Dog Tags: A romance anthology featuring military and canine heroes

by Kate Kinsley

  I shrug. “Sure. I’m always up for trying new wines.”

  His lips twitch as he searches one of the drawers and comes up with a bottle opener,

  We sit and sip wine for a couple of hours and talk about anything and everything. He orders pizza and we continue to talk. The more he tells me, the more comfortable I become and as it gets dark outside, I feel like I’ve known him for years.

  By our third bottle of wine, I realize how late it is.

  “I need to go,” I squeak on a hiccup.

  He shakes his head. “You’ve had too much to drink.”

  “I can take an Uber,” I counter, but my resolve is weakening. My head is a bit fuzzy and I’m not even sure I could give the Uber driver my address.

  Standing, he scolds, “Don’t be ridiculous. I told you I have an extra room.”

  “But I-I don’t…” I start to say as I stand, but I get dizzy and sit back down. That was some really good wine.

  Bending, he scoops me off of the couch and carries me across the house. I rest my head on his chest and inhale the scent of sandalwood while listening to the steady beat of his heart. As much as I want to argue, I’m too tired and just submit to staying the night.

  He enters a brightly lit room and gently places me on the bed. Lucky trots in behind him and jumps up next to me, lying with his head on his front paws. “You want her to stay, don’t you Bubba,” he coos as he turns and opens a dresser drawer. “In case you want to change, here is a T-shirt and a pair of sweats. I’m afraid the sweats may be too big for you.” He has me by at least six inches and a good hundred pounds, so I’m positive they’ll be too big. “The bathroom, if you need, it is the first door on the right.” He side-steps toward the door. “If you need me, my room is across the house on the other side of the kitchen.”

  Lucky lifts his head and tilts it to the side as Axel walks out and gently closes the door. “Guess it’s just you and me, then,” I mutter to Lucky. I shuffle out of my jeans and toss them on the floor. Lifting my shirt over my head, it joins my jeans. My bra joins the party and I slip Axel’s shirt over my head.

  It’s more like a dress.

  It’s huge.

  I put the sweatpants back in the drawer, they’ll just wind up around my knees in the middle of the night.

  Pulling the covers back, I slide under the soft sheets and snuggle into the pillow. Lucky turns in a few circles and flops down next to me, and soon I drift into a drunken slumber.

  Chapter Eight

  Maggie

  I awake with a jolt. I give my eyes a second to adjust to the dark and begin to panic, then remember I’m not at home but at Axel’s. I steady my breath and reach out for Lucky. He’s sitting next to me, but he’s awake as well—his ears pricked up and panting. Before I can ask him what’s wrong, he jumps off the bed and runs out of the room.

  What the hell?

  Swinging my legs off of the bed, I stand and shuffle out the bedroom door. It isn’t a few feet past the entrance that the peaceful tranquility of the night is shattered by a low moan, then a scream. I race across the house toward the sound. As I approach Axel’s room, the moaning gets louder.

  I flip on the lights and find Axel thrashing on the bed, screaming, “Dennis!”

  Lucky is on top of him, licking his face and whimpering. Before I can move, Axel opens his eyes. They’re wide and vacant, scanning the room before coming to rest on Lucky. He grabs the sides of Lucky’s face and pulls him toward him, then sobs uncontrollably into his fur. Lucky shifts and lays his head on Axel’s shoulder.

  I stand in the room, not making a move or sound.

  I’m not even sure Axel knows I’m here.

  I’ve heard of post-traumatic stress disorder, but I’ve never actually witnessed it.

  Now I’m frozen, and I don’t know if I should stay silent or say something.

  I choose to stay quiet.

  After a few minutes, the sobbing slows and comes to a stop. Axel releases Lucky, and Lucky begins to lick the tears from Axel’s face. He shifts, and his gaze lands on mine. His face reddens as he pets Lucky. “I’m sorry you had to hear that,” he mutters.

  “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” I insist, taking a few steps toward him. “I didn’t know—”

  “And why would you?” He gently shoves Lucky off of him and sits up. Raking his hands over his face, he sighs. “I’ve had nightmares for years. Achilles has the ability to rip me out of them and help me deal.”

  It hits me like a ton of bricks.

  Lucky wasn’t just his partner in the military, but his coping mechanism.

  Ohmigod. How can I take that away from him?

  “I’m so sorry,” I whisper as a tear rolls down my cheek.

  His lips twitch as he tries to smile. “Don’t be. I knew what I was getting into when I joined the Navy.”

  I’ve never found a man as sexy as I do right now. The vulnerable side he has going on is doing a number on my libido.

  My eyes roam from his brilliant blue eyes to his shirtless, chiseled chest. He catches me staring and his eyes move from mine down to my very exposed legs. In all of the commotion, I forgot all I’m wearing is one of his T-shirts.

  Swallowing hard, I cross the room and sit on the edge of his bed and there’s that static again—that crackling in the air that’s been happening whenever we get within a foot of each other.

  His voice drops an octave, growing husky. “Why don’t you move a little closer.” As I scoot over, Lucky jumps off the bed and walks out of the bedroom.

  Axel reaches out, his fingers grazing my wrist then clasping it. Raising my hand, he turns it over and runs a finger lightly down the middle of my palm. He bends his head, his lips leisurely moving along the line he’s drawn. Gazing up at me through long, dark lashes, I’m captivated by his hypnotic stare. “I thought you promised to be a gentleman,” I tease, snatching my hand back as my face begins to warm.

  He tilts his head slightly and his lips twitch.

  “Oh, I am being a gentleman,” he challenges as he tosses the blanket aside. All he’s wearing is a tight pair of boxer briefs, his erection trying its hardest to break free of the taut fabric.

  With a sly grin, he reaches for me again. That warm sensation is stronger this time, sending a rush of heat dancing across my skin. Closing my eyes, I swallow hard. The urge to jump him right here is taking its toll on my sanity.

  Without warning, the vibe turns from seductive warmth to scorching hot.

  I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m sitting on his bed or that he’s so vulnerable, but the desire to kiss him is overwhelming.

  He pulls me forward by the wrist until his mouth is inches from mine, I can feel his breath tickling my lips. He pauses, almost like he’s waiting for my permission, which I’m all too happy to give him. But instead of kissing me, he brushes my hair back from my shoulder and moves in closer, his lean body pressing up against mine. My breathing quickens, the intense rhythm of my heartbeat undergoing an irregular count as it skips beats.

  Finally, he leans in.

  He kisses me—light at first, his lips barely resting on mine. Then without warning, he grabs the back of my head and crushes his mouth on mine with an intensity that steals my breath away. His tongue thrusts past my teeth, taking what I fervently want to give him. He tastes of passion and confidence and is completely intoxicating. My head spins and lips tremble as my senses are overtaken. Raising my hand, I run it down the side of his face and skim the stubble that’s beginning to grow. A growl emits from his throat which only spurs me on.

  Releasing my swollen lips, his mouth travels down the column of my throat, licking and nipping as he goes. I’m warm everywhere. The want to be claimed by him is so fierce, it rocks me to the core.

  After just a few delicate touches of his warm lips against my neck, my hands begin to move on their own accord. I grab hold of his face and guide him back up to me. “Kiss me,” I whisper, but it’s more like a beg.

  Our tongu
es volley between each other, and without warning, he grips my waist and tosses me onto the bed. Shifting, his weight covers me and I’m pushed deeper into the mattress. My pulse races as his fingers skim up my thigh. His hands trail higher as his kiss deepens, moving under my shirt and resting just under my breast.

  Sitting up, he pulls me with him. He grasps the hem of the shirt and yanks it over my head, leaving me completely exposed—wearing nothing but a lace G-string. His piercing gaze gives me a feeling of vulnerability for a second, but seeing his vulnerable side just moments before gives me the strength to stay naked. His hand cups my ass and he tugs me onto his lap, his hard cock throbbing against the thin fabric. Moving his hips, he rubs up against me and a gasp escapes my lips. “Do you still want me to be a gentleman?” he asks as he moves again.

  I can’t move—hell, I can’t speak.

  I’m a giant quivering ball of pleasure and I don’t want him to stop.

  Another thrust and he murmurs, “Gentleman, or something more… pleasurable.”

  My core aches, begging for his cock to be inside me. “More,” is all I can manage to say.

  “That’s what I thought,” he whispers darkly.

  He stands, unsheathing his erection. Opening the nightstand drawer, he retrieves a condom and rolls it on. Sliding back onto the bed, he lies beside me. His fingers roam my naked form and land on my breast. Leaning on one arm, he squeezes with the other hand. He lowers his head and his lips surround my tight nipple. I gasp as his rough tongue swirls around and around, but when he bites down on the furled tip, I nearly explode. I cry out, my body jerking as sharp need engulfs my senses.

  He rolls on top of me once again, pushing my legs aside and resting his cock against my clit. Rocking gently, he asks, “Is this what you want?”

  I link my fingers behind his neck as I throb underneath him.

  “Please,” I whisper, not sure how much of this I can take.

  He smiles. “Please, what?” He rolls his hips again and I nearly jump out of my skin, my stomach quivering at the rasp in his voice.

  Moving my hands to his shoulders, my nails rake down his back to his hips. “Please.” It’s more of a moan this time.

  His eyes glisten as he teases me, placing his cock at my entrance without entering. “Say it,” he growls. “Say you want my cock inside you.”

  “I need your cock inside me,” I groan, my mouth almost too dry to speak. Need was coiled like a spring in my core, tightening with every slight shift of his throbbing erection.

  Without warning, he slams into me. I scream out as both pain and pleasure radiates throughout my entire body. He rocks into me, his cock sliding effortlessly in and out. I clutch at his shoulders as I wrap my legs tight around his waist, needing more friction for my release.

  “Is this what you needed?” he hisses as he pounds into me. I push against him and he groans.

  I grab his face and pull him down to me, having a desperate need to kiss him. My lips move frantically over his, my need beginning to spiral out of control. “Yes,” I whisper in between kisses. “Yes… yes… yes.”

  Sweat begins to glisten as our bodies slap together. Staring down at me, his deep blue eyes are hypnotizing. He continues to pound into me as I’m taken to highs I’ve never gone to before. His rhythm is brutal and steady, sliding his flesh inside of me over and over, building my desire to an alarming level. My body begins to quiver as an orgasm seizes hold.

  I cry out, my hands gripping the sheets beneath me as wave after wave of bliss slam into me. I explode around him, my orgasm rippling through me in waves. My body seizes and convulses as I clamp down around him. Tightening his hold on my body, he pushes his hips down harder… deeper.

  Seconds later, I trigger his release. He buries his face into the side of my neck, groaning roughly as he comes. His whole body rumbles at the sound and shudders as he spasms inside me.

  Collapsing on top of me, his eyes are closed and he’s breathing hard. Neither of us move or say anything. The pounding of his heart inside his chest mimics mine as I try to catch my breath.

  A few minutes later, he rolls over and lies next to me. “You alright?” he whispers as his finger skims across my stomach.

  “Mmmmm,” is all I can manage. That was, by far, the most intense orgasm I’ve ever experienced.

  I glance over at him, his huge smile saying everything I need to know.

  He enjoyed it too.

  “So, I was thinking,” he says, his lips twitching as he pauses, “Maybe we don’t have to share visitation with Achilles.”

  “No, we don’t. I’m giving him back to you.”

  Axel’s face falls. “What do you mean?”

  I turn toward him, propping my head up with my hand. “I understand now why you need him, and who am I to keep him from you. He’s your dog.”

  Axel sits up, taking me with him. “No. He’s just as much your dog as he is mine.” He brushes my hair from my eyes and says, “What I was trying to say, was that we won’t have to share visitation with him… if you’re staying here.”

  “You want me to move in with you?”

  He smiles. “I need a reason to stay in New Jersey. You are my perfect reason… if that’s what you want?”

  We’ve known each other less than a week, but I can’t deny the chemistry that’s sizzling between us. He’s everything I’ve been looking for in a man, and then some. It sounds crazy, but is it really? Maybe we were destined to be together, and that Lucky was the vehicle for getting us there. How can I deny my feelings for him?

  I run my hands across the stubble on his cheek. “I want to see where this will take us.” Leaning in, I place a soft kiss on his lips. “So, yes. I’ll move in with you.”

  Cupping my face, he leans in and kisses me—a kiss full of magic and promise.

  Promise that we’ve both found what we’ve been searching for.

  Promise that everything is going to be okay.

  Also By Kate Kinsley

  SPECIAL FORCES: FROGMEN

  Protecting Ava

  Protecting Beca

  Protecting Cara

  GP ALLIANCE

  Rescuing Montana

  Saving Montana

  Shielding Montana

  THE TEMPEST SERIES

  When the Storm Ends

  Surviving the Storm

  THE CHASING OLIVIA DUET

  Drawn to You

  Lost Without You

  ALEX BROOKS NOVELLAS

  Infiltration

  Exfiltration

  About Kate Kinsley

  Kate Kinsley is the pen name of an Amazon bestselling author who's gone incognito. She loves to write contemporary and military romance, but her passion is romantic suspense. Books with heart-pounding action, adrenaline-inducing chases, edge-of-your-seat thrills, life-threatening situations, and dangerous criminals are what she does best.

  Besides being a mom and wife, Kinsley loves spending time with her blue-eyed puppy, who likes snacking on paperbacks in his free time. When she isn't thinking up new, exciting plots, Kinsley enjoys white wine, dark chocolate, and lots of coffee - not necessarily in that order. Constant acts of bravery and defeating the bad guys is hard word, after all.

  Snowflake Kisses

  When Army cybersecurity expert Charity Raine receives news her father’s health is in jeopardy, she wastes no time putting in for leave to return to her hometown. Hours of travel flay her emotions raw.

  Dave Russell was surprised when Charity’s mother asked for a favor, but he wasted no time and jumped at the chance to chauffeur Charity from the airport to her parents’ home. He’d had a soft spot for that girl for as long as he could remember. Her voice on the phone breathed life into his hopes for a relationship.

  When Charity makes her way through the garage to find Dave, a dark form moves toward her as a set of eyes lock with hers. It’s a puppy!

  Chapter One

  When did she get used to wearing boots instead of heels?

  Irony shook
Charity Raine’s head as a disbelieving smile filled her lips. She’d grown used to clunky military issued footwear. The black leather certainly didn’t show style, only practicality.

  As she walked the gangway connecting the airplane to the interior of Baltimore Washington International, voices registered. Sound expanded as the chatter of men, women, and children rustled like a strong wind through treetops. As she breached the threshold connecting plane to building, the volume increased. The scene was a familiar one to anyone who traveled. Erratic with the hustle and bustle of passengers either arriving or departing, Charity’s mere presence added to the melting pot of sound. Although she was delighted to be going home, the reason for her visit wasn’t happy.

  It had been nearly four years since she’d departed for basic training, leaving behind most of her girlish possessions. She’d been a bridesmaid in her best friend’s wedding, and the next week she traded in her outfits and accessories for a new wardrobe. No more “oohing” and “aahing” over cute little dresses. All that vanished when she left behind a closet filled with bright and bold colors for one of a different hue—army-green. The shade wasn’t her favorite, but she loved what it represented. For the next six years, she’d promised herself she’d put trivial desires aside and focus on her future. The army would enable her an education while working for a purpose she believed in: the defense of her country.

  When she slipped into her uniform each day, honor and pride knitted her heart stronger. The patches sewed onto the material reminded her of the men and women who’d gone before her, serving their country with the same intent and purpose. Her presence was significant, and her work as a cybersecurity expert directly impacted the nation’s safety. It was ironic; her parents had expected she would always remain the girly-girl they raised, yet there she was, in an army issued uniform. It felt more impressive than designer fashion.