MILITARY ROMANCE: The War Within Himself (Alpha Bad Boy Marine Army Seal) (Contemporary Military Suspense & Thriller Romance)

by Claire Branson

  And now, Hunter's dream was almost a reality. He only had to make it through two more phases of training and if all went as planned, he would be a Navy Seal. Taking his dream even further, his hope was to be assigned to the Team 3 Platoon. That is what he had been training for almost all of his life.

  He wasn’t worried about the next phase although it was seven weeks long. It was the water combat training, and Hunter was as comfortable in water as a fish. He knew it wouldn’t be as simple as just swimming. However, he was confident that he would exceed expectations in this department. It wasn’t easy by any means, and there were times he struggled. But in the end, he persevered and finished as one of the top performers.

  With his confidence still reeling from his success in the water combat training, he entered the next phase with a positive attitude. Those next seven weeks flew by and before he knew it, the end was approaching. It was bittersweet. He was excited to be finished and to be able to say that he was a Navy Seal. He had been dreaming about this moment for so long!

  However, he had made some great friends during this adventure, and most of them would be going their separate ways soon. They would be assigned a platoon and off they would go to start training again. But this time they would be training for the real thing. They would be training for deployment. When Hunter thought about going to fight in a real war, he felt anxious, but in a good way. He actually wanted to put his skills to good use. He couldn’t wait to be out there defending his country! To him, it was a rewarding career he was definitely looking forward to.

  When the day finally came and Hunter was officially a Navy Seal, he had never been more proud in his life. And when he found out he was to be assigned to Navy Special Warfare Team Three, his excitement tripled! He had reached his goals he had set out to achieve. He was ready to prove his loyalty to the Navy and to his county.

  Hunter and his team were almost immediately sent to their base in Coronado, California. And from there, they trained hard every day preparing for the day they would get word of deployment. It didn’t take very long.

  Within two months of settling in, Team Three received the orders. They were going to be stationed in Iran and would find out more details in the upcoming weeks. The exact date wasn’t set, but they were instructed to be ready to leave at any given time. Hunter was filled with excitement and a little bit of anxiousness at this news. This is what he had been working for.

  The evening of the deployment announcement, as Hunter was getting ready for bed, his mind was racing. He had done a lot of research on the Middle East, but he knew it would be a whole different story to actually experience the harsh conditions he would be living in. He was so lost in thought that it took him a minute to realize someone was talking to him.

  “Hey Fish Boy! Earth to Fish Boy!” one of Hunter’s bunkmates was trying to get his attention by calling him the good-natured nickname he had acquired after completing his water combat with such high honors.

  Hunter laughed and asked, “What’s up Nick? Did you drop you toothbrush in the toilet again?”

  “Ha ha, very funny!” Nick said with a grin. “No, this time I dropped yours in there!” he declared. “I’m kidding! I’m just checking to make sure you are coming out with us to celebrate tomorrow night.”

  “Yea, I suppose,” Hunter answered with exaggerated disinterest. In reality, he was actually looking forward to going out and letting loose a little bit. He had been working so hard and though it was definitely time for a small break.

  “Oh, whatever! You know you can’t wait to put down some beers and check out the ladies! We’re leaving here at nine, so be ready”

  Hunter replied with a smile, “I will be ready to kick back and relax. That’s for sure!” And as he settled into bed, he thought about just that. He was ready for a laid back night of fun. He had no idea how his life was about to change completely in just one night.

  Hunter made it through the day with the approaching night out still on his mind. He started to get ready at about eight, taking time to shave before his shower. He wore a tight white shirt that showed off his golden tan and rippling muscles, and a pair of dark blue jeans that fit just right.

  He was just splashing on some cologne when he heard Nick calling for him. “Hey Fish Boy! Ya ready yet? Time to head out!”

  Hunter came through the door and replied, “Hell yes! Let’s roll!”

  Nick laughed and they started to head outside to meet the rest of the group. All 16 of them were going out, and they were all in great moods. The hard days of training left little time for nights like these. Actually, it left no time for nights like these. This was a rare occasion, and each one of them had decided to take full advantage of the freedom.

  It was a perfect night, temps in the low 70s with a nice, cool breeze flowing through the air. The ten minute walk to the bar flew by as they guys talked and joked getting more pumped by the minute. They were ready to order some drinks and check out the scene.

  When they arrived at the bar, they were slightly disappointed by the lack of people but realized it was early yet. They figured it would be bumping before too long. The establishment was actually bigger than it looked like from the outside. It housed a long half-oval bar, quite a few tables, two dart boards, a pool table and a large dance floor. The juke box was playing a Pink Floyd song when they walked in, and the cute bartender greeted them with a smile as they approached the bar.

  They all decided to start out with drinks and shots. Hunter ordered a beer and a shot of tequila, passing on the lime. They pushed some tables together and sat down to the make a toast.

  Anthony, the clown of the group, raised his shot up with a loud shout. “To getting the Hell away from Commander Monster!” He laughed as the rest of the group stifled their own laughter. His real name was Munster, but they all called him Monster behind his back because of his crazy temper. He could definitely be an ass. “Seriously, though,” Anthony continued, “To our first deployment! May we leave as a group of 16 and return as a group of 16!”

  Everyone in the group agreed to this, held up their shots, then drank them down quickly. Before too long, they were all broken off into groups. Some were carrying on serious conversations. Some were showing off at the pool table, some playing darts. There were even a few who had wandered over to the bar to flirt with the cute bartender.

  As the bar started to fill up, Hunter could not help but notice the absolutely beautiful women who had arrived with a female friend just a few minutes ago. Her skin was the color of a dark chocolate bar and looked as smooth as silk. Her lovely dark eyes were cat shaped and seemed to be hiding a wonderful secret. And those lips……Hunter had to look away before she caught him staring at those kissable lips.

  He didn’t look away quickly enough. Charlotte saw him and couldn’t help but smile as she noticed him checking her out. Once she was settled at the bar with her friend Amy, she carefully looked over at Hunter again making sure he wasn’t looking her way. She was impressed by his quiet manner, when most of the other guys in the bar were loud and rambunctious. Of course, his almost painfully handsome face and perfectly sculpted body didn’t hurt anything. As Charlotte and Amy ordered their drinks, she couldn’t help but secretly hope he would come up and talk to her.

  The two girls had been best friends for as long as they both could remember, so when Amy suggested a night out, Charlotte knew something was up. They weren’t ones to regularly hang out at the local watering holes. After some questioning by Charlotte, Amy finally confessed that she and her on again, off again boyfriend, Charles, were off again. Amy knew Charlotte wanted her to break ties with him permanently because of the ongoing drama so she had been reluctant to tell her. However, Charlotte being such a good friend agreed to go out with Amy at the very least to try and cheer her up. She was secretly hoping Amy would meet someone and that would be the end of Charles.

  Things were looking good after a few drinks and Amy had wandered off, “accidentally” running into one of the most hands
ome men in the bar. Even though Charlotte was a tad annoyed that Amy had left her alone, she was hoping that Amy and her new friend would hit it off. She was still thinking about it when she heard a voice to her right.

  “Is this seat taken, ma’am?” he spoke in a clear, deep voice.

  She was so caught off guard by how much more handsome he was up close that it took her a few seconds to answer. “Um, well no. Apparently my friend has abandoned me for the night. I guess the seat is free for the taking.” She smiled as he sat down and ordered drinks for both of them before introducing himself.

  “I’m Hunter. Hunter Smith. It is a pleasure to meet you………um….?”

  “Charlotte, my name is Charlotte Sandusky. It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Hunter. What brings you to this fine establishment tonight? I, myself, was dragged here, against my will, by my best friend Amy, who as you can see, no longer has any use for me.”

  Seeing the smile in her beautiful eyes, Hunter laughed and faked a sympathetic grin. “Sounds like you need to find a new best friend. Where do I apply?”

  Charlotte laughed along easily with him and before long, they were in deep conversation. Charlotte barely noticed when Amy showed up beside them and started introductions.

  “Charlotte, this is Nick. Nick, Charlotte. And who is this? Your new best friend?” Amy giggled as Nick put his arm around her waist.

  “Amy, this is Hunter, Hunter, Amy. And yes, he is my new best friend since my old one left me all alone at the bar to fend for myself.”

  When the ladies introduced the guys, they pretended not to know each other and played along just for fun. Hunter was a little bit disappointed when Nick suggested a game of pool, but only because he wanted more time alone with Charlotte. The girls seemed delighted about the idea, but deep inside, Charlotte felt the same way as Hunter. She was really enjoying their encounter and didn’t want it to end. She hoped after the game, they could continue where they left off without another interruption.

  Hunter and Nick were both great at pool. The ladies, not so much. But it was a fun game with lots of laughs and some good natured showing off. The guys finally admitting to know each other and had a good laugh about it. Nick and Amy won, but not easily. They did a little victory dance while Charlotte and Hunter laughed at them. Nick whispered in Amy’s ear and she announced to Charlotte, “We are both pretty tired. I think we are heading out. Do you want to share a cab with us or are you going to stay?”

  Charlotte looked at Hunter, and just as she was about to speak, he gently placed his arm around her shoulder and said, “I can make sure she gets home safely.” Then he looked at Charlotte and said with a smile, “Of course, if that is ok with you.”

  Although Charlotte knew she should probably call it a night, she couldn’t say no to Hunter. She knew she had just met him but she felt a connection to him and wanted to know more about his life. She was really enjoying the night, mostly thanks to him. She didn’t want it to end yet.

  So she stayed. Amy gave her a hug and off she went with Nick. Charlotte started to feel a little bit guilty for just letting her friend go off with a guy she barely knew until Hunter spoke up, “Don’t worry. I’ve known Nick for quite some time now. Your friend is safe with him. I promise.” And he grabbed her hand and gently walked to her to a small table in the corner, as far away from the bar chaos as possible. He couldn’t help but think about how wonderful her hand felt in his. Almost like it was meant to be there.

  Charlotte couldn’t help but feel the chemistry when Hunter took her hand. It felt good. She felt completely comfortable with him and it didn’t hurt that he was so easy on the eyes. He was a great listener and she found herself telling him things she would never tell a stranger. She confessed how scared she had been when she left her job in New York to accept a more prestigious position in California. She told him a little bit about her job, but didn’t want to bore him with fashion details. He seemed interested and even asked her questions about the pieces she was currently working on.

  Hunter was a great story teller, so Charlotte also enjoyed listening to him talk. She especially loved hearing the hilarious stories that had to do with him growing up with three older sisters. He left out the parts where he was miserable after they all three were out of the house and he had to deal with everything himself. He wasn’t quite ready to share that part of his life with anyone just yet. Though he did open up a little bit about his mother and her alcoholic lifestyle.

  Charlotte listened with interest and felt so bad for him when he talked about his mother. It was brief, but she could hear the hurt and anger in his voice when he described a typical day in the life of his mother. He quickly changed the subject by making her laugh and the anger was forgotten.

  It felt like they had only been sitting there for moments when they both heard the bartender yell, “Last call! You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here! Last call!”

  Charlotte laughed at the creative saying and looked to Hunter. He laughed with her and then turned serious and took her hands in his. “I don’t want this to end, Charlotte. Honestly, I’ve had an amazing night.”

  Charlotte felt exactly the same way. And when she thought of never seeing him again, a feeling almost like panic ran through her. How often did she meet someone like Hunter? Someone who made her feel completely at ease, made her laugh, and gave her butterflies? Never. Right then and there Charlotte decided that there was no way she was letting the night end at the bar.

  She gave Hunter a shy smile and finally said in a low voice, “It doesn’t have to end. You could come with me to my place. We could make a frozen pizza and watch a movie.”

  “You had me at pizza!” Hunter said with a huge smile.

  They both laughed and walked out the door together hand in hand. Both were smiling as they comfortably made their way to her apartment. They could have taken a cab, but it was only five blocks away and the night was beautiful. All the way there, all Charlotte could think about was kissing him.

  Hunter was waiting for the perfect moment. He could almost feel her soft lips on his. He had never wanted to kiss someone so badly in his entire life. He tried to concentrate on what she was saying but his eyes kept moving to those sexy lips. Somehow he managed to keep it together and participate in the conversation while she unlocked her apartment door and they took off their shoes.

  But as soon as she put down her purse and hung up her keys, they both came together as if a magnetic force was pulling them toward each other. At the same exact time, they were both moving in for the kiss of a lifetime. It was everything they had both expected and more. It started out slow and sweet, but by the time it was finished they were both out of breath.

  Charlotte giggled nervously and finally spoke the only word that came to mind, “Wow.” Her brain felt like mush and she just knew she had a goofy grin on her face. The same goofy grin Hunter now wore.

  Laughing, Hunter pulled him towards her, gave her another quick kiss and said, “Yes. Wow.” Now they were both laughing.

  When the marathon of laughter finally ended, Charlotte asked him if he still wanted that pizza. Even though pizza was the last thing on both of their minds. Hunter, not wanting to be rude, told her that if she was hungry and wanted to make the pizza he would eat with her.

  “I’m actually not that hungry anymore,” Charlotte said with a sexy grin. She waited for his reaction and when he grabbed her hand, she led him to her bedroom.

  Hunter took her beautiful face in his hands and kissed her so passionately, her knees felt week. She returned the kiss with the same passion she felt. As the kiss deepened, his hands moved to her waist and he slowly lifted off her shirt. His mouth moved down her neck and finally settled near the tops of her breasts. He very softly kissed just above her hard nipples, still covered with her bra. Charlotte tilted her head back with anticipation and quietly moaned.

  Hunter moved his hands from where they were roaming near her ass, and unhooked her bra. As he slowly removed it completely, his
mouth got closer and closer to her nipple. He undid her pants and slid them down her luscious hips. As she stepped out of them, he gently laid her on the bed.

  “Naughty girl, huh? No panties?” Hunter spoke as he smiled at her.

  “Oops!” Charlotte answered with a sweet giggle. The truth was that she rarely ever wore underwear. It made her feel sexy, and who didn’t want to feel sexy? But she didn’t tell him that. She just smiled sweetly and he laughed at her.

  “I love it!” Hunter declared, and still laughing leaned over to switch on the lamp. “I want to be able to see you. Is that alright?” he asked.

  Staring up at him with wide eyes, she simply answered, “Yes.” Even when he looked her slowly up and down without saying a word, she was alright with it. She waited for him to say something.

  When he finally spoke, he did so with absolute adoration, “Charlotte, you are so beautiful.”

  All Charlotte could think of the say was, “Thank you.” And she laid her head back down on the pillow, still smiling as he gently kissed her feet. He slowly made his way up her legs and kissed her thighs. As his mouth got closer to its intended spot, Charlotte had to remind herself to breathe. And she couldn’t help but let out a sigh when his tongue started giving her pleasure. He started by licking the insides of her lips, slowly up and down. By the time he started sucking on her clit, she was wet enough for him to move his fingers inside of her. He slid them in and out as he nibbled and sucked on her.

  Just when she felt like she was going to explode, she grabbed his hair and begged, “Please, Hunter. I want to feel you inside of me. Now.”

  He looked up at her with bedroom eyes and slowly made his way over top of her. Charlotte moaned with satisfaction as he gently slid inside of her. She moved her hips in rhythm with him as he pumped in and out getting deeper and deeper. Once they found the perfect spot, they slowed down and thoroughly enjoyed the sheer pleasure they had created.