An Act of Courage (Acts of Honor Series Book 4)

by K. C. Lynn

  And last night.

  I fucked her three more times after we left the studio. At one point, we found each other in our sleep and I woke up with my cock seated deep inside of her. Something that happened often in the past. Even in our sleep our bodies crave one another.

  “So skateboarding again, huh?” she says, pointing down at my feet.

  “Yeah. Turns out I still kick ass.”

  “I’m not surprised. You have kicked ass at everything you have ever done, Christopher Walker,” she says, having way too much faith in me.

  “You wanna turn?”

  She quirks a brow at me. “Do you not remember what happens when I get on one of these things? Skateboards and my coordination do not mix.”

  A smirk tugs at the corner of my lips as I remember exactly what happens. “Yeah, but you know I’ll never let you fall.” I follow up my words by reaching out to her.

  The response earns me a heart-stopping smile before she places her delicate hand in mind.

  Unable to hold back any longer, I yank her against me and claim her mouth like I’ve wanted to since waking up next to her.

  She sighs into the kiss, her arms locking around my neck.

  Growling, I lift her off the ground, letting her feet dangle. Her sweet taste that I’ve had to live without for far too long settles deep into my bones, bringing my dead heart back to life.

  The sound of tiny giggles separates us but I keep her in my arms. My attention draws to the left where I find a bunch of small humans hiding next to the shed, covering their mouths as they spy on us. Hope, Parker, Annabelle, Beckett, and Ella.

  The entire neighbor clan.

  “What are you twerps doing here?”

  Their laughter doesn’t deter from my surly tone.

  “We came to see Mia,” Hope answers.

  “Your parents let you come alone?”

  “Nope. Mama and Daddy are right behind us,” she says.

  Sure enough, Grace and Sawyer come walking up, hand in hand.

  “Why did y’all stop?” Grace asks, having no clue of our presence yet.

  Sawyer, however, spots us right away, his mouth kicking up in a knowing grin. “Because they were spying.”

  Frowning, Grace looks around, her gaze finally landing on us. Her eyes widen at the sight of Alissa in my arms. “Oh…oh so sorry,” the apology tumbles out of her. “Come on, y’all, get movin’. Give Christopher and Alissa their privacy.” She ushers them forward, giving us an apologetic wave over her shoulder.

  “I’ll bet he slipped her the tongue,” one of the boys mumbles but not quietly enough.

  “Parker!” Grace snaps, scolding him while Sawyer damn near falls over with laughter.

  Alissa drops her forehead on my shoulder with a groan. “Busted.”

  “It could have been worse.”

  Especially considering what I want to do to her.

  She lifts her head, pinning me with her pretty eyes. “I need to go get some clothes today.”

  “No, you don’t. We can stay in the whole time and you can just walk around naked.”

  She tosses her head back on a laugh. The sound washes over me, making my heart jump-start. I feel proud when I can elicit that emotion from her.

  “Hmm,” she muses, grazing her lips across mine. “As much as the idea appeals to me, we have to leave the house eventually, and I do not want to give any more tiny children a show.”

  She makes a good point. I don’t want anyone to have a show of her either.

  “Fine. But at night there are no clothes allowed,” I tell her, trying to seal my fate. Even though it’s something I shouldn’t do, but after having her again there is no way I will be able to control myself.

  “Deal.”

  With that settled, I place her feet down on the skateboard. “One turn, then we’ll go.”

  “Lord, this thing is a death trap for me.”

  “Don’t worry. I have you.” My arm curls around her waist as I plant one foot between both of hers then push off with my other one. I keep us in a straight line, going slow and steady.

  Eventually, she relaxes, resting back against me, her arms rising out at her sides.

  “See? Nothing to it,” I murmur close to her ear, her sweet scent invading my senses.

  She reaches up and hooks an arm behind my neck. “Everything is easy when we’re together. It always has been.” Her whispered words float with the gentle breeze, carrying a sadness with them.

  Regret lingers between us, reminding us of a past we cannot change.

  Pressing a kiss to her cheek, I lift her from the skateboard. “Come on, baby. Let’s go.”

  It’s about a twenty-minute drive to her apartment complex, a newly built condominium structure seated at the opposite end of town. Years ago it would have taken no more than ten minutes but Sunset Bay has expanded drastically. It still has a small town feel but the population has grown excessively.

  Once inside, we head up to the sixth floor. The small elevator space is filled with silence and my dirty thoughts as I stare at her in my shirt. By the pink stain of her cheeks, I know she’s thinking the same things I am.

  I consider hitting the emergency stop button and fucking her up against the wall. But there’s probably a camera in here and no one gets the pleasure of seeing what she looks like screaming my name but me.

  Entering her apartment, she sets her purse down on the end table next to the door. “Come on, my room is down the hall. It won’t take me long.”

  I follow behind her, noticing all the unpacked boxes we pass along the way and find her room in pretty much the same condition.

  “When did you move here?” I ask, taking a seat on her bed.

  “A couple months ago. Just before I left for Kenya,” she explains from inside her walk-in closet. “The owner is a friend of my father’s and is letting me lease on a month to month agreement. Now that I plan on staying, I’ll probably renew for a longer term.”

  Or she can live with me forever…

  I quickly shove the thought aside, knowing my life is complicated enough right now.

  She emerges from the closet, carrying a purple duffle bag. My eyes devour her, taking in the soft yellow tank top she’s changed into and cutoff denim shorts.

  “I just need to grab a few toiletries and I’ll be ready.” She hurries into her bathroom, leaving the door open. I get a view of her perfect ass as she bends down to retrieve everything she needs from under the sink.

  It’s the only part of her body I haven’t possessed yet, and I want to own it like I do the rest of her.

  My thoughts trail off when I realize my eyes are locked on the apex of her thighs. Looking up, I find her leaning against the doorjamb with a knowing smile.

  “You’re staring,” she says, stating the obvious.

  “I can’t help it.”

  Her smile grows and the bag drops to the floor. She starts forward, each dip of her hips taunting me. I span her waist as she straddles my lap, her knees pressing into the mattress on either side of me.

  “I like it when you look at me like that. It makes me feel beautiful.”

  “That’s because you are, especially right here,” I murmur, pressing a kiss over her thrumming heart.

  Her fingers sweep into my hair on a sigh as my lips trail a heated path up her throat, nipping and tasting the delicate skin.

  Desire rages between us with each passing second. Our eyes hold for two solid breaths before the stark hunger claims us both and our mouths align, tongues sliding together in the best goddamn harmony ever created. The taste of her burns within my blood, reminding me of our past.

  One we shared.

  One I lost.

  And everything I want to take back.

  Growling, I fist her hair and deepen the kiss. “You make it impossible not to want you all the fucking time.”

  “Good, because I always want you. Every second, my heart craves your touch.”

  If she only knew what hers did for me. The promis
e of light she casts into my dark soul.

  Before I’m able to seek the redemption I so desperately crave, there’s a hard knock on her front door, stealing the moment.

  “Alissa? You here?”

  We break apart, every muscle in my body coiling tight at the familiar voice.

  “Yo, Lis. Where are you?”

  “Just a second!” Alissa scrambles off me, quickly righting her shirt. Regret reflects in her eyes as she reaches out, touching the side of my face. “Rain check?”

  I nod, too angry for words at the moment.

  What the fuck is he doing here?

  I’m unable to ponder the question because Alissa grabs my hand, linking our fingers together. We walk out of her room and come face-to-face with the enemy.

  It’s been years since I’ve seen Ryan Hunter, and the sight of him still has hate boiling in my blood.

  An arrogant smirk takes over his face but there’s no denying the hostility in his eyes. “Well, well, well, look what the pretty kitty dragged in.”

  His taunt has me pushing forward, my fists clenched and ready to inflict pain.

  Alissa jumps in front of me, my chest crashing into her back. “Knock it off, Ryan! Why are you here? And why are you just walking into my house without permission?”

  He shoots her a look of innocence. “I knocked.”

  “You’re supposed to wait until I answer it,” she fires back.

  He shrugs. “I figured you wouldn’t, and I need to see you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I heard what happened and want to make sure you are okay. Isn’t that what brothers are supposed to do?”

  The way his eyes sweep down her body is anything but brotherly and it’s about to send my fists flying.

  “Cut the shit. We both know my mother sent you.”

  He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the couch. “She and Dad are worried about you. They want you to come home.”

  “Not happening. I’m staying with Christopher.”

  His eyes meet mine for only a second before they shift back to her. “Come on, Lis. I’ll be nice and share my bed with you…again.”

  My restraint shatters.

  “Christopher, no!”

  I don’t let her stop me.

  Not this time.

  Ryan braces himself, ready for the attack. He swings first but misses.

  I wrap my fingers around his throat and drop him to his back, gripping with just enough pressure to cut off his air supply. “You never did know when to shut your fucking mouth, Hunter,” I grit, watching his face turn from red to purple.

  “Christopher, stop. Please,” Alissa pleads, her voice trembling in fear. “This is what he wants. Don’t let him do this to us. I need you too much right now.”

  Those last words are the only ones that break through my red haze. Leaning down, I bring my face an inch from his. “Come near her again and next time I will rip out your fucking heart and feed it to you.” I release him with a shove to his throat and stand back up.

  He rolls on his side, coughing and sputtering.

  “Get out, Ryan, and you can tell my mother to forget about me coming home.”

  He climbs to his feet, but keeps his head down and back toward us. “You always have been an ungrateful bitch.”

  The insult puts me in motion again but Alissa wraps her arms around me. “Don’t. Please.”

  It takes every bit of control I possess to let that fucker leave in one piece.

  Alissa releases a shaky breath. “You okay?”

  My eyes remain on the closed door, unable to look at her. I’m scared to see the truth in her eyes, one I can’t fathom to think about. “Go get your bag. I want to get the fuck out of here.”

  She watches me for a long moment, hurt radiating from her before she finally does what I say.

  Heavy silence fills the truck on the ride home. Ryan’s taunt continues to assault me, whispering words of rage.

  “I’ll be nice and share my bed with you…again.”

  Knowing she has been with anyone else already fucks with my head but to know it could have been with him sends a dangerous rage through me.

  By the time we enter my house, my fury is almost uncontrollable. I slam the door, hard enough that it makes her jump.

  She spins around to face me, her eyes sparking in anger. “What the hell is your problem?”

  “Can’t figure it out, Lis?” I’m being an asshole and I know it. But I’m the only one who has ever called her that and it pisses me off how comfortably it rolled off his tongue.

  “Well, I’m assuming it’s because of Ryan but that doesn’t explain why you’re mad at me.”

  “Is it true?” I ask, unable to help myself, the unknown killing me.

  “Is what true?”

  “Did you fuck him?” My stomach rolls as the words leave my mouth. I brace myself for the answer, knowing I won’t be able to deal with it if she has.

  Her lips press into a thin line, hurt twisting her expression. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know. Five years is a long time.”

  “Yeah, it is. You want to share with me all the girls you’ve been with?”

  I don’t respond, my silence saying it all.

  “That’s what I thought,” she chokes out, tears forming in her eyes. “You forget, Christopher, that you walked away from me. You threw us away, not the other way around.”

  “Do you really think for a fucking second I’ve forgotten that? That it’s been easy to live with that decision?”

  “We’ve both had to live with it!” she screams back. “The difference is you had a choice. I didn’t. You took mine away!”

  “So you decided payback would be fucking the enemy?” I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth.

  She flinches as if I slapped her. “If you really believe that then you never knew me at all.” Turning her back on me, she storms into my room, the resounding slam of the door driving the stake further into my chest.

  “Fuck!” My fist crashes into the wall, but the pain shooting up my arm does nothing to alleviate the emotion gripping me.

  Unable to be here another second, I tear out of the house and jump back into my truck. I crank my music as loud as it will go, hoping it will clear my head. Instead, my mind is assaulted with the past and everything I lost.

  CHAPTER 17

  Alissa

  My eyes flutter open, blurry and burning from crying earlier. Noticing the room is quite a bit darker, I check the bedside clock and realize I fell asleep. A throw blanket now covers me that wasn’t there before.

  Christopher.

  Sadness consumes me as I think about our fight. He was so angry, but amongst the fury in his eyes was the same regret I have suffered over the years. I hate that our fight was triggered by Ryan’s unexpected visit. But even more than that, I’m disappointed that Christopher would believe his lies.

  Five years may be a long stretch, especially when you long for only one person the entire time, but I would never sleep with Ryan. Not only because I have no attraction toward him but also because I know what kind of person he is.

  I kept myself busy with school and went on dates here and there but they never turned into anything worth pursuing because my heart always belonged to him. I had a short relationship with Zach in order to get over Christopher.

  It never worked.

  I’m not stupid to think he hasn’t been with anyone else but it’s something I’d rather not think about. The pain the thought brings on is too much to bear.

  I listen carefully to see if I can hear movement beyond the closed door but I’m only met with silence. Sighing, I roll over, and my heart leaps in my chest at the pack of pink Hubba Bubba gum and single yellow tulip that rests on the pillow next to me.

  My lips lift in a smile as I pick up the flower and bring it to my nose, inhaling its fresh scent. I grab the gum next and read the short note attached to it.

  I’m sorry. I’m at the tr
ee waiting for you.

  He doesn’t need to elaborate which tree; I know exactly which one he’s talking about. A place we always met at in the past.

  Tossing the covers off, I get to my feet with a new hope in my heart and change into one of the sundresses I packed. I freshen up quickly then grab the throw blanket and flower before heading out the back door.

  The flashlight on my phone guides my way as I walk across the cool grass to the back of the property. That’s where the tree is that Faith planted in honor of Christopher and Ruthie’s mom, Cade’s sister, and the little boy from Iraq that she still holds close to her heart.

  The soft strum of a guitar greets my ears, drifting through the heat of the night. It beckons me, reeling me in with a pull so strong there’s no resisting it.

  Just like the man himself.

  Even though I’m prepared for it, the sight of Christopher leaning against the tree, one knee propped while playing his guitar, still halts me in my tracks.

  Sensing my presence, his eyes find mine, and the beautiful sound stops. A lantern sits next to him, casting a glow across his handsome face. The longing and remorse I find there puts my feet back in motion.

  His possessive gaze remains on me as I lay out the blanket next to him, putting all the stuff I brought down with it. Right when I’m about to take a seat he snags my wrist.

  Placing his guitar aside, he pulls me down on top of him, my knees hugging his hips as he gathers me in his arms.

  “I’m sorry,” he croaks, burying his face in my neck.

  Swallowing thickly, I lean back to look at him. “I never slept with him, Christopher.”

  Relief flashes in his eyes before they close, his jaw flexing beneath my fingers.

  “You’re the only one I’ve longed for,” I continue, confessing my heart to him. “The only one whose touch I’ve ever wanted.”

  His fingers circle my wrist and he turns his face to the side, brushing his lips across my palm before grabbing his guitar again. He rests it between us and looks up at me beneath the hood of his dark lashes. “I wrote something when I was on my first deployment, and I want you to hear it.”

  I rest my forehead against his, my heart yearning to hear his incredible voice. “Sing it to me.”

  As his fingers begin strumming, I close my eyes, letting the slow melody dance across my skin and settle deep into my bones.