing behind him.
“Dude, what the fuck just happened?”
Logan went through what occurred with the woman, then shrugged. “I’m just not into it tonight.”
“What the hell’s changed with you, Chase? You could have pussy on your lap in a matter of minutes. Now you’re pushing it away?”
Logan shrugged. “I’m not feeling it tonight.”
“Holy shit. You met someone, didn’t you?”
Logan grinned and lowered his gaze.
“You fucker! Why didn’t you say something?”
Logan looked up and took a pull on his beer. “Nothing to tell. I’m waiting to see where it goes. I don’t want to fuck this shit up.”
“Understood. All right, so you’re my wingman tonight. Be ready!”
Logan chuckled and shook his head. “Whatever you need my friend, whatever you need.” Logan liked Brody and liked the fact when something came up, like meeting a new woman, Brody didn’t ask any more questions.
Logan checked the time and thought again of Miranda. He wanted to call her and ask her to come out. He wanted to see her again and hoped she would not be against it. Then again, she’s still technically treating him.
Instead, he pulled out his phone. Pulling her name up, he drafted a text.
Hey beautiful. I’m out, having a beer. Not drunk. I even turned a woman away. Look, you made progress. How about that date?
He grinned and hit send, then pocketed his phone. Taking another pull of his beer, he set the bottle down when his phone vibrated. He pulled it out and chuckled at her response.
Who is this? Send a picture of yourself and I’ll let you know if a date could be in order. Better yet, press one for yes or two for no. Three for maybe.
He texted back.
But you never answered about that date.
He pressed send and waited.
What date are we talking? It is spring time so what, April first? Yay for fool’s day!
He smirked and wrote her back again.
Come on. You know what I’m asking. I will call you if you don’t. Better yet, I may just show up.
He pressed send again and this time, held onto his phone. He waited a few minutes for her answer. When Miranda did not immediately reply, he wondered if he took it too far. As he was about ready to press dial on her number, it vibrated in his hand.
You have one more session. We can talk after that. I’m going to bed now. If you show up at my home, I will not answer the door. It is locked so if you break in, I may have to call security on you. And by security, I mean my invisible dog. Goodnight, Logan.
He chuckled once more and pocketed his phone. He looked around the bar and found Brody talking to another woman. It did not look to be going well. The woman was bobbing her head this way and that and Brody took a few steps back from her in a surrendering manner. Logan went to intervene.
He tapped his chin and took a look to his options. A woman, blond with an ass a man could take a bite out of, stood at the bar alone. She had on a red dress that came to her knees and flowed freely. She had on wedge sandals and Logan grinned.
He tapped the shoulder of the woman and when she turned to face him, she was a knock out. Any other night, Logan would have taken her home himself. But tonight, tonight was about Brody getting lucky. The fucker needed it.
As the woman began to approach him, Logan reached for Brody and turned him around. “Have you met, Brody?” He lightly shoved Brody toward the woman, then took his leave. He chuckled and made his way back toward the bar.
He took a seat and after ordering another beer, glanced over to Brody. He grinned as the pair were laughing in conversation. Logan nodded, happy with what occurred, then paid his tab.
Chapter Eighteen
“Saunders, my office!” Logan turned to the command of Master Sergeant Landry. The man was huge, like the others, and his presence typically was known. He could walk into a room and command the attention without muttering a word. Some of it was deserved respect for the position he was in. The other was his size. He could intimidate a bare knuckle boxer.
Logan turned on his heel and headed toward his office.
“Shut the door, Saunders. We need to have a little chat.”
Logan felt his stomach drop slightly and wondered, what the fuck did I do now?
“Have a seat.” Landry opened a manila folder and made interest in a piece of paper, then turned it to the next.
Logan cleared his throat. “Sir, may I ask if I’m in some sort of trouble or something?”
Landry looked up to him with chagrin. “Did you do anything to be in said trouble?”
“Not that I’m aware of, sir.”
“All right then. Give me a moment to review what I have here and I’ll fill you in.”
Logan nodded and sat back in his chair. He glanced around the room and read some of the plaques on the Master Sergeant’s wall. A couple of metal of honor citations hung on the walls. Logan heard of one being red acted. Logan had a good idea of what occurred, but until the action reports were released, that information would be kept confidential.
He could relate with the Joint Force Command medals, or JFCom, and his own citation of valor. Another shelf held a few oak leaves for his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He shifted his gaze back to Landry and waited patiently while his level of respect for the man grew immensely. Landry dealt with a lot of shit in his position, especially the shit Logan dealt out with his drunken bar fight.
What a jackass move, he thought to himself. When did I become the person who would fuck a buddy's bitch in the men’s john? He mentally rolled his eyes to himself then thought of Miranda. She had managed to get through to him, somehow, where no one had. She wanted to be his person. She wanted to sincerely help him. He smiled softly to himself.
“All right, Saunders,” he closed the folder and made eye contact with Logan. “I have reports here your counseling has done well for you. I know you were not crazy about the idea, but, son,
I had to do something to save your ass. I need more soldiers like you here and I can’t afford to lose you.
“Assuming all goes well, you’ll be back in action by end of summer.” Master Sergeant smiled and stood, then held his hand out for Logan. “Congratulations, Saunders. Bring me the all clear paperwork from the counselor and I’ll have you reinstated with your unit as soon as possible.”
Logan shook the man’s hand and felt almost shocked. He did it. He actually passed and did it. He would be released to continue with combat, with Delta Force, with his unit.
As the excitement built, his chest suddenly tightened. Miranda. He released Master Sargent’s hand, then saluted him. He thanked him, then left his office.
Logan wanted to be with her. He liked her and had feelings for her, but how strong were they? Would he be doing her wrong by starting a relationship with her, just to turn and leave by summer’s end? Hell, he could leave tomorrow if the job called for it. Would she be willing to hang on long enough to find out?
His next stop would be his final session. This morning he looked forward to seeing her again and gaining his all clear. Now, he felt as if the world had begun to cave in and swallow him whole. It was as if the universe laughed in his face, then shit him out, just to do it all over again.
Logan shut the office door and stood in the hall for a moment. “How, in all of the shit in the world, is this fair?” He sighed and hung his head for a moment, then began the walk to his car. He needed to do this now and get it over with before things became too much and too permanent.
Miranda opened up the session as she usually did by offering guidance on what they’ll talk about today. She made eye contact with Logan and her face blushed just slightly. He grinned and glanced to the floor. Today’s subject was forgiveness, to others or yourself.
Field Stripped: 15 Steamy Military Romances Page 40
