Stark September (Stark Trilogy Book 1)

by C. D. Bradley

  “So, wait. Two days went by? Did he have you that whole time?” Paige asked stunned. “Did you tell anyone? Did you go to the doctor?”

  “Not at first. I was too embarrassed and confused. When I finally did try to get help he denied it. He said that I had had too much to drink and he’d simply given me a ride home and that we’d had consensual sex. He testified to the school board that I had made the whole thing up because he didn’t want to date me. Everyone who saw us leaving together saw him helping me walk. They all assumed I was trashed. Suddenly I was the pathetic bad guy.” Kira choked out the words between sobs. She paused, then decided to go for broke. She had kept the rest from everyone. “If it had ended there, it would have been bad enough.”

  “But it didn’t.” Paige interrupted, angry and almost afraid to ask what happened next.

  “No, it didn’t. For the rest of that year he stalked me. I thought I was going crazy. Who knows? Maybe it was all in my head. At times I would come home and know someone had been there. Things would be moved around in my apartment. More than once air was let out of my tires. I began to run into him where ever I went.” Kira wiped clumsily at her tears. Paige handed her a tissue. “I could never prove anything. To be honest, I know it sounds crazy. Even the school psychologist felt I was suffering from some kind of delusional disorder secondary to the pain of rejection by this boy.” Kira balled her small hand into a tight fist. The memories of the humiliation and self-doubt were too painful to relive.

  “What did you do?” Paige asked quietly. She reached out to touch Kira’s arm. Kira jerked away instinctively. “I’m sorry, Kira.”

  “I realized no one would believe me. After the sessions with the doctor I wasn’t sure if I believed me. So I buried it. I told myself it was just a horrible, horrible dream. I finished school and went to med school on the other side of the country. I wanted to be as far away from all of that as I could. As for your self-destructive behavior, well,” Kira half-laughed, “I signed up for the military.” Hearing herself say it out loud for the first time made her realized just how ludicrous it was.

  “So that was it, then. You were fine after that? He left you alone?” Paige’s voice was suspicious. She could tell there was something Kira wasn’t telling her. She knew there was more. “Is he still bothering you, Kira? Is that why you don’t want to go back to your apartment?”

  “I haven’t seen him in years. Not once in all the time I was in med school. I don’t know why, maybe because I am getting closer to Owen, but I have started imagining that he is back. It is literally just my imagination but it scares me. I don’t want to be crazy, Paige, but I feel like I’m losing my mind.” She paused looking up at Paige. “You think I’m mad, don’t you?”

  “No, Kira. I don’t think you’re crazy. I think you have been through a horrible ordeal and that makes you a little paranoid. If you feel more comfortable here than your apartment, that’s fine. I’m sure Owen feels better knowing you are here, anyway. Are you going to tell him?”

  “What? No! I don’t want him to look at me like some kind of crazy freak,” Kira blubbered wringing her hands. “No, absolutely not. And you can’t either. You gave me your word.”

  “Hold on there, Sandra Dee. I’m not going to say anything, but you two are over before you start if you can’t be honest with him. He deserves more than this. Until you trust him enough to tell him the truth, you’ll never be able to be really close. Intimacy takes trust. That’s what I was able to find with him through the BDSM. I’m not saying that’s your cup of tea, princess, but you have to find a way to trust him and yourself.”

  Paige got up and ruffled Maggie’s fur as she started toward the door. She paused as she put on her jacket and said, “He deserves better than that and so do you. You both deserve the chance to be truly happy. You have to trust him enough to be honest with him and know that he will love you just the same.” Paige turned and headed out the door before Kira had a chance to respond. On the front stoop Paige took the time to lock the door behind her. Just in case Kira wasn’t just being paranoid. Something told Paige that there was more to this than Kira was letting on.

  Exhausted, a tearful Kira made her way to the living room and cuddled up on the couch with Mags. Just as she began to relax she heard her phone vibrate with a text. Who could that be? She reached over and looked at her phone. At once all her senses came alive. It was Stark!

  Hey baby! Are you up for some video chat?

  Kira couldn’t believe it. She was so excited she could barely catch her breath as she texted back with shaky fingers.

  Hell Yes!! When?

  He’s alright! He’s alright! Three weeks of hearing nothing had been killing her. Each night she went to bed and prayed desperately for him to be OK. Once asleep, her dreams took over. Sometimes they were wonderful steamy memories of his skin on hers. Oh god, the smell of him. But then each night her dreams turned into nightmares with Stark being ripped away. He was gone and there she was in that awful room tied up, unable to move, with that laughter all around her, suffocating her.

  Now. Do you remember how to set up the link on the laptop?

  You bet I do! Kira ripped the laptop out of the case and began logging on at lightning speed.

  Yup, got it. I can’t wait to see you.

  Kira waited for what seemed like an eternity as a connection was established. A path would be blazed through cyberspace from her laptop there on the plush sofa clear to a dusty laptop in a ramshackle barrack in the mountains of Afghanistan, the other side of the world. A moment of static flashed and there he was. Tears filled Kira’s eyes and she struggled to speak. Staring back at her was the most stunning man on the planet. He was perhaps slightly thinner than when he left. His dark stubble was longer and a bit more unruly. Despite his rough appearance his eye sparkled wildly.

  “There’s my girl. Hot damn, I didn’t think it was possible but you are even more beautiful than I remembered.” He smiled and spoke softly. Kira felt her breath escape her at the sound of his voice. She couldn’t believe he was actually there right before her.

  “Hey, you.” Kira started, struggling for what to say. “Nice suntan.”

  “Well, you know, that happens when you’re bumming in the desert. How are things there? Are you getting the hang of clinic?” Instantly his conversation was casual and comfortable as if they were nestled on the couch after a long day.

  “Ah, you know, saving lives and stamping out disease,” Kira giggled.

  “I’ve missed your laugh. Actually I’ve missed everything about you. Seriously, though, what have you been doing?”

  “I put in for flight surgeon. I am training all month. I go for Dunker training in February.” Kira did her best to sound relaxed.

  “You sound nervous. It won’t be as bad as you think. Just stay focused and relax. I know you. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’ve been my strength every day.” His words poured over her.

  “I really miss you. Do you know how much longer you’ll be there?” Kira suddenly realized just how much she missed him. It was like a giant ache encompassing her entire body.

  “I’m afraid that’s classified ma’am. Way above your pay grade,” he said grinning.

  “You shit! Just for that I’m gonna drink all your whiskey while you’re gone,” she said, giggling again.

  “You do and when I get back I’m going to spank that little ass till you can’t sit down!” he growled, smiling at her. He took a moment and a deep breath to savor her. She was the most exquisite vision he had seen in so long.

  “What? What are you staring at?” she asked, suddenly more serious.

  “You. I want to soak you in,” he said dreamily.

  “Quit fooling around,” she corrected playfully.

  “I can’t help it. I love the view from here. We may only have tonight but in this moment you’re mine. I’ve got to make it last.”

  “OK, silly. I’m yours. What ever will you do with me?” Her voice became sultry and
inviting.

  “Mmmm, I can tell you what I’d like to do to you.” His need for her was evident in the gravity of his words. Kira could feel herself getting wet for him. The weeks had been so very lonely.

  “Keep that up and I’ll have to take a cold shower when we’re done.” She gazed at him in the monitor.

  “What a coincidence. That’s the only kind we have here,” he said, chuckling. “It’s OK, though, because I’m going to need one after seeing you. I want to bury my face in the curve of your neck and kiss down to those breasts. God, I can’t wait to see you. I want to taste you.” His voice became husky with need. Kira could feel her own need growing, becoming almost painful.

  A distant siren sounded in the background. Stark looked over his shoulder as the picture blurred for a moment. The quiet backdrop became a bustling base in an instant with soldiers moving about at lightning speed and more sirens sounding.

  “What’s that?” Kira asked, panicked.

  “Duty calls,” he said casually. “Guess we’ll have to cut this short.”

  “Oh Owen, no. Be safe! Oh my god!” The picture blurred again for a moment.

  “I’m still here, Kira. I just wanted to say…” His sweet voice was cut off by static and then her laptop fell silent.

  “Owen…Owen…Can you still hear me?” Kira tried frantically to get the connection back for a few minutes but it was gone. He was gone.

  CHAPTER 16

  Walking across the tarmac in the bitter cold, Kira was reminded of watching Stark board his plane nearly 2 months ago. How could the time have passed so quickly? She had been working hard in clinic and in her training. Preparing to be a flight surgeon had taken center stage in her life. While she missed Stark tremendously, his absence allowed her to focus solely on her goals. She climbed into the commercial passenger plane and made her way to an empty seat. It was more economical to fill empty slots on a commercial flight than it was to dedicate an entire Army plane for the transport of 8 soldiers to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and the Allison Aquatics Training Facility located there. This is one of the best facilities in the country. She reminded herself. It’s going to be fine. I just have to relax and focus. Kira knew that these three days of training could mean the difference between life or death if she was in a real helo crash. But the thought of being strapped into a sinking metal vault with a human Cuisinart on the top and back was a little overwhelming.

  Drowning had always been one of her worst fears. She recalled the first time she had gone whitewater rafting as a teenager and the horrifying “safety talk” about “undercut rocks” and the danger of being sucked down under one by the current, trapped in a dark tomb until the last painful breath of air was replaced by water filling one’s lungs. By the time they had arrived at the river, her friends had to drag her onto the raft. Once they drifted downstream and she had relaxed, it turned into one of the best experiences of her life. But the idea of, being trapped under water, whether under a rock or strapped in a metal cage, made her heart race and her blood pressure rise. She sat back in her seat and closed her eyes, determined to relax for the flight

  “Kira!” Holt’s enthusiastic greeting startled Kira causing her to jump. “Little Nervous?” He asked playfully.

  “No, Captain Obvious, but thanks for that,” Kira chided back almost giggling at the poor stewardess who was too busy gazing dreamily into Holt’s blue eyes to look where she was going. Thwap! The stewardess walked smack into another passenger. She stumbled, flushed crimson, and quickly made her way up the plane. Holt flashed the retreating stewardess his million-dollar smile, causing her blush to deepen. He helped himself to the seat next to Kira.

  Kira shook her head. “Do women always act like that around you?” She asked rolling her eyes. She had to admit he was easy to look at.

  “Yeah,” he said, smiling that smug self-confident grin that was such a turnoff to Kira. He turned back toward her and caught her disapproving look. His smile faded. “Well, most of them anyway,” he grumbled.

  “Perhaps I just know you too well,” she offered in mock consolation.

  “Thanks a lot,” he said sarcastically. “You can try to hide it all you want. I know how you really feel.”

  Kira rolled her eyes again and rubbed her fingers over a small leather bracelet on her wrist. There was only one soldier who caught her eye. Her fingers traced over the single word on the metal plate of the bracelet: Relentless. A smile crept over her lips. The box had been waiting for her on the front porch when she got home last night. From some dusty outcrop on the other side of the world, Stark had ordered it for her. The delicate red and white gift wrapping was from a company called Endorphin Warrior. Carefully she had opened the small box to find the leather band bearing a sterling silver plate. Relentless. She knew instantly who sent it. The message on the enclosed card was simple. _Into the dark. The Death Cab for Cutie song had become their song. She would never be alone with his strength she would make it through the training fine.

  The irony that he was sending her encouragement for a controlled training exercise from a chaotic corner of the world where people were actively trying to kill him was not lost on Kira. She relaxed back into the seat, staring out the window and imagining those deep blue eyes. She imagined running her fingers through his thick dark hair and tracing her lips along his sculpted jaw. The idea of being with him was still as crazy as the day she first gave in to her own desire up at his house in Aspen. If Holt or anyone else found out, their careers would be over. She glanced at Holt who was droning on about some perceived events. As usual with his self-promoting tirades, Kira lost interest and turned back to the window and her own thoughts. She thought of Stark, and wished him home safely.

  Damn that woman! Holt stared at Kira as she looked out the window. He could tell she had long ago tuned him out. How could she not see that they were perfect for each other? They would complement each other’s careers. Of course there was the matter of her lower class background, but he felt with a little work she would make a fine wife. It has to be that she’s intimidated by me. Why else would she act so oblivious to me? He grimaced silently acknowledging that she had a thing for that idiot enlisted guy. He had seen them together a couple of times. He refrained from making a scene of it, though, as it simply would not do for his wife to have fraternization on her record. He watched her pouty lips as she stared out the window. Her dark hair glistened despite being hastily pulled into a ponytail. He stirred in his seat. She continued to stare out the window. His frustration mounted. I will have her. It’s only a matter of time. For now, though, he would have to find a suitable surrogate for his needs. The plane reached maximum altitude and began to coast. Holt turned his attention to the strawberry blond stewardess. She smiled brightly at him as she brought sodas and snacks through the cabin. Hmmm, yes. She will do just fine.

  Kira broke from her daydream and realized Holt had gone. Thankful for the moment’s reprieve, she scanned the cabin but didn’t see him. Well, he’s gone to the bathroom. She thought and secretly hoped whatever he ate last night would keep him in there for the duration of the flight. Kira took the opportunity to pull the small card out of her bag. The simple phrase on the card made her heart jump. Into the dark. So simple but the implication of its origin was powerful to her. It was from her favorite Death Cab for Cutie song, “I Will Follow You into the Dark.” They had listened to it the night before he left for his deployment. Though it seemed a little morbid, it gave her comfort. She knew he would be there with her in spirit as she would be with him. No matter what they faced, they would face it together. She slipped the card back into her bag.

  Holt pushed the eager stewardess up against the counter. Forcefully he kissed her, probing her mouth and throat with his tongue. The limited space of the lavatory provided little room for conventional sex. He pushed her down onto the seat and took out his rigid cock. He had been straining against his slacks back in his seat watching Kira twirl the loose strands of her damn hair. Now he would have release. This
little strawberry tart was more than eager to fill her place. Kira doesn’t know what she’s missing. He groaned as the little vixen swallowed him whole. He gripped her hair with both hands and began to fuck her mouth. Holt felt no guilt treating her like the dirty little whore she was. Suddenly he stopped. “Get up and turn around,” he commanded. She readily obliged and Holt pulled up her skirt. Moving her panties aside he slipped his fingers into her waiting cunt. Sopping like the little whore she is. He ripped off her panties and let them fall to the floor. He put his hand around the back of her neck and bent her forward. Then in one powerful thrust he entered her. He pictured Kira bent over, ass in the air taking all that he had to give her. He was tired of being ignored. Damn Kira! His knuckles went white as they gripped the back of her neck barely containing the weeks of anger and jealousy. He unleashed all his pent up frustration on this girl. Holt barely noticed how beautiful she was and how she tried so hard to please him. He couldn’t only look at her with contempt because she wasn’t Kira.