Help Our Heroes: A Military Charity Anthology

by T. L. Wainwright

  “Fucking hell.”

  “What?” I ask in a panic, thinking I’ve done something wrong.

  “You’re fucking perfect.”

  Jay leans forward and sucks one of my nipples into his mouth again as his fingers start to slide in and out of me faster. I feel his thumb graze my clit and all my muscles tense.

  “You feel that?”

  “Uh huh,” I confirm.

  “Fuck, you’ll feel amazing on my cock,” he mutters. Everything gets tighter as I think about what he just said, how it might feel, how he’d look on top of me. “That’s it. Let go.”

  “Oh my god,” I squeal as something inside me explodes.

  When I come back to myself, Jay is sat next to me, running his eyes over my skin. What the fuck did I just do? I’ve no idea who that was a few minutes ago, but I’m sure it wasn’t me. I grab onto the sides of his hoodie that I’m still wearing and wrap it over my boobs.

  His eyes find mine and I see panic in them as we stare at each other. Part of me wants to tell him that shouldn’t have happened, but a bigger part knows I’d be lying.

  In the end, I go with offering a favour in return, even though I have no idea what to do.

  “Do you want me to…?” I ask, gesturing to the obvious bulge in his chinos.

  “What? No,” he says, sounding horrified by the suggestion. “Shit, no I didn’t mean it like that,” he quickly adds when he sees the look on my face. “If you touch me, Erin, then there won’t be any stopping until I’ve owned you.”

  My mouth snaps shut and a gentle throb starts up again down below.

  “Fuck.” He gets up from the bed and paces back and forth a couple of times. “I need a shower. Are you going to be okay?”

  With everything that’s just happened, I’ve completely forgotten where we are and why I was so freaked out earlier. I guess he came through with his promise of distracting me.

  “Yeah, just lock the door behind you.”

  “Okay.”

  I watch in silence as he rummages through his bag for what he needs. He’s just about step towards the door when he turns to me.

  “Here, wear this.” He throws me the shirt I slept in on our first night. “I won’t be long.”

  The second I hear the door lock, I strip out of my ruined cami and shorts and pull his shirt over my head. His smell engulfs me and I immediately wish I’d told him not to leave me. I sit myself on the edge of the bed and look around at the almost bare room. This whole thing with Jay is utterly crazy, but I can’t imagine being with anyone else right now. From the second I met him, everything just felt right. I knew I needed to get away, but I wasn’t aware there was something—or someone—missing from my life. I’m starting to realise Jay is filling a gaping hole. If you’d have asked me about a boyfriend a few days ago, I’d have said I didn’t have time, and although that’s still true, after only a couple of days I’m realising that I would make whatever time Jay needed because he’s somehow managed to creep his way in, and it scares me to admit that I don’t see him finding his way out very fast.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Jay asks when he steps back into the room a while later to find me in bed with my laptop.

  “Yeah, I wasn’t murdered by the creep whilst you were gone.”

  “So I see,” he replies with a laugh. “That wasn’t what I meant, though.”

  My cheeks heat a little. “I’m good.”

  “What’re you doing?”

  “Trying to work on a uni assessment. I’ll stop now you’re back,” I offer.

  He refuses because he doesn’t want me falling behind, so we sit side by side, me trying to work and him playing on his phone until the early hours of the morning.

  Chapter five

  “Let’s get out of here,” Jay says the second I open my eyes to find him looking down at me the next morning.

  “Yes.” I jump out of bed and start gathering up my stuff. He doesn’t need to ask me twice to leave this shithole.

  I make quick use of the bathroom before Jay grabs our cases and we sneak out. The place is in darkness, and thankfully it’s silent.

  We jump in the car and both start laughing uncontrollably. I’m not sure why he’s so amused, but I’m just grateful we got out of that place alive.

  “Where are we going?” I ask when it seems he knows what directions to take.

  “I discovered I could get some 3G when I was sat on the toilet whilst you were asleep last night. I managed to get a map up.”

  “You left me alone in that room in the middle of the night?”

  “It was either that or piss out the window.”

  “I think I’d have preferred that.”

  “I’ve found a route that will take us past some of the places you mentioned, and I’ve booked a room for the night.”

  “You’re doing a lot of planning for someone who didn’t want any.”

  “I thought you deserved to know you’re going to be sleeping somewhere decent tonight.”

  “I appreciate that more than you know. You deserve that, too; you’re on holiday, after all.”

  “That place was a million times better than some of the hell holes I’ve slept in in the past. Having you beside me made it feel almost like a posh hotel, much better than the sweaty men I usually wake up with.”

  “Is there something you need to tell me?” I ask with a laugh.

  “Definitely not. I’d lay my life down for those guys but they aren’t coming nowhere near my junk.”

  Jay quickly changes the subject after glancing over at me. My fears about his job and the memories of losing my dad must be written all over my face.

  He efficiently navigates us to a fancy hotel in Windermere and treats me to a wonderful breakfast, consisting of an all you can eat continental buffet before a mouth-watering plate of American pancakes, while he polishes off a giant fry up.

  He drives us around the lake once we’ve finished and I spend the whole time staring out the window at the incredible views. I knew it was going to be stunning up here from what I’ve seen on the TV, but it really is amazing.

  “What are we doing?” I ask when Jay pulls off the road into a small parking area.

  “I thought we could experience the lake close up.”

  I hop out the car and follow him down the track to a small beach like spot at the edge of the water.

  The sun’s shining, and in this secluded little corner, we’re sheltered from the cold wind.

  “If I ever win the lottery, I want a view like this from my house.”

  “I could live with that,” he agrees as he rests back on his elbows next to me.

  We’re both silent as we soak it all up; the sound of the water, and the bird song from the trees above us. I allow myself to get lost in the peace this place has to offer.

  Jay scares me when he suddenly jumps up. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he says as he pulls his hoodie and t-shirt off at the same time.

  “What are you—” My question gets cut short when he slips his trainers off before dropping his jeans.

  “Burning off breakfast. Join me?”

  “No, you’re okay.” He may have got me in the sea before, but it’s not happening again. Once was cold enough.

  “Your loss,” he says before he turns his back on me and drops his boxers.

  My mouth falls open as I stare at his naked behind—he has the most perfect arse. I watch as he walks towards the water before his bottom half disappears into what I can imagine feels like an ice bath. It doesn’t seem to bother him; he ducks under before swimming off into the lake.

  I watch him but the image of his naked arse seems to be burned onto the inside of my eyelids.

  Thankfully—or sadly, actually, I’m not really sure—he covers himself when he eventually emerges from the water. To be fair, it must’ve been so cold that I can’t imagine there’s much to show off right now.

  He quickly dresses before asking if I’m ready to take off.

  We sp
end the afternoon driving around and taking everything in. We stop in a cute little village bakery when we start to get hungry and indulge in gorgeous cream cakes, before getting back in the car to head towards our accommodation for the night.

  “You booked a room in Gretna Green?”

  “Yeah, I’ve always been intrigued by the place so thought it was the perfect opportunity to check it out.”

  To say I’m relieved would be putting it mildly when he pulls into the car park of a fancy looking hotel. “I thought we were keeping to cheap B&Bs?” I ask on our way towards the expensive room Jay had already booked.

  “I told you earlier, you deserve it after last night.”

  “Last night wasn’t good, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend loads. I’d be more than happy with a bog standard B&B.”

  “I know you would, but I wanted to treat you.”

  I can’t help but swoon a little at his words. I know I made a bit of a fuss about that place last night, but it wasn’t because I expected to be staying in swanky places, just clean ones with a couple more pieces of furniture, and without the epic creep we had to share the building with.

  “Thank you,” I say sincerely when we come to a stop outside our door. I reach up on my tiptoes and give him a quick kiss.

  “I know how you could thank me properly.” My eyes widen and my mouth drops. “I’m joking,” he quickly adds on. “No need to look so worried.”

  Was I worried? I wonder as I follow him into the room. No, I’m pretty sure the tingles I felt when he said it were more to do with excitement.

  “Oh my god, look at that bath.” Sat in the middle of the bathroom is a huge free standing tub just calling out to be used.

  “Knock yourself out. We don’t have dinner reservations until nine.”

  I don’t need any more convincing than that. I get the water the right temperature before searching for the complimentary bubble bath. When I find it I let out a sigh of relief that it’s not the standard lavender scent I hate. Instead, it’s a fresh mandarin and grapefruit flavour that makes my mouth water.

  I check to ensure I’m covered in bubbles before telling Jay he can come in when he knocks. He opens the door and peeks through before walking in with a glass of bubbles.

  “Champagne and a bath full of bubbles. What could be better?”

  “Well, technically it’s prosecco, but close enough. And you forgot to mention the hot man.”

  “Must have been an oversight. Thank you,” I say, reaching an arm out to take the glass. “What’s wrong?” He’s got an odd look on his face.

  “I’m disappointed.”

  “Why?”

  “I was at least hoping to see some boob.”

  “Oh, get out,” I say, flicking bubbles at him.

  “What? It’s not like I haven’t already seen them.” That may be true but it doesn’t stop me blushing at the thought of exposing myself to him.

  “Get out.”

  “Or licked them,” he mutters as he steps back. His eyes darken as they drop from mine down to where my boobs are hiding behind the bubbles. I raise an eyebrow at him. “Okay, okay, I’m going,” he says with a pout but before he turns, he scoops up the bubbles covering me and puts them on my head. I manage to hold my smile until he shuts the door.

  “Fuck me, you look good,” Jay announces when I emerge from the bathroom a long time later. Luckily, I packed a dress just in case. It’s a classic black prom dress, paired with a thin red belt and red peep toe court shoes. My only jewellery is a heavy silver bracelet consisting of a series of solid squares; it’s one of my favourites but can only be worn with something simple because of its size. My make-up is done—nothing exciting, just a bit of mascara, blusher and gloss. The only thing left to do is my hair.

  “Thank you.” I run my eyes over him as he does the same to me. He’s wearing a dark pair of jeans and a plain white shirt. He looks incredibly sexy, resting back against the headboard where he’s been watching TV.

  I sit myself down at the dressing table and pull the hotel hair dryer from the drawer. I feel his eyes on me the entire time; they burn into my skin and ensure the tingles he started when he came into the bathroom earlier continue to simmer just under the surface.

  “Keep it down,” he instructs when I go to pull my hair back. I mostly get on fine with my hair; it’s easy and low maintenance because it’s always straight, but when I get dressed up I always feel like it’s lacking because I can’t do anything fancy with it.

  “Why?”

  “Because you look sexy.” His eyes hold mine in the mirror and the heat in them ensures I do as he says. “Come on, it’s time to go.”

  The short journey in the lift is torturous with his scent filling my nose while the heat of his hand burns into my lower back. I feel his fingers twitching where I can only assume he’s as desperate to move it as I am. The memory of how it felt when he had his hands on me last night is right at the forefront of my mind.

  I let out a breath when the doors open and I swear I hear him do the same. He leads me towards the restaurant and pushes the waiter out of the way so he can be the one to pull my chair out. I try not to let his gentlemanly actions affect me but it’s no hope, I swoon hard. When I look up into his eyes to thank him, I feel myself fall for him even more than I already have. That’s the moment I know I’m never going to be able to get him out from under my skin.

  He orders us more wine. I’m already buzzing from the two glasses I had in our room but I don’t argue; it’s not every day I get this kind of treatment so I’m going to enjoy it while I can.

  By the time we’ve eaten and Jay suggests we sit in the bar, I can already feel the room spinning a little, so when he places a cocktail down on the coffee table in front of me, I know I’m making a huge mistake by drinking it, but I’m flying too high to care.

  Some amount of time later, I feel Jay wrap his arm around my waist and attempt to get me to the lift. My legs are like jelly and I swear I’m going to hit the floor any second. I wrap my arms around him to stop me from falling.

  “I could get used to this,” he whispers in my ear as we wait for the lift.

  “Hmmm, I think you’d better, soldier boy, because I’m not letting you go.”

  “And I definitely like the sound of that.” His words are at odds with his previous warning about this being a two week only thing but I’m too drunk to read too much into it.

  By the time the doors open, I’m stood in front of Jay, looking up in to his gorgeous grey eyes. I feel him push me back by my hips and my legs must do as they’re told because a few seconds later, I feel the handrail in the lift press into my back.

  Jay doesn’t move until the doors shut. Then, he presses himself against me and takes my lips in a hot and dirty kiss. My hands grasp at his shirt as my leg lifts around his waist as I try to get closer to him.

  I feel the vibration of his moan all the way to my clit. Fucking hell, this man is like a drug; I don’t think I’ve ever craved something so much in my entire life.

  I feel myself being lifted from the floor, and the next thing I know, I’m in his arms as we head down the corridor towards our room.

  He sits me on the bed before I feel my shoes being slipped off. Soft kisses run up the inside of my leg before I feel him almost at my knickers. I suck in a breath as I prepare for what’s about to happen but he pulls back, and seconds later I feel him undoing my belt and unzipping my dress. Then, my bra’s gone, and I feel the burning heat of his palms against my breasts. My head falls back as I focus on the sensation of him squeezing and pinching.

  I fall back onto the bed when he encourages me to do so. My alcohol filled brain doesn’t let me worry about being totally bare for him when I feel my underwear slide down my thighs and over my feet. The mattress dips as he crawls on top of me, and when I look down I see he’s gloriously naked, only I don’t get a chance to see everything because he folds himself over me and kisses me senseless. I feel him at my entrance and my muscles clench a
s they prepare for what it might feel like having him push his way inside me. I watch as he sits back, and he’s just about to thrust forward when my eyes spring open.

  I stare ahead. The room’s light and the side of bed next to me is empty. What the fuck?

  Then I hear something. When I look towards the noise, I find Jay once again doing sit ups. My heart continues to pound at the same speed as my clit as the images that were just so vivid in my mind continue to play out as I watch him. His muscles stretch and pull with each movement and his damp skin glistens in the morning sunlight.

  I’m almost back on level ground by the time he stops and stands. “Sorry, did I wake you?” he asks when he sees I’m watching.

  The second his eyes land on me, I feel my face fill with heat. Fuck.

  “What?” he asks, a small smirk playing on his lips.

  “Nothing.”

  “Skittles, you’re flushed as red as a fucking tomato and your eyes are wide as fuck. That’s not nothing.”

  “I…uh…just woke up all of a sudden and I didn’t know where I was,” I lie.

  His cheeky smile finally breaks free. “Right.” I watch as he climbs on to the bed. He’s only in his boxers so I get a nice close up of his chest and stomach. “How about you tell me the real reason?” he says as he runs his fingers over my cheek and down my neck to my collarbone.

  “I was dreaming,” I whisper.

  “Do tell.” He’s got a wicked glint in his eye.

  “I can’t really remember it now.”

  “Liar.”

  I shift onto my side and realise I’m dressed in his shirt, and I’m wearing knickers. “Did you put me to bed last night?” I ask, because other than the dream I have no recollection of leaving the bar, and I’m thinking it was just that: a dream.

  “You don’t remember?”

  My cheeks flush once again as I shake my head.

  “That’s a real shame, Skittles, a real shame.”

  “What happened?”

  “I couldn’t possibly tell.”

  “Wanker,” I mutter.

  He has a little laugh to himself but he doesn’t say any more.