“Thank you so much, Maddie. I just can’t get down there and then back up.” Kyla handed me a bottle of water and I threw my latest Clorox wipe in the plastic bag with the dryer sheets I’d been told would help repel dust.
“It’s no problem.” I greedily drank the cold water. “I’ve learned a lot of tips for when I get my own place.”
“Oh my God. I bet you’ve always had maids.” Kyla covered her mouth with her hand. “And I threw you to the wolves! Baseboards are a bitch!”
I laughed. “I’ve never cleaned baseboards, but I was expected to keep my own room clean. I also had a dorm at college but never really worried about how clean it was.”
“I’m so sorry, Maddie. I treated you like another military wife.”
My laugh trailed off and I looked at the water in my hands. She was right. While a lot of people were out in the world being adults, I was still living at home with my father, and doing idiotic things like getting arrested.
And even if I couldn’t admit it out loud I could admit that I was jealous of what Kyla and Cyrus had together. Marriage had always been something I thought I’d want later in life, but being with Jake made me question things; made me want things.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” Kyla chewed on her lip. “That came out all wrong.”
“No, it’s fine. You’re right. I haven’t had a lot of real world experience.”
Kyla carefully lowered herself down to the ground next to me.
“Don’t do that,” I protested.
“Hush. I hurt your feelings, I saw it on your face.” She put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close for a hug. “I’m sorry. You have a lot of real world experience that doesn’t include cobwebs and baseboards. You know how to talk to dignitaries and what happens during a nuclear explosion.”
I laughed so hard that I snorted. “You think I would know what to do if a nuke went off?”
She frowned and her nose had cute little wrinkles. “Well, I wouldn’t know what to do! You’re the President’s daughter. I figured you’d been briefed on protocol or something.”
“Um, no. I’d cover my mouth with my shirt and try to find a Secret Service agent. Maybe they would know what to do.” I couldn’t stop laughing. “I’d probably crab-walk around like an idiot scared out of my mind. I mean, what would you do if there was a nuclear bomb?”
“Call you!” She laughed. “So find out what the plan is.”
I laughed some more before standing up and holding out a hand to help the pregnant woman.
“You know, this is a very spacious closet for a nursery.” I looked at the shelving.
“It’s amazing, right? I never would have thought I’d have a home like this.” She reached out and trailed her fingers over one of the racks. “I feel guilty. Is that crazy?”
“You shouldn’t feel guilty but I get what you’re saying.” I reached out and touched her shoulder. “Don’t feel guilty, just pay it forward when you can. If you get a chance, help promote the Returning Combat Veterans Affairs.”
“I will.” Her voice was quiet. “Somehow I’ll pay it forward one day.”
“But not right now. Right now, you’re going to make some of those famous pork chops and tell me about your plans for the new baby.” I followed her out of the closet and toward the kitchen. “Have you chosen a name?”
“Savannah.” She smiled at me over her shoulder and caressed her considerable baby bump.
“You don’t have much longer, do you?”
“Nope. We got this place in the nick of time.” She grabbed some food from the fridge before digging through some boxes. “Do you see the pots in any of those boxes?”
I shifted boxes around until I found one labelled pots and pulled a few out. “Which one do you need?”
“These two and the small saucepan.” She plucked them from my fingers and moved back to stove. “The pork chops have been marinating all day. Would you mind helping peel potatoes?”
“Sure.” She set out a bag of small red potatoes and a knife. I used to help my mother make dinner when I was little, but that had been a long time ago. I dumped the potatoes in the sink to rinse them off and started peeling slowly. “I haven’t done this in a long time.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Cyrus likes it when they have a little skin on them.” She moved around the kitchen with an efficiency that I envied. I could cook most of the basics, though I’d never been fond of mashed potatoes. Not that I was going to tell her that. Or Jake for that matter.
I looked over my shoulder to where the guys were setting up a basketball hoop for Korbin. The little guy was with his grandparents for the night so they wouldn’t have to worry about him running out a door while the movers were working.
“Speaking of Cyrus, how’s he doing?” I kept my tone light but I noticed how her hands jerked. “I suppose the move has worn you all out.”
“That’s part of it.” She glanced quickly to the windows. “He’d been having a lot of back pain. We’d chalked it up to using new muscles and adjusting to the prosthesis, but he had a CAT scan the other day and the results weren’t good.”
“Oh, Kyla, I’m so sorry to hear that.” I turned to look at the other woman.
“We don’t know anything definite yet, but it looks like he’ll need more surgeries.” Her face tightened in a way I hadn’t seen before and I wondered just how bad things really were. She would find a way to explain a hurricane in happy tones.
“That’s got to be frustrating.” I stopped to look at her. “To heal from one surgery only to have to deal with another would be depressing.”
“I always assumed he’d have to go through more surgeries. When he got back from Germany, he was a mess. They said his spine had suffered some serious damage and that it might cause him more trouble later on. It’s one of the reasons I insist we bring the chair everywhere. He pushes himself too far.”
“When are they going to do the surgery?” I turned back to my potatoes and concentrated on not cutting my fingers off.
“They wanted to do it next week.” She sighed heavily. “But he wants to wait until after I have the baby.”
“But can he wait? I mean, some of those things get a lot worse if you don’t take care of it right away.” I continued to peel the skin from the potatoes. I imagined it would be even more difficult to get the surgery done once the baby was present.
“They said he could wait a little while, but not long. I’m hoping it’ll be a quick recovery.” She looked around the room before lowering her voice. “I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m nervous about having to take care of a newborn, Korbin, and helping Cyrus.”
I noticed that her knuckles were white where she gripped the giant spoon. She wasn’t just worried, she was terrified.
“I’d be happy to help out. And I’m sure your parents will jump at the chance to help out with the kids. It’s a grandparent thing, right? And if all else fails, we’ll find a way to get you some help around the house.” I offered my best reassuring smile. “I mean, I might not know much about cleaning houses, but I’m good at laundry. I clean a mean white load.”
She laughed and went back to her food prep. “I’ll take you up on that. Honestly, after having Korbin I’ve all but given up on separating laundry into whites, colors, and towels.”
“Well, you call me and I’ll sort it out for you.” I looked at the potato that I’d massacred. “At this rate, we’re only going to have half the amount of potatoes you were counting on.”
“Ouch.” She picked the potato from my fingers and shook her head. “That’s pretty sad, Maddie.”
“Well, I make an excellent boiled egg. I don’t suppose we’re having those for dinner.”
“Actually, I have the makings for deviled eggs.”
“Look at me. I’m contributing to dinner!” I went to the fridge and pulled the carton of eggs.
“Okay, Chef Ramsay. I’ll believe it when I see it.” Kyla flipped her hair over her shoulder and I laughed.
I was riding with Jake back to his house, content after a nice night with friends.
“What did you do with your pork chop?” Jake looked over at me.
“A vegetarian never gives up their secrets.” I chuckled.
“I thought that was supposed to be magicians.”
“In this case, it still applies.” I couldn’t stop my smug smile. “Actually, I told Kyla before you guys came in. I never even had one on my plate.”
“Are you still hungry?”
“No, I ate more than my share of deviled eggs and mashed potatoes.”
“Were they better than mine?” His smile reached from one ear to the other.
“Well, I never actually got to taste your potatoes. I just wore them.”
“Hmm.” His eyes darted over in my direction and there was no mistaking the heat. “And nothing else if I remember correctly.”
“Unless you count that spectacular bruise.”
“Maybe I should check that out and see how it’s healing.” His hand reached over to rest on my thigh.
“I didn’t realize you were a doctor.” I bit my cheek to keep from smiling.
“I’m not opposed to playing doctor.” His hand on my thigh crept up a little, his thumb rubbing along the inseam of my jeans. “When was the last time you had a breast exam, Miss McGuire?”
“That was so lame it was painful.” I laughed.
“Good thing I’m a pretend doctor.” His hand slid up a little higher, his thumb rubbing circles at the junction of my legs.
Heat ran through my body and I knew I was blushing, but didn’t care. Instead I spread my legs a little wider for him and he obligingly adjusted his hand so he could touch me a little more. When he used his thumb to flick open my jeans I sucked in a deep breath.
“Jake, someone will see us.” I didn’t stop him though as his fingers slid under my panties and along my skin. My breathing sped up and I bit my lip.
“You’re already wet, Maddie.” The growl in his voice sent shivers down my spine. His fingers slid against me and I couldn’t help my gasp of pleasure. “Slide your jeans down so I can touch you better.”
“You’re going to get in an accident.” I gasped and it sounded loud in the truck cab.
“No I’m not.” He made a turn and pulled off the highway. “We aren’t far from a little known hiking trail.”
“What about the Secret Service?” I groaned and bit my lip as his finger circled my clit.
“They’ll leave us alone.” He pulled into a dark, empty parking lot. He pulled into a secluded spot and put the truck in park. “Now, those pants have to go.”
I undid my seat belt before wiggling my pants down to my ankles. He turned me in my seat so I was facing him with my work boots in his lap. With deft fingers he undid the laces and threw them on the floor board and tugged my jeans all the way off.
“Jake!” I started to wiggle away, worried someone would see us.
“No one’s going to see us, Maddie. The agents will make sure we’re left alone.” He didn’t hold me in place, but I stopped fighting. “But I don’t want to wait for two hours in traffic. I want you now.”
His hands skimmed up my legs and then back down to my ankles. I let my knees fall open and ran a hand down my stomach. He groaned when I touched myself, his hungry eyes tracing every move.
“There’s my siren.” He shifted one of my legs behind him and leaned forward.
When his tongue joined my fingers I groaned. He knew exactly how to push me over the edge. Long strokes of his tongue that brushed against my fingers as I spread myself open were followed by long deep kisses that made my back arch.
I heard the zipper of his jeans before I felt the heat of his arousal against my leg. I opened my eyes to watch as he stroked himself from the base to the top of the head and then back down. I gripped his hair with my hands, unable to reach what I wanted to touch.
“Fuck, that’s it.” I ground my crotch against his face, whimpering as his scruff scratched my delicate skin. “God, you’re so good at that.”
He doubled his efforts, his thorough tongue driving me to moan loudly. If anyone was listening there would be no mistaking what was happening in the truck. I gripped one of my breasts and watched as his head moved between my legs.
“Fuck, Jake. Oh, fuck.” I let go of my breast and held his head in place. “Don’t you dare stop. Fuck, don’t stop.”
Stars exploded before my eyes and I flung an arm out to brace myself against the dashboard. He lifted his head and wiped a hand along his jaw.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous when you come, Maddie.” As I caught my breath he gripped my hips and pulled me onto his lap. “Ride me.”
“Do you have a condom?” I wrapped my hand around his dick and he groaned loudly.
“Yes. In my pocket.” He tried to reach behind him but we were a tangle of limbs.
“I’m on birth control.” I looked in his eyes when he froze.
“Are you sure?” He cupped my face with his hands. “I’m clean. I got tested before we started dating but we can use the condom.”
“I got tested after my last boyfriend.” I gripped him tightly with my hands, stroking his shaft and he groaned. “That was a year ago.”
“There wasn’t anyone since then?” His dark eyes grew bright with emotion.
“Just you.” I lifted myself above him before sliding down his shaft.
His loud groan was satisfying. He pulled my face down to his so he could claim my mouth. The kiss set every fiber in my being alight. There was something spectacular about how his touch made the rest of the world disappear.
He filled me completely and I was awed by how something so hard could feel so smooth and perfect inside of me.
“God, you feel so good.” Jake pressed his mouth to my neck.
I couldn’t find the right words to agree. Jake felt as if he’d been made for me. Our bodies fit together perfectly. I pushed up on my knees before sliding back down so that he stretched me in all the right ways.
His hands shoved my shirt and bra up before catching one of my breasts with his hot mouth. Work-roughened fingers gripped my hips as I moved over him.
I let my head fall back as he scraped his teeth across my breast and then captured the other one. His tongue swirled around the peak before sucking it into his mouth. He moved one of his hands from my hip to my free breast, rolling it in his hands before pinching the nipple. I hissed in pleasure and tangled my fingers in his hair.
“Fuck, you feel good.” He pulled back to watch me as I moved. Arching my back thrust my exposed breasts forward and he filled his hands with them. “You’re fucking perfect, Madeline.”
“Took you long enough to realize it,” I gasped.
“I’m stupid, so stupid.” He gripped my hips urging me to move faster.
I leaned forward, bracing my arms on his shoulders. “You can’t help it.”
He laughed which made his dick jump inside of me and I gasped.
With deft fingers he reached between us and flicked that sensitive spot that would send me racing to the edge.
“Oh, God. I’m going to come.” I lifted above him, need driving me faster.
He wrapped his free arm around my waist, slamming me against him. “That’s it. Come for me baby. I want to watch you come.”
Pleasure grew before shooting sparks through my system. I groaned as my body clenched around Jake, milking him. In a blink he was following suit, his body pumping into mine, wave after wave of his orgasm flooding into me.
He pressed his forehead to my chest, his breathing ragged. I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of his head, my hair falling around us like a curtain.
“You’ve ruined me, Maddie.” His voice was ragged with emotion as he looked up at me. “No one will ever compare to how you make me feel. No one could compare to you.”
Tears formed in my eyes and I traced his face with my fingers. There was no turning back now. Jake had captured my heart completely.
/> I wanted to tell him, to tell him that I loved him, but I didn’t want to scare him. I didn’t want to send him running for the hills. The thought scared me. I wasn’t sure how I would survive him leaving me. I’d never felt this way about another man and doubted that I ever would again.
Chapter 17
Jake
“That fucking aimbot!” I yelled into my headset. “There’s no way that guy made that shot without help.”
Puz grunted from where he sat next to me on the couch as I played video games.
“Dude, you were standing in the open. You might as well paint a bright orange X on your head,” Cyrus replied.
“He shot me through a tree, Cy. A tree! That bastard is cheating!” I waited for my avatar to respawn so I could hunt down the cheater. “Where is he?”
“I didn’t see who got you.” Cyrus’s distracted voice floated through my headset. “Ah, fucking cheating scumbag!”
“Ha, now you care!” I directed my little character to throw a bomb inside a tank before taking out the escaping avatars.
“No!” Cyrus’s voice cut through my earphones, almost deafening me. “No!”
His voice dissolved into a mess of curses and half words.
“Holland, what’s wrong?” My muscles tensed and I clenched the controller. “Holland! Report!”
There was no answer and my heart pounded in my chest as I waited for a response.
“I’m fine, Cap.” His voice was shaky and in no way eased my nerves. “I’m fine.”
“What happened?” I stared past the television, thinking of Cyrus’s face at his house as we’d set up the basketball goal for his son.
“You ever wonder why we play this game?” His voice sounded off as if he was distracted, his mind somewhere else.
“Sometimes. I guess it’s what we know.”
“Yeah.” He was quiet and I saw his avatar unmoving in the middle of a road. “We got fucked over there.”
“A lot of us did.” I swallowed and tried to calm my nerves as memories rushed back over me. I was barely aware of Puz whining next to me.
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