by Emily Snow
I had every intention of fucking you, and just so we’re clear, I knew I could have. I knew you were drawn to me. It would have been easy. Easier than you will ever admit. I can imagine you getting pissed off as you read this, but let’s be honest with each other: it was there.
But that draw was not one-sided like I was used to. I felt it deeply. I saw me in you. Not in just the physical sense, but in a way I couldn’t put into words until after last night.
You and I are the same yet so different. Our similarities bind us; our differences will keep us together. It may take a few days, maybe even weeks to understand it, but it’s true.
Physically, we fit. Your body molded to mine while you slept on me. Sexually, well, that’s a different story, but it worked out better than I could have imagined. I’m getting hard from thinking about it.
I was never a believer in Heaven or Hell, but the way we came together makes me want to know more, because if Heaven is better than anything I could experience or imagine, I want to be there with you.
If ever there is a moment when I become intolerable, all you need to do is lay your lips on mine. Kissing you was almost as divine as being inside of you. Whatever may have been broken inside of me that caused me to never want a partner in life was fixed by a kiss, and by God, if you don’t feel the same, I will make it my life’s mission to ensure you do soon, Mary, very soon.
I am going to make you forget, Mary. Maybe not forever, but days and weeks then months and years will pass that you will wake up and smile, knowing there was something that brought you to this place in your life, but it’s significance is lost; something bigger shadows over it. Our story is not your past; it is our future. It’s fucking bright, too.
Reading what I have written is mind boggling. I mean, is this really me? The answer is a clear yes. A cloudless sky yes. Do you see it? Did you feel it? More importantly, do you still feel it?
I know you do.
I know it’s selfish, but there is no way possible to wake you up and say good-bye. I never want to say those words to you. Never. Forgive me.
Love is a fairytale, fiction, something I have never received. You asked me if I was in love with you last night, and you scared the fuck out of me. When I get home. I will go into further detail. But for now, know that I feel and see forever in you, in me, in us.
I thanked God for the first time in my life today. I thanked Him for you.
Me, you, us, forever,
Jeb
Chapter Eleven
Mary
The Morning After
To say I cried myself to sleep would be like saying a homeless person on the streets of New York in January was a little chilly.
It was not all sadness; there was some joy. I read his letter at 12:01 a.m. I just couldn’t hold off anymore.
Renee called twice, and for each call, I had to message a response her after I didn’t pick up. I told her I was fine and would see her tomorrow, which is today.
My phone rings, and I grab it off the charger. “Hello?”
“Hey.”
“Oh, hi, Renee.”
“Wow, you sound totally underwhelmed to hear my voice.”
“Sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Like moving out without telling me?” she asks.
“You’re supposed to move with me. I just couldn’t talk.”
“Is that why I’m all packed up, and a couple of Iron’s goons are here?”
“They packed you?” I can’t help being surprised.
“Yep. While I worried about you last night, I went and stayed at a hotel.”
“You could have come here,” I say, reaching down to pet Shady.
“Here?”
“Oh, well, Shadows’ place is empty, and he needed a dog sitter.” Grrr, how do I even explain this? “I want you here.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s where I’m coming, like it or not,” she grumbles.
“Renee, when you see the kitchen, you’ll love it.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, I do.”
~~~
Twenty minutes later, a truck pulls up, and Renee jumps out. Then two men start unloading her things from the back.
“Be careful with my stuff,” she says over her shoulder as she walks toward the house.
I stand at the front door, holding Shady’s collar.
“That’s a fucking dog? It looks like a damn horse.” She looks appalled.
As soon as her things are unloaded and she has looked over the place and admired the kitchen, we are directed out to the waiting Town car.
“Riding in style, dog,” Renee says, looking at Shady who seems to be trying to decide if she likes her or not.
Renee looks at me and says, “Let’s hear it.”
I nod to the men in the front seat then shake my head.
“Later?”
I nod.
“You look exhausted. Hell, even the dog looks exhausted.”
I look down at Shady who’s resting her head on my lap. “I think it’s hard on her when he leaves.”
“I kind of figured.” She pats my leg. “Get some sleep. I want answers.”
I wake up when we drive up the bumpy driveway.
The only vehicle here is Jax and Frankie’s. I am relieved that the rest of the crew hasn’t arrived yet.
Frankie opens the front door and waves. “Welcome back.”
When we get inside, she gives us both a hug and smiles at me. “You should head into Jax’s office.”
“Is something wrong?”
She shakes her head. “When you’re done, we dish.”
Knowing she knows, I take a deep breath and prepare myself for whatever Jaxson Irons is about to say to me.
“Go.” She laughs.
I walk up the stairs and down the hall. I hear Jaxson laugh as I knock lightly on the door.
“Just a minute,” he calls out then says, “Come in, Mary.”
I open the door to find him leaning against his desk.
“Hi, Jaxson.”
“Hello, Mary. Hey, Shady.”
Shady runs to him and skids to a stop. I was sure she was going to take him out, which normally would not have been a fear, but he’s on crutches.
“I’ll give you a minute. Have a seat at my desk.”
“Give me a minute for?” I ask, confused.
“Get your ass over here,” I hear Shadows’ voice and know Jaxson can see my face light up.
“Come on, Shady,” Jax says as he makes his way out of the office.
“Mary, I’m short on time. Get over here.”
I quickly walk to Jax’s desk, and on his computer screen is Shadows, and he is smiling.
He’s wearing a Navy T-shirt and looks much more rested than he did yesterday.
“Jesus, Mary, have you slept?” he asks, leaning in.
I nod.
“Bullshit. Why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I lied to Frankie … and to Renee.” I look up. “And I’m worried about you.”
“They’ll understand, but I’m gonna let you know, I’m pretty sure Frankie knows.”
“Did you tell her?” I ask in confusion.
“No, promised I wouldn’t. But she knows you’re acting funny, and she chewed me out.”
“What did she say?”
“I’m sure she will let you know. I don’t have much time. Tell me how much you miss me already.”
I sigh and shake my head. “What makes you think I do?”
“Fine, play it that way, but I miss the hell out of you.”
I feel a smile start to make its way to my face.
“I miss you, too.”
“I know you do. Now tell me,” he leans in and whispers. “does your pussy still ache?”
I gasp. “Are you being serious right now?”
“Hell yes, I am. I wanna know you still feel me, because if you don’t, next time, I will make damn sure you don’t walk for a week.”
“A week? Is that how long you
’ll be gone?” I ask the question that is most weighing on my mind.
“Longer, but not much. The mission’s well underway.” He looks around and leans in. “Quick and easy commercial flight.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Little lamb, I can’t.”
“Commercial flight,” I say, strumming my fingers on the desk. “Oh, like picking up passengers?”
“Can’t tell you.” He laughs then nods. He leans back in his chair. “How’s your belly? Did I leave a bruise?” he asks, rubbing his own belly.
“You have a problem, you know.” I laugh.
“Caused by one little lamb.” He winks then leans forward. “I’m going on two days without a shower.”
“They don’t let you shower?”
“They do, but I still smell like you. I’ve decided I am not going to shower until I get home to you.”
“That’s disgusting.” I laugh.
“Did you change the bed sheets?”
“No,” I admit.
“They still smell like me?”
I nod.
He winks. “Not disgusting at all.”
I hear a bell, and he looks up. “Mary, I have to get going. I’ll be home for dinner. What are you making?”
I have no idea what comes over me, but I lift my shirt and flash the screen my bra. “That.”
“You’re gonna get me hard on a ship full of men.” He sighs. “I’ll be home for dinner.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“I know you will, Mary. I know you will.”
###The End###
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Brian’s Call
By Ellie Keys
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons-living or dead-or places, events, or locales is purely accidental. The characters are reproductions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. This book contains content that is not suitable for readers 17 and under.
Cover design by E. Jones
Edited by Daryl Banner www.darylbanner.com
Please be aware that this book cannot be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author, Ellie Keys, at [email protected], or within the sharing guidelines at a legitimate library or bookseller. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
Copyright © 2016 Ellie Keys
All rights reserved.
Designed by Ellen L. Jones
Printed in the United States of America
To my Isaiah, you will always be my biggest cheerleader and my mother, my writing partner. You’ve waited a long time for this story.
I’ve seen some terrible things
Done things to horrible people
Nothing could have prepared me
For the battles I’ve fought when I came home from war
My mark was made on U.S. soil.
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Sometimes you need to call on the most unlikely individuals to make the impossible possible.
~Brian Michael Wallace
J.H.C. Inc.
Finding those that don’t want to be found and some who need to be.
Honor, Loyalty, and Commitment to the cause. That’s our decree.
The Introduction – Chapter 1
Brian Wallace is the self-proclaimed “token black” of their group. He always jokes that he doesn’t know why he hangs out with them, but they all know their very own “golden boy” wouldn’t have it any other way. At six feet five inches, 250 pounds of solid man, he is and will always be a beautiful being; drool worthy even. His beautiful, deep, chocolate brown skin is marred by a cut to his left cheek (Marine football tackle gone wrong) and a few moles. He has that big, pretty, Julia Roberts type of smile, but his seems to take over his entire face. The clean cut look (a completely bald head) he has been sporting recently is better received by the group over the braids that he formerly wore. His expressively bright, brown eyes crinkle in the corners when he smiles. He is also the unspoken protector.
Brian Wallace had been part of the Marine Corps until he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. He was a Sergeant Major in the service and enjoyed the time he was enlisted. The condition he now lives with caused him to walk away from everything for a while. He was honorably discharged from the Marines. Members of his former unit would regularly stop by the ranch-style house that he kept. They would come through and hang out with Sgt Major Wallace then move on. During those times, he wouldn’t be as available to hang out with them. He would make up for it when he returned or when his “buddies” left by hosting some crazy event at his place.
All of them were told that he worked at Whole Foods Market, but no one ever saw him in the store. He always parked outside the building in the employee parking lot. When anyone called, they were told that he was unavailable. His big black F-250 sometimes sits there for a few days. Sgt Major Brian dated a young woman by the name of Scarlett for a couple of months, but has recently been tied to another who goes by the name of Artemis. It is said that she was a goddess. They only dated for a few months as well, but neither woman could handle the very obvious “disappearing” acts. He let the second know he was there for her, but there were things that he had to tend to and he couldn’t be at her beck and call. With that statement, he had effectively ended their relationship. After some tense moments, they both agreed that they made better friends than boyfriend and girlfriend.
“What in the hell kind of report is this, Kevin? I’m looking to find out more information about the team we’ve heard reports that this man putting together and I feel like I’m looking at the beginnings of a love letter or homage to him. Who put this shit together? Was it you or Isa?”
“Sir?”
A female’s barely suppressed groan comes through the comms as the two men stand poised to take a shot if they deemed it necessary. The two silently communicated that a change in position was needed to get a better line of sight on their target as well as the unsuspecting inside man who stood in the middle of the calm before the storm. The taller of the two tose and became a shadow as he moved through the night.
“Lead Dog, for such a mass of man, you sure know how to disappear like a damn ghost. Guess that’s why your name is fitting.”
A growl of disgust could be heard from a gruffer tone than the rich timber of the first male’s voice.
“Hound, watch Lucky, not me.”
“Got eyes, Lead Dog,” came a third male’s voice sounded. It sounded as if it were coming from the bottom of a barrel. It was just that deep.
“Hey man, don’t imply I don’t. I’m focused on … shit! Movement. Eyes on the prize. Eyes on the motherfucking prize. It’s going down.”
The prize was a suitcase full of weapons that was stolen from the docks the previous night. This step was going to get them a bit closer to the grand prize. Brian noted the win to himself. His man on the inside had the case in hand and was set to give the signal so that they could get moving. He’d wanted this clean and quick. It appeared tha
t was exactly what he was going to get.
The sign was given just as he got into his new position. The man inside fired first and in quick succession three other shots were fired. Not one could be heard on the winds since silencers were used. As he moved to stand, two men came out of the shadows within the room to attack their guy inside from behind. Turning, Brian’s man fired the kill shot for one as the other was taken out by his fourth guy. Tipping his head, he acknowledged his man who was quick to respond. They each moved quickly to the rendezvous point.
Brian was giddy like a kid with a new toy as he thought about the team he assembled. The four members he already had in place worked well together. He hoped the added members would, as well. The next phase of the job depended on it.
The Team – Chapter 2
Walking into the third floor offices that were almost completed, Brian noted the hint of jasmine oil that wafted through the air. He knew only one person that wore that scent. She was one that didn’t give a shit if it gave away her presence or not. She had every right to be a bit arrogant. The woman was deadly enough to hand over that advantage and not bat an eyelash as she killed a person.
The three members of the team that had been out with him walked in behind him. Trig was first. Trig was always directly behind him. It had been that way for years. It didn’t matter how much time had gone by, they always fell into the old patterns of times passed. It was like they were running the streets together and having each other’s backs every time they reconnected. Trevor “Trig” Marshall was the biggest and tallest white guy he’d ever met growing up. They were two of the biggest kids in their fourth grade class, so they took care of one another. They protected each other when the idiots wanted to give them grief about their height or their build. It had been that way and would always be that way for the two of them.