Her Pleasure Warrior_A Military Romance

by Katerina Cole

  “What can I get you?” The bartender threw a dish towel over his shoulder.

  “I’ll take a beer and a shamrock burger. Medium rare.”

  “Fries?” he asked.

  “Sounds good.” Wyatt waited while the man poured his beer and slid it in front of him.

  The low hum of a football game played on the TV hung over the rows of liquor. Wyatt pulled his cap close to his temples. He didn’t know the last time he watched a football game and drank a beer. At a previous point in his life he would have enjoyed it.

  He felt the cold liquid slide down his throat as he watched a play unfold overhead.

  He had seen the bar from the window in his room. He had every intention of slipping out the front door without running into Aly, but she had spotted him. There were only two things he could do: grab her and tell her all the thoughts of what he wanted to do to her that were pounding through him, or get the hell out of there.

  He shook his head. He had never been at such odds with himself before. He needed to get a grip.

  “Big Lightning fan?”

  He would know the sound of her voice anywhere. He had only heard it for a few minutes, but the lightness was ingrained in his mind. He turned. Aly stood next to the bar. She clutched the corners of a purple jacket, tugging the edges together. Her pink cheeks were glowing, and her hair tumbled loose over her shoulders.

  “What’s the score?” She slid into the open seat next to him.

  He stared at her in disbelief, while trying not to study every part of her. The way her teeth peeked through her lips. The way her hips filled out those tight jeans. The way her long eyelashes fanned every time she blinked. He swallowed hard.

  “Not sure. I just sat down.”

  “Who do you root for?” she asked.

  “I haven’t followed college football in a while.” He pulled the stein to his lips, trying to avoid more questions.

  “How’s it going, Aly?” The bartender walked toward them.

  “Hi, Rick. Quiet.” She smiled.

  “Haven’t seen your dad today.”

  She folded her hands in front of her on the bar, and Wyatt’s heart flinched at the sight of the ring.

  “He drove to Seattle to pick up a part for the furnace. He needed a few days away I think.”

  “I see.” He smiled at her and popped a piece of gum in his mouth. “Can I get something for you?”

  “Yes.” She grinned. “A big glass of wine and the shamrock burger.”

  “Extra fries?” the bartender asked.

  “Always.” She laughed. Wyatt didn’t think he had heard such a warm sound before. He stole a look at her from the side of his eye. She was smiling.

  “Any word from Glen on your bike?” she asked.

  “No. He said to stop by in the morning.”

  He started to think St. Claire was even smaller than he had guessed. Everyone seemed to know each other on a first name basis.

  “Where are you headed after this?”

  It was a casual question. A normal question that any stranger would ask, but Wyatt had no way to answer it. He never had a destination, only a mission. He grabbed the stein handle and took a few chugs.

  “I’m not sure.” He made the mistake of looking in her eyes. He was glad he was holding the beer with both hands. He was instantly desperate to touch her.

  “Are you on vacation or something?”

  “Something.” He forced the word out. There was no way to describe what was happening to him. He could feel the intense thumping in his veins. His head was pounding. His fingers were twitching. He willed himself to stare at the TV and follow the movements of the runner on the field, avoiding tackles.

  “Here you go, Aly.” The bartender returned with a goblet of red wine. “How’s that fiancée of yours?”

  Wyatt closed his eyes.

  She cleared her throat. “Mitchell’s out of town for work.”

  “I never see him in here anymore.” Rick whistled at the TV. “That’s a touchdown, folks.”

  Wyatt turned just in time to see her lower her eyes. “He’s busy. He just landed some new accounts. I think it will be better after the wedding.”

  “I bet it will.” Rick tapped on the bar. “Let me get your burgers. Some game, huh?”

  Wyatt could sense it without her saying a single word. She was sad. Maybe even disappointed. The lightness she had brought in with her was mixed with murky grayness.

  He didn’t know where it came from, but he asked, “What does he do? Your fiancé.”

  She held the wine between her palms. “He’s a sales rep for PharmTek.”

  Wyatt nodded. He had never imagined a career wearing a suit or driving an expensive car. Since he was a kid, he always knew he wanted to be a soldier. He had a drive to serve and to protect. He had no desire to be cooped up in an office all day. The thought of sitting behind a computer all day made him anxious.

  “When’s the wedding?” he asked.

  “Next summer.” She took a sip of wine. “I think. But we might have to push it back depending on my fiance’s schedule. He’s really doing well. I don’t want the wedding to set him back.”

  “No date set?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No, but we will eventually. Soon.”

  It was completely involuntary, but Wyatt felt the corners of his mouth turn up. The pain that had seized under his ribs suddenly released.

  “Do you see him often?” he asked.

  “When it works for his schedule. But he’s busy.”

  “You mentioned that.” He didn’t have the right, but he despised the man. Who would leave her here alone? Who would give her a ring, but be selfish enough to refuse to set a date? He clenched his teeth together. Mitchell sounded like a fucking coward. And there was nothing he hated more than a coward.

  He looked at her empty glass and his and held up his hand. “Rick, I’d like another round.” He smiled at Aly. “For both of us.”

  Chapter Seven

  Aly

  The second glass of wine went down faster than the first. Aly was glad when Rick finally brought out the burgers from the kitchen. She didn’t want to admit she was already in wedding dress diet mode, because that would mean she had a wedding dress to fit into, and it would mean there was a date in sight. She knew she had neither. She knew how it sounded when people asked about Mitchell. She always gave vague answers and exaggerated excuses. It was getting harder to pretend. Harder to ignore the looks of sympathy and the glances of pity. When she and Mitchell first started dating, she was so proud to take him around town and show him off. He was so charismatic and seemed to win everyone over. That charisma had disappeared over the last year.

  She shook her head, clearing her thoughts and focusing back on her dinner. The burger tasted good with the wine. She dipped a French fry in ketchup, keeping an eye on Wyatt.

  “If you don’t know where you’re going, can you tell me where you’ve been?” she asked.

  The guy was nothing if not mysterious and brooding. He barely strung five words together at a time. But he seemed to finally be enjoying himself, and she had a feeling it had nothing to do with the last touchdown the Lightning scored. She saw the way he looked at her. His gaze was intense. Mesmerizing.

  He wiped his fingers on a napkin. “I just got back from overseas. Bhazni.”

  She nodded. “How long were you over there?”

  “For a few years.”

  “Wow. That’s crazy. And your first stop is St. Claire?” she asked.

  He chuckled, his wide chest moving with the sound. “Not by design.”

  “Oh right. The bike.” She picked up another fry and dipped it slowly in the ketchup. She couldn't help but picture his long strong legs straddling the bike. His jeans tightening and pulling in all the right places. She cleared her throat. “It’s not such a bad stopover. There’s lots to do here.”

  “Really? Like what? I’ve already been to The Skillet, the one gas station, the one bar, and now I’m stay
ing in the only hotel. There’s more?”

  She blushed. He was teasing her. She knew what people thought about St. Claire. She knew what Mitchell thought about it. But to her it was home, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, or doing anything else. The inn was ingrained in her heritage. It was her destiny.

  “Every town has its own charm. You just have to know where to look.” They locked eyes. Sudden clapping sounds behind them made Aly jump in her chair.

  Wyatt looked around the bar. “I think they’re clapping because of the touchdown.”

  “Right.”

  He set his gorgeous blue eyes on her again. “So why are you here? What brought you to St. Claire?”

  “The Long Pine,” she stated. “My grandfather owned it, and when I was ten we moved here so my dad could help run it. He eventually took it over and I’m following in his footsteps. As long as I can I guess.”

  “What does that mean?”

  She shrugged. “I’m sure you’ve noticed we’re low on guests.”

  She hadn’t meant to discuss the inn’s financial and economic struggles with Wyatt, but there was something about him. She felt like he was hanging on to her every word. It had been awhile since someone had paid her that kind of attention.

  “It’s quiet. I like it.”

  She stared at him. She didn’t think she had ever seen such beautiful chiseled lines on a man’s face.

  “You do seem like the type of guy who likes his solitude.”

  He nodded, pulling his hat closer to his forehead. The bill looked small in his massive hands.

  The wine warmed her as she finished her glass. “I bet you’d like the springs.”

  His gaze landed on her, and for an instant she thought he was studying her throat, watching as her pulse beat rhythmically.

  “Why?”

  She sighed. “It’s quiet there. One of my favorite places in St. Claire.”

  They finished their burgers, half-watching the game when Aly realized it was close to eleven.

  She waved Rick down from the other side of the bar. “Rick, can I get my check?”

  “I’ve got it.” Wyatt tried to wave him off.

  “No, I can’t let you pay for my dinner.”

  “I insist.” He eyed Rick, and the bartender seemed to take his hint. “Payback for that discount you gave me. I didn’t deserve it.”

  “But I-I-” She didn’t know exactly what the protest was, only that she should make one. “If you’re in the military you certainly deserve it.”

  “No. I don’t.” His deep voice reverberated over her ears.

  Her lips clamped together when Rick handed Wyatt the check and they exchanged money for her dinner.

  “Where do you live?” he asked while she slipped her arms through her jacket sleeves.

  “At the inn. For now. But my fiancé and I are going to buy a place somewhere on the outside of town. We might build.” She suddenly felt the need to reintroduce Mitchell into the conversation. She didn’t want to admit that for the past hour she had forgotten about him.

  “Hmm.” He held the door for her as they walked out of the Lucky Coin.

  They crossed the street, entering the empty Long Pine lobby.

  “So are you ever going to tell me what you do?” She was feeling slightly brave with a couple glasses of wine providing liquid courage.

  He exhaled. “I was in the Army. I’m not anymore, though.”

  “Oh.” She saw the light reflect off the chain around his neck. She didn’t need to spend a lot of time with him to know there was something he wanted to keep to himself about the Army. Maybe it was best to stop pestering him about it.

  “Well, good night Wyatt.” She stopped to face him before retreating to the room she kept behind the office. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “You’re welcome.” His hand rested on the banister. “Good night.” He took a steady breath, his blue eyes piercing in the dim light.

  Before she let the effect swim through her, she darted past the reception desk and closed the door behind her. But she knew it didn’t matter how fast she ran out of the lobby. She couldn’t outrun what was already happening.

  She sank onto her bed and stared at the door, twisting the diamond on her left hand. Thank God he was leaving in the morning. She couldn’t take much more of his smolder. Before she...before she what? That was the question she didn’t want to answer.

  Chapter Eight

  Wyatt

  He hesitated in front of the banister. Something had sent Aly running, but he couldn’t think of what he had said or done. He shook his head and climbed the stairs.

  He knew he wasn’t sharing much with her, but he was torn. He didn’t want to talk about Special Forces. He didn’t want her to know about the demons chasing him. He reached the top of the stairs and turned down the empty hallway.

  Tonight he would sleep under the same roof as Aly, only she would be four floors below him. He turned the key in the lock and flipped on the lights.

  Before dinner he had planned on picking up his bike tomorrow without a second thought and hitting the road as soon as Glen handed over the keys. Now he would be putting as many miles as he could between he and Aly. He would try to forget that Aly belonged in St. Claire and had already promised herself to another man. Even though he had never met this fiance, Wyatt knew his type. The type to always put himself before the woman in his life. Always chasing the next big thing and eventually, that meant replacing Aly down the road for a newer model. It was disgusting. Aly is a woman that should be cherished. She was special.

  He wouldn’t think about how she looked when she smiled at him and how her hair had grazed his arm in the bar. He wouldn’t think about her living with him, giving him children, taking him to her bed. He would ride until there was so much space between them he wouldn’t be able to find his way back.

  But just when he had resolved to leave town without her, she had given him the one thing he didn’t want. Hope.

  There was a sliver of light in the way she had run away so quickly. It made him think she felt it too. She was running from the connection he knew they both felt. It was undeniable. Maybe they had more in common than either realized. It was easier to run than face the feelings that were staring you straight in the eye.

  There was a glimpse of an open future. Aly didn’t belong with Mitchell. Wyatt knew that. But after hearing her talk, he wondered if she knew it yet too. She was still available, and the hell if he wasn’t going to stay in St. Claire and make sure she figured it out in time.

  Aly

  She was in the middle of the woods behind the inn. How had she gotten here? It was still dark outside. The moon and stars were like flashlights leading her down a dirt path that she had never noticed before. The pink silk of her nightgown swished around her ankles as she walked. Suddenly she noticed a figure in the distance. He turned around and she saw it was Wyatt. He was standing by a silver motorcycle that gleamed in the moonlight. She kept walking towards him. She was now right in front of him, he had no shirt or shoes on, just tight jeans that bulged with his thickness. His motorcycle was humming a low rumble. They stood there taking each other in, not speaking a word. Without warning, he grabbed her taking her in his bare arms. He devoured her tongue, making her breathless. He picked her up placing her on the bike. Forcing her legs open, he brought the silk fabric down into her folds before he started licking her insides. The friction of his tounge and the silk rubbing into her made her scream but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out. He kept lapping her juices. The bike’s vibrations on her ass made her eyes roll back in her head. She came to and looked down as his rough hands landed on her breasts. His fingers were peeling the gown down and she felt one nipple freed and then the other. He gripped one before his teeth landed on the nipple. He tugged and toyed, while his tongue flicked against her skin.

  The nipple perked under the heat of his mouth. He blew across it. He kissed between her breasts, then moved to the other side, sucking hard. His teet
h raked against her skin as he sank to his knees again, kissing and licking against her flesh.

  She tried to moan but she was still silenced. She reached for the band of his jeans and felt his stiff cock through the rough fabric. She released it and stared in wonder. Wyatt placed her hand around it’s throbbing head and lead her to put it inside of her. She gasped. He entered her slowly, filling her completely until they were completely one. Aly felt the build up growing stronger as he thrust, the bike vibrating for both of them now. He pumped harder and she clung to him with a need that overtook her being. His eyes met hers and she closed her eyes knowing she was about to explode.

  “Riiing, Riiiing”. The alarm clock buzzed loudly. Aly’s eyes shot open. She was tangled in white sheets that were twisted around her like a straight jacket. Her sheets. The familiar blue walls of her bedroom were dimly lit from the sun peeking through the lace curtains of her room. She rolled over, half expecting to not be sleeping alone. She sighed. It was a dream. Just a dream. She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She realized then her legs were shaking.

  Chapter Nine

  Wyatt

  Wyatt woke up with a jolt. Drenched in cold sweat, he tried to recall the nightmare from last night but couldn't grasp at the remaining thoughts swimming in his brain.

  He climbed out of bed and made his way to the shower. He closed his eyes and let the hot water wash over him. After throwing on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, it was time to find coffee. He jogged down the stairs. The sun made streaks through the small lobby providing the soft illusion of yellow puddles on the wood floor.

  “Good morning.”

  Aly was looking at something on the laptop. “Good morning.” She glanced up not really meeting his eye.