by Lea Hart
“Finishing a project is always bittersweet because it means it’s time to start something new.”
“And what are you thinking that new thing is going to be?”
“The firm offered me a case that will start in a couple of weeks and I’m going to take it. I should probably look into flights and get myself ready for a New York state of mind.”
“What does that mean?”
Sipping her wine, she shrugged. “The hustle and bustle of the city, the snowy winter, and deadlines of a case. The grind, I guess, is the best way to describe it.”
“Not like California, with our almost year-round seventy-five-degree weather and relaxed vibe. Not to mention the beach a block away.”
“Don’t torture me. When I’m on the subway at seven at night returning from court, I’ll be dreaming of my time with you.”
“Or you could just stay home.” He watched her set her glass down and frown. “I want you to stay and make a life together.”
“Carrick, I don’t…”
“Audrey what we’ve created together over the last month has been amazing and it tells me that we could have all the makings of an incredible relationship.”
“My life is in New York.”
“It could be here…with me.”
“What are you asking?”
“To stay in California and…”
“I’m not licensed to practice law here and I’d have no way of supporting myself.”
Standing, he knelt in front of her and took her hands. “I love you, Audrey, and I want us to be together.”
“You love me?”
“Yes, with every piece of my heart. You’ve blown into my life like a fucking storm tearing the nails off all the walls I’ve built over the years. You’ve opened me up in a way I didn’t think was possible and I’m not going to let you go. We’ve got a happy ending and we’re not stopping our story until we achieve it.”
“You want me to be your happy ending?”
“You already are, babe. You think there’s a chance that I could be yours?”
She took his face in her hands and ran her finger against his cheek. “I do.”
“I may not love you perfectly, but I do so with all of me; all of my broken and all of my mended and I hope it will be enough.”
“It’s more than enough, Carrick. You’ve been inside my heart from the moment our bodies connected, and I tried to pretend otherwise because nothing has ever frightened me more.”
“I promise to protect you and take care of your heart as best I can; all I ask is that you stay.”
“I want to be together, but I have to figure out the practicalities of moving my life across the country. It’s going to take more than a minute, so I want you to be patient.”
“I can try, but I don’t want to over promise.”
The oven timer went off and she stood, taking his hand. “Come inside and let’s figure out a compromise.”
“I can do that.” He followed her into the house and felt his heartbeat crash against his ribs. She’d agreed to be together and all that was left were the details of how they could make it happen sooner as opposed to later.
***
Audrey stood in front of the table and decided she hadn’t forgotten anything. “I think it’s all here.”
“Sit, babe, it looks perfect. You’ve made one of my favorite meals and I want to enjoy it.”
“I didn’t know pot roast was one of your favorites.”
“Anything you make me is a favorite. No one has cooked for me since I left home at eighteen, and I’ve got to say I’m enjoying the hell out of it.”
“I like to cook and since you’re so appreciative of my efforts, it makes it easy. I love your big kitchen and how easy it is to get groceries.”
“It’s your kitchen and our house.”
“So, does that mean you’re never going to cook?”
“I can heat up a can of soup and nuke whatever you want, but I’m probably never going to be great in there.”
“Would you want to take a cooking class together?”
“Would it make you happy if we did?”
“I think that means no.”
“Can I do all the house repairs and take care of the yard instead?”
“That sounds pretty sexist.” She started to fill his plate and shook her head. “Maybe I’m really handy and like to mow the lawn.”
“Maybe, but I called it first, so you’re out of luck.”
“Fine.”
He lifted a roll and broke it open and grinned. “I’m never going to be able to do what you do in the kitchen and I have no desire to put you through the misery of what might happen if I try.”
“All I ask is that you learn a couple of basics, like scrambled eggs and toast.”
“You’ve got it. Make a list of ten things and I’ll master them.”
She watched him begin to eat and nodded. “What would you like me to learn how to do?”
He tilted his head and then wiped his mouth. “Nothing I can think of. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
“That is a load of bull and we both know it. Come on, Carrick, think of one thing.”
“How do you feel about sex swings?”
Covering her mouth as she started to choke, she felt his hand tap her back. Once she had recovered, she stared at him. “Really?”
“No, I just wanted to see your reaction.”
She took a sip of wine and studied him. “I don’t buy it. I think you want to spice up our activities in the bedroom and this is your way of introducing the subject.”
“We’re pretty spicy, Audrey, and I don’t have any crazy shit that I want to try.”
Folding her arms, she tapped her foot. “I don’t believe you.”
“How did a discussion about living together turn into this? I love you, Audrey, and our sex life is off the charts as far as I’m concerned. I couldn’t be happier and hope to hell you feel the same way.”
“I am happy, but if you have needs, I’d like to know about them before it’s too late.”
“Jeeze, this discussion went off the rails. I tried to make a joke and it bombed.” He took her hand and lifted it to his mouth and pressed a kiss to her skin. “Babe, you’re always going to be more than enough for me.”
“But, you’ll tell me if it changes, right?’
“It’s not going to.”
“I love you, Carrick, and it scares the hell out of me because I think it’s fatal. You’re not the type of man a woman gets over.” Feeling like she couldn’t breathe, she scooted her chair back and took a couple of deep breaths.
“Babe…”
She waved her hand and shook her head as she tried to get herself together. Her feelings for him were overwhelming and she felt like she was drowning. For the first time in her life, she was out of control and she hated it.
Pulling her chair close so their knees were touching, he took her hands. “This love thing is daunting, and I don’t think it’s unusual for us to feel terrified. What say we make a pact to get through it together?”
Nodding, she ran her thumb over his finger. “I’d like that.”
“Think of me as your strongest ally, biggest cheerleader, and most steadfast defender, and I will do the same with you. If something comes up that you can’t handle, let me know and we’ll do it together.”
“And you’ll think of me the same way too?”
“Absolutely. We have a lot to learn about each other and how to make our relationship work, so if we’re on each other’s side, I figure all we can do is succeed.”
“I think you’re right. I was letting myself get freaked out by how big my feelings are for you and I shouldn’t.”
“You can get freaked out all you want, just tell me what’s going on, so I know what we’re dealing with. The fact that you’ve got big feelings for me is freaking awesome and if you want to lose your shit for a minute while you get used to them, go on ahead.”
“Why are you handling this so well?”
“Well, that’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, babe. You know that as well as I do.”
“So, I own you?”
“Absolutely.”
She moved into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned. “I kind of like the idea of that.”
“I figured you would because it will make you feel safe. If you own me then there’s little risk in showing me all of you because you know I’ll accept you, no matter what.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of sexual favors, but we can go with the whole emotional intimacy thing if you want.”
Letting out a bark of laughter, he held her close. “God damn, woman, I love you.”
“I love you too, Carrick, and I might as well confess that you own my heart, body, and soul too.”
“I know what a privilege it is, and I promise to do my best with all three.”
“I never would’ve guessed that I’d fall in love with a Republican, but I suppose it’s our differences that will make us stronger.”
“Just think, we get to cancel out each other’s vote for the next fifty or sixty years.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Thought you might.”
She crawled out of his lap and took her chair. “I’ve let our meal get cold.”
Standing, he took both their plates and stepped into the kitchen. “Don’t worry, I got this.” He put one in the microwave and hit the button. “I’m already learning to cook.”
“That you are,” she replied with a laugh.
When he gave her a wink, she felt her heart expand and knew there was no better match in the world. Carrick Young was the finest man she’d ever met, and she would be lucky to call him her own. In fact, she might see how quickly they could make it happen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Friday, June 29th
“You look, Carrick, because I can’t.” She handed him the tablet and covered her face. The email with the results from her California Bar Exam had arrived and she was as nervous as she had been when she’d taken it the first time in New York.
“Babe, there is no way you didn’t pass.”
“Don’t say that.” She moved her hand and stared at him. “Open it already.”
“Give me a second.”
She covered her face again, rested her head against his shoulder, and held her breath.
“Breathe before you pass out,” he said with a laugh.
“What does it say?”
“I’m reading.” He put his arm around her shoulder and let out a sigh. “Babe, it seems that you…”
“What?” she shrieked.
“Passed,” he shouted.
Dropping her hands away, she grabbed the tablet out of his hands and read through the email. “I freaking passed with flying colors.” She jumped up and danced around the room. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
“You know what this means?”
Stopping mid-booty shake, she glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Yes, I sure do.”
“No more excuses, no more putting it off.”
“I know.”
“It’s on.”
“We could wait until after and that way I’d have a chance to get glammed up the way I want.”
“Nope, not happening.”
“But, Carrick.”
He stood and shoved his hands onto his hips. “You promised, Audrey, and if you think that I won’t drag your ass down there kicking and screaming, then you haven’t been paying attention.”
“That’s not very romantic.”
“I’ve done a ton of romantic shit for the last five months to no avail. It’s been one excuse after another and your time has run out.”
“Fine.”
“Not the best acceptance I’ve ever heard, but I’ll take it.”
Rubbing her stomach, she frowned. “Don’t think he gets his way all the time.”
Walking over, he knelt in front of her, put his hands on her stomach, and kissed her bump. “Yes, I do,” he said quietly.
She looked down at his silky brown hair and ran her hands through it. “I’ll marry you, but know that I’d prefer to wait.”
“Noted and filed,” he responded as he stood up.
“And dismissed,” she added as she went back to the couch and collapsed. “I’ll call my parents and see if they can fly in next weekend.”
“It’s already taken care of. I booked them tickets last month when we knew the results were coming in today.”
“Confident much?”
“Yeah, absolutely. I knew you were going to pass and I knew you’d try and put our wedding date off. So, I took care of business.” He sat down next to her and grinned. “We’re getting married next Saturday at the courthouse.”
“I have to call Kelly.”
“Already taken care of, she’ll be here next Thursday and all your siblings will be here on Friday along with my family. We’re having our wedding lunch at Hotel Del and then having our honeymoon in Hawaii. It’s not very creative, but I don’t want you to be on a longer flight. After our son is born, we can go someplace exotic.”
“I see you’ve got it all organized.”
“Yes, ma’am. All you have to do is show up and say yes.”
“I’ve done nothing but say yes to you since we met, and look where it’s gotten me.” She rubbed her stomach and gave him a side eye.
“And your point is?”
“Nothing, I’m just pointing out the facts.” Turning, so they were facing each other, she took his hand. “I love you, Carrick.”
“I love you too and I can’t wait to call you my wife.”
“Baby mama wasn’t satisfying enough?”
“Not even close.”
“Guess we’re going to take care of that.”
“Absolutely.”
“Any more devious plans you feel like sharing with me?”
“None, that I can think of.”
Leaning forward, she kissed him and knew he had a hundred and marrying him was going to give her the opportunity to discover each and every one of them. Hopefully, they’d all be as amazing as the first few.
The End
INSPIRATION
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Author’s Note
I hope you’ve enjoyed the first book in my new series because I loved writing it. You may be wondering why I wanted to delve into the world of Private Military Contractors and the answer is two-fold. The first was because I wanted my agent to offer it to one of the big-five publishing houses and I needed a new series. The second was because I wanted to expand the settings and circumstances for my stories.
The first reason is no longer a consideration because I found that I couldn’t let it go and wanted to keep control. (Not unusual for me) What started out as a three book series has turned into a seven book series, with many more possibilities. I fell in love with the characters that I’ve got planned for the books and decided to keep them where I can see them, so to speak.
Anyway, lots of research went into the book as I had very little understanding of the civil war inside Syria. There are too many sources to cite individually, but I wanted to share the ones that inspired and informed me the most.
The first source is a film that I watched on Netflix called, Women Against ISIS. I’m not even sure how I happened upon it because I was looking for films that were set in Belgium. Once I watched the film, I knew that the book was no longer going to be set in Greece and moved it to Syria.
Looking back, I had no idea what I was in for because once I started researching the YPJ, I was led down a long and twisting road. There are well over a dozen factions fighting on each side of the conflict and you can’t write about one until you understand who all the players are. I actually had to make a graph and even then I was still confused.
I read a lot of helpful articles from the archives of both the New York Times and Guardian as well as Al Jazeera. Megan Specia’s article: “This Is What Victory over ISIS Looks Like” in the NYT was especially helpful.
The website: www.Warfare.Today.com was also helpful in describing the United States’ efforts in the region.
The next book in the series is Turbulence and it’s the story of Locke Rodgers and Callista Gray. Right now, I plan on setting the book in San Diego and Abu Dhabi, but who knows what will happen by the time I start writing the first chapter.
Stories are a lot like life and you never know what’s in store.
BOOKS BY LEA HART
CORONADO SERIES
The Coronado Series are fun, sexy contemporary military romances that are set in San Diego, California. These stories are fast-paced, emotionally satisfying, and feature bad-ass SEALs who fall for their girl…almost instantly.
Alpha heroes crash to their knees in love and lust when they finally meet their match.
So…if you enjoy a fast-paced, sexy adventure with hot heroes and sassy heroines then this is the series for you.
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