Fight For Her (Soldiers in Arms Book 1)

by J. A. Bailey

  “I’ll take it easy to begin with. Just hold onto me and try to go with the movement of the bike.”

  She nodded and he went to help her with the helmet. “Wait.” She put a hand to his wrist. “I should explain…”

  He shook his head. “Explain later. I shouldn’t have pushed you, but I’d still like to know the truth.”

  “You’ll have it,” she vowed.

  Jake gave a quick grin that had her pulse racing. He helped her get on the helmet and clipped it under her chin. Once he was on, she climbed onto the back and wrapped her arms around his torso. Beneath the leather jacket she could feel stone hard abs. An immediate pulse of need ran through her.

  The thrum of the engine made her pulse quicken. Jake did as he promised and took it easy until they were out on the open roads. Waverly began to get used to moving with the bike as he navigated it around corners and exhilaration began to replace any nervousness. With Jake, she felt totally safe and protected.

  They came to a stop at the end of a country lane. Tucked amongst the trees was a small cabin. To one side, a jetty jutted out into a beautiful pond.

  He pulled the bike up outside the front and helped her off. She undid the helmet and took it off, shaking out her hair.

  “Where are we?”

  “It’s a place a friend owns. We often come out here for a bit of downtime.”

  “We?”

  “Me and the guys.”

  “You’ve been friends a long time, haven’t you?”

  “As long as I can remember. Some of us did basic training together.”

  He took the helmet from her and ushered her inside the cabin. Though traditional on the outside, the interior had a modern feel to it, with a walnut and marble kitchen, blinds on each window and cream furnishings.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “It’s a good place to relax.”

  She turned to eye him. “Is that what we’ll be doing?”

  He grinned. “Well, I won’t keep you awake all night.” His grin turned wicked. “But I thought you could do with a night away.”

  Waverly shook her head in awe. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

  “Why?”

  “No one has ever been so considerate.”

  He took two paces over and had her in his arms. “Then they were fucking idiots. You’re worth the effort, baby.”

  She almost got lost staring up into those dark eyes. Her heart gave another thud, reminding her what was at stake here. It would be so, so easy to get attached to him. But she was carrying another man’s baby, remember? Who would want anything more than a little fun with a pregnant woman?

  However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy herself just a little longer, right?

  She scowled. “I don’t have any overnight stuff.”

  “Let’s just say Justice helped me get together a few bits.” He went back out to the bike for a moment and returned with a small bag of toiletries and a change of clothes.

  Waverly took them and shook her head. “You really did put some thought into this.”

  “I’m a soldier. Always be prepared is practically my motto.”

  “You didn’t need to go to so much effort. After all, I was the one who was in the wrong.”

  Walker took the bag from her and led her into a bedroom. The massive bed was covered with cream sheets and several beige pillows. It looks like the sort of bed you’d find in a hotel and not at all like the one she was sleeping on at the bar. She sighed. Not long ago she’d been sleeping in surroundings even better than this.

  “I shouldn’t have pushed you, Waverly.” Jake put the bag on the bed and took her into his arms. “You’re dealing with a lot right now, and a guy who’s only known you a few days has no right to know everything.”

  She glanced at him. Had she really only known him a few days? It seemed longer. Of course, she had been watching him ever since she started working at the bar and Justice had told her all she knew about Jake. Her short time with him had confirmed everything she’d been told. Walker was sexy, far too charming, kind and self-assured.

  That part appealed to her. Adam had appeared confident but he was filled with insecurities, Waverly had decided. From his carefully bleached teeth to his expensive haircut, everything her ex-fiancé did was so carefully calculated to create the right appearance. Walker didn’t care what anyone else thought.

  Waverly sank onto the bed. “I was engaged for a year, you know.”

  Jake’s eyebrows rose. She noted his clenched fist.

  “I didn’t love him.”

  Walker sank down beside her. “Why were you engaged then?”

  “We dated for about a year and it was fine. We were a match in so many ways, it seemed. I thought I could be happy with him, but after we got engaged I realized I didn’t love him and that really he bored me.” She smirked. “I didn’t realize he was a complete asshole, though. That only became apparent when he told me to get an abortion.”

  “What happened when you refused?”

  “He threatened to tell my father.” She peeked at him. “That might not seem like much but you don’t know him. I was still living at home and he was in control of everything, all my money, everything. I even worked for him.”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  “Not physically, no. But, of course, I realize now that he was trying to hurt me in many ways by controlling my behavior all my life. And Adam was no better. He was my father’s lawyer and would do anything for him, including keeping me under control.”

  “Why not leave before?”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure I even realized how much control he had until I thought about bringing the baby up in that environment.” Waverly turned her head to stare out of the window that looked over the pond. “It’s hard to admit that I let any of that happen to me. That I was so silly and scared of being abandoned to look after myself that I’d rather stay and let other people control my life. I was embarrassed to tell you, Walker.”

  He took her hand and squeezed it. “It’s hard to see outside of those situations. I get it.”

  “Obviously I never would have given up the baby but my father would have made my life hell. A baby would get in the way of all of Adam’s great plans and my father would have supported him.”

  “Assholes,” Walker muttered.

  “They are.” She turned a smile on him. “So I grabbed my things and left and drove and drove until I was too tired to go any farther. Then Justice gave me a job.”

  “What next?”

  “I’m not sure.” She laughed. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “Took off or come to a beach house with a strange man?” he teased.

  She nudged him. “Either! Though I don’t think you’re that strange.”

  “Maybe not strange but definitely crazy. For you.”

  Her chest constricted. Was this what this was? Craziness? Because it certainly felt it. She wanted this man so badly she felt like she needed to tear off her clothes and fling herself on him immediately.

  His dark gaze searched hers. She prayed she was giving him what he was looking for. His hand cupped her cheek and he came down for a kiss. She thought he might go slow after what she’d told her, but she hoped he wouldn’t. All she needed was him, hard and fast, frantic and furious.

  He must have sensed the ratcheting of her need. He pulled at the edge of her tee and tugged it up and over her head. The rest of her clothes were gone in moments while he remained dressed. She grumbled a little at all the clothing preventing her from touching him, but there was something insanely sexy about her being all naked in front of him while he was fully dressed.

  “Turn over, baby.”

  She did as she was told, offering him her ass. He skimmed fingers over it and down between her ass cheeks. He pressed lightly on her puckered hole.

  “One day, I’ll take you there. You won’t believe how good it feels.”

  She sucked in a ragged breath. One day, he said.
Did that mean there would be more days between them?

  He pressed two fingers into her, hard and swift. She arched her back and gasped. He pistoned his fingers in and out, bringing her close to the brinks. Then he moved back and she heard the snap of his jeans and them dropping to the floor. On her knees, she waited.

  Warm hands cupped her hips and he slid into her swiftly. He bent over her briefly to kiss her back. “Feels so fucking good,” he murmured against her skin.

  Jake straightened and took her hair in one hand, pulling her head back and using it as leverage. The angle was so deep, so acute that Waverly could hardly feel the sting of her scalp. All sensations blurred into one intense one of utter bliss.

  “Christ, I love fucking you, baby.”

  She curled her fingers into the bedding as his words sent her over the edge. He pounded hard into her, drawing out her orgasm until she collapsed against the bed.

  He put his weight across her and eased up on leg, giving him access to her once more. He inched in, his breath brushing the back of her neck. He kissed her.

  “Amazing,” he murmured, moving slowly in and out of her. “Amazing,” he said again.

  Waverly let slip a smile at the words as his body tightened and he groaned.

  Waking with Waverly in his arms had to be about the best way to wake up. Walker resisted the desire to make her come a few more times, aware she would be exhausted after yesterday. They’d walked by the water and returned to the cabin to eat and spend pretty much the rest of the evening in bed. They’d talked until the early hours about their pasts. Waverly was, on paper, a privileged woman. Yet she’d been deprived of affection and controlled from the moment she was born.

  He sure as hell didn’t envy that.

  She stretched in his hold and he grimaced as his cock lengthened. As much as he wanted to have her again and again, she needed rest. And he needed just a few more answers.

  In spite of everything they’d shared, she didn’t talk about the baby or the future. He shouldn’t even care.

  But he did.

  He pushed up onto his elbow to watch her. She had her eyes shut but he could tell she was awake. With her hair all tousled and her lashes fanned across her face, she looked so fucking beautiful his heart hurt.

  What kind of a fucking asshole chased away a woman like this?

  Waverly rolled and smiled up at him. “What are you doing?”

  “Watching you.”

  “Why?”

  “’Cause you’re so damned beautiful.”

  Her smile widened. “What’s the plan for today?”

  “Well, I have to get you back at some point or Justice will think I’ve kidnapped you and chop off my balls.”

  Waverly laughed. “Justice’s a sweetheart, she wouldn’t do that.”

  “You haven’t seen her mean side yet. I’ve seen her knock a guy to the floor with a right hook several times.”

  “I guess being a woman running a bar you have to be pretty tough.”

  “I think you’re pretty tough too.”

  “Me?” She lifted a brow. “I don’t think anyone would agree with you.”

  “You had the courage to leave your father and fiancé and everything you knew.”

  “I had a very good reason to.”

  Walker rested a hand over her stomach. “Your ten weeks now?”

  Her expression shuttered slightly. Talk of the baby made her uncomfortable and he didn’t much like that. “Yes.”

  “Have you seen a doctor yet?”

  “I did, when I first found out.”

  “You should probably go see one. You’ll need scans before long.”

  She rolled away from him. “I can’t really afford it.”

  “Waverly.” He tugged her arm and pulled her toward him. “I’ll take care of it, don’t worry.”

  She met his gaze reluctantly. “I spent all my life relying on a man to look after me. I’m not sure I want to repeat that mistake.”

  “I want to do this. And, sweetheart, you’ve sure as hell looked after me these past few days.” He gave her a suggestive grin.

  She swatted his arm. “So you’re expecting to be able to take me to bed every time you do something nice?”

  He chuckled. “Pretty much.”

  Waverly looped her arms around his neck and giggled. “You’re an arrogant bastard sometimes.”

  “Yes, but I’m your arrogant bastard.”

  For now.

  The unsaid words hung in the air. They both knew this was temporary. Both knew it was all it was ever meant to be. But that didn’t mean he didn’t half worry about what the hell she was going to do in the future with no one around to look out for her and the baby.

  He moved off the bed. “I’m just going to grab a shower. Why don’t you rest a little longer and then I’ll sort breakfast?”

  She nodded, lip tucked under her top teeth.

  Walker stomped into the shower and turned the water onto cold. He needed to calm down in many ways. His throbbing cock told him how much he needed her and the blood pounding through him reminded him how frustrated he was by this awkward standoff they were in.

  They both knew this would end.

  He didn’t want it to.

  The cold water stung his skin and slowly brought him back to reality. His life had been great before he’d met her, and it would be great again. He’d go back to meeting up with a few select women outside of town and enjoying his job and his friends.

  For now, he’d just make the most of every moment he had with her, and damn well make sure she saw a doc.

  He finished showering and slung a towel around his waist. Waverly was up and pulling on those sexy tight jeans and cute lacy shirt that Justice had packed for her. He might regret missing seeing the show but at least he could keep his head straight now that she wasn’t naked.

  Walker forced a grin. “Are you up to eating?”

  She paused. “I think so. The sickness doesn’t seem too bad in the morning. It will be this evening when it takes its revenge.”

  “Hopefully it won’t last too long. My sister was only sick for a few weeks.”

  “I hope so. I really don’t know much about this stuff. I read on the Internet that some women are sick their entire pregnancies. I really hope I’m not.”

  “I hope so too.”

  He pulled a pack of bacon from the fridge and silently thanked Rocco for coming and stocking the cabin. Checking around for the pancake mix, he pulled it out and dug around for a bowl.

  Waverly followed him in the kitchen area and eyed the bowl. “You cook?”

  “A little. I didn’t reach the grand old age of thirty-two without feeding myself occasionally, you know.”

  “Sorry, it’s just what with you being in the Army, I would have thought there wasn’t a need to cook for yourself much.”

  “Mom made sure I knew the basics. She didn’t want me being one of those guys who didn’t know what an oven looked like.”

  “She sounds like an amazing woman.”

  “She is.”

  Waverly came onto tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “She raised a pretty amazing son too. Soldier, chef, bartender…”

  “Don’t forget table wiper and rescuer of pregnant women.”

  “That too.” She gave him a soft smile. “I’m glad I met you, Jake.”

  Walker busied himself getting the pancake mix ready, unsure how to respond. He was glad he’d met her too. She was the most fucking beautiful, courageous woman he’d ever met and sweet and kind to boot. But at the same time, he had a feeling that when she walked out of his life, he was going to be left with a big gaping hole in his heart.

  Chapter Four

  “Seeing Walker tonight?”

  Waverly looked up at Justice, pausing as she polished the glasses ready for another busy Friday night. “Yes.”

  “He can’t keep away,” her manager said.

  She couldn’t help wince inside. Apart from three days when he’d been away, Walker had come to t
he bar every night in the last two weeks, and even stayed over a few nights. Waverly’s body ached from all the amazing sex and her feet were sore from the hard work at the bar.

  Yet she’d never felt so alive.

  She was finally in charge of her life. Making her own decisions. She laughed to herself. If some of the people at her father’s work saw her with Jake, they’d probably faint.

  “Did you go to the doctors like he asked?”

  Waverly stiffened. She knew she had to go soon, but the idea of Walker footing the bill made her insides twist. She’d already had her life paid for by one man, she couldn’t let that happen again. Just a few more days of good tips and her next paycheck from Justice and she could afford it herself.

  “I will,” Waverly promised.

  “You’d better. Baby needs looking after and so do you.”

  Waverly nodded. Justice was right. Walker had had a quiet word shortly before he’d whisked her away to the cabin, so her boss knew everything now. She ought to be annoyed at his high-handed ways but she knew he was only looking out for her, and she was kind of relieved not to have to lie to Justice anymore. Really, she was the closest thing she’d ever had to a friend. No one wanted to friend the boss’ daughter.

  Justice came around behind the bar and began to polish glasses alongside her. Waverly smiled. Considering she’d worked in a company where the CEOs hardly looked at their employees, she had so much admiration for Justice. The woman worked harder than any of them and never minded getting dirty.

  “Any more thoughts on names?”

  Waverly shrugged. “It’s too hard. I’ve scoured the Internet but there’s so many to choose from. I made a list, but I’ve got so many on there. How am I meant to make a decision that the baby will be stuck with forever all alone?”

  “Sweetie, you’ll be making a lot of decisions alone. You’ve just got to trust your instinct.”

  “I’m not sure I have an instinct. I’m only just getting used to looking after myself.”

  Justice chuckled. “And you’re doing just great. You’ll be fine, I promise. Once you’ve had the baby, you’ll find that instinct kicks in perfectly.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  She had to admit, more and more fear was kicking in now that the sickness had subsided and her belly was looking ever so slightly rounded. How could she be responsible for another life when she hardly knew what she was doing with her own?