Protecting Her: A Romance Bundle Read online

  I know I’m doing something important and I do feel good about it, especially when I get respect for being at a high rank, but the bad side of things is overshadowing at the moment. I need a break from all of it.

  “There’s been another report of a squadron being captured,” Timmy tells me. “It doesn’t look good for any of them. Have we been sent any orders regarding this?” I sigh and shake my head. “Right, okay.”

  He might not think I remember, but I know his best friend is in among the people in danger. He’s got that worry on top of everything else. I’m sure he’d be happy for us to head to where intelligence expects they’re being held, all guns blazing, to get him back, but we’ve got to do what’s commanded of us. That’s the rule. It’s why a lot of basic training centres around discipline. We have to do what’s expected.

  “I’m sorry, buddy, we just have to sit tight.” I try to comfort him, but I’m sure it isn’t working. “Something will happen soon, I’m sure of it. And when we all get back home, we’ll be able to learn more.”

  This is another thing I think is a lie. All the media lets us believe we’re winning this war with flying colors, but it doesn’t feel that way when you’re in the middle of it. everything feels like an intense loss.

  “Can I be really honest with you?” I give Timmy a sharp nod, wondering what I’m getting myself into. “I don’t know if I want to go home yet, not without knowing more. I don’t like leaving my friend here.”

  I nod slowly, sort of understanding him. I see that same look Veronica gives me every time I have to leave. It’s the not knowing which gets to her. That’s probably made worse by the snippets of information she gets in the news room, nothing substantial but just enough to have her worried. I’d love to be able to text her every day, but it can’t be that way. Anything that sends out signals is dangerous, it can lead people right to us, which is the last thing we need. Unfortunately, this distance is the only thing keeping us all alive.

  I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this forever if I’m honest. I’m not sure it’s going to make me as happy as I once assumed. I don’t intend to make any snap decisions now when I’m at a low point with the rest of my group, but soon I’ll have to decide. I don’t necessarily want to leave the armed forces, I’m just not sure I should remain on the front line. Hopefully, having some time at home will help me to clarify what I want to do.

  I tilt my head back, allowing images of Veronica’s face to fill my mind for just a second. God, I wish I could reach out and touch her right now, I would give anything to hold her. Whenever I think about her, this distance becomes just as hard as I feared it might be when I had my wobble at the graduation party. Long distance after such a wonderfully close time together, is challenging beyond belief.

  Not long now, I remind myself. Not long now at all. I’ll be back with the love of my life soon enough.

  “Come on, Timmy, let’s keep ourselves busy. We always have guns to clean or something. There’s no point in us sitting around moping. It won’t change anything now, will it?”

  “Yeah, okay,” he says.

  But my happiness is false and we both know it. It’s better to just do as I’ve said and get on with it for a while. This place is hell, it’s dreadful, there aren’t many ways to keep ourselves going, but we have to. Just for a little while longer.

  ***

  Relief floods me as I step off the plane onto American soil. It’s the first time I’ve felt safe in months, it’s wonderful to be back. The other guys all have their partners meeting them at the airport, but I didn’t tell Veronica I was coming back. I know she’s busy with her own career so I don’t want to drag her away from that, and I also want it to be a surprise. In all honesty, I also needed this time myself. I need a moment to adjust. The plane ride over should have been enough, but I need to gather up my thoughts in the fresh air.

  To the side of me, I see Tommy collapse into a woman who I assume is his mother, and he sobs desperately. He recently got news that his friend was killed and he hasn’t yet recovered from it. None of us are used to death yet. I suppose we will have to get to a place where we are eventually, but it’ll take a long time. I can’t look at him, I can’t witness his sadness. I don’t want to be selfish but I’ve spent enough time sad. I need to separate this time and make it happy. It’s hard for me to do so, but I put my head down and walk off.

  Leaving the airport is a freeing sensation, I like the way the breeze washes over my skin. It’s warm, but not the stifling heat of the middle east. This is pleasant, so much so that as I spot a line of cabs sitting outside the airport, I stroll right past them. It might be a mile into town, but that’s nothing. I can do it. I walk that far all the time, that’s a part of basic training. I want to feel this air all over me for as long as I can. It’s lovely.

  As I walk, images from Afghanistan occasionally pop into my brain. In a weird way, it’s almost like I’m still there. Mentally, at least. I’ve been looking forward to letting go and having space from the war, but it’s still there. the noises, the smells, the stress… I don’t know how long it’ll take for that to subside.

  I guess I’m lucky. I might have seen some horrible things, but none of my friends being killed. I feared witnessing good people dying in the most horrific ways, so I’m lucky so far. I know the effect seeing bombs going off can have on people. Those are sights I’m sure people won’t ever truly forget.

  Stop thinking about it now, I tell myself firmly, think about Veronica and how nice it’ll be to see her.

  I know bits and pieces about what’s happened with her. I know she’s a reporter now, interview people and running stories from location. I wonder how she’s getting on with that. I’m sure she’s doing really well. That’s what she was born to do. God, I’m so excited to be in her arms, to hold her, to listen to her talk.

  I pick up the pace, imagining the smell of Veronica rather than the desert. I love the way there’s always a scent of citrus in her hair. Lemon maybe, or perhaps it’s lime. Whatever it is, it goes well with the strawberry fruity scent that covers her body. I inhale deeply, my heart racing as I know it won’t be long.

  I should have jumped in a cab after all… or maybe I should get a bus. Anyway, to be back with Veronica right now. I shouldn’t have yearned for some time, I should just be with her already.

  Since none of those options are available to me, all I can do is run. I jog at first, the weight of my bag on my back only causing a little bit of drag, then I break into a run as if I’m in a race. I run until I’m near enough to the town to find a bus stop and I jump onto it, grateful that it takes me near to my home. The house that I’ve barely spent any time in really. I was barely even around when we bought it, which is a real shame. I’ve missed out on so much. I don’t want to miss out on anymore. I want to be there, with Veronica, for everything.

  I spot an advertising banner running along the inside of the bus once inside, advertising the news station which Veronica works for. It has pictures of the two main anchors and mentions the other reporters by name. I hunt it, immediately looking for the woman I love mentioned there, but I don’t immediately see her. It takes me a moment to realize that ‘Ronnie Best’ is her. Ronnie… that’s weird. I suppose it is a shorthand for Veronica, but I’ve never known her be called that. Many, many other names but never that one. It’s weird, that’s almost like a version of her I don’t know. Just another thing that I’ve missed out on, I suppose. I should just add it to the ever-growing list.

  I’ll have to ask her about it once I get home. I need to work out how she became ‘Ronnie’. That’s so odd.

  Still, the rest of the world can know her as ‘Ronnie’ if they want to. She won’t ever be that to me. She’s Rusty or Veronica. The girl from high school who I fell deeply and madly in love with in college. The woman I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep but the one who I’ve managed to make a real life with.

  She’s mine, and I’m hers. If real life hasn’t torn us apart yet, then I d
on’t think it ever will. One day, hopefully not too long away, I’ll walk her down the aisle and make her officially mine.

  I hope that happens sooner rather than later. I do want her to have a ring on her finger, I want us both to know that wherever we are in the world, we’re still in love. No matter what.

  13

  Veronica

  I rest my feet on the coffee table next to my giant glass of wine while I sort through the paper work in front of me. I’m tired, exhausted actually, it’s been a very long day and the last thing I want to do is more work. I would love nothing more than to have a nice bubble bath, read a long trashy novel, and relax. But this needs to be done today and I don’t think there’s anything in the world that can stop me. I’ve even turned my cell phone off to stop me from getting distracted by calls, texts, and the Internet. That’s a constant fault of mine.

  I focus my eyes in on the words, drinking them in one by one, but somehow the meaning isn’t quite sinking in. I can see the words, I know what they mean, but my brain isn’t totally connecting them together. The part of my mind which is good at figuring things out has deserted me, rendering me useless.

  I sigh deeply, just about ready to give up and go to bed, my thought process being that if I sleep earlier I can wake up earlier, then I can get this work done then, when there’s a strange ringing sound through the house. It kinda sounds like the door bell, but surely it can’t be at this time of night? It’s too late for visitors…

  Oh. When I dart my eyes towards the clock I see it’s only half past seven in the evening. A perfectly reasonable time for someone to come around I suppose. It’s just that I’m not expecting anyone and I’m shattered.

  The doorbell rings out again, so I leap up and race to the front door, anxiety twisting in my gut. I try to rack my brain to see if there’s some prior engagement I’ve forgotten all about, but of course, it isn’t on top form.

  I grab the door knob and swing it open, not sure who I’m going to see on the other side…

  “Jordan!” I gush out in shock. This is the last person I thought it’d be. “What are you… are you…?”

  I don’t know what to say, I can barely breathe, never mind speak. The air has been zapped from my body, my lungs are squeezed tight. This must be a dream, I can’t believe it. I must have fallen asleep on the couch.

  “Aren’t you pleased to see me?” he chuckles, seemingly stunned by my answer. “It’s been a long trip.”

  I decide I don’t care if it’s a dream or not, I just want to hold him, so I leap from where I’m standing and I wrap myself around him completely. My arms, my legs, everything. I hold him and squeeze him tight.

  “It’s so good to see you,” I gasp out while I place a kiss on his cheek. He sure as hell feels real! But he kinda does in all of my dreams, so right now I’m willing to just go with it. “You have no idea, Jordan.”

  He doesn’t say anything else, he simply steps inside with me wrapped around him and slams the door behind us both. Then, we’re kissing like there’s no tomorrow. The distance has crushed us and if this is really happening, then my God, it feels incredible to hold one another again. His rock-hard body – which has definitely grown stronger since the last time I saw him – his thick head of hair, his mouth tingling against mine…

  I don’t know why he’s back and why he didn’t tell me that he was coming, but right now I don’t care. We have all the time in the world for a talk like that. Right now, I just want to feel him everywhere. I have a craving that damn well needs satisfying. It’s been far too long since he satisfied me properly. There’s only so much I can do for myself, I need him, the man who knows my body far better than I know it myself.

  Jordan pushes my back against the hallway wall as the kissing grows more passionate. My feet slide to the ground and I let him peel my clothing off. I’m still dressed in my tight work dress, so it’s more challenging to peel off than the baggier, more casual clothing that I used to always wear around him, but sheer determination shreds it from me. I don’t have a bra on, the dress is so tight it holds my breasts in place, so Jordan’s lips are wrapped tightly around my nipple in an instant. I have to keep my back against the cool wall to stop my skin from growing so flushed and my brain so hot that I actually pass out. I do feel a bit faint right now.

  I tug my hair out, loving the way it feels tickling my back as Jordan moves his kisses further and further down my body. The hyper sensitive area at the bottom of my belly sets flames alight. Any tiredness that I was experiencing only moments before is long gone, but I don’t intend to use this new woke feeling for work. Not when my man is home. Home, safe and sound, with seemingly no injuries. Nothing to worry about at all.

  Yep, this has to be a dream.

  My panties shimmy down my legs as Jordan continues to kiss me. Every so often, he adds a little nibble in there which makes me squeal. It’s such a sweet, shocking sensation it makes my knees knock together. I’m jelly in Jordan’s hands, he’s turned me into putty and I freaking love it. I’m pulsing desperately for him.

  Once I’m completely naked, Jordan grabs my left thigh and he tosses my leg over his shoulder to fully expose me to him. I’m so caught up in the heady lust of the moment, I don’t even stop to think about it. I toss my head back and let him do whatever the hell he wants to me. I already know that it’ll feel good.

  Jordan doesn’t do anything at first, but he doesn’t need to. I can feel his warm breath tickling me all over and I love it. It’s sending shivers up and down my spine and making my hips roll into him.

  Soon, my patience is rewarded. Jordan slips one of his fingers into me and also clamps his lips down over my clit. It’s been far too long, so almost instantly I can feel electrical shoot zig zagging right through me. The powerful chemistry that’s always been between us, ever since that magical moment we reconnected in college, is back and stronger than ever. I feel absolutely consumed by it.

  “Oh, Jordan.” My voice is rasping and desperate. My neediness shines through, which causes Jordan to slip another finger into me. His rough tongue explores me all over, tracing magical feeling patterns over my clit. I’m honestly in heaven, I can feel myself tipping far too quickly towards the knife edge of desire. If he keeps rolling his lips over me like that, I don’t think I’m going to be able to hold it in any longer.

  “Oh, fuck, Jordan,” I scream, letting the orgasm free. I want to hold onto it a little longer because I do always enjoy the anticipation and build up, but today I have no hope. Not when I’ve been surprised by the love of my life. I let it roll over me, crash through me, swallow me up and toss me back to the ground again. My body tenses then relaxes, causing Jordan to pump his fingers faster, sending my flying higher than air. I swear I see stars.

  Once the pressure has shattered through me, and I’m panting desperately next to Jordan, he lifts me high once more and crashes my back down on the rug beneath me. He fumbles needily with his belt, desperate for me, and I take the time to seriously enjoy the dark desire behind his gaze. Much as I need this, he must so much more.

  His cock springs free and I immediately replace his hand with my own. I tug him a few times, but it’s clear he won’t take long, so I angle him into me instead. I need that feeling of him filling me up just as much as he does.

  “Oh, my…” As he thrusts into me, my back arches in sheer bliss. Somehow, having him inside me makes the burning hot pleasure last a little longer, and with every thrust, my head spins all over again. I feel hot, sticky, animalistic. The dragon of desire has been locked away inside for far too long, it wants to burst free.

  This time, we shudder and buckle together, clinging onto one another as we do. I love the sound of Jordan’s cries in my ear, I enjoy knowing how much I can send him wild, the deep sexual chemistry that we share keeps us going whenever things get tough. I don’t ever want to lose that. It connects and bonds us.

  We collapse next to one another on the rug, panting like crazy people, but very quickly I turn to look ri
ght at him. Now, I suppose, we need to discuss what the hell is going on here. I desperately hope that I’m not asleep. It’ll kill me right now to wake up and to be alone. I desperately need him here.

  “Are you back?” I ask him curiously, cocking my head to one side. “I mean, like, for real.”

  He grabs my hand and presses it to his chest so I can feel his heart hammering away. “Do I feel real?”

  He does, he really does, but I’m so freaked out that all of this is about to fall apart. “You do, but I don’t know what’s happening. I wasn’t expecting you to come home and… well, I don’t know what to think.”

  He turns onto his side too and kisses me gently on the lips. “I know, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I was coming back but the date kept changing and I didn’t want you to be disappointed. Also, I wanted it to be a surprise.” He lets out a little chuckle. “I hope it’s a nice surprise. You did want me to come back, right?”

  I wrap my arms tightly around his neck. I don’t want him to think that I don’t want him here. I’m just stunned. “Of course, I do, you crazy fool. I always want you here. Life is so much better when you’re around. Are you back for long or do you not know yet? Will you have lots to do while you’re here?”

  “I don’t know much yet. To be honest, I was mostly just thinking about getting back to you. The rest can come later. And on that note, I know it’s early but I’m shattered. Shall we watch TV in bed?”

  The television in the bedroom was my idea, I wanted it to keep me from getting too lonely at night, but now I can’t think of anything better than to watch it with my man. That’ll be wonderful. And he’s right. I do have work, but that can come later. I don’t need to think of anything but him. The gorgeous love of my life.

  We don’t even bother to pick our clothes up as we head upstairs because we’re so wrapped up in one another, understandably so. I don’t want to stop touching him for even a second. Not even to head to the bathroom, I’m afraid he’ll disappear in a cloud of smoke. I’ve only just got him back, I’m not ready to let him go.