The Soldier Next Door Page 6

  “I want to know if the fawns are going to survive. They were so precious. I’ve never held a baby deer.”

  “Is that the only reason you rode along?”

  Sydnie stared out the passenger side window. He was driving normally today. She sensed him reaching. Is he wondering if he scared me away? They had never discussed their tempestuous relationship. The opportunity hadn’t presented itself amidst the whirlwind of events.

  “I enjoy being with you,” she finally replied, turning her head his way. “Last night was extreme.”

  “I really like you, baby, but I’ll understand if you can’t handle my demons.” And there it was again—the adorable expression of innocence laced with undeniable allure—the look she could not resist.

  “Can we talk about this later? I’m not comfortable having a serious discussion while you’re driving.”

  “Afraid I’ll snap again?”

  “The thought crossed my mind.” She let out a nervous sigh. “Honestly, I’m not sure what scares me more…your dark side or the fact I cannot stay away from you.”

  He didn’t respond. They rode the rest of the way to the state game lands in silence. When they pulled up to a huge metal gate, Mason presented his Military ID to the guard. They were waved into what looked like a reserved area for official personnel only. All the parked cars had marked license plates and most bore an insignia on the side of the door. There were even a couple State Police cars in the lot.

  “How did you get them to let us in here?”

  “One of the cops is a buddy of mine,” he replied matter-of-fact-like.

  “Let me guess…the cop you ran over?”

  Mason gave a short laugh. “Yeah, you remember.”

  “Hard to forget anything about you.” She couldn’t withhold a smile.

  A different guard escorted them into a brick building. They followed him to the very rear where a small makeshift zoo had been erected. On a thick layer of straw laid the fawns. Heat lamps hung above the pen at every corner. A woman dressed in uniform was kneeling on the floor bottle-feeding the babies. Sydnie covered her mouth with one hand in awed silence, watching through teary eyes.

  In walked a State Trooper. “You’re still around after last night, hm?” He smiled. “I’m Officer Troy. I heard about what happened.”

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Sydnie Parks, Mason’s neighbor.”

  He nodded politely. “This could only happen to Mason. Rarely do wildlife babies survive something like this. The fawns were full term and somehow escaped the trauma. Wildlife officials said both are in good condition and are expected to live. Mason’s quick thinking saved them.”

  “I’ve never seen a man administer CPR on an animal.”

  The officer grinned. “Not sure any of us have.”

  “What will happen to them? It would be sad if they ended up back in the hunting field after fighting for their lives.”

  “Everyone around here is calling them Mason’s Miracle. God knows he deserves one. But the details will not be in the news. People are not supposed to take matters into their own hands for many different reasons. They should call for help and wait for proper authorities.”

  “Is he going to get fined?”

  “No, you called quickly. We understand the situation.”

  “So what will they do with the deer?”

  “There is a private wildlife reserve about fifty miles north that specializes in fundraising. The game commission made plans to take them there when they are strong enough. Mason’s miracle twins will be part of an animal awareness program to raise funds for endangered wildlife. These lucky little souls will live on protected land while becoming accustomed to human interaction. ”

  “Aw, that is wonderful news…I can’t believe they survived. Last night was crazy.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it. This truly was a miracle.” Officer Troy gave Mason a friendly slap on the back. “What do you think, buddy? Ready to slow that truck of yours down yet?”

  Mason stood with both arms folded across his chest, staring intently at the deer. “Yeah…I got lucky this time. They didn’t die.”

  “You can visit them whenever you want. I’ll let you know when they’re transferred to the private reserve.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  They walked with Officer Troy back to the parking lot. He and Mason took a brief trip down memory lane, shared a few laughs, then parted company. She climbed into the truck. Mason closed the door behind her.

  “Fucking amazing, isn’t it?” He smiled from the driver’s seat.

  “Yes, it really is. I don’t know anyone who would do what you did.”

  “I never leave a fallen comrade.”

  “You see animals as friends?”

  “When they aren’t food, yeah, I love animals. I’d never hurt one to be cruel.”

  His soft side surprised her. Everything about him seemed to surprise her. He was like a Jack-in-the-box. She never knew when he’d spring into action.

  An enchanting full moon had inched into a clear night sky by the time he parked in his driveway.

  “I’m going to spend a quiet night at home tonight,” she told him.

  Disappointment shadowed his face. “I was hoping you’d come in and have something to eat with me.”

  “Thank you, but I’m not very hungry.”

  “A movie?” He arched persuasive brows.

  “Mason…” She gave him a pleading look.

  “Just one movie.”

  “Okay. One movie. No sex. And no zombie tactics. Promise?”

  He laughed but nodded nonetheless. “I swear. I won’t scare you tonight.”

  They walked inside. His house smelled incredibly fresh as always and was spotless. “I wish I could achieve this level of neatness in my place.”

  “Your house is great, warm, and inviting like you.” He took her jacket and hung it on a wooden coat rack.

  She sat on the couch while he meandered around the house, turning on a few lights and rattling about in the kitchen. He returned to the living room with two vodka coolers in one hand and a small box in the other.

  “I thought you only drank when you got nervous. It’s just us here.” She gave him an admonishing look.

  “I am nervous.” He offered her a bottle, but she waved it off.

  “Why?”

  After placing his bottle on a coaster, he sat beside her. “I want to ask you something. I bought you a present today while I was out.”

  “But you can’t do this without a drink?”

  A warring expression flickered in his eyes. “I’ll just have one.”

  Gently, she reached for the bottle. “I am flattered that you bought me a gift. However, I cannot accept it unless we establish a few ground rules.”

  “Here comes the breakup-let’s-be-friends speech.” He sighed, then chugged half the contents of a twelve-ounce bottle. “I scare you.”

  “Hell yes, you scare me, but you’re way off base about the breakup speech.” Her fingers wrapped around his bottle. “I’m crazy about you, but I like you better sober.”

  Their eyes met. He searched hers with an intensity that felt alarming. She sensed he’d learned to read people very well.

  “You’re right,” he said after a few tense moments. “It’s time I quit this shit.”

  “Then start now, give me the bottle.”

  The sweetest expression she’d ever seen swept across his strong facial features as he handed over that bottle. She walked to the kitchen and dumped it down the sink. He stood right behind her.

  “Dump it all. I don’t need it anymore.” He opened the refrigerator door.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Fuck yeah. I need to straighten my ass up.”

  Together they poured every drop of liquor from his kitchen down the drain. His willingness to go sober right then impressed and thrilled her.

  “Are you going to run out and buy more when I go home?”

  “No. I’m done with it.”r />
  Impulsively, she threw her arms around his neck in a fierce hug. He hugged her back, sweeping long muscular arms up her back. They stood there in a deeply tender embrace for endless minutes. She breathed in the scent of him, clinging to the genuine affection he extended.

  When they eased apart, he placed a light lingering kiss on her lips, then led her back to the sofa. “Now will you accept what I bought for you?”

  She opened the box. “It’s a ring.” Staring at him with wide eyes, she fell at a loss for words.

  “It’s not an engagement ring,” he quickly stated. “I know it’s way too soon for that.” He lifted a very pretty black onyx stone mounted on a lovely silver band from the box. “I feel connected to you, Sydnie. You have more guts than any woman I’ve known. Will you accept this ring as my promise to never surrender?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Warmth flooded his eyes. “Last night…the noose…today I got rid of it. You really hung in there with me and I don’t want to lose you. It’s okay that you cried. I can’t believe how hard you fought to stop me and I was shocked as hell that you got in the truck. Why did you? I could’ve killed you.”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I guess deep inside you brought me back to life. I’ve merely existed since my divorce, not truly lived. Maybe I’m secretly a thrill seeker.” She laughed a little.

  “I love your laugh. You’re real and sweet.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled.

  “I won’t drink anymore. If I do, you can walk away for good and I’ll never bother you again. But I’d like you to be my girlfriend, I’d like us to be exclusive as a couple. The ring is my promise to you that I won’t give up on life no matter how dark it gets in here.” He tapped his temple. “I’ll never put you through another suicide mission. Today I realized suicide is the coward’s way out. I’ve never backed down from a fight. I’m ready to live again.”

  Blinking tears away, she looked down at the ring. It was very beautiful in an antique setting, a perfect combination of darkness and light. “I want you to live. I’ve grown extremely attached to you this past week. Not sure I want my boring life back.” She lifted her eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

  He took her left hand in his and slid the ring on her finger. “No doubt in my mind about you. If you’re not the right woman for me, then there isn’t one out there. I’m falling in love with you, baby doll.”

  Her gaze shifted from the delicate ring to his loving eyes. “I’m falling for you, too.”

  “You’ll be my lady?”

  “Yes.”

  They fell together in a sincere hug, faces buried against each other’s necks. No man had ever held her with this much genuine feeling. She relaxed in his arms, feeling safe and confident that he meant every word. There had never been a fake moment between them and she treasured that fact.

  “I know I said no sex tonight,” she whispered against his ear. “But I really want you right now.”

  He eased back. Their eyes met. Without saying a word, he scooped her off the couch and into his arms. They kissed passionately as he carried her back to the bedroom. His tongue filled her mouth. He laid her down without breaking the kiss. One hand slid up her bare leg and under her short denim skirt. She sighed when his fingers slid past her damp lace panties and into her sex. Reaching down, she undid the fly to his jeans to release his fine erection into her waiting hand. They stroked each other while kissing madly.

  He pulled away to strip off his clothes. Their gazes locked as she did the same. Before he had a chance to lie down again, she gripped his ass and tugged him close. His hands dove into her hair, taking a tight hold as her lips closed around the head of his cock.

  “Ah fuck,” he groaned, kneeling on the bed before her.

  She went down on him hard, never letting up until he pushed her down on the bed.

  His hands slid down the entire length of her legs as he lowered his head between her thighs. “You have the sexiest legs I’ve ever seen.”

  A gasp escaped her when his hot moist mouth closed around her clit. He sucked and licked her into uncontrollable lust. She grabbed his head and lifted her hips, silently begging for more.

  He took her to the edge of ecstasy then rolled onto his back. She flashed him a wicked grin while straddling his waist. He smiled in return with shimmering eyes.

  “Hell yesss…” she breathed out the words as his long thick cock filled her completely.

  Aggressive yet tender hands swept over her, stroking her thighs, caressing her breasts, and teasing her nipples relentlessly. They slammed against each other. She met each blissful thrust with a downward push of her hips against his. They fucked each other in wild abandonment, not withholding a thing. A deeper connection established itself during their unbridled sex-fest on his king-sized bed.

  They switched positions several times, exchanging ravenous kisses, exploring each other without inhibition. Nothing had ever felt this real. Nobody had ever touched her this deeply.

  He shifted their position again, taking her from behind as she braced both hands and knees on the mattress. She loved it. His feral approach thrilled her, penetrated her to the max. Her sex erupted into overpowering spasms, forcing her head down as she gasped for breath. In the next moment, he exploded inside. A flood of heat surged deep inside, making her come even harder.

  “Oh fuck yes!” She clenched her teeth as a wild orgasm rocked her body.

  “Baby, baby,” he groaned, holding her steady while completing his release.

  They crested the idyllic peak of ecstasy together, panting for breath, soaked in sweat. When the climax began to subside, he rolled her over and slid his still erect cock back inside. They were slippery and wet.

  She pulled his head down for another kiss, then their eyes met. His passion-glazed expression mirrored her euphoric state of mind. Still coupled, they laid together basking in the pleasure of their physical connection.

  Several minutes later, his breathing sounded almost normal. He gazed into her eyes and gave her a sexy wink.

  “The next time you tell me no sex, how about a heads up on that one?”

  She let out a short airy laugh. “Oh I don’t think so, baby. What fun will I be if my brave and handsome soldier can predict my every move?”

  A charming smile touched his sensual lips. His captivating dark eyes sparkled mischievously. “Have it your way, doll…” His voice dropped to a whisper. He lowered his head to her neck. Warm breath sent shivers over her skin as he mysteriously whispered, “But watch out for those zombies.”

  About the Author

  Storm is a multi-published author with various pen names in many different genres with Extasy Books and Divine Destinies Books. She dreams big and continues working toward her goals. Her non-erotic books can be found under the names Austina Love and Susan Zoe Bella.

  Storm has been building her own worlds since grade school. Always the dreamer, never the realist, she takes life one day at a time while battling the daily challenge of Meniere’s Disease.

  As an animal activist, Animal Guardian and Ambassador for the ASPCA, she relates better to animals than people. She never looked back after leaving the farm and prefers indoor activities, especially dancing.

  The love of her life was a Bichon named Austin and she believes his spirit is lighting her way. His story and those of several other very special animal friends are featured in her novel, Rainbows Hearts and Puppy Tales.

  Her wish for you, the reader, is that she can sweep you away from reality for just a while and that you enjoy the experience she has created for you.

 

 

 
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