Walker shook his head. “No, Mags, he was miserable that entire trip. I think he cried himself to sleep every night. I had to leave him in the hotel room to be able to have any fun. He basically drank by himself in the room. It was a waste.”
My heart sank and my eyes got watery, trying to push out the guilt that was bubbling up, yet again.
Walker’s arms wrapped tightly around me, shielding me from the terrible thoughts scolding me, in a gentle acceptance of the woman I was to him right then and there. Brushing my neck softly with his cheek then lips, he whispered, “Hey, it’s okay. I defended you, we’re together and that was a lifetime ago. Why let it ruin our night?”
I relaxed into Walker’s chest, breathing in his delicious smell of cologne and whiskey. “Let’s do another shot and get back on that dance floor.” Walker agreed and turned to our bartender who apparently had read our minds even before we were thinking it. She raised her brow, arms crossed across her almost exposed chest. “Nice punch, Walker.” A sly grin spread across her face and she whipped her black curls around to talk to another customer.
We offered cheers with our whiskey to putting the past right where it belonged, into the past, and finished our last beers sitting at the bar. We’d had a pretty eventful day and I didn’t protest when Walker suggested we grab some beer and hang out for the rest of the evening on the couch. The thought of comfy pajamas, curled up in Walker’s arms was inviting, and I jumped at the opportunity.
As we made our way past the front bar, trying to exit, a snide comment pierced into my ear. “I guess the widow enjoys sloppy seconds, huh? Nice one slut, going for your dead husband’s best friend.”
I whipped around to see the cocky stance of a glowering, Cindy, behind her side of the bar. My blood boiled, it took everything I had to not jump over the bar and punch her for her hard-hitting words. “What the fuck did you say to me? As I recall, you were the one doing the walk of shame out of my front door after getting rejected, not too long ago. Don’t flatter yourself thinking you’re better than me, or that I give a flying fuck what you think you know about my situation.”
I shoved open the front door, pushing passed the crowd of college kids getting their IDs checked by the bouncer. I forced a few calming breaths while huffing towards the truck. Walker had to jog a little to catch up to me.
“Mags, that was amazing!” His hand rested on my shoulder to stop me. I turned to look at him with tears streaming down my face.
“Fuck that damn bitch, and fuck you for bringing her to my home. What the hell were you fucking thinking, Walker?”
His head fell, staring at the floor, unable to make eye contact with my death stare. He muttered in a broken tone, “I thought we were over this shit. I am so sorry. Everyone else is in my past. My heart beats for you. I will do anything; just name it, to make you see that.”
I wanted to yell, kick, and scream. I hated what he had done, but I was not innocent in the situation. With a few deep breaths and some escaped tears, I forced my rigid body to relax. There was no use in fighting with Walker. He was right, we needed to move passed all of this and just allow ourselves to be happy, and it needed to start right then and there.
I cupped both of my hands onto his cheeks. “I’m sorry, it’s her I’m mad at. I won’t bring it up again.”
He took my hand in his and led me to the truck saying he was sorry about five more times before slamming my door shut for me. “Well, I’ll say we had a crazy day, let’s get you home to some wine, a chick flick and that couch.”
I sighed and scooted across the bench seat to climb into Walker’s arms. “Thanks, Walker, you’re amazing. But I just acted like a child. Don’t let me act like that again, promise?”
He nodded and playfully pinched my ass, “Alright, I think of a few ways to punish you.” His eyes narrowed as his southern accent seductively twisted into his words making breath catch.
“You’re truly the perfect girl.” He sighed, breathed in deeply and started the truck. It grumbled and groaned while it carried us home to finish out our night of passionate roughness and pleasure.
The next morning I woke up dressed in my favorite pajamas, alone in my bed. Stretching into a yawn, I wondered where Walker was. I slipped out from under my covers, shuffled my feet into my slippers and then into the bathroom. Looking into the mirror, I could see how rough a day my Saturday really had been. My makeup was smeared and my skin looked pale and pasty. I scrubbed my face clean and brushed away the taste of stale liquor from my mouth.
Suddenly, to my delight, the wonderful smell of bacon on the stove wafted up into my room. I was thankful Walker was still with me, and that I didn’t do anything stupid in my drunken sleepiness to piss him off. Especially after my episode with Cindy at The Saloon. I knew I needed to drop the situation, not allow myself to get into a drunken bitch fest with Walker, and just relax for the night. I had a terrible habit of not being the most pleasant person when I was drunk, and I was always concerned I would lash out at the wrong time, at the wrong person. I really was proud of myself for not diving head first over the bar to rip Cindy’s face off and for not freaking out on Walker. But pride turned to shame quickly, there was no excuse for my actions. It was high time I started to grow up and move on.
Striding into the kitchen, I found Walker at the stove, shirtless, cooking up a storm. There was bacon on the griddle, with pancakes being made next to them, and a bunch of eggs whisked in a bowl, waiting to be scrambled up. My ears perked up with the sound of the coffee maker groan and bubble into life as it started to brew much-needed headache medicine.
Quietly, I slid behind Walker and wrapped my arms around his lusty torso, kissing his shoulder blade softly. “This is a pleasant surprise.” I breathed into his back, kissing him one more time.
I could feel all of Walker’s muscles relax as I kissed his ripped back. He turned around to me after flipping a few pancakes onto a plate, smiling so sweetly. “Good morning, sleepyhead!” His hand ran across my freshly healed tattoo, raising up my shirt a little to look at the little bird flying across my hip bone. “I still need to get my tattoo since you stole my appointment.” A sly smile spread on his virile, stubble-ridden face.
I shot him a playful jab to the ribs. “You offered!” He raised his eyebrows at me and winked, turning to continue cooking. Walker refused any help, saying he had everything under control. I poured both of us coffee, putting sugar and a splash of cream in Walker’s just the way he liked it, and leaving mine black. I leaned up against the fridge and watched with a slight smirk on my face as Walker scrambled cheese into our eggs and plated our feast. With a quick kiss to my forehead, Walker carried both of our plates to the table and pulled out my chair. I smiled at his wonderful gesture and thanked him again for how unexpectedly nice this all was.
Taking his seat across from me, Walker rested his hand gently on mine, a soft expression spread quickly starting at the corner of his eyes and dancing all the way down and across his plump lips. “I’m just treating you the way you deserve, Mags. I promised Mitch, after all.”
A playful smile settled in and I laughed a little. “Well, thank you very much.”
Halfway through our meal, I felt my cell vibrate in my pocket. I looked down to find a text from my boss saying that most of the offices would be ready for work on Wednesday and mine was one of them. I was a little relieved that I was going back to work. Even though the few extra days off gave Walker and me a lot of time to spend together and figure things out, work was my escape from reality, and I was really looking forward to getting back into my routine.
“Looks like I get to go back to work on Wednesday.” I tried to sound a little sad about it, giving a frown and an eyebrow crease for good measure.
“At least you like your job, though. I’m sure you’re ready to go back.” Walker took another sip of his coffee to wash down his last bite of pancakes. “Besides, I’m going to have to report to base soon and now you won’t be too bored without me.” He smiled and winked
, getting up to put his plate in the sink.
Before he could start washing the griddle and plates, I shot up and shooed him out of the kitchen. It was simple in my head; he cooked, and I cleaned. He creased his brow while he protested, then plopped on the couch to watch sports highlights in a daze, clinging to his mug filled with coffee for, what looked like, dear life.
“Don’t forget I made plans for us to have dinner with Liz and Jim tonight,” I yelled to him, while elbow deep in hot soapy water. Walker agreed to call and confirm the plans while I finished up. He walked into the kitchen before dialing Jim’s number on his cell.
“Hey Jim, how’s it going?” Walker’s voice was different when he talked to Jim, a little bit rougher than I was used to. “Yeah, Mags and I will be heading over around seven if that works for y’all.” He paused before asking if there was anything we needed to bring, and asking how Liz was doing. Their conversations were always short and to the point. “Alright, Jim, we’ll see you tonight, and we’ll bring something for dessert.”
Walker came over to the counter, crossing his arms over his chest before leaning right next to me. “Is seven good for you, babe?” A sly smile spread on his lips while saying the last word, and it sent flutters through my body.
“Yeah, that’s good.” I was hiding the giddy tizzy in my response to the best of my ability. It was wonderful to be happy again and every time I thought something along those lines, guilt always settled right in. I made a mental note to talk to Candice about that during our next session.
A small frown had formed, along with a crease in Walker’s brow as he looked at me. Shaken by his expression, I threw some suds at him. “What’s wrong, sourpuss?”
Walker shook his head and then smiled amiably. “It just makes me sad that every time I make you smile, it’s followed by a look of pain, sadness or disgust.”
I was taken aback; I hadn’t realized that my face gave me away so easily. I tried to smile, taking Walker's hand in mine. “I’m just still learning how to be happy without guilt. I’m sure you, of all people, understand.”
Walker’s eyes went cold and shallow as his face went pale. “More than you know…” His head fell as his words trailed off. He bent down, gave me a quick peck on the cheek and then started to walk out of the kitchen. “I’m gonna hop in the shower. Be out soon.”
I leaned against the sink and stared after Walker. I was shocked by his reaction; most of the time he seemed so well-adjusted. I felt bad, not knowing if I should have gone after him to make sure he was okay. Right when I was about to take my first steps, the pipes above my head started to whine as the water was turned on in my guest bath.
I went back to the dishes and finished cleaning the entire kitchen and table before Walker came back downstairs. Before his musky shampoo finally filled the living room, where I had found myself curled up on the couch, I’d started to get worried.
From a low, almost growl, Walker strode into the room with pre-made questions that quickly caught me off guard. “Why didn’t you pitch a fit last night? What that bitch did and my half-assed comeback deserved a lashing and you fucking pussied out and I just don’t get it, Mags.” Walker was pacing between the kitchen and the living room, his hand resting on his crew-cut scalp.
I sat, paralyzed for a minute, not sure what to say. “Walker, I am over being pissed for no reason, letting things build. I’m a free spirit and have not been living lately. I died that day with Randy in that fucking hellhole and I am ready to reclaim my life.”
Walker and I had never really talked about our feelings until that moment. We had always been shallow with each other and that was selfish. Finally, in the heat of this moment, ready to let it explode, we were honest for the first time. We saw each other completely and it was beautiful.
In mid-stride, Walker halted, dropped to his knees and held his head in his hands. “He was never supposed to get hurt, but I made him a promise, and I am here living with it every day. I will protect you, Liz and Jim …” His voice cracked, broke, froze and then regained its strength. “And you will never have to live with that bull, like last night, ever again.”
I stood, looking down on Walker’s tensed and shaking body. There was something so strange about the way he was acting. Usually, he was tough, seemingly happy, not broken and never one to harbor anything like this. “Walker?” My voice was weak, I was scared to continue. I sat down in front of him on the floor, picking up his solemn face with my hand, “What’s really bothering you? You don’t care about last night, so what is it? What do you mean ‘promise’? What are you really hiding from? Why didn’t you go back home, why’d you stay here?”
It was almost like something in that moment snapped in Walker, his muscles puffed and his veins bulged, the hair on the back of his neck and arms stood on end, his light green eyes smoldered to an almost black, he seemed to turn almost feral.
He shot up from the floor, breathing heavily through gritted teeth, “Randy made me swear.” He stomped over to the fridge, punching it so violently, the sound sent shivers through me. I had never seen him snap like this. For the first time, I was actually scared of him. I must have let out a cry from fright, because Walker face switched back instantly. His jaw line softened, his eye rounded and lightened into their pale green.
“Mags.” He whispered, kneeling down next to me as tears rolled silently down my cheeks. I was cringing, holding my knees to my chest, staring in the dent Walker had just put in my stainless steel fridge. “Look, my home sucks, Randy knew that. So when our numbers got called he asked me to stick around here with the only real family ever had. That’s all.”
Walker’s arms were wrapped around my body and I let myself melt into him, nodding into his chest, “You just scared me that’s all. I’ve never seen that side of you before.”
He pecked my forehead, leaving his lips lingering on my skin. “I promise to never let that happen again.”
I pressed myself into him harder, still a little shaken. I knew every word he uttered was true. Walker was always too loyal, and I knew he felt it was his duty to take care of Randy’s family, and that included me. It broke my heart to think that what the two of us had was just based on a soldier’s survivor’s guilt, but I was too chicken shit to bring it up. Walker made me feel safe, complete and halfway sane, and I was not willing to lose all of that due to my big mouth. So, instead of opening it to talk, I leaned up and kissed Walker firmly on the cheek.
From his knees, Walker’s strong body lifted mine effortlessly onto the counter, kissing my lips and jaw line as he set me on the chilly granite. Just being in his button-down and my panties made it easy access for his hand to wander over my thighs and stomach, and his lips searched over my neck and collarbone.
Breathing deeply, he pleaded, “Mags, just please be open and honest with me.” In between kisses of lustful passion, he continued, “I want you, I’ve wanted you, just please don’t let me screw this up.”
Kissing him back, loving every flutter that was erupting in my stomach, I said, “Walker, I want this, too. We are just going to have to work on it ...” I pushed him away a little so I could look into his eyes, making sure he heard every word. “I don’t care if it’s rough, you’re worth it and I am thankful to have you.”
His kisses softened as they lined my jaw once again and made their way back up to my lips. His muscular chest flexed against me, causing my entire body to tingle with covetous lust, as he lifted me again He started to make his way to the couch. I shook my head firmly once and he halted, stopping to look me dead in the eyes, questioning my response.
“No, not on the couch this time. Take me to my bed.” My voice came out strong and very matter-of-factly. Without another word, Walker obeyed.
We embraced our newfound comfort with each other, and with the only words that escaped Walker’s lips, I knew I was done for. “Just be honest with me, Mags, from here on out. Feel free to scream, whisper, and everything in between. I want to hear it all.”
With that
, we made love to the rhythm of perfection and devotion for what felt like at least an hour, and cuddled for about that amount of time after. We lay wrapped up and intertwined in bliss and understanding, knowing it was us against the world.
I was so thankful to not be alone in my fight any longer.
Walker sat up and stretched next to me after we realized that we were cutting it close to getting ready for dinner with Liz and Jim. In agreeing for us to bring the dessert, he unknowingly promised I would bake one of my famous German chocolate cakes. It was Liz’s favorite, and usually my bartering chip for her amazing four-course dinners.
“Well, we better get to the store so we can start baking.” I stretched too, and then got up to tie my bed hair into a messy bun and throw on some eyeliner so I looked a little more presentable.
Wrapping me up into an inviting embrace from behind, Walker lips caressed my ear, teasing me a little. “Why can’t you just be a normal dinner guest and bring a store-bought cookie cake or something?”
I smiled, turning to look at the smoldering lust still flickering in Walker’s green eyes, trying to resist how sexy he looked without a shirt on, looking at me like that. “Because this is what I do and its Liz’s favorite. Come on! It’ll be fun! You can help me.”
With an innocent, mockingly cute face, Walker shook his head. “Mags, I can’t bake, I’ll burn the house down.”
“Well, frankly, you don’t have a choice. I need a sous chef and you’re it, so go get dressed and I’ll make us a list.”
Protesting a little bit more, Walker sulked on his way out of the room and I scribbled all of the ingredients onto a loose piece of paper. I was pretty excited to have dinner with Liz and Jim. I really had missed them, and with them only living a few doors down, that notion was almost silly to me. I knew I was avoiding them because of my newfound feelings for Walker, but I also knew they would support me in finding happiness, whichever road I had to take to get there.
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