Help Our Heroes: A Military Charity Anthology

by T. L. Wainwright

  I snort, “Because I don’t think you kiss all of your patients like you kissed me...” I arch my brow at her and dare her, “or do you?!”

  She scowls. “I think not. Can you just open your mouth so I can take your temperature, Luka? I have other patients…”

  Laeten is outright enjoying this. He’s grinning behind a magazine, but it’s so obvious that he’s laughing. I snap at him, “Why are you laughing?”

  He shrugs. “No reason.”

  I ignore him and lean in to try to talk to Rea without him hearing. A feat in this cramped ass room. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said, Rea. I didn’t mean it. I was pissed and I said things to deliberately drive you away.”

  Her eyes raise to meet mine and I can see the anger there. “That’s neither here nor there. I’m at work, Luka. You are a patient. Either let me take your damn temperature or I can grab one of the other girls and she can come do it.” She’s pissed.

  I frown, “You don’t care that I’m sorry?”

  She mutters, “Not really, no.” But her body is giving her away. Her chest is heaving beneath her blue scrubs in tune with her heightened breathing.

  Reaching out, I gently touch her arm. “Rea, I don’t believe you. You care. And again, I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell you that.” I look at the door again and says, “Can you acknowledge that before your boyfriend walks in?”

  She looks at me and says calmly, “I don’t have a boyfriend… now, can you open your freaking mouth?”

  What? She doesn’t have a boyfriend?

  Since when?

  My hand tightens on her hand. She looks at it sharply and I hurriedly say, “You don’t? You and Clive…”

  Rea’s shoulders slump and she sighs again as she looks at me. “No. There is no me and Clive. I work with Doctor Evans… that’s all. Now open your mouth or I’m leaving.”

  Before I can overthink it, I blurt out, “Have dinner with me? Like a date? You and me?”

  Pure shock covers her face, but she shakes her head. “If I say yes, will you let me do my job?”

  I nod and mutter “Yup.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Great, open up.” This time I gladly open my mouth for her to stick the thermometer in.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Rea

  Three weeks later

  I groan as I rummage through my closet for the umpteenth time in twenty minutes. It’s been three weeks since I agreed to go out with Luka. I had conditions. He agreed to them.

  His face was not happy as I listed them out and he argued with me over some of them, but in the end, he reluctantly agreed to them all.

  Condition One: Go to group therapy and actually participate. After all you can’t heal if you don’t share.

  Condition Two: Stop goading me about Clive. We’ve broken up. But I want to give it two weeks before we actually go on the date. I just broke up with Clive and I respect him too much to rub a new relationship or even a date in his face.

  Condition Three: Since we aren’t going on a date, no kissing or anything else. Just talking and getting to know each other again. He of course argued that we’ve known each other our entire lives, and that was stupid. I said we talked about things for three weeks or there would be no date.

  Condition Four: Our date had to take place somewhere that would slightly challenge him.

  Condition Five: He would respect the other conditions.

  I laugh as I remember his face when I said that we couldn’t kiss or anything else. He was so shocked. He tried to argue with me but in the end, I won.

  And now… it’s date day and I’m freaking out.

  Why am I so nervous?

  This is Luka.

  EXACTLY!

  This is Luka! The one male I’ve loved forever and now I’m going on a date with him.

  My cell phone buzzes and I glance at it, expecting to see some GIF from Leila teasing me, or insinuating that Luka and I will be having sex tonight.

  It’s neither. It’s Luka.

  “Luka

  Be ready at 5PM on the dot. Laeten will drop me off at your place. You’re driving. I’m supplying the rest. Wear something comfortable yet pretty and shoes you can remove.”

  What?

  I text him back.

  “Rea

  What? Where are we going?”

  The dots appear that show he’s typing and then a winking emoji pops up.

  “Luka

  Now why would I tell you that and spoil the surprise?”

  Ugh.

  Comfortable yet pretty?!

  Suddenly, I know exactly what I’m going to wear. Reaching into the closet, I pull out the dress. Looking down, I see brown booties that will give it just enough edge to keep it from looking too little girly.

  Yes, that’s perfect.

  Now, I just need to get ready.

  Looking in the gold beveled mirror in my small foyer, I apply my light pink lip gloss and press my lips together. I hear a car in the driveway and then a door. My heart is racing as I stand and wait in breathless anticipation for the knock I’ve waited my entire life for.

  I hear Luka call something out and another voice answer him, Laeten and then rap rap rap. Luka knocks three times.

  Taking one last look in the mirror, I smooth my hair. I’ve left it down and the dirty blonde waves are caressing from my shoulders to the middle of my back.

  Yes, you look nice, Rea.

  Reaching out, I open the door. My breath leaves my chest as I stare at the gorgeous man on my doorstep. His light brown hair is perfectly styled to look tousled and his beard is neatly trimmed. He’s wearing a crisp white button up shirt with the cuffs rolled and light worn, denim jeans. He’s using his crutch for support, but he’s standing on two legs. One real and one prosthetic. He’s had it about two weeks now and he’s doing fantastic with it.

  I’m so busy losing myself in his appearance that I don’t realize he’s doing the same thing to me… until Laeten calls out from beside my car. “Good lord, you two! Stop eye fucking each other on the doorstep. At least take it inside.”

  Why is he by my car?!

  He sets a picnic basket and a large blanket on the hood and laughs. “Y’all better use this.” He points at the basket. “Have fun.” He waggles his brows and waves as he gets back into his car. Luka and I watch as Laeten backs out. He waves again before driving off.

  I look at Luka and then the basket on my car.

  It’s just us now…

  We’re really doing this then.

  Luka clears his throat. “You look beautiful, Rea. I’d forgotten how long your hair was.”

  My hands immediately raise to smooth it. “That’s because it’s always up.” I laugh nervously until Luka catches my hand. His thumb rubs over my tattoo. I have two and both are visible in this dress, but normally only the arrow on the side of my left palm can be seen, and only if people happen to be looking for it. He asks, “Why an arrow?”

  I shrug. “Arrows are used for defense and archers were generally at the front of the line in battle. Archers were brave. They had courage. The arrow is a reminder that no matter what, if I proceed with courage, I can get through it.”

  He nods and his finger continues to trace it. Shivers race up my arm. “Is this your only one?”

  My breathing hitches as I shake my head. Using my other hand, I pull my hair to the side and drape it over my right shoulder. “No, I also have this one.” He lets my hand go and I turn my back to show him. His fingers reach out and he traces the feathers on my shoulder. Leaning down, he presses a kiss to the feathers. I gasp. And my nipples bead against the fabric of my dress. Thank God for the beading, since I’ve forgone a bra.

  His breath caresses my back and neck as he leans over me. “Rea, I think we should get in the car and go now… if not, I’m going to push you into the house and against the door.”

  My breathing accelerates and I lock eyes with him, over my shoulder, “Would that be so bad, Luka?”

  He growls a
nd says, “No, it wouldn’t. But you asked for a date that challenges me and though I have a feeling we’ll be explosive together, I don’t think it’ll be challenging. So, let’s go.”

  Part of me wants to say “Screw what I said,” but the other part of me really wants to see what Luka has come up with.

  Either way… I have no plans of ending this night without Luka between my thighs.

  Luka

  Dear lord. Never have I wanted a woman as much as I want Rea.

  How can someone who has literally been there my entire life suddenly make up my entire world?

  Rea is following the directions I plugged into her GPS. She didn’t recognize the address and I didn’t want to give it away by just telling her where it was.

  It’s a place we know well though.

  She makes the turn onto the River Road and says, “Are we going someplace on the river?”

  I shrug and tell her to follow the GPS. She laughs and does. As the GPS says we’ve reached our destination, she turns to me with a frown after looking around. “Where are we? This is nowhere, Luka? It says we’re here… where is here?”

  Smiling at her, I nod. “We’re at the right place.” She frowns again and I point out of the windshield. “See that trail… Take that.”

  Her eyes are wide as she looks at me in uncertainty. “I don’t know about this, Luka. This looks like the setting of every horror movie ever.”

  No, no horror movie, Rea.

  Trust me.

  I look at her and lean over the console. “I forgot to tell you… you look beautiful.”

  She smiles at me and mutters, “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” My heart speeds up.

  “Rea?”

  Her nose wrinkles, “Yeah, Luka?”

  I lean in closer and whisper, “You’ve made me wait three weeks… I don’t think I want to wait another second to taste those lips again.”

  I see her cheeks flush and her chest rises as her breathing accelerates. She leans in and angles her head. Her lips are level with mine. She breathes and her breath tickles my lips. She whispers, “Neither can I.”

  My mouth closes over hers. I intended for it to be soft and sweet but the second her plump lips touched mine, all of my good intentions flew out of the window. I growl against her mouth and she responds to my call by parting her lips. Her tongue meets mine and together, we war to see who can discover the deepest recesses of the others mouth fastest. Her hands grip both sides of my head and her fingers bury themselves in my hair. Our moans are bouncing around the small space of her car.

  Reaching over, I try to touch her, but the console is in the way. Rea must share my urgency. She pulls her mouth from mine and gasps as she wriggles enough to climb over the console. I laugh, “Rea, this is crazy.”

  She looks down at me as she straddles me. “I can stop…” Her breasts are trying to burst out of the sparkles at the top of her short off white dress. They’re heaving and her blue eyes are almost navy.

  Her hands are resting on my shoulders as she waits for my response.

  My hands slide up her bare thighs and under the flowy skirt. I feel the delicate cotton of her panties as I trail my hands up. She shivers and stares at me from between her lashes as she sucks on her bottom lip.

  Pulling her against me, I let her feel what she’s doing to me. Her head falls back slightly and she moans, “Ohhh, Luka…”

  I groan as I rub against her again. “Rea, God… you’re killing me, Smalls.”

  She stops and grins down at me. “Really, a Sandlot reference? Right now?”

  Pulling her hips again, my eyes almost cross as the pressure builds against my fly. I gasp. “No, seriously. You have to get off me… I’m going to come in my pants.”

  She freezes and my eyes crack open. A smile I’ve never seen from her is on her face. She looks like a temptress with her hair fanning out over us and the sun at her back. Her skirt is around her waist and my hands are under the elastic of her panties, squeezing her ass.

  I’m seriously about to embarrass myself.

  Don’t you dare, Luka.

  She’s too beautiful. Too tempting. Too… everything…

  I’m expecting her to slide off me, so I jerk in shock as she straightens her thighs and kneels on the seat. She reaches between us and pops my fly. It doesn’t need much help. The force of my erection parts the zipper and my engorged cock springs free. It slaps against her thigh and I feel my cheeks heat. “Um, yeah… I think you should put that up.”

  Her hand wraps around the base and she strokes me from root to tip. My head falls back and my jaw opens. “Ohhhhh, Rea… Damn you…”

  She chuckles and strokes me again. My hips lift out of instinct. Leaning down, she brushes her mouth against mine as she continues to stroke me. My hands grasp her head to hold her in place as my tongue slips past her lips. It thrusts into her mouth and duels with her tongue in tandem with her strokes.

  I break the kiss and groan, “I’m going to cum all over your hand, Rea. I’m so serious.”

  She stops stroking me and we both look down. Her pale hand is wrapped around my heated shaft and the sight alone is almost enough to send me over the edge.

  Her eyes raise and she looks into my eyes. “Luka, I want you. I’ve wanted you my entire life.” Her hand squeezes me and I try to concentrate on what she’s saying. “It certainly appears as if you want me, too.” Her hand stills and I see the vulnerability on her gorgeous face as she says, “If I’m just the first woman who has been available, since you know…” She looks at my thighs. “I need to know that. I can’t… I can’t settle for just being someone who was handy…”

  Luka, you’re such an idiot…

  Of course she thinks that… You SAID that… To her.

  My hand cups her cheek and I pour everything I’m feeling into my touch and my words. “I know I said that, Rea. But, I lied. I’m sorry. I lied to you.” I sigh. “I realized what I was feeling for you and that I’ve probably always felt that way, but I’ve been too stupid and selfish to realize it.” I smile wryly. “I didn’t know that you loved me… back then. I mean, I did. I loved you, too. But, I didn’t know that you loved me. If I had, I’d probably have gotten my head out of my ass and admitted that I loved you, too.” Her eyes are glued to mine. My voice lowers, “Are you the first woman who’s been available since my accident… yes. But, even if you weren’t and there’d been ten or twenty or one hundred… it would still be you.”

  I’m going all in.

  “Do you understand what I’m saying, Rea?” My voice is husky with my emotion. She nods, but I want to make certain she knows. My hand tremors where it’s cupping her cheek. “The Raiders motto is ‘Always Faithful, Always Forward’.” I smile. “You are always faithful. You’ve been my faithful companion and friend my whole life, Rea. You’ve been there for me and cleaned up my messes even when you should have told me to screw off. And I want to go forward… with you.

  “The Raiders was always my dream. It was all I thought I needed in my life. But, I was so wrong. Losing my leg is teaching me that. That wasn’t a dream... that was a goal. A goal I accomplished. Losing the goal helped me understand the dream.

  “You… you’re the dream. I love you, Rea. I love you and I want you by my side as I go forward with this life.” Her eyes are glassy as she holds back tears. Her smile wobbles but she doesn’t say anything.

  Uh, is she going to say anything?

  She’s still holding my dick…

  Does she know that?

  Shit, I didn’t!

  I must really love her to forget about the fact that my dick is in her hand.

  I have to know. “Rea… Do you have anything you want to say about what I just told you?”

  She smiles and tears flow down her cheeks. She looks down and her smile widens. She looks back at me and grins. “You aren’t just telling me you love me because your penis is in my hand, are you?”

  Shaking my head, I laugh. “I am not. In fact, I love you
so much that I gave you some big, romantic, awesome speech about why I love you while my penis was in your hand. A speech you have not commented on…”

  Her hand tightens around my cock and it wakes back up. She strokes it once and stares into my eyes. “I heard every word. I filed it away. And I’m so glad, because I love you, too. I’ve always loved you, Luka.”

  I groan. “That’s awesome, but can you hop back into the seat and take that trail? Right now? That’s our spot… from when we were kids. Where we used to swim and play and I did a thousand asinine things that I shouldn’t have and you doctored me up after every single one. So, I’d like to do something right now that’s way past due and make love to you back there.”

  Her eyes leave my face to look over her shoulder and then back at me. “Our spot?”

  I nod. “Our spot. It’s the spot I should have kissed you for the first time, but I’ll settle for it being the spot where I make you mine for the first time. That is, if you want to let go of my dick for the two minutes it takes to get there. You can have it right back though… I promise.”

  She leans down and kisses me breathless before releasing my dick. Grabbing her head, I pull her back down for another kiss. She fans her cheeks when I’m done. “I love you, Rea Badeaux.” Her eyes show her love for me as she says, “God, I never thought I’d hear that from you. I love you, Luka,” and she climbs over the console to drive down the trail and into the sand where so much happened when we were kids… and so much more will happen now that we’re adults.

  Epilogue

  Rea

  For as hot as we both were for each other, Luka made me park and he insisted he was unpacking the car and setting up our “date” himself. I’ve been watching him from the hood of my car, where I’m perched.

  He’s getting along very well on his prosthesis. I can tell he’s been working hard.

  He bends and sets the basket of food on one corner of the blanket he’s spread on the river sand. I can’t help but admire his firm backside in the light jeans he’s wearing.