by Anthology
Love and Let Die
Unconditional: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
Dungeon Royale
Dungeon Games: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
A View to a Thrill
Cherished: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella
You Only Love Twice
Luscious: Masters and Mercenaries~Topped, Coming May 1, 2015
Adored: A Masters and Mercenaries Novella, Coming May 12, 2015
Master No, Coming August 4, 2015
Masters Of Ménage (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Their Virgin Captive
Their Virgin’s Secret
Their Virgin Concubine
Their Virgin Princess
Their Virgin Hostage
Their Virgin Secretary
Their Virgin Mistress
The Perfect Gentleman (by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake)
Scandal Never Sleeps, Coming August 18, 2015
Seduction in Session, Coming November 3, 2015
URBAN FANTASY
Thieves
Steal the Light
Steal the Day
Steal the Moon
Steal the Sun
Steal the Night
Ripper
Addict, Coming Soon!
Waiting for You
Mari Carr
Chapter One
“Good morning, Gran. What brings you here so early? We usually don’t see you until lunchtime.” Sydney Sparks put a clean coffee cup down in front of Mrs. Parsons, her grandmother through self-appointed adoption, and filled it for her.
“I actually stopped by because I wanted to see you.”
Sydney rested her arms on the counter and grinned. She’d known Mrs. Parsons, Chas’ grandmother, for most of her life. Chas and Sydney had grown up together, best friends since the first day of kindergarten. His grandmother and uncle had raised Chas, so Sydney had spent a lot of time in Gran’s kitchen after school or on hot summer afternoons as she and Chas mooched homemade chocolate chip cookies or ice-cold lemonade.
“Well, that’s nice of you. But I just saw you the day before yesterday in the grocery store.”
Gran took a sip of her coffee. “Yes, but that was before I got this.” Gran slid an envelope across the counter.
Sydney recognized the handwriting instantly and her blood went cold. She’d been anticipating this moment for several weeks now. Chas had enlisted in the Marines fresh out of high school, shipping off for basic training just two weeks after graduation. Since then, he’d re-upped twice.
The time had run out on his third term of service and Sydney expected—feared—he’d continue his tour for a fourth.
Chas had spent the majority of the past decade in the Middle East. A fact that had cost Sydney—and she suspected Gran as well—countless nights of sleep. His unit had been deployed to Iraq once and he was currently finishing up a third tour in Afghanistan. He’d been shot twice, lost several friends in skirmishes with militant forces and seen horrors Sydney couldn’t even begin to imagine. Not that Chas talked about it much. Usually whenever he was home for too-brief, too-infrequent visits, he purposely didn’t discuss his experiences overseas. And Sydney didn’t press because she understood his desire to put it all away, to forget about it for a little while.
But she’d seen the truth in his eyes. They weren’t the same twinkling, mischievous sky blue they’d been when they were kids. Instead, they were now serious, haunted and she’d swear they had faded to slate gray, though she wasn’t sure if it was possible for eyes to actually change color.
Sydney looked at the envelope, but made no move to pick it up.
“Aren’t you going to read it?” Gran asked.
Sydney shook her head. “Not much point. I know what it says.”
Gran seemed surprised. “You do? He told you his plans?”
Sydney lifted one shoulder casually, hoping she could hide her disappointment but suspecting Gran wouldn’t be fooled. “I know Chas. He’ll do another four years.”
Gran grinned. “Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think.”
Sydney wasn’t sure how to respond as hope flared. “He didn’t sign on for another stint?”
Gran shook her head. “No. He’s coming home, Sydney. To stay.”
Sydney struggled to take a breath, certain she’d heard Gran wrong, that her mind was playing tricks on her and letting her hear what she wanted to hear because it simply couldn’t accept the truth.
“Home?” she whispered.
Gran rose from her stool slowly and reached out to clasp Sydney’s hand in hers, squeezing it gently. “Our boy is coming back to us.”
“But I thought…”
Gran patted Sydney’s cheek. “I thought the same. Thought he’d keep going back until he got too old. Figured he’d work until it was time to retire.” Lifting the letter, Gran slipped it into Sydney’s hand. “He’ll be back a week from Monday. He’s begged me not to plan a welcome-home party, says he doesn’t want it.”
Sydney smiled. “That sounds like Chas. He hates to be the center of attention.”
“Only kid I ever knew who pitched a fit if someone threw him a birthday party. Even so, I was hoping you’d come to the airport with Julian and me to pick him up. I think he’d be right pleased to see you there when he gets off that plane.”
Julian was Chas’ uncle, though Sydney swore the man could have been Chas’ father. She’d never seen two men look more alike. They were both tall—nearly six-five—and broad, muscular. Their size should, and did, make them intimidating…until they opened their mouths to speak. Two kinder, funnier men have never lived. Gran called them her giant teddy bears. It was an apt description.
“I’d love to come to the airport, if you’re sure you don’t mind. I don’t want to intrude on a family reunion.”
Gran waved her concern away. “You are family, Sydney. You have been since you were knee high to a grasshopper.”
The fact that Chas was coming home—really coming home—was finally starting to sink in. Sydney couldn’t have stopped smiling if her life depended on it.
“I’ll make a sign,” Sydney said. “A huge welcome home banner. And I’ll make him his favorite—red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.”
Gran stepped away from the counter. “Well, I best be going. I’ll call you later in the week with the details for our trip to the airport.”
Sydney started to hand the letter back, but Gran refused to take it. “No. That’s for you.”
Sydney couldn’t understand why Gran wanted her to have the letter, but she kept it, tucking it in the pocket of her apron as she walked around the counter to hug the woman. As big as her boys were, that’s as small as Gran was. Barely touching five feet, she was fairly petite. Sydney had noticed Gran seemed to be shrinking, but that fact didn’t diminish the woman’s strength. When Gran hugged her, Sydney felt it all the way to her bones and it made her feel warm, cherished.
“Thank you for being such a good friend to my boy. I’m glad he’s had you in his life all these years.”
Sydney felt tears form in the corners of her eyes, though she tried to hold them back. Gran was a kind woman, but she didn’t hand out a lot of compliments, nor did she talk about her feelings much. She showed her love for Chas and Julian, and by extension, Sydney, through her actions…and food. So her words felt like a precious gift to Sydney. Something she’d never forget.
Gran didn’t wait for her to respond. Instead, she released Sydney, gave her a quick wink and left. Sydney walked back to the counter, claiming the seat Gran had just vacated. Pulling the letter out of her pocket, Sydney unfolded the single sheet of paper, amazed how so few words could change so much in her life.
It simply said, Gran, I’m finished with the Marines. It’s time for me to take Uncle Julian up on that offer of a job. I’ll be home in a couple of weeks to stay. Warn Sydney. Much love and see you soon, Chas.
Warn Sydney. What the hell was that supposed to mean?
Sydney laughed and rolled her eyes. Who knew with Chas? They’d gone from rough-and-tumble friends—climbing trees, swimming in the river, and building forts in her backyard—to very brief childhood sweethearts. Chas had been her date to the senior prom when both of them found themselves faced with that option or going stag. Neither of them had dated much in high school. Chas worked after school and during the summer at his uncle Julian’s construction company, while Sydney spent a great deal of time working in the family restaurant, Sparks Barbeque.
Between work and school, the two of them typically chose to spend their down time simply hanging out watching TV or eating cheeseburgers at the local diner with a handful of Sydney’s cousins—she had a gazillion—and a few other friends.
Then prom had come along. Sydney suspected Chas had issued his invitation because Gran had either threatened or bribed him. He’d been content to skip the whole affair. Dancing wasn’t Chas’ thing. Hell, it wasn’t hers either, but she’d still desperately wanted to go to the prom. She’d been relieved when Chas asked her because she hadn’t liked the idea of showing up alone.
Sydney had actually laughed and called him James Bond, hoping to dispel some of the nervousness she’d felt when he’d shown up at her house in his uncle’s fancy sports car and dressed in a tuxedo. She’d expected him to punch her in the arm and tell her to shut up for teasing him, but instead he’d taken one look at her and said, “You’re beautiful.” His tone had been the perfect blend of awe and astonishment. Friend Sydney had wanted to call him to task for acting so freaking surprised, but the teenaged girl who’d never had a boyfriend, never had a boy tell her she was pretty, was too touched to respond.
“You look great too,” she’d said at last, hating how lame her compliment seemed when compared to his, and sorry she had laughed when she’d first seen him. The truth was he had looked incredibly hot in his tuxedo.
Then the night had gone the complete opposite of how Sydney had expected. She’d been perfectly prepared for them to find their usual crowd of friends and fast dance in a pack all night, while taking bathroom or water breaks during the slow songs. Chas clearly had different plans. He’d drawn them away from the others, his focus solely on her. It almost felt as if he couldn’t take his eyes off her. It was a heady, wonderful feeling.
When a slow song played, he pulled her into his arms and for the first time, Sydney felt that spark she’d heard other girls allude to and she was overcome with unfamiliar feelings of desire and need. She wanted him…wanted Chas.
She’d never understood what the fuss was about, never worried or wondered much about sex. Sometimes she feared that part of her was broken. Sydney had always been too practical to fall for a bunch of romantic bullshit and she was more tomboy than girly.
Chas had proven to her that she was just as capable of feeling lust as the next horny teenager. When his lips brushed her cheek, all bets were off.
They’d spent the rest of the evening sneaking seductive touches, the heat building steadily between them until midnight. They’d planned to go out for a midnight breakfast with some friends. Instead, Chas took her to a secluded spot by the lake. It was the same place they’d come to a million times as kids, swimming and diving off the rocks and dunking each other during the lazy days of summer that seemed endless and too brief all at the same time.
He grabbed a blanket from the trunk of the car, took her hand and led her down to the small, sandy cove. The place was deserted, and for a moment, Sydney could imagine they were the only two people on the planet.
He laid the blanket out and then reached for her. Sydney walked into his arms as if she belonged there, as if she’d spent a lifetime in his embrace. Neither of them spoke. She knew why they were here. It was where she wanted to be.
Chas kissed her then. Their first true kiss. His lips touched hers without hesitation. She marveled at his confidence. She knew all about Chas’ experience with kissing and other sexual things. They were best friends. They had no secrets from each other.
His knowledge was only slightly less limited than hers. He was a virgin too. Most guys wouldn’t have admitted to such a thing, but Chas didn’t seem to care. He’d always claimed there weren’t any girls in Maris, Texas, he wanted to be with and none of the other boys in their group ever gave him shit for it as far as Sydney knew. Who would? There was no one of their acquaintance who was willing to risk Chas’ wrath. He was huge and could kick all of their asses…at the same time.
Besides, Chas had always sort of been wise beyond his years. He didn’t fall victim to peer pressure or the typical teenage bullying tactics that bothered so many other kids in school. He knew who he was and what he wanted from life and everyone understood it.
The kiss went on for what had felt like ages to Sydney at the time. However, when she looked back, she cursed how quickly it had passed. Chas had unzipped her dress, carefully placing it on the blanket, then taken off his jacket and shirt. Sydney had seen him in his bathing suit more than his regular clothes over the years, but she’d never opened her eyes and really looked. He’d taken her breath away that night. And then the rest of their clothes fell away—shoes were kicked off, then her bra and panties, and his boxers were tossed onto the pile.
Sydney marveled over how free and comfortable she’d felt in that moment. There had been no shyness between them, only wonder. That younger version of herself had been much more confident in her appearance than the woman she’d become since. Sydney realized she’d never be able to stand in front of Chas these days completely naked with such ease. Not that she planned to be naked with Chas again.
Of course, she hadn’t planned it that night, either.
Chas had laid her down on the blanket, fished a condom out of his pants and then just like that, he was inside her. She’d expected pain, but there hadn’t been any. Just this amazing sensation of being filled, being whole. Chas had kissed her throughout and Sydney ran her fingers through his dark hair. She’d gripped it tightly as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She’d never wanted the night to end.
But time stops for no one, not even young lovers. Chas had held her afterwards, his gaze never leaving her face. She wasn’t sure what he’d been looking for. Regret, pain, fear? He wouldn’t have seen any of those things. The only thing she’d felt was love. Blinding, breathtaking, soul-stealing love.
Maybe that was what Chas had been looking for, because he’d kissed her and just before his lips left hers, he’d whispered, “I love you too.” She’d started to say she hadn’t uttered those words, but didn’t bother. The too was accurate.
They didn’t say anything else that night. They had remained there, staring at the sky and then, after some time had passed, Chas had taken her again. After that, they’d fallen asleep, a brief respite before Chas nudged her awake and told her they needed to go home.
For one don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it month, Chas had been hers. All hers. They’d been inseparable for four perfect weeks. And then he’d left, gone to the Marines. He’d told her he would always love her and that she would always be his best friend. Then he’d instructed her not to wait.
Sydney had started to protest, but Chas made her promise not to. He knew her too well, knew she’d never be happy living anywhere besides Maris. She’d known the ending to their story the night she had walked down to that beach with him and given him her virginity.
And if she were placed in that spot a million times over, she’d make the same choice. Every. Single. Time.
Sydney hadn’t waited for him. At least, not intentionally. The first time Chas had come home after basic training ended, she’d wondered how it would be between them. But Chas had remained true to his word. Instead of the sweet, attentive boyfriend he’d been when he’d left, her fun-loving, nothing-serious friend had returned. She’d been grateful to him for keeping things casual, for helping her make the break.
Until he’d informed her on the last night of his trip home that he was being deployed to Iraq.
&nb
sp; Then she’d been angry and sad and terrified. He’d taken her to the lake to tell her about his placement. She’d punched him in the stomach—hurting her fist more than him—and railed at him for wasting their time together. All she could think was that he could die.
He’d taken her cursing and her punch in stride. The man was a solid wall of muscle and so emotionally stable that sometimes when they’d been younger, she’d tried to push his buttons just to get a rise out of him. It had never worked. She suspected his steady attitude would make him a wonderful Marine. He could think and react without emotions gumming up the works.
He’d let her persist with her tirade—tantrum, actually—for several minutes, then he’d gripped her upper arms and tugged her against his chest, holding her so tightly she feared she’d break.
He had kissed her forehead and tried to explain again why it was better this way. Better for her to move on without him. The words had made sense, but they hadn’t changed her feelings, hadn’t taken away the unbearable ache in her chest, the pain slicing through her heart.
Instead of telling him it was okay, she’d been cruel. Told him it only made things easier for him. Now he could fuck his way across the world without feeling any guilt.
Of all the things she’d said and done in her life, her actions on that night were still on the top of her list of regrets. Chas didn’t return home for a year after that confrontation. When he had, he was distantly polite—a favor she’d returned because she’d been too ashamed of herself and uncertain how to fix what she’d done.
It had taken two more years before they’d broken through the chill and found their way back to the friendship they’d always enjoyed. Since then, she’d written him a letter a month, and whenever he made his way back to the States, they hung out just like they had when they were kids. They’d never crossed the line into a physical relationship again and if anyone asked, Sydney assured them what she and Chas had shared had been nothing more than a high-school-sweethearts phase, then she swore it was over.