by Anna Lee
Table of Contents
Legal Page
Title Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademarks Acknowledgement
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
New Excerpt
About the Author
Publisher Page
Would You Wait for Me?
ISBN # 978-1-78651-531-5
©Copyright Anna Lee 2017
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright February 2017
Edited by Sue Meadows
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2017 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
WOULD YOU WAIT FOR ME?
Anna Lee
Kip made a promise to Lucas that he’d come home to him after his tour overseas, but will Lucas be waiting for him like he promised?
Kip Foster is nearly finished with his tour overseas and is ready to leave the hot desert and constant threat of danger. He hopes to reunite with his lover, Lucas Danvers. When he calls to ask Lucas to meet him at their hotel, however, Lucas breaks it off with him. Lucas no longer wants to be his dirty little secret. He says he’s waited long enough for Kip to make a choice and he hasn’t. Devastated, Kip realizes how much he loves Lucas and that if he’s to win him back he needs to do something big. He needs to not let hate and fear control his life. So he makes plans to start living life the way he wants to. Will Lucas still be waiting when he comes home, though?
Dedication
To my dear friend, Caz, for listening to all my crazy ideas and for always supporting me.
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Skype: Microsoft Corporation
Green Arrow: DC Comics, Inc.
TARDIS: British Broadcasting Corporation
Snickers: Mars, Incorporated
Humvee: AM General LLC
Chapter One
As he kissed along Lucas’s jaw, Kip wished they could stay here in this moment. Freeze time. He didn’t want to leave his lover. But his duffel was by the door and in the morning he’d drive back to the base and be deployed to Iraq.
Lucas pulled him in for a kiss. “Stay with me, babe.”
“I want to,” Kip whispered, gazing at him. He knew Lucas meant in the here and now but he voiced his thoughts. He braced his hands on either side of Lucas’s head. Their naked bodies entwined with the twisted sheets. They were both still half-hard even though they’d just made love.
“I know.” Lucas’s sea-blue eyes teared up. “Promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“Come home to me. Make it through this tour and get back here. I don’t… I can’t lose you.”
He moved and wrapped Lucas in a hug. “You won’t.” He brushed his lips to Lucas’s forehead, pushing back his brown curls. “Promise me you’ll wait for me?” He wanted to be everything Lucas needed. And he hoped his promise would be enough.
“I will,” Lucas swore, giving him a small smile.
“Then I’ll do anything I have to so I can get back here to you.” Kip kissed him softly, but the kiss became fueled by need and the desire to not part. He rolled Lucas over so he was on top once again, their cocks languidly sliding together. “I love you, Luc.”
“I love you, too.” Lucas clung tightly to him as they rocked toward their climaxes. They reached it together, falling into pleasure as they held onto one another. Kip wanted to sear this into his memory—this would be a moment he’d remember to get him through the rough and lonely days ahead.
* * * *
The next morning came way too soon. Kip showered and dressed as Lucas ordered them breakfast. They shared pancakes and coffee on the unmade bed. As they ate, Kip wondered when they’d be together again. He had his orders, but he could return sooner or even later. Eight months was a long time. They could write letters, sure, but phone calls would be few and far between to avoid suspicion. And Skyping was out. Any rumors could get back to his father, the base commander, and he’d be forced to come out. He wasn’t ready for that yet. He wanted to openly declare he was in a relationship with the beautiful man beside him, but he was afraid of the risks. There were so many to think about where he was going. He sighed and Lucas looked up from his cup. “What is it?”
He reached over to caress Lucas’s cheek. “Nothing. You know we’ll have to celebrate our anniversary when I get back.” Four years ago, when Jax —Kip’s German Shepherd—had fallen ill, they’d met while Lucas had been doing an internship. They’d just clicked and Lucas had been a good friend when he’d made the difficult decision to put the dog to sleep as he’d had a brain tumor. Friendship had slowly become more, and Lucas had agreed to keep their relationship a secret during his first tour. Since then, they’d fallen in love, but were still hiding it from everyone. And here he was, ready for the next deployment.
“Four years next month.” Lucas smiled. Then he ran a hand through his hair. “I wish I could go with you right now. See you off.”
“I know, but it’s better this way. We can say our goodbyes and I can kiss you all I want.”
Lucas leaned over and gave him a coffee-flavored kiss. “Promise you’ll at least think about me being at the homecoming when you get back?”
“I will.” Kip gazed at him. “I’m really going to miss you.”
“Me too.” Lucas bit his lip. “I’m going to start interviews next week. I’m hoping if I can get a decent job I could get a bigger place. Then we wouldn’t have to come here all the time.”
Kip was staying in the barracks, and they could barely turn around in Lucas’s apartment, so the hotel was a nice place for them both to get away from it all. “Didn’t Brianna say she’d have a spot for you once you got your degree?”
“She did.” Lucas nodded. “And my aunt might be moving to Florida, so there’s another option.”
“Oh, yeah? She’ll give you the house?”
“Not outright, but it could be mine… Ours,” he said quietly.
“That would be great… I gotta go, baby. We’ll talk about this more later, okay?” Kip grabbed his duffel and cap. He checked the clock. “I’m already pushing it.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Lucas jumped up and walked over to him. He adjusted Kip’s jacket, then cupped his face and kissed him so softly it took Kip’s breath away.
He put Lucas’s hand on his heart. “I’m leaving this here, keep it safe.”
There were tears in Lucas’s eyes and he just nodded. For a moment he was silent, then he said, “I’ll write you every day.”
“And I’ll call when I can.” Kip embraced his lover and breathed him in. It took every ou
nce of willpower to step away and go to the door. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“You’d better be.” Lucas gave him a watery smile. “Love you, Kip.”
He turned back and grinned at Lucas, putting on a brave front and feigning confidence he didn’t feel. “Love you, Lucas.” He hefted his bag over his shoulder and walked away, already wishing he didn’t have to leave.
* * * *
Eight months later
Just two more weeks and Kip would be outta this nightmare Away from the hotter-than-hell, bug-infested desert. Away from flying bullets, IEDs and insurgents. He’d be going home. This second tour had been tougher, he was more homesick, more lonely. He couldn’t wait to see Lucas again. Eight months was too long without his smile, his laugh, his touch. He missed how good it felt to be in Lucas’s arms. Kissing him. Making love with him.
It was why he was taking a bit of a risk now and calling him. No one knew he was gay. None of the guys in his unit had a clue. He either claimed he was single or got vague about the details. He was too afraid of how they’d react. What they’d do to him if given a chance. Nate Mathers in particular worried him with his constant homophobic slurs.
Shaking the thoughts away, Kip waited for Lucas to answer. There wasn’t anyone in the small room and it wasn’t like they could know who he was talking to.
“Hello? Kip, are you okay?” Lucas’s soft voice was filled with worry.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to call.” Kip whispered the next part, “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. How’s it going?”
“I’m ready to come home. That’s why I’m calling.”
“I was hoping you would. I wanted to ask you, can I meet you when you get home?”
“At our hotel?” Kip got excited. They were on the same wavelength. They always met in secret and stayed the weekend at a hotel outside town. In their own little bubble, they would relax, make love and dream of living like that once he left the army. His dad wanted him to stay in, but Kip wanted to go to school. He planned to study law. Lucas had encouraged him to enroll after this tour and he’d decided to. His four years of active duty would be done when classes started and he’d be in inactive reserve.
“No, I was thinking at the homecoming on base.”
“Luc, you know my parents are gonna be there.”
“And we’re best friends, we could make up something. Can’t we? You promised me you’d think about it.”
Kip had thought about it. He could just imagine the fit his father would throw. And there were a few guys he feared would be nasty, he couldn’t expose Lucas to that. Mathers always had something homophobic to say. He didn’t want Lucas hurt. “I did and it’s too risky,” Kip told him. “We haven’t seen each other in so long. I want to be able to hold you and kiss you when we do.”
“So, why don’t you?” Lucas countered. “We’re not kids anymore, Kip. I’ve got a job now at the vet’s office, Brianna hired me. I’m looking into moving into a bigger apartment. I want to start making a future. For us.”
Kip sighed. “You know I want that, too.”
“Then what’s the problem? You’re gonna leave the army. You won’t see most of those guys again. And if the others are your friends they won’t care.”
“What about my mom and dad? You want me to come out in front of everyone?”
“I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to. I’m just saying, I’ve waited four years. Four years as your secret. Because I love you. But I’m starting to feel like you don’t love me as much.”
“That’s crap!” Kip gripped the phone tighter. He was hurt by what Lucas said. Anger bubbled up. How can he even think that? Sure, their situation wasn’t ideal, but Lucas was everything to him. “You know that’s not true.”
“Then why do you let hate and fear control our lives? Yeah, the world sucks sometimes and there’s plenty to be worried over, but that’s no way to live.”
“It is over here,” Kip argued. “What if these guys weren’t watching my back on patrol? What if one of them ‘accidently’ shot me in a firefight?”
“You always go to worst-case scenario!” Lucas raised his voice. “Why do you gotta scare me like that?”
Kip pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to.”
“I’m not asking you for a lot. I just want to be with you.”
“We will be,” he assured. “Just give me a few weeks when I get home. I’ll tell my parents. I’ll figure it all out.”
“You always want more time, Kip.” Lucas sighed, disappointment clear in his voice. “I don’t know if I can wait anymore. Call me when you get home.”
Kip’s heart sped up. Surely, Lucas wasn’t saying what he thought he was. How could he do this to him right now? While he was over here fighting like hell to make it home? “Are you breaking up with me right now? I’m over here in hell and that’s what you’re gonna do?”
“I don’t want to,” Lucas said, voice hitching. “But what’s the point of staying together if I’m never going to have all of you? If you’re always going to have an excuse and keep me a secret?”
“I’m not. I won’t. Just give me one chance,” Kip pleaded.
“I don’t know. I’m going to go now, give us both some time to think. Maybe we’ll talk later.” The line went dead.
“No!” Kip almost threw the satellite phone, but tossed it onto the nearby table. He stalked around the tent, boots pounding up the sand that had been trekked in. He ran a hand through his short-cropped hair and tried to calm down. They hadn’t officially said it was over. Maybe he could fix this. Though right now, he was angry. Why was Lucas pushing him so hard to tell everyone? He had brought it up a few times before but he’d never gotten so upset. Had something happened? Had he met someone else and was using this as a reason to end things? Kip didn’t know, his emotions were everywhere.
He thought back to the day he’d left and Lucas’s promise to wait. He wouldn’t break that. So then what was it? Idiot, he thought to himself, he’s missed you and all he wanted was to see you, but all you did was be a coward again. Why couldn’t he just admit it? He was gay. It shouldn’t matter, it was who he was. And someone loved him. So why couldn’t that be enough? Why did he fear everyone else’s opinion?
“Dude,” Dave called, sticking his head in the room. The dark-skinned guy was built like a mountain and was a hell of a mechanic. He could repair any vehicle. He was also funny and always had a way of lifting spirits. Dave was a close buddy, someone Kip could count on. But would he be able to if he told him that he was gay? Dave thought Mathers was a loudmouth jackass but Kip didn’t know one way or another on how he’d react. That uncertainty stopped him cold. “There you are. I need some help. You okay?”
“Fine,” Kip lied, putting his mask back in place.
“You look like you got dumped. Girl trouble?” Dave shook his head. “My girl broke up with me the first tour, couldn’t handle it. Hey, though, the girls back home, they love a guy in uniform. I found that out. We could go to the bar when we get back.”
“Thanks, I’m good.” Kip stepped over. “What did you need?”
“Your loss, man.” Dave smirked. “C’mon, I need an extra set of hands to fix an engine.”
Well, that should keep him busy for a while. Good, hard labor might clear his head. “Sure thing.”
Chapter Two
How could things have gone so wrong in a matter of minutes? One second, Dave had been joking with Kip as they walked through a village on patrol, the next he was holding his friend’s bleeding body. A sniper had hit him, directly in the neck. Kip put his hand over the hole and dragged Dave to cover behind a broken wall. There were shouts and orders but he focused on Dave.
“It’s gonna be okay, Dave. Just hang in there.”
Dave tried to speak but gurgled blood instead. He tried again. “’S’okay, Kip. Remember all we got is today and life is good.”
Shit. Kip was going to lose him. “
I need help! Medic!”
Mathers, of all people, jumped over the wall and landed beside him. “We’re pinned down. We gotta get that sniper. You can do it, Kip. You’re the best shot out of all of us.”
“I can’t let go,” Kip argued.
“If you don’t, we’re all dead.” Mathers put his hand over Kip’s. “Move it away. I’ll take care of him. Soon as you can get that bastard, we can get the Big Guy here some help.”
“Damn it.” Kip looked at Dave and saw understanding in his eyes. Everyone was counting on him. He slipped his hand away and Mathers quickly pressed down, covering Dave’s mouth before he could scream. He shot Mathers a glare, but the guy ignored it. Kip knew he needed a better spot. He wiped away the blood on his camo pants, readied his rifle and scope then rolled out into the sand. He had to see where the sniper was, and waited for a bullet to whiz by. The sun’s reflection caught on the enemy’s lens, and Kip saw him nestled on a roof not too far away, but he’d only get one shot. One shot or he’d be the next target, and he had a feeling the bastard wouldn’t miss. He dropped onto his belly and crawled over and under a rundown car. He hoped it would give him some cover. He steadied his gun, looked through the sight and lined up the shot. The sniper was firing at Liam, who had unwisely chosen some barrels to hide behind.
Kip pulled the trigger and closed his eyes, praying he’d survive the next few minutes. He had to get home. He had to make things right with Lucas. He couldn’t have that fight be their last words. There was silence then he heard something. The body rolling off the roof and hitting the hard ground. Kip hated taking lives, but his guys were in danger. And Dave…
Kip leaped out from his cover and ran back to his friend. Everyone had gathered around Dave. Mathers shook his head as Kip approached. Dave had bled out from his wound. A dark pool of blood seeped into the sand. Mathers’s hands and pants were soaked in it. Kip dropped to his knees and hung his head beside his friend. He wanted to scream but didn’t.
