Steel Rain: A Military Romance Collection

by A. Gorman

  “Look. You don’t have to apologize. I get it. Maybe we should go someplace away from here on Thursday. Just get away for a bit.”

  I brace for her reaction.

  “Like a date?”

  “Nah. I just think we could use a night out. Away from here.”

  “Fine. But just as friends.”

  I grin. “Okay.”

  She points at me. “I wouldn’t be grinning. You haven’t won me over yet.”

  I whip my head back. “Oh. I see how it is.”

  We reach the restaurant, and I hold the door so she can go through the back door ahead of me.

  FIVE

  SIENNA

  Drake and I work side by side for the whole shift. He started making funny faces at me just to get me to laugh. And it worked.

  Around eleven p.m., I clock out and start to walk home. Drake appears next to me. “What are you doing?” I ask.

  “I’m walking your ass home. Don’t even argue with me about it. I know you are independent and can take care of yourself. But I just want to make sure you get home safe.”

  “Well, I don’t feel like arguing, anyway.”

  Besides, I feel slightly guilty for being bitchy earlier. We reach my cabin, and I step onto the porch and look down at him. “Can we just forget about today? I’m sorry for being an asshole.”

  “It’s forgotten. See you tomorrow.”

  * * *

  It’s finally Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to having lunch with Drake and his mom Veronica. I like being around him, and most of the time, I forgot about my scars. That thought scares me, but also excites me in a strange way.

  I wake earlier than normal so I can straighten up and get clothes washed before leaving. Then I head for the shower. So far, it’s seems like a good day. I haven’t had a nightmare in two days.

  With Baxter in tow, I drive the jeep to Drake’s house. I arrive within minutes, and Baxter seems to enjoy the ride. Drake’s house is very southern and grand. Approaching the door, I knock with Baxter in my arms.

  Drake swings the door open. “Right on time.”

  “Hey.” I set Baxter down, and he takes off running.

  I step inside.

  “How are you today?” Drake asks in the foyer.

  I smile. “Today’s a good day.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”

  I follow him into the kitchen. “Ma, Sienna is here.” He points nest to the head of the table. “You can sit over there.”

  “It’s just about ready,” Veronica says.

  “Thanks for having me over,” I tell her, but look at Drake since her back is turned.

  “Well, I hope you eat meat, because I made Drake’s favorite friend chicken and macaroni salad.”

  “I do. And that sounds delicious. I can’t go without meat.”

  “Good. My boy likes a girl that eats.”

  I blush.

  “Ma! What did I say?”

  Veronica flicks Drake’s shoulder. “I know. I’m just messin’.”

  Drake shakes his head at her. “Can I get you something to drink, Sienna?” Drake asks.

  “Sure. Whatever you have is fine.”

  Drake pours me a glass of tea, as well as one for himself, while Veronica sets the plates of food in front of us. She sits at the head of the table, and Drake is directly in across from me.

  “So it’s just you two, huh?” I say.

  “Just me and my boy. How long were you in the service, dear?”

  “I did two tours. I went right in after high school. The war was rough.”

  “I bet. Especially for a woman such as yourself.”

  I take a bite of chicken. “This chicken is very good,” I state, trying to change the subject. “And I really appreciate your generosity. Obviously, Drake takes after you.”

  The rest of the conversation flows. Thankfully, I don’t have to get too personal. The past is still rough for me to talk about to other people. Trusting them is an even bigger issue.

  “Thank you so much for lunch, Veronica.” I wipe the grease from my mouth. “We probably should get to work.”

  “Yeah. We should go,” Drake answers.

  “I’ll go grab Bax.”

  Veronica stops me. “You can leave him here until after your shift if you like.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. It’s not a bother.”

  “Great. Thanks again for having me over.” I bend down to her.

  She pats my back. “You’re welcome here anytime. I mean it.”

  I realize Drake and his mom are the closest thing to family I have. It feels nice. I won’t let my guard down just yet, but I’m thankful for them.

  Drake and I load into the jeep. The drive to work is short, but we remain seated when I pull up. I turn to him. “Thank you.”

  He smiles. “For what?”

  “Just being a good person. I know I’m not easy to get to know. But I’m trying.”

  “No need to thank me. I hope, one day, you can trust me. And I’m just being me. I’m not into the games that people play. I don’t have any motives other than to be your friend, Sienna. That’s the truth. I don’t mess with people’s emotions. And I expect the same in return.”

  I nod. “Of course.”

  “So are you ready for tomorrow? We’ll have fun. I promise.”

  “Yeah. I am actually. We should go inside; almost time to clock in. I’ll drive you home later so I can get Baxter.”

  “Cool.”

  SIX

  SIENNA

  It’s finally Thursday. My day off. I try to stay busy by picking out my outfit. I read a little bit and take Baxter outside for a short walk. The weather is brisk. But I can’t shake the nervousness that swirls in my belly. Going out in public does freak me out a little bit. It’s not like I can just go without wearing my eye patch, and the scars are impossible to cover up.

  After a nap, I decide to shower since I am too tired to take one last night. Once I’m all clean, I step out and dry off then wrap my hair in the towel while I dress. I decide on a pair of light colored jeans that aren’t baggy, and they hug all my curves. They feel foreign on me, compared to the baggy ones I usually wear. I wrangle a bra on, and then think maybe I should call this whole thing off. It’s a bad idea.

  I fall back on my bed and sigh. Baxter comes over and licks my face. Finally, I move from the bed and pull on the red fitted tee I had picked out earlier. My stomach twists in knots as I hold it up. Pulling it over my head, it’s also another piece I’m not used to wearing. Normally my shirts are like two sizes too big.

  When I look in the mirror, I don’t see myself. The reflection shows a skinny girl, with fitted clothes on, but she’s still the same scarred girl from before. Yanking the towel from my head, I don’t know what to do with my hair except to blow dry it and let it hang loose.

  I try to give myself a pep talk. This is what normal people do. They go out with their friends, and they have a great time. But I’m far from normal. What the hell is wrong with me?

  Finally accepting my outfit, I pull on a pair of cowboy boots to finish off the look. A knock on the door causes Baxter to yelp. Seeing Drake through the peephole, I let him inside.

  His eyes bug out. “Wait. Where and what have you done with Sienna Daniels?” He smiles so wide I think he cheeks will crack.

  “I can go change.”

  He grabs my elbow as I turn. “No. I meant that in the best way possible. You look…good. Don’t change.”

  “Okay. But don’t get used to this,” I tell him about my attire. “Anyway, you look nice.”

  He is wearing dark jeans that hang just right, and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms.

  “You didn’t eat, did you?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Good. We’ll get something on the way,” he mentions.

  I grab my small cross-body purse and pull it over so it’s across my torso. Everything in me screams that this is a date. I meanm I’
m dressed in normal clothes and Drake looks so nice and he smells good…like vanilla and wood pine mixed.

  “You know how to drive?”

  “Yeah. I have my license. With everything close, I just choose to walk”

  “Here.” I toss the jeep keys to him. “Since you know where we’re going, you might as well drive.”

  He catches the keys, and I slide into the passenger seat. “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see. I’m afraid if I tell you, you’ll make me turn around.” He flashes his toothy grin.

  “Oh god. I’m nervous.”

  “Well, first we are going to eat,” he states as he turns the radio to a country music station.

  I look at him in surprise. “You like country music?”

  “What? You think because I’m black that I listen rap or something,” he teases.

  “No. It’s just surprising. You have to admit not a lot of blacks listen to country. But then again, what do I know?”

  He nods. “True. But look at Darius Rucker, who is black and a country singer. Yeah. I like country. But I like a little bit of everything.”

  God. I feel like an ass. A judgy one at that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I didn’t mean anything by it.” I press a hand to my heart. “I happen to love country music.”

  “You didn’t offend me. I was just teasing you. It’s all good.”

  Drake pulls into a crowded parking lot. People are scattered all around. “You brought me to a bar called Joe’s Junkyard.”

  He chuckles. “Do you trust me?”

  “The jury is still out on that,” I tell him jokingly.

  “Fair enough. But I promise the food is phenomenal. Come on.”

  He ushers us with a hand on the small of my back. He pulls the door open and allows me in first. Music is playing as we enter and a hostess seats us in a booth and places menus in front of us.

  Drake leans over the table. “There’s a live band that plays here every week.”

  We order drinks when the waitress arrives. Then we order our food crab cakes for me and salmon for Drake. I’m not really into seafood much, but Joe’s Junkyard’s menu promises fresh crab cakes and I can’t pass it up, because I do like that.

  Bobbing my head, I watch the band play. Looking to Drake, I notice him staring at me. “What?”

  “Nothing. I just like watching you. You intrigue, me Sienna Daniels.”

  My only response is to smile at him, because no one is staring at me or pointing fingers my way. I actually feel normal for once.

  SEVEN

  SIENNA

  After dinner, Drake refuses to let me pay for my share. So I don’t argue with him too much over it since I give him enough trouble, and I’m actually enjoying this time out.

  “You ready for our next destination?” He throws the tip on the table.

  “Yes. The meal was great. Thank you,” I say as we walk out.

  Drake drives a few minutes down the road and we arrive to another crowded place. This one is called Willows.

  “Do this many people go out on Thursday nights?”

  Drake chuckles. “They do around here. Oh, hey. You drink, don’t you?”

  “You mean alcohol? Yeah.”

  We continue walking inside. “Okay. Good.”

  I follow him right up to the bar. “I like beer,” I tell him.

  “Oh.” He arches an eyebrow up. “No fancy drinks?”

  “What? No. Fancy drinks are for prisses. When I’m feeling really adventurous, I’ll even have a jack and coke,” I tease.

  “Well, I would have never pegged you for the type.”

  “What’ll you have?” the bartender asks.

  “Two Canebraks,” he orders then turns to me. “It’s a Louisiana based beer from Parish Brewing Co. This one is wheat ale.”

  The bartender passes us both a beer, and he clinks his with mine before taking a swig. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a crowd of people line dancing to country music then turn back to Drake.

  “Wait. You didn’t bring me here to do that, did you?”

  “You can’t line dance?”

  “No. I have two left feet. No wonder you wouldn’t tell me.”

  He laughs. “I’ll teach you.”

  “Fine. If I fall, you’re coming down with me.”

  “I wouldn’t expect anything else. You like the beer? Want another?”

  “Yes, and yes.”

  I turn to watch the crowd. Drake disappears, leaving me alone for a moment, and I see him working his way to someone before he comes back over to me.

  “I asked the guy if he can do a beginner song; something that’s easy to teach.”

  I think my jaw drops from shock that he even thought of that.

  “Well, since you went through the trouble, I guess I can try.”

  He takes my hand as I step off the stool and we walk into the crowd. I feel exposed. But I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

  “It’s okay. I got you,” Drake tells me.

  Here goes nothing, I say to myself. Drake goes through each step and we continue practicing until we catch up to the real dance. I’m surprised to find my rhythm and follow the other dancers in front of me. But one false more causes me to bump into a beer guzzling guy, and he doesn’t seem too happy.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Instead of accepting my apology, he says “Watch it, freak.”

  I want to die.

  Drake’s jaw tenses and he turns to face the guy. I reach for his arm, but he’s too strong for me to stop it. Drake’s fist lands right on the guy’s jaw. The guy stumbles and comes toward Drake, which lands another hit to the face. I don’t know what to do, or how to stop it. The crowd is witnessing the chaos. I swallow a hard lump as I step back. Finally, a bouncer steps in and tells Drake and I to leave.

  “What the hell? He started it,” I point.

  “Freak!” the guy bellows, and Drake lunges for him again. But the bouncer holds him back. Finally, when he lets go, Drake grabs my hands and leads us out.

  “You should drive.” He tosses me the keys.

  He’s pissed, and his fists are balled at his sides. I don’t know what to say or do. But I take the keys and get behind the wheel. I don’t even know if I should be driving even though I’m not drunk. I only had two beers. Whatever. I need to get us out of here. So much for feeling normal.

  With my phone giving directions, I get us home in one piece. Drake’s jaw is still tense, and he looks like he wants to murder someone. So I do what any normal girl would do. I shut the Jeep off and instinctively move so I’m straddling him. I grip his face in my hands.

  “Look at me, Drake Harmon,” I order. His eyes meet mine. “I’ve been through much worse than name calling. That back there, was nothing compared to what I’ve been through. Please just relax. You’re scaring me.”

  “I can’t imagine you being through worse. I want to kill that guy. You don’t deserve to be called anything like that.”

  His face and jaw finally relax. I take a deep breath, and reality sets in that I’m straddling Drake. The beautiful Drake Harmon. God. I feel a certain something pressing against his pants. And I can’t believe the wetness that pools in my panties. I want him.

  We stare at each other for what seems like forever. I don’t want to move, because I’m afraid of losing this moment. My lips hover over his, his hands reach up, and his fingers run through my hair.

  “Let me see,” he says with a husky tone. “Let me take away the pain. Make you forget.”

  My lips land on his, and my heart plummets. His lips feel good on mine, and his tongue moves in to tangle with mine. I can’t even stop what’s happening even if I wanted to. His fingers graze my stomach and the hem of my shirt. In a swift movement, my shirt disappears somewhere in the Jeep. I reach around and undo my bra.

  His thumbs graze my hardened nipples while he continues kissing me. Shit he feels good. And I couldn’t care less about anything else.

  “Make me f
orget Drake,” I say against his lips.

  He groans. My hands move to remove his shirt, and then I move to undo his jeans while he does mine. We work our way until we’re naked. Skin to skin. He works a condom on, and I’m soaked from making out with him.

  “I need you inside me, Drake. Right fucking now.”

  I can feel his smile against my lips, and I adjust so I can lower myself on him slowly, because he’s big. I lower myself, and my head tilts back while he sucks on my hard nipples, lightly nipping at them while he massages my tits. Jesus Christ. He feels good.

  We rock to a rhythm. His hands explore anywhere that shows skin. “Jesus, Sienna. You are beautiful. Why can’t you see that?”

  I rock against him, the anticipation building as he grips my hips. His tongue laps at my neck when I lean forward.

  My lips crash against his when I know I’m close, and I pick up my pace as I rock against him.

  “I’m close, Sienna. Oh shit.”

  He groans, and that’s enough to take me over the edge with his lips on mine. The kiss is aggressive as we release, and it fucking feels incredible.

  We relax, and I breathe heavily while resting against him.

  “I’m not through with you,” he says when I move over to give him room to breathe.

  THE END

  Stay tuned for the full length novel of Marred Beauty by Renea Porter

  About the Author

  Renea Porter is best known for writing realistic stories with realistic characters. Her stories may even cause you to shed a tear or two. She mainly writes New Adult and Contemporary Romances. However, she's not afraid to venture into other genre's like Paranormal Romance.

  She enjoys spending time with her husband of fourteen years, and step son. She calls Pennsylvania home, but loves to travel and try new things. In her free time you can catch her reading books, watching reality tv, and baking.