by Kristy Marie
I swallow, blinking back at the face that has come to mean so much to me.
“Are you saying you forgive me? For not being honest with you about Bennett?”
Cade unbuckles my seatbelt and slides me to him. “I’m saying I love you, Brecklyn Brannon, and I’m asking if you can give me another chance to be the man your brother knew.”
I kiss his lips, the wetness of my tears smearing his face. “I don’t want the man my brother knew. I want the man who brushes marshmallows out of my hair. The man who walks on the outside of me so I don’t get hit by oncoming traffic. I want the stubborn pain in the ass that asks me to talk dirty to him.” I push at his chest, wanting him to lay back. I’m about to blow this man in Sue’s driveway. Yeah, shit is about to get classy in here. But Cade hisses as if he’s in pain, and I stop my near assault. “Oh my gosh. Did I hurt you?”
Cade grimaces, tugging his shirt up for me to see. Half of his chest is covered in a tattoo, covering his scars. The other half is bare, his scars evident in the sunlight. I trace the angry skin, irritated by the new ink.
“I didn’t want to look like the old Cade,” he mumbles, watching my face for a reaction. Gently, my fingertips graze his skin, over the burning tree, tracing the wings of the fleeing birds.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell him before placing a kiss on the bare scars on his chest, making sure this side of him doesn’t get forgotten in the newness of the ink. He is who he is because of what he endured.
“Let me take you home, B.” His question is hesitant like he’s scared I might turn him down. I drag his shirt back down, kissing him lightly along his stubbled jaw.
“Okay, Major Jameson. Let’s go home.”
This isn’t a movie and therefore we didn’t drive off with the wind in our hair and smiles on our faces. I went back inside and cried and snotted in Sue’s shirt while Cade stood awkwardly off to the side. He then had the pleasure of mercilessly teasing me while he helped me pack up my room.
Everyone has period panties, okay? Do not lie and say you don’t.
“Those are Sue’s. Put them down,” I say flatly.
Cade laughs, holding the worst pair of panties up for me to see. “These are not Sue’s,” the idiot argues.
I snatch them from his shaking hands and shove him toward the closet. “How about you carry the boxes out to the truck so I can give these panties back to Sue?”
He doesn’t buy it, but he picks up two boxes and carries them outside, his laughter carrying down the hallway.
Men.
A few hours later, all I could pack up is loaded in the back of Cade’s truck. I kiss Sue goodbye and tell her I’ll be back Monday morning.
Homegirl still needs a day job.
And besides, Sue is like family, and baking with her has become a constant in my life. Cade said Anniston offered me a job at the Foundation, cooking for the house since they anticipate more veterans, but I told her I would do that for free. Cooking is something I enjoy doing for my family.
Twenty minutes later, as the truck pulls into the driveway, all five guys and their commander stand on the porch holding Welcome Home signs and smiles.
It’s then that I know exactly what Bennett was feeling in his letter to me.
I’ve finally found my place.
I’m finally home.
“Rise and shine, Jameson! It’s moving day.”
Theo seems obnoxiously loud this morning. I have no idea what time it is, and I refuse to look. Exhaustion is real. Groaning, I roll over, feeling for the warm body next to me, and hook an arm around her naked torso, pulling her into me. My cock greets her first, jumping against her ass with the mere possibility of being inside her again. Granted, this is why I’m so tired in the first place.
I realized right off the bat that sleeping next to Breck was a far better solution than sleeping pills. It’s not often that the nightmares strike anymore. Talking to the therapist, and to the families of my fallen team, has brought me some peace, at least where their deaths are concerned.
I still suffer from flashbacks, but instead of Drew standing there accusing me, I see him next to me, in the trenches, both of us fighting alongside each other. I still wake up sweating and needing to run out the memories, but instead, Breck holds my face and counts down from ten, pushes me back down, and then loves me until the last thing that’s on my mind is leaving the bed.
“Two strays down. Four to go.”
Ugh. I forgot he was still here. “Go away, Theo. I’m not running this morning.”
His scoff sounds closer than I was expecting. Is he by the bed? I don’t look because it will only encourage him.
“Just because you have a girlfriend now, Jameson, does not mean you can abandon the routine. Bros before hoes or whatever military slogan you guys like to use.”
Silent laughter shakes the bed, and I realize Breck is laughing. The fact that she isn’t pissed at Theo’s intrusion makes me love her even more. She’s adapted so well to living here.
“You mean dicks before chicks, Theo?”
Have I mentioned how incredibly sexy I find it that Breck gives Theo shit? By the way my dick is poking along the seam of her ass, she knows exactly what it does to me.
“Sure. Yeah. Whatever, B. Let’s go, Jameson. My coffee is getting cold.”
Breck pushes her bottom against me, drying humping the hell out of me.
“Go run with Killer. I’m not going this morning.” I let out a moan when Breck opens her legs slightly to accommodate my extremely impatient cock. The wetness that greets me only solidifies my decision. “Out, Von Bremen!”
I should have known better when he doesn’t move and the bed dips. “Go ahead. I’ll wait while you give B a mediocre orgasm. It shouldn’t take long. What did you tell me the other night, B? Four minutes tops?”
Breck smothers a laugh under the covers all the while taunting me with the back-and-forth movement of her hips.
“Don’t laugh at him. It’ll only incentivize him to keep on,” I growl into her ear, and halt those mesmerizing hips with the firm grip of my hands.
“Go run with him. He’s right. It’s your thing.”
I cut her off with a small thrust between her legs. Fuck me, she’s even wetter now. “No, he’ll live.”
“I won’t live.”
“Go away, Theo!”
“Give us twenty minutes, Theo, and I promise to have him in a better mood for your run.”
I groan when Theo’s weight shifts off the bed. “I like that you’re a negotiating woman, B. You could learn something from her, Jameson.”
“Go!” I damn near roar. I am already lining up with the entrance to the promised land when I hear a low chuckle and the door clicks shut.
“I thought he would never leave,” I say, rolling over and tossing the covers off after taking a quick look around. Knowing Theo, he’s probably lurking in the corner or some shit, trying to get in a free show.
“You’re gonna put me in a better mood, yeah?” I tease Breck as I tug her closer, encouraging her to straddle me. She needs no direction and slowly drags her legs over mine, spreading her arousal along my dick until she stills. Her hair is all mussed from sleep, but she has never looked sexier in this moment, sitting on top of me all confident and commanding, her pink nipples standing at attention just waiting for an order.
“Major Jameson, I think it’s time you shut up and let me fulfill my promise.”
With a fake huff of annoyance, I lay back against the pillows and stretch my arms out wide before tucking them behind my head.
“Show me what you got, babe.”
She grins, and in the darkened room it almost looks predatory. And then she moves my arms from behind my head and places them on the slats of the headboard.
“Don’t move them. Do you understand me?”
Aw, hell. She seriously is about to make Theo right and have me coming in four minutes flat. “Come o—”
Words fail me, and I can’t seem to breathe when she sla
ms down on top of me. Soft hands brace themselves on my chest, one at my heart where the phoenix tree I had tattooed six months ago memorializes my fallen family. Her fingers trace the lines of the leafless tree, through the birds that fly for freedom, until she finds the burning phoenix that rises from the ashes of the roots that define him. She clutches my chest, no longer worried about hurting me. Alternating between slow circles and hard thrusts, Breck loves every inch of me. My hands stay put and let her have her moment even though I want to grip her hard and shove every inch I can into her until she screams.
I relish the moment of being loved.
Of being cherished.
And when she lowers her mouth to my chest and kisses the scars, I explode inside her as she sucks the very soul from my body.
“Merry Christmas, Cade.”
“Merry Christmas, B.”
“Who did this?”
Everyone struggles to contain their laughter while Anniston points at the two Elf on the Shelfs placed in a precarious position atop the decorated mantel. Amongst all the stockings, Alpha, the female elf—no surprise there—is on her knees, her face planted in Omega’s, the male elf’s, crotch. If that weren’t funny enough, the white, milky substance all over her face has my stomach cramping from holding in my laughter.
“Aww, Ans,” Theo starts, undeterred by the hate glare Anniston is rocking. It’s probably the twitch and the slight upturn of her mouth that makes him continue on without a care. “She’s just giving him a Christmas blowjob. After all, it’s the season of giving.”
Breck’s body shakes next to mine. She’s become very comfortable in this unconventional family of ours, but even she knows to hold in her laughter until Ans breaks first. This being our first official Christmas together—last time Theo was rehabbing from a gunshot wound—Anniston went all out. We tried to protest all the decorating and gift giving, but Anniston wouldn’t hear of it. So this whole Elf on the Shelf idea has been our way of participating.
For the entire thirty days of Alpha and Omega’s presence, they have been caught doing naughty—mostly pornographic—things. No one knows who does it each night, but I have to admit, after the first week, Breck and I joined in and participated in a few. And by the smile on Anniston’s face, I’m betting some of the elf shenanigans were her and Theo’s doing. The only reason she is making a stink about it today is because we are having guests. And well, some people may not find our humor as amusing as we do.
Finally, Anniston breaks with heaves of laughter. “Get this cleaned up or stash them somewhere. People will be here soon.”
Theo strides over to the elves and swipes them off the mantel with one arm, right into Lawson’s stocking. Anniston insisted on him having one even though he and Nicole have been moved out for over a year now. “All clean. What’s next on this nightmarish morning, boss?”
Eyes narrowed, Anniston pinches Theo’s arm. “Get—”
The doorbell rings, and we all groan.
“Breck. Help me in the kitchen?” Anniston calls out. Breck kisses me on the cheek and pulls away to follow Ans. Have I mentioned the love I have for a woman who can cook? The old saying that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach is not one hundred percent correct, but it holds some hard truth. Some days, Breck will text me what’s on the menu for dinner, and my stomach is growling before I can even hit reply. But when she texts me what’s on the menu for dessert—it’s not food—I am rushing her like a linebacker just so I can have a little taste before everyone gets home.
Life is good.
No, scratch that.
Life is great.
Having Breck in my life has been life altering. She has the patience of a saint, bless her heart, when dealing with my PTSD. She gives just as good as she gets from Theo, and that makes me happier than it should. She’s no longer insecure about Anniston but has developed a tight-knit friendship with her. Together they are an unstoppable force.
“Get the door, dipshit.” Theo is shoving me toward the front.
“You get it,” I argue for no other reason than to annoy him.
He scoffs. “I’m not getting it. It may be someone I have to speak to.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“I’ll get it, you fucking pussies.” Mason pushes past us with annoyance and Theo winks, holding his fist out for a bump. Grinning, I bump it back.
“Cade!” Ugh. What now? “It’s for you.” For me? I didn’t invite anyone over for Christmas.
I push past Mason and approach the door. There, standing amongst all the lights and potted Christmas trees, are my parents.
“Merry Christmas, Cade.”
Something hot and prickly spreads under my skin. I try to swallow back the feeling but it keeps coming until my mom throws her arms around me, hugging me until it gets difficult to breathe. “I hope you don’t mind,” she sniffles, the tears dampening my shirt. “Anniston invited us to spend Christmas with you.”
Damn Anniston. Never taking no for an answer. She asked me if I wanted to invite my parents but I told her they were probably busy, and not to worry about it. She obviously didn’t give a fuck.
“I’m glad you could make it,” I manage through the tight squeeze and lack of oxygen my mother is creating.
Even though I made amends with my parents over Drew’s death, it still feels a little strained between us. Mostly on my end. I’m still a work in progress.
“Come inside,” I say, pulling away.
My mom places a kiss on my cheek and moves inside the house. I hear, “Mama Jameson!” and then she’s hugging Theo, squealing as he spins her around. I want to be annoyed that Theo has a better relationship with my parents than I do, but I can’t. All I can do is smile at the best friend who’s managed to penetrate through my defenses and become my brother.
“Son.” Dad’s touch draws my attention away from Mom and Theo. “Dad.” Extending my hand for a gentlemanly greeting, he takes it and pulls me in for a hug, clapping me on the back a few times. “Good to see you again, Cade. You look … happy.”
I nod, staying silent. I’m afraid my voice may come out gravelly and well, less manly. So I go with a nod over his shoulder.
I am happy. Happier than I’ve been in a very long time.
Hours pass with several more guest arrivals. Lawson and Nicole are huddled close on the couch, laughing at the bullshit coming out of the guys’ mouths but more noticeably are the two newcomers that come to see Breck. Another Christmas gift from Anniston, Jess and Milos both flew out here to spend Christmas with Breck. The only family she claims. I never realized how much Breck relied on their friendship until seeing her with them, her face lit up, a gorgeous smile stretched from dimple to dimple … she’s absolutely stunning.
And happy.
“So, all of you guys are single, right?”
Jess is hilarious. She’s given Hayes a run for his money in smack talking. I think I even saw him blush at one of her crass remarks. Milos is calmer, and I nearly made a mockery of myself when I growled as he greeted Breck with a hug. He took it in stride, said something in Croatian I didn’t understand, but apparently Breck did because they both laughed and patted me on the back like it was a good try or something. I’m still not a huge fan of Milos, but so far his hands have kept to himself. A safe route for him.
A glass clinks several times in a row, drawing our attention to the heart of our family.
Anniston.
“I just wanted to say thank you all for being here today and celebrating our first real Christmas together as a family. Our lives have changed tremendously in two years. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve persevered together.” Anniston catches my eye. “Just like we always have. Theo and I are so grateful to call you family—”
“Speak for yourself, Ans.” Anniston cuts Theo a look of promised death if he says shit like that again. “Fine, I like you assholes a little bit,” he amends.
With a sigh, Anniston picks up where she left off. “As I was saying, we are so gratefu
l to be sharing this day with all of you since …” She looks at Theo. For support? Surely not. When has Ans ever needed moral support? My stomach clenches with a sense of doom. I knew being happy would not last long. “Since we are opening the new quarters to house more guys today.”
Whew.
We all clap and give a few dog-like barks in honor of the new space.
“I am happy to announce that even though I’ll be sad to not see his face every morning” —she flashes me a teary smile—“I’m honored that he’s agreed to take over the new barracks. Congratulations, Major Jameson, you have been promoted to commander.”
Everyone claps and whistles while Breck squeezes my hand in celebration. Breck and I are moving out today. It’s only into another building on the property, but it seems monumental. I’ve struggled with the idea for months, but Anniston pushed, like she always does, and gave me the encouragement I needed to do it.
I’m ready to lead another team.
I’m ready to give back to others. I owe it to Drew and Bennett and the rest of my fallen team.
I owe it to Anniston.
I owe it to myself.
“Quiet down.”
Everyone shushes and gives Anniston the floor once more. “I couldn’t be prouder of you, Cade.” She takes a deep breath and looks around the room. “I have one more announcement to make before we open gifts.” A tear falls down her cheek, and Theo stands, wrapping her in his arms. “We’re gonna have a baby.”
Silence.
“I’m pregnant,” she tries again.
Silence.
“Congratulate us, fuckheads!” We all clap after Theo’s demand, Breck and my parents more excited than anyone. But for me and the guys … we’re all terrified. Is this the end for us? Will Anniston want to get out of the lifestyle we have to raise the baby in a more normal environment? The thought has me nauseated.
Anniston breaks the awkward congratulations. “I know what you’re thinking.”
I highly doubt it, but damn if it doesn’t make me feel shittier for being selfish and not wanting her to move on and have a life without us.