Saved by a Soldier (Love Conquers Life #1)

by Alison Mello

  “Are you serious?”

  I nod. “He started to hurt me, so I pulled my arm away and told him there was nothing to talk about. He disagreed and pulled me completely out of the room. We continued our arguing and while we were going back and forth, Carter saw what was happening and came to my rescue.”

  Now she’s glowing. “Are you serious?”

  I give her a look. “Are you going to say anything more than, ‘Are you serious?’”

  She laughs. “Sorry. What happened next?”

  “The two of them had words from a distance and when Ben was approaching Carter for a fight, Ben’s father came out and stopped him. The worst part was I slipped about him backhanding me to his father.”

  She gasps. “No way! What did his father say?”

  I shrug. “I didn’t stick around to find out. Carter followed me and introduced himself. I was a bitch for about a minute, then we started talking and it was like we clicked. He wants to see me again. He asked me when he dropped me off last night if we could do dinner and we exchanged numbers.”

  “I’ve never seen you like this. You’re absolutely glowing,” she says, and that’s when I realize my cheeks hurt from smiling. “So what did you tell him?”

  “I asked him if he was picking me up or if we were meeting somewhere.”

  “And? Don’t leave me hanging.”

  I burst out laughing. “He’s picking me up tomorrow night at six thirty.” I’m giddy with excitement. “We have to go pick you out an outfit to wear!”

  We run to my room and start going through all the clothes in my closet. Then I realize, “Hey, how do I know what to wear when I don’t know where he’s taking me?”

  “Text him and ask him.”

  When I turn on my phone, I notice I already have a text from him.

  Carter: Good morning! Hope you slept well.

  Patty: I slept a little too well, just woke up about fifteen minutes ago. How about you?

  Carter: I got up around eight to work out.

  Patty: You work out on Sundays?

  Carter: It depends on my mood and I was trying to occupy my mind because I kept thinking about someone.

  Oh my God. “Look what he just wrote.”

  I show Bella the text and she squeals. “That’s awesome,” she says, excited for me.

  Patty: *blushing*

  Carter: I bet, you’re cute when you’re blushing.

  Patty: Are you trying to make it worse on purpose? Where are we going for dinner tomorrow? I need to know how to dress.

  Carter: Lol, No I’m not and dress comfortable. Like you did at the lake house ;-)

  Patty: Ugh! I got to go. I’ll talk to you later.

  Cater: Yes you will. Have a good day!

  Patty: You too!

  When I look up from my phone Bella is leaning against my bureau with her arms crossed, tapping her foot, like I’ve done something wrong.

  “What?”

  “Girl you’re redder than a beet, what was all of that?” I laugh and give her my phone so she can read the conversation. Between the two of us, we decide on a pair of jeggings with a cute sweater and a pair of Uggs.

  Once we’re done picking my clothes, Bella says, “Go take a shower and let’s go to lunch.”

  ***

  It’s Monday morning and I’m lying in bed exhausted because I barely slept a wink last night. All I kept thinking about was my date with Carter tonight. He looked so hot the other night in his tux. I kept dreaming about him stripping it off painstakingly slowly. I wanted him to rip it off and he wouldn’t. When he was finally done he climbed over me like I was his prey and that’s when I woke up soaked with my want for him.

  Fuck this.

  I reach over into my nightstand and grab my bullet. I turn it on and rub it gently over my clit thinking of Carter. I’m imagining his large hands rubbing all over my body and his full, luscious lips kissing my neck and collarbone. It’s been so long since anyone has touched me that I’m coming in a matter of minutes. My legs shaking, I ride it out with my bullet pressed between my legs.

  I groan in frustration. It’s only helped a little, and I still have to manage to get some work done before we go out tonight.

  I send him a text.

  Patty: Good luck on your first day!

  Carter: Thanks! Hope you have a good day too!

  Patty: Thanks! I can’t wait to see you tonight.

  Carter: Me too ;-)

  I jump out of bed and hit the shower so I can go about my day. When I’m done, I make a cup of coffee and boot up my laptop to see what’s going on in the social media world. I Google my name to see if there are pictures posted from the event Saturday since my agent loves seeing me out in public. I find pictures of me with Bella getting out of the limo and posing on the red carpet. Captioned under a nice pic of me and Bella is:

  Author P. A. Fitzgerald with model friend Bella Campbell at a fundraiser Saturday night.

  I print that one out. I have a best friend’s frame that I switch the picture out on once in a while and that’s a nice one. I continue scrolling through the pictures when I come across a picture of me and Carter and I’m mesmerized. The caption reads:

  Author P. A. Fitzgerald leaves event with mystery man, believed to be the son of Mr. Montgomery, local bank owner.

  I’m all smiles because we’re looking at each other and smiling like we’ve known each other for years and yet we only just met. My phone rings, startling me from my thoughts, I look at my phone and roll my eyes.

  “Good morning, Mother.”

  “Patricia, darling, how could you take off on Ben like that Saturday night? There are pictures of you and that boy all over social media and people are talking.”

  “Mother, stop!” I snap. “I did not run out on Ben, he backhanded me and I broke up with him. Stop feeding him false hope that we will get back together because we will not. I don’t care if he is the president of the United States, I’m not going back to him. And for your information I left with Carter because he came to my rescue when Ben got drunk and nearly attacked me yet again outside the event. Please stop defending this man.”

  “Patricia, I’m your mother, you need to calm down.”

  “That’s right, you’re my mother, so how about you start sticking up for me because the fundraiser we attended that night took place because of men like Ben? When you’re ready to stop pushing him on me, call me. Until then I have nothing more to say, Mother!”

  I hang up the phone panting with anger. I want to scream. My phone starts ringing again and it’s her but I send her to voicemail, refusing to take her call. She calls again and this time I put her to voicemail and then send her a text.

  Patty: I’m working right now. I can’t have this conversation with you.

  Mother: I’m sorry.

  I ignore her text and move on to my email, and of course I have one from my agent. All it says is “Who’s the stud?” I send her a brief reply telling her I will let her know if he becomes someone significant, though right now he’s just a date. I answer a few other emails and then get to work on my writing.

  A short while later I realize I haven’t eaten anything yet. I take a break to eat and check my social media. I make myself a sandwich, chips, and some grapes then plop myself back in front of the laptop to see what’s going on. When I open my fan page there are a ton of posts asking who my mystery man is and if it’s serious. I sigh, realizing I need to give Carter a heads up about this. I send him a text so I don’t bother him if he’s super busy at work.

  Patty: Hey can you call me when you have a free moment?

  Carter: Only if you promise it’s not to back out on me.

  Patty: I promise

  A minute later my phone rings. “Hey, Carter, how’s your day going?”

  “Good so far, and I’m hoping it will stay that way,” he chuckles.

  “Well, that depends. I logged on to check my social media and chat with my readers and I discovered something. I’m not sure how you wi
ll feel about it.”

  “You mean our picture all over the place and everyone asking who your mystery man is?”

  “You know?” I question, slightly nervous.

  He laughs. “Yeah one of my buddies saw it and called me this morning. Listen, I know we don’t really know each other and we’re only going on our first date, but I could care less. Let them post what they want.”

  “I’m glad you’re not upset about being my ‘hot mystery man’ as one paper posted.”

  “Are you mad that I’m your hot mystery man?”

  I blush because I know he’s flirting with me. “No.”

  “You’re blushing, aren’t you?”

  I shake my head, though he cannot see it. “I should let you get back to work.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes and see you at six thirty.”

  “Talk to you later, Carter.”

  I cut the call and debate if I should post something about last night’s photo. I decide to tell my fans that for now I’m keeping his identity a secret, but may decide to introduce him in the future.

  With all that’s going on around me I can’t focus on the book so I take a break to simply read and relax for a while before I have to get ready for my date with Carter. As I sit on the couch with a book to read, my mind is wandering to ideas for my book. Now I can’t even focus on reading. I hate days like this. I can’t seem to focus on any one thing. I jot down my ideas in my notebook, toying with the scene on paper until I have it the way I want it. I make note of roughly where I want it to go in the book and once I’m satisfied I decide to start getting ready.

  A short while later I’m pacing my living room ready for my date and nervous as heck. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date.

  He was so sweet the other night. I smile as I recall us leaving the dinner in his Jeep to go for coffee. He was a complete gentleman, opening doors and buying me coffee and a muffin. We chatted a bit about everyday life and kept the conversation light since it was late and we had both had a long day. The way he looked at me when I spoke was like he was truly interested in what I had to say and he wanted to hear more. I thought it was so sweet that he kissed me on the cheek before ushering me into my car so he could make sure I got off safely.

  My thoughts are interrupted when the buzzer to my apartment rings. I’m so deep in thought it makes me jump. I get up and answer it. “Hello?”

  “Hey, it’s me,” Carter says, and I buzz him in. Minutes later he’s knocking on my door.

  I open it to find him smiling at me with a small bouquet of flowers in his hand. “Hi, these are for you,” he says, handing them to me.

  “Thank you, they’re really pretty. I’ll just put them in some water and we can go.”

  “Cool. I thought we would go to Jake’s. Have you ever been there?”

  I turn to him with a smile that shows how happy I am about his choice. “Yes, I love Jake’s. How’d you know?”

  “I didn’t. I just figured after getting dressed up this weekend it would be nice to have a casual, relaxing dinner.”

  “That’s perfect because to be honest, I’m not a fan of getting too dressed up. I do it to please my mother.” I put my flowers in water.

  “I’ve had the…pleasure of meeting your mom on a few occasions.”

  “If I know my mom, I’m sure it was no pleasure.” I laugh. “I’m ready if you are.”

  “Sure, I’ll drive,” he says, opening the door for me and we make our way down to the car hand in hand.

  Being the gentleman that he is, Carter opens the door to his Jeep for me so I can climb in. I’m sitting there fidgeting, my leg jumping, when he gets into the driver’s seat. I don’t realize I’m doing it until he places his hand on my leg. “Relax,” he says. His strong, warm hand feels good on my leg. His touch sends goosebumps all over my body. I look down, biting my lip as I’m blushing.

  He puts his key in the ignition and starts the car. As he drives off I can’t help but wonder what this incredible man sees in me. I glance over for a moment while he’s focused on driving. His car is filled with his musky, minty scent and it’s intoxicating.

  He senses me staring so he looks over. “A penny for your thoughts.”

  I can’t answer him right now. Turning my head, I look back out the window. “Trust me, you don’t want in my head.”

  “Oh, but I do,” he says.

  A minute later we pull up to Jake’s. He finds a spot immediately and gets out of the Jeep to open my door. I’m nervous and my clumsiness has me practically falling out of the Jeep and into his arms. My body instantly warms as he catches me and looks into my eyes. We stay like that for what feels like forever, but we are broken from our trance when a lunatic screeches into the parking lot.

  “Let’s go eat,” he says. “I’m starved.”

  When we get inside he gives his name and we’re instantly seated with two menus and water. I love Jake’s because they offer breakfast all day and I love having breakfast for dinner. Carter picks up his menu, but when he notices I’m not really looking at mine he says, “Let me guess, you know what you want.”

  “I do. I love their breakfast and always have it when I come here, no matter what time of day it is. I’m having the special. It’s two eggs, two pieces of bacon, home fries, and a pancake.”

  “That sounds good. I think I’ll have the same thing.”

  “I can never finish it but I get a little of everything I love.”

  He closes his menu and leans on the table to start a conversation when our waitress comes over. “What can I get you two tonight?”

  “I would like a coffee with the breakfast special,” I say.

  She grins at me. “Will you ever order anything else, Patty?”

  I laugh. “Maybe someday. I’d like my eggs whites only and scrambled with—”

  “Broccoli, peppers and onions. Got it.”

  I giggle as she turns to Carter for his order.

  “I’ll make it easy on you,” he says, “make it two.”

  She looks back to me with a sneaky smile and walks off with our order.

  “What was that all about?” Carter asks me.

  “What?” I feign innocence. “I saw the look she gave you.”

  I shrug. “I’m usually in here alone. It sucks to cook for one person and this place isn’t far from me so I come here anytime I feel like having breakfast. I always order the same thing, the same way, every time.”

  “That’s pretty funny,” he says. Our waitress returns with our coffee. Once she’s gone he asks, “Why are you and your mom not on the best terms?”

  I sigh, not sure I want to talk about this. I give him the short answer. “She wants me to be someone I’m not. She thinks that just because Ben apologized and he has money I should forgive him and go back to him. He’s boring and not very nice, so why I would do that is beyond me.”

  “No offense, but she’s a bit…” he hesitates, trying to choose his words carefully.

  “Snobby,” I answer for him.

  He chuckles. “Yeah, I guess that’s a way to describe her.”

  “She’s very snobby. I’ve never spoken to my father about why they separated but I think it was because she wanted someone with more money. My stepfather was one of the top lawyers around and is now the district attorney, plus he comes from money. My mother likes to be his arm candy and believes that as her daughter it is my place to follow in her footsteps, playing the supportive wife who does whatever her husband bids.”

  “I wanted to flatten your ex Saturday night. I can’t believe your mother supports a great cause like a battered woman’s shelter but wants you to be with a man who hits you and treats you that way.”

  “I know, I thought the same thing. Anyway, can we shift the conversation? I’d rather not talk about her anymore.”

  “Sure, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was such a heavy topic,” he says with an apologetic smile.

  “How come I’ve never seen you at the lake house?”

>   He shrugs. “I was wondering the same thing, but I figured it was an age gap or just happened we weren’t there at the same times.”

  “My mom hates the place so I really didn’t start spending time there until I was about twelve or thirteen. My mom always hated that my dad took me there but I loved it so I didn’t care.”

  “Yeah, and like I said, I think I’m a few years older than you so I was probably over hanging at the lake house with my dad at that point. Although I have to admit I did enjoy being back there.”

  “Why how old are you?” I ask, curious. He doesn’t look that old.

  He grins as our waitress delivers our food and when she walks away he says, “I’ll tell you my age if you tell me yours.”

  I can’t help the giggle that escapes me. “Okay, fair enough.”

  “I’m thirty but I’ll be thirty-one soon.”

  “Yeah, you were probably over the lake house then, because I’m only turning twenty-five, so you’re about six years older than me.”

  “I was still going, but not nearly as much,” he says.

  We both start eating in a comfortable silence, enjoying our dinner. About halfway through he says, “This is really good, I’m glad I got it.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I would have felt bad if you picked my favorite meal and decided it sucked.”

  “Nah, you have good taste.”

  The waitress comes over to ask if we need anything else. I tell her that I’m good and he does the same, so she drops the bill and as I go to take it he grabs it and says, “I got this.”

  “But you paid Saturday night.”

  He raises his eyebrows like he can’t believe I just said that. “And I’ll pay next time too.”