“Exactly.” I laid back in the massaging chair and closed my eyes. I was keyed up for tonight, eager to see Shaw again. We’d had three nights together before he’d left for Kentucky, but it hadn’t even begun to be enough for me. Those nights had only whetted my appetite.
We’d talked on the phone or video chatted each day he’d been gone. And yeah, we’d had some fairly spectacular phone sex, too. But I was more than ready for him to come home and be in my bed with me now.
“What do you think of this color?” Sandra held out a bottle of red polish for me to examine.
“Ooooh, pretty.” I nodded. “I like it. Fingers or toes?”
“Toes, I think—I can’t put anything too dark on my fingers, because the damn stuff chips right away. At least the lighter color gives me the illusion of it lasting longer.” Her phone, resting on her lap, began to buzz, and she picked it up frowning at the screen.
“I’m thinking purple on both fingers and toes.” I shook the bottle I’d selected. “It complements my coloring. Or maybe . . .” I stopped talking when I realized that my friend’s face had gone white as she continued to stare at her phone. “What? What is it? Is Colin okay?”
“Yeah,” she whispered. “It’s a group message from my Family Readiness Group.” Sandra cleared her throat. “Uh, one of the guys attending Air Assault school was hurt today.”
For a moment, the world spun and tilted, and I had a crazy moment of de-ja vu. “They didn’t say who it was?” I knew that Shaw was only one of several Fort Lee-based soldiers taking this course this week.
“They don’t know yet. And they don’t know how bad it is. When the messages go out, sometimes it’s just . . .” She shrugged. “You know. They have to say something. But nothing like this usually is shared until the family is notified.”
“I wouldn’t be notified.” I shrugged. “Shaw’s mom would be, and I don’t know if he’s said anything to her about us. I mean . . . we’re new. We only just started . . . seeing each other.”
“It isn’t Shaw.” Sandra laid her hand on mine. “It couldn’t be.”
As weird as it sounded, I thought she was right. I had an odd peace, a sense that everything was all right. I hadn’t heard from Shaw today, even though he’d promised to call me after his final rappel, but I knew that he couldn’t have his phone with him at all times, so I hadn’t worried.
Now, as though I’d summoned it, my phone buzzed, too. When I saw the readout on the screen, unexpected tears blurred my eyes.
Shaw: Babe, I’m fine. My rappel was great. But Derek was hurt, and I’m at the hospital with him now. I won’t be home tonight. I’m sorry.
“It’s Derek.” I held up the telephone so that Sandra could read the screen. “He’s the one who was hurt.”
“Holy shit.” She shook her head. “I know him. He’s not a close friend of Jeff’s, but they were in the same OBC. Damn, I hope he’s all right.”
Delia: I understand. Is Derek going to be all right? Is there anything I can do?
Shaw: We don’t know yet. He’s in ICU, and there may be a problem with his back. I’ll keep you posted, and I’ll call you in a little while.
Delia: I’ll be here. I’m sorry, Shaw. I’m praying for Derek. I hope he’ll be okay.
* * *
When the phone rang that night, I jumped, my heart racing. I’d fallen asleep on the sofa, holding it in my hand, waiting for Shaw’s call.
“Hello?” I whispered, as though there were anyone around I might disturb by speaking too loudly.
“Hey, babe.” Shaw sounded exhausted. “Did I wake you up?”
“I just dozed off. How’s Derek?” I rubbed my eyes, trying to rouse myself.
“He’s going to be okay.” There was a heaviness in Shaw’s voice. “But it’s going to be a long road ahead of him. He fractured his spine, and he’ll have to have surgery and then physical therapy. Otherwise . . . he has a concussion, but he woke up and the doctors said he’s oriented. That shouldn’t be an issue.”
“I’m glad.” I paused for a moment. “How are you?”
He sighed. “It was a fucking long day, Dee. I’m not going to lie. I was scared shitless. But I’m heading back to the barracks now. I’ll stay here another day, make sure Derek’s out of the woods, and then I’m going to catch a flight home on Sunday. I’m so sorry, babe. I know I promised I’d be home tonight.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. I completely understand this. Derek needs a friend, and I’m happy that you can be there for him.”
“Yeah.” He was quiet for a beat. “So I have to ask . . . and tell me the truth. Are you freaking out? I know I told you that this course was as safe as houses, and they take precautions and shit, but then something like this happens . . . I was afraid that you must be thinking you were right to stay away from me.”
I shifted a little, settling into the corner of the couch. “I didn’t freak out. Sandra got the message that someone had been hurt even before you texted me, but even then . . . I knew you were all right.”
“And if I hadn’t been? What if it had been me who was lying in that hospital . . . or worse?” There was an edge to Shaw’s voice.
“It wouldn’t have changed anything. Shaw, even if the absolutely unthinkable had happened and you’d fallen out of the sky, I wouldn’t have regretted the days we did have together. I couldn’t possibly . . . they were the best of my life. The only thing I might kick myself over would be the three weeks before when I was too stubborn to see the good thing in front of me.”
He exhaled, and I could almost feel his relief through the phone. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me, Delia. Because even if you’d told me that what happened to Derek did rattle you and you’d wanted some distance, I’d have been camped out on your front porch Sunday, begging you to let me in. I can’t help it, babe. I’ll admit it freely. I’m fucking attached to you now. I don’t want to live without you in my life.”
“Well . . .” I smiled, feeling unbearably and impossibly light. “That works out pretty damn well, because it turns out that I don’t want to live without you, either. So get that smoking ass home. I’ve got plans for it . . . and for the rest of you, too.” I stretched out my legs over the arm of the sofa. “I shaved my legs today and they’re all smooth and silky. And I got a pedicure, too, just for you. I know how you like my legs wrapped around you when you pound into me . . .”
“Fuck, Dee.” Shaw practically growled my name. “You know, I’m rethinking this whole good friend thing. I mean, what can I really do for Derek tomorrow but sit next to him? I could probably still catch a red-eye tonight.”
I knew he was teasing, and I laughed. “Stay and be that good friend. I’ll still be here when you get home Sunday, and actually, just think how horny I’ll be. All you’ll have to do is wink at me, and I’ll be a goner.”
“Babe, I can promise that I’ll do more than wink at you. I’m thinking that I’ll start with those perfect lips . . . and then move down to those luscious tits . . . and then kiss my way to the sweet pussy that’s going to be begging for my attention.”
I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. “Now that’s a plan I can get behind.”
“See you Sunday, babe.”
Epilogue
Shaw
The morning had begun cool and misty, but the bright springtime sun had burned off the last of the dampness about half an hour ago. I stood with the crowds of men, women and children near the end of the Crater Half Marathon, watching the runners cross the finish line to the cheers and encouragement of the onlookers.
I’d signed up for the tracking app so that I could follow Delia’s progress and see how she was doing, and I knew that she was nearing the finish line now. Like a good boyfriend, I’d gotten up early with her this morning and driven her to the start of the race, screaming out her name as she’d begun. I’d already decided that if she ran this race again next year, I was signing up to do it with her. Sitting on the sidelines might earn me massive relationship points—a
nd there was nothing wrong with that, for sure, since I knew those points would translate into all kinds of fun stuff between the sheets—but I knew I’d rather be running alongside my girl, sharing this experience with her.
“Any sign of her yet?” Next to me, Sandra yawned hugely and took a big gulp of her to-go coffee. “I was afraid we might have missed the big finish. The kiddo and I move slow in the mornings.”
Colin lifted a hand-lettered sign that was nearly as big as he himself was. It read, YOU DID IT, DELIA! WAY TO GO!
“Nice sign, little man.” I chucked him under the chin.
“Mom drew the letters, and I colored them in.” He grinned up at me. “Shaw, is Mrs. Rollins your girlfriend now, for real?”
I chuckled. “She sure is, dude. Why? You jealous? Did I steal your girl away?”
“Noooo.” He made a face of disgust. “She’s all old, like my mom. But she’s cool for you, I guess.”
I nodded. “Thanks, Colin. I appreciate your approval.” I scanned the road again, and this time, just rounding the bend, I spied a familiar head of familiar red hair. “There she is. C’mon, little man. Let’s cheer her in!”
Lifting him onto my shoulders, I yelled out Delia’s name, as Sandra jumped up and down. I knew the minute she spotted us, because her face lit up, and her pace quickened a little.
“How did she do?” Sandra asked as we watched her sprint to the finish.
I smiled. “Not too bad for a first-time half-marathon. And definitely not bad at all for a woman who’d never run at all six weeks ago. She’s not the fastest, but she damn well isn’t the slowest, either.”
We all screamed for her as she ran over the finish line, pausing just long enough for one of the volunteers to drape the medal over her head before she hightailed it to where we all waited. I put Colin back on his feet and opened my arms.
“Babe!” I swept her into a tight hug, smacking a kiss onto her hot and sweaty cheek. “You did it! Congratulations!”
“I’m so proud of you, Dee!” Sandra joined the hug, too.
“I’m just glad it’s over.” She met my eyes, and in her expression, I saw pride. “Thirteen point two miles is a really long way to run. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.”
I slung my arm around her shoulders. “Does that mean you don’t want to sign up for next year’s race? I was thinking we could do it together.”
Delia rolled her eyes. “Talk to me in about six months, when I’m beginning to recover from this one. Until then, I don’t want to even think about it.”
“And here I thought this might turn you into a runner.” I wagged my head in mock disappointment. “What about these fancy new shoes I got you?”
“I’ll wear them when I’m running with you. Short little runs that end with us . . .” She glanced down to where Colin was listening to her. “Uh, dessert. Runs that end with us having dessert together, as a reward.”
Sandra laughed. “And on that note, I’m taking this kid to get his hair cut. He looks like a shaggy dog.” She leaned close to whisper to me, “Jeff got his return date. I’m not telling Colin yet, because you know those things change, but I want him to look slick for when his dad gets here.”
I nodded. “Got it, and I’m glad to hear that.”
Delia smiled at her friend. “Remember, if you two want a little getaway after he gets settled again, Shaw and I would love to take Colin for a long weekend or whatever. Just keep that in mind.”
“I’m definitely taking you up on that.” She waved. “See you later. Congratulations again, Dee.”
When they were gone, I looped my arms around my girlfriend’s waist, grinning down at her. “You, Delia Rollins, just finished your first half-marathon. What are you going to do now?”
She slid her arms up to circle my neck, standing on her toes to bring her lips to my ear. “I’m taking my boyfriend home to bed. If I’m lucky, he’s going to give me an even better reward for all my hard work than this medal. And if he’s lucky, I just might turn around and return the favor.” She trailed kisses across my cheek toward my mouth. “I think it could turn out to be a very rewarding afternoon . . . for both of us.”
“Hmmmm.” I stroked back her hair and framed her face with my hands. “I think you might be right.”
We made our way through the crowds of people, swinging our linked hands between us. Delia glanced at me and tightened her grip on my fingers.
“I was just thinking that if I hadn’t signed up for this race, you wouldn’t have offered to help me train . . . and then we might not have gotten to know each other . . . and we probably wouldn’t be together now.” Her voice was thoughtful.
“Does that mean you’re actually happy you did sign up, then?” I tugged her closer and kissed the top of her head.
“I am.” She smiled into my eyes, and I swore I could see our entire future shining out between us . . . and it was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. “Because I not only got the medal and the man, I also found the future I never thought I’d have again—and the courage to make it mine.”
I stopped in the middle of the field, pulled my woman tight against me, and kissed her sweet mouth until both of us were breathless. She rested her forehead against mine, her face aglow.
“Have I mentioned that I’m pretty sure I love you, Delia Rollins?” I stared down at her, losing myself in the depths of her emerald eyes.
Her lips curved into the teasing smile that set me on fire. “Take me home and prove it . . . Captain Kincaid.”
And that was exactly what I did.
The End
Releasing on April 18th: ZONE OF ACTION, Jake and Harper’s story. And if you’re worried about Derek and his injuries at Air Assault school . . . he gets his book, DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, on May 9th.
ZONE OF ACTION
These are the men of the 94th ID. They fight with honor, they defend their nation and their brothers fiercely, and when they love, they do it with single-minded passion.
Jake Robinson is the most easy-going soldier in his battalion. For the last few months, he’s been watching his friends find love, commitment and even babies . . . but he knows that path isn’t for him. Been there, done that and got the scars to prove it.
Harper Drummond lives and breathes stress. A chef at an up-and-coming restaurant, she works long, demanding hours, and she doesn’t want or need a relationship. But every now and then, she likes to let off some steam under the covers with a willing partner.
The night Jake and Harper hook up is only meant to be a one-time deal. But when they realize they have connections they hadn’t expected--not to mention a chemistry that is downright explosive--they decide that being friends with hot benefits makes perfect sense.
After all, it’s only sex, right?
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ZONE OF ACTION!
Harper
“This place is wild!” I had to yell to be heard over the pulsing music and raised voices. “How did you find it?”
Corey leaned over. “Paul, the new sous, told me about it. He used to come here before he started working with us and, you know, no longer had time for a life. He said the drinks are strong and the music is hot.”
“Exactly what I need tonight.” I shook back my hair and ran one hand down my short silky dress. “The stronger and the louder, the better. I want to . . . not think.”
“Then we’ve come to the right place.” The music changed from a thumbing instrumental to the familiar beat of one of my favorite P!nk songs. Corey grinned at me as I jumped to my feet.
“We are so dancing.”
The dance floor was crowded, but I found a spot big enough for the two of us. We shimmied and gyrated, both of us grooving and wiggling our asses, happy to be young and healthy and away from the pressure cooker that was the kitchen at The Garden Board. A couple of other women joined us, and we all four sang along at the top of our lungs, not caring one single fuck about being in tu
ne or knowing every word exactly.
A guy with black hair that hung nearly to his shoulders bounced over to stand behind Corey, grinning down her. She raised one eyebrow to me, and then giggled when he took hold of her hips, matching their movements so that he was basically grinding her ass. He murmured something into her ear, and she nodded before miming to me that they were going to get a drink.
“Hey.” The voice at my own ear was close and intimate. I felt the brush of warm breath down my neck and shivered.
Turning my head slightly, I took in the dude who stood behind me, his eyes boring into mine. He was a good head taller than me, and his shoulders were broad, filling out the dark dress shirt that stretched over his chest. The shirt was unbuttoned at the neck, but just enough to be sexy without being nasty.
His hair was short enough that I could guess his occupation, but what I saw of it seemed to be light brown. His eyes were a deep and fathomless brown, and they were definitely interested in me.
To his credit, though, I noticed that his gaze didn’t dip down to take in the cleavage this dress showcased, or the curve of my ass, also highlighted, or length of my legs below the short hemline.
He bent his head to speak into my ear again. “Want to dance?”
I tilted my head and turned so that I could see him better. “I thought I was dancing.”
One side of that wide mouth curled up. “I mean, do you want to dance with me?”
I narrowed my eyes, checking him out and not making any attempt to hide it as my eyes roamed down his muscled arms and his flat abs to the button fly of his jeans. I could tell three things right off the bat after my unapologetic perusal: one, he was definitely a soldier. Two, he had a body built for fun. And three, I could do some serious damage of the best kind tonight with what he had to offer me.
Yeah, he was exactly who and what I needed tonight.
Hitting the Silk: A Career Soldier Military Romance Page 9
