The General's Desire: San Diego Social Scene Book 2

by Tess Summers

  With a big smile as she brought the mug to her lips to blow on her coffee, Cassie said, “Only one way to find out.”

  ****

  Ron

  Ron was sitting at his desk with a scotch in his hand, staring at the manuscript he’d just finished reading, trying to make sense of it all.

  She’d never been with Kyle.

  She’d loved him.

  According to the leather-bound document in front of him, more than she ever did her husband. More than she had any other man. He smiled wistfully thinking about the ending of her story. That should have been them.

  Maybe it still could be.

  Taking a long pull from his tall glass of the amber liquid, Ron scowled. She thought he’d let her down, said he wasn’t her Superman after all.

  Bullshit. He was her Superman.

  He set his glass down hard.

  This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

  Just then his doorbell rang. Did he dare think it was Brenna at his front door?

  It was a beautiful woman standing on his sidewalk. Only the wrong beautiful woman.

  “Sarah, why are you here?”

  “Nice to see you again too, Ron,” she patted his cheek and walked inside, uninvited.

  He stood at the door looking at the summer sun starting to set, then gave a resigned sigh before shutting it and turning to follow her.

  “So, is the blonde who bid on you last night the one you’re in love with?” Sarah wasn’t mincing words this evening.

  “Yes.” He didn’t feel she needed any more details.

  “She’s Danny Roberts’ widow.” She said it like she knew something he didn’t and was letting him in on the secret.

  “I know.” Again, he wasn’t telling her anything.

  “I noticed you didn’t spend any more time with her after the auction. As a matter of fact, she seemed to be having a grand old time without you.”

  He smirked, he wasn’t taking the bait. “And yet, I’m still the one who took her home.”

  That shut her up. For a second.

  “And yet, here you are, all alone.”

  Ron sighed. She really needed to leave. “Why are you here, Sarah?”

  “Because I care about you and wanted to make sure you are all right.”

  “Well, now that you’ve seen I’m just fine…” The doorbell interrupted him.

  Dammit. Please don’t be her.

  It would be just his luck that now Brenna was at his door.

  He stood at his entryway looking at the beautiful woman on the other side of the threshold. The right one this time.

  It wasn’t possible that he could be happier to see her, and yet, fuck. He knew how it looked with Sarah being there. The only way to face it was head-on.

  With a big smile, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Hi!” he said and ushered her inside. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  Brenna gave a shy smile. “I didn’t know if it was okay that I came over uninvited.”

  “You are always welcome any time.” That includes in my bed.

  He was about to introduce her but knew the exact moment she realized Sarah was there by the look on her face.

  She mumbled, “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have come without calling,” and turned for the door.

  “Wait!” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug from behind. “Don’t leave like this,” he snarled in her ear.

  “Let me go!” she seethed.

  “Not until you listen to me.”

  “What is there to say?”

  He loosened his grip and spun her around, holding her at the shoulders.

  “She just got here. Uninvited. I had no idea she was coming. I was actually hoping it was you when I went to the door.”

  Sarah made an indignant gasp at his revelation.

  “I’m not interested in her. I’m not interested in the other woman bidding on my date last night. I’m not interested in anyone but you, darlin’. I told you before, you’re it for me. And even though I haven’t behaved like it, I still mean that.”

  Brenna was staring up at him, speechless.

  “Don’t go. Please,” he whispered.

  Sarah stormed by them. “Goodbye, Ron. Thanks for everything.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

  He didn’t even acknowledge what she said, and the door closed behind her. At least she finally got the hint.

  “You’re it for me, Bren,” he reiterated, sounding almost desperate for her to believe him.

  She cupped his jaw, caressing his cheek with her thumb as she searched his eyes.

  “I love you. More than you know.”

  A huge smile spread from ear to ear, as he pulled her against him. “I love you, too. So damn much.”

  With tears in her eyes, she whispered, “There was never anyone else. I’m so sorry I lied to you. I tried–at the hospital, after Danielle’s accident, but then you misunderstood and–”

  He remembered that all too well. “I’m sorry, Bren. So sorry…”

  They embraced each other for several minutes. Ron closed his eyes and held her tight against him, taking in her smell and how she felt in his arms again. He knew she could feel his hard cock against her stomach, and he didn’t try to hide it.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” she mumbled against his shirt as she began to rub the length of him over his pants.

  Ron grinned. “Is that why you’re here?”

  She nodded her head then laughed when she corrected herself. “Wait, no! I came to thank you for taking me home last night.”

  His fingers traced in between her cleavage. “Are you sure that’s the only reason you came?”

  A little grin escaped her lips. “Well, and to tell you I loved you.”

  He bent down to kiss her softly. When he pulled away, his expression was serious.

  “I’m sorry, Brenna. Sorry about everything. About not listening to you, about not believing in us, about the way I–Last night, the way I behaved in the office.”

  “I think we both made mistakes. I should have known you would never hurt me like that; I should have trusted you. And I should have explained when I had the chance about Kyle–or at least made you listen to me.”

  Ron chuckled at the idea of her making him do anything. Although, she was probably only one of a few who even stood a chance at that.

  She smiled shyly. “As far as last night, in the office. I thought it was sexy, right up until you walked out.”

  That was definitely good to know.

  “Oh yeah?” His eyebrows lifted with surprise.

  A little bolder than she had just been, she wrapped her arms around his neck and replied, “Yeah.”

  Their kiss was less chaste this time, and she finally broke away.

  “But, there’s a lot we still need to talk about.”

  Seeking her mouth out again with his, Ron murmured against her lips, “Can’t it wait until later?” and began to caress her sides with his fingertips.

  Victory was his when she conceded with a breathless, “Okay, but you have to promise we’ll talk.”

  The hem of her shirt was in his hands, and he was pulling it off when he agreed. “I promise.”

  He was going to take his time and reacquaint himself to her body. All night long.

  The moan that escaped her after he unhooked her bra made him smile, and he ran his tongue underneath her tits, causing her nipples to pebble. He was about to take her right one between his teeth when he felt her tugging on his shirt.

  “Please, I want to feel your skin next to mine.”

  He was more than happy to oblige. Brenna melted against him, and Ron cupped her ass, lifting her up. With her legs around his waist, they blindly made their way to his bedroom, kissing the whole time. Depositing her on his bed, he crawled on top of her, and they resumed making out, with Ron pressing his erection between her legs while she arched against him.

  Fuck, he’d missed her.

  She pulled him closer to her when he nuzzled into
her neck. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of her scent. It was intoxicating.

  Then he heard it. The one thing that could ruin this reunion before it got started.

  His work phone was ringing.

  You have got to be fucking kidding me. The universe had to be playing a cruel joke on them.

  For a split second he considered not answering it, but his sense of duty quickly quashed that idea.

  He could feel her heartbreak as he pulled away from her.

  God, he hoped he wasn’t asking too much of her. He’d almost rather see her with someone else if it meant she’d be happy and loved.

  Almost.

  Yet there wasn’t anyone else on this earth who was capable of loving her like he did.

  *

  Brenna

  No! Oh please, no. Not now!

  Brenna knew what that ringtone meant and wanted to cry. Or break his damn phone.

  She knew better than to ask him not to answer it, but there was no mistaking her silent plea with the look she gave him.

  “Any other call, darlin’,” he said, pecking her lips, and stood to get his phone.

  She nodded her head in defeat and watched him walk out of the room. With a sigh, she went to gather up her bra and blouse and got dressed, then sat on the bed to wait.

  Could she ever learn to accept that she would never be more important to him than his job? She admitted that he put her first the night Ray assaulted her, so perhaps she wasn’t exactly being fair when she said she wasn’t more important. But that was then. Right now, she wanted to be the most important thing to him. She needed to be.

  The look on his face and the hurried footsteps when he came back in the room told her all she needed to know. He was leaving. Now.

  “We didn’t have time to talk,” she lamented in a soft voice.

  He frowned as he headed to the closet. “I know, sugar. I’m sorry.”

  I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry.

  “Do you know when you’ll be back?”

  Ron shook his head from the doorway. “But I’ll be able to email or Skype this time.”

  Shrugging her shoulders in resignation, she feigned a smile when she followed to watch him pack.

  “That’s something, at least.”

  Brenna was doing her best to pretend to keep it together, but judging by the glances he was stealing at her while he collected his things, she must not have been doing a very good job.

  Midway through gathering his gear, he pulled her back in his arms and whispered against her hair, “I love you, Brenna. Don’t give up on me.”

  With her head against his chest, she murmured, “Not a chance, Devil Dog.”

  That made him smirk. “Devil Dog, huh? Where’d you hear that?”

  “When I was doing research for my screenplay.” She looked up at him, confessing, “It’s about you; well, us really.”

  He winked at her. “Is that so? No wonder they gave you such a big advance.”

  After his duffle bag was packed and they were standing in the garage, he leaned down and kissed her. “Stay as long as you want. Hell, move in while I’m gone if you feel like it.”

  Her bottom lip started to quiver and a small sob escaped her lips. It wasn’t fair. They hadn’t had time to talk or even be together again. At least he knows I love him.

  “Fuck, darlin’, don’t do this to me.”

  She choked out, “I’m sorry.”

  Ron wiped her tears with his thumbs. “I love you, sugar. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  When she gave her best fake smile, he leaned down and kissed her lips again. “Don’t give up on me, Bren.”

  “I won’t,” she whispered.

  Then he was gone. Who knew for how long this time.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Ron

  Ron felt lighter than he had in a while. The timing of being called out couldn’t have been worse, but at least he left her on good terms. Not to mention he was coming back to her. There were so many things he was going to do to her hot little body…

  He felt his cock move. Down, boy. Be patient.

  When he told her she could move in while he was gone, he meant it. Although, he knew the chance of that actually happening was zilch. She loved her beach house, and he didn’t blame her. It was a great place. Still, after his promotion, he was going to ask her to marry him, so they’d need to get their living situation figured out. She was going to be in his bed, he didn’t care where.

  It came as a surprise when she hadn’t returned his email about setting up a Skype date. Was she having second thoughts?

  He was starting to think so when she didn’t respond to two more of his emails.

  Maybe they hadn’t had enough time to reestablish their bond before he had to go? Maybe she realized being a military spouse wasn’t for her? He hadn’t had the chance to tell her his extensive traveling was coming to an end soon. He’d be able to be there for her when they went to bed each night. Maybe she did give up on him, in spite of him practically begging her not to.

  Dammit. They just couldn’t catch a break. Was the universe trying to tell them something? Everything happens for a reason and all that bullshit.

  Fuck that.

  In three days, he was going straight to D.C. and was scheduled to arrive the night before his promotion ceremony. He sent her one last email asking her to be there, and when he still didn’t get a response, he arranged for an actual invitation to be hand-delivered to her. He should have done that sooner, dammit. He asked his secretary to include a personal note that he hadn’t received a reply to his emails and wanted to be sure she received her invitation. He’d put her name on the approved guest list at the Pentagon. He’d love it if she was there, and if she wasn’t, he’d understand.

  That was all he could do from the tent he was currently in. Hopefully it was enough.

  ****

  Brenna

  Brenna only saw the uniform when she rushed to answer the door, the disappointment that it wasn’t her Marine must have been obvious on her face because the man chuckled. “Not who you were expecting?”

  She did recognize him though. He had sat at her table at the Heroes Calendar Event.

  “Cooper? What are you doing here?”

  “What would you say if I told you I came to ask for your sister’s phone number?”

  The smile on his face made it hard for her to know if he was kidding or not.

  “I’d say you were in a long line of men who’d love to have it.”

  Brenna thought she saw a flash of disappointment on the handsome captain’s face, but he quickly masked it with his boyish grin. “Good thing that’s not why I came then.”

  She returned his smile. “So how can I help you?”

  With white gloves, he presented her with a fancy envelope. “I came to deliver this to you personally.”

  Her eyes grew wide. “What is it?”

  “Well, ma’am, if I had to guess, I’d say it was an invitation to General Thompson’s promotion ceremony.”

  “Really?” She was hoping Ron would invite her, but given how she hadn’t heard from him in spite of him saying he’d contact her, she was not counting on it.

  Should she invite Cooper in and open it in front of him? What was the proper procedure for this kind of thing? Hell if Brenna knew.

  “Would you like to come in?”

  “Thank you, but I’m afraid I need to get back to the base. Besides, if I came in, I might be tempted to snoop around for your sister’s number.”

  He nodded with a devilish wink, then told her goodbye.

  Brenna got the feeling he wasn’t really teasing about wanting Cassie’s number. Cooper seemed like a good guy, and he was definitely rocking that uniform, but Brenna was rooting for her sister and Luke. She acknowledged, however, that Cooper would be a nice Plan B, should it be necessary.

  She opened the envelope to find a beautiful engraved invitation to Ron’s promotion, but only bri
efly glanced at it in favor of the handwritten note that was with it. It was obviously a woman’s handwriting.

  Ms. Roberts,

  General Thompson has asked me to ensure you get this invitation. He is uncertain if you have received his emails requesting you be at his promotion, as he has not received a response from you. He will leave your name to be an approved guest and allowed access to the Pentagon, and it is his hope that he see you there, however, he will understand if you are unable to attend.

  Sincerely,

  Patricia McMahon

  Executive Assistant

  She wondered why she hadn’t received any of Ron’s emails, but that explained why she hadn’t heard from him. She hadn’t let her imagination run wild this time; knowing there had to be an explanation why he didn’t reach out when he said he would.

  She was learning. Maybe there was hope for her after all. Maybe she could handle being a General’s girlfriend.

  Wait, did his assistant’s note say the Pentagon?

  Brenna quickly scanned the invitation for all the pertinent information. Yep, the ceremony was taking place at the Pentagon and… it was tomorrow afternoon.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” she said out loud and started scrambling for her phone after she turned on her computer.

  It was going to take some maneuvering, but she was going to be there to watch him tomorrow, come hell or high water. She needed to show him that even though she didn’t love it, she definitely supported his career. But more importantly, she supported him, whatever he was undertaking.

  The only flight available was a red-eye that would get her there with plenty of time to check-in to her hotel and get ready.

  Deciding what to wear was a whole other issue. What the hell does one wear to a promotion ceremony? Obviously not jeans, but how formal? Frankly, she wanted to look sexy for him. Sexy, not slutty, and that wasn’t going to be accomplished in a business suit.

  She sent a text to her sister: Help!

  In no time, Cassie was standing in her kitchen.

  “You rang?”

  “Ron’s promotion ceremony is tomorrow–at the Pentagon. What the hell am I supposed to wear? What on earth am I going to get him as a gift? Do you think he’ll be offended that Dee can’t take off work?” Brenna was talking a mile a minute.