by Pandora Snow
"Damn, that's good to hear." Drake was an excellent medic but kept his personal life to himself. We bonded as soldiers but not as close friends. Regardless, knowing he's alright is a relief, a positive ending to this otherwise shitty day.
"Drinks tomorrow night," Everett says as he walks out the door. Everett is a good man. Maybe I am too.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Sergeant Hayes?" a woman calls as I wearily close the truck door. I'm not even in the center yet, and already I'm consumed with dread. I turn to greet a woman walking over to me from the left. She's holding a medium-sized cardboard box.
"Yes, Maam," I respond, her eyes red and stained with tears. I know the feeling.
"Hi," she says quietly. "I'm Holly, Pete's girlfriend."
The waves of sadness roll from her body to mine, having experienced unthinkable loss first-hand in Iraq.
"I'm sorry to bother you. I recognized you from Pete's description.
His favorite part of the day was therapy. You have no idea how important your compassion and support was to him, even if only for a week. Though he'd never admit it, stubborn ass," she half laughs.
"Please accept my deepest regrets, Holly. Pete was a good man and a dedicated soldier. He pushed me to my limits a couple of days last week, but he always displayed the courage to overcome his disability."
She hands me the box and wipes the falling tears from her eyes.
"There isn't much here, but I thought these knee braces could be used for another soldier in need."
"I'll make sure of it, Maam. On behalf of the U.S. Army, please accept our deepest sympathies. Private Mahoney will not be forgotten. Thank you."
My heart is breaking all over again for another lost soldier. As I walk in the building, I realize I cannot save them all, and that's not my job. My job is to use my medic and therapy skills to be the best soldier I can be at this moment, with whomever God puts in front of me.
I need Christine. I need her to listen to me as I open up a small part of my heart and allow the self-judgment of not saving Private Hampton to finally be released. I fight back the tears as I walk down the hallway, unsure if she'll see me.
Her back is to the door as I barge in her office, still carrying the package. The familiar sound of sniffles and crying fill my ears as I walk around her desk and turn her to face me.
"Hey," I say softly, setting down the box, my hands gently pulling her into a loose embrace. "What's wrong?"
For the second time in ten minutes, red tear-stained eyes look with sorrow into mine. Her arms encircle my neck, and she pulls me tightly against her. She's holding firmly to the back of my head like she'll never let go.
"It's alright, baby," I soothe, her lax body melting what little walls I had left around my emotional fortress.
"You're so sweet," she says in a whisper, looking into my exposed face, my love for her plain to see.
The gentle kiss she places on my faltering lips sends shivers down my spine. I hold myself still in the moment, allowing her the freedom to express herself and feel my protective energy.
"I overheard your conversation in the parking lot. I was sitting in my car," she finally says, another sublime kiss warming every last cell of my vulnerable body.
"Your empathetic words made Holly feel better and brought her comfort. I could see the appreciation on her face."
Pure bliss courses through me as I place my right hand along her cheek and make a proper deep connection with our mouths. We're unaware of the rest of the world, our two hurting hearts finding their way back to center.
"Sergeant Hayes!" a voice booms from the doorway. "My office. Now!"
Commander Brigham walked in on our intimate exchange. I'm not sure how much trouble I'm in. If Christine will allow me back into her life, it doesn't matter.
"I have to go," I say hesitantly, releasing my flushed body from hers. I hear her ask me to call later as I proceed out the door.
Commander Brigham is sitting on the edge of his desk with his arms crossed.
"Close the door, Sergeant," he orders.
"Yes, Sir," I reply, panic rushing through me. I may lose my job over that kiss.
"I regret to inform you Private Pete Mahoney committed suicide yesterday."
"Yes, Sir. I know," I reply, my eyes blank, still unsure if I'm being fired.
"How did you find out so quickly?" he asks in a shocked tone. Bad news travels even faster than good news among soldiers.
"One of the men I served with in Iraq called me. Also, I ran into his girlfriend in the parking lot a few minutes ago. She's giving us this box of knee braces. I expressed my deepest sympathies on behalf of the U.S. Army, Sir."
His hands rub harshly over his face. Commanders have to deal with these types of tragedies regularly. For the first time, I feel honest compassion from a superior officer.
"You know, my first instinct is to fire you, Hayes. Jesus, you're kissing your therapist at work, and you're still under her care?" His face is red with stress, but his angry tone has mellowed ten degrees.
"No, Sir, we're not in a relationship at this time. Dr. Fletcher overheard my conversation in the parking lot with Private Mahoney's girlfriend. She was brought to tears by this tragedy. I was comforting her. I plan to ask for an appointment this afternoon to discuss my feelings about the loss."
"Christ," he mutters. This is the most humanity I've seen the Commander express. Maybe feelings aren't a sign of weakness.
"This never gets any easier, losing a soldier. Proceed through your schedule today and make that appointment with Dr. Fletcher. Dismissed."
"Thank you, Sir," I reply, offering a firm handshake, an acceptance of the tragedies of war passing between us.
There's no time to find Christine, the center packed with patients in need. News of Pete's death is starting to circulate, each man dealing with their inner demons in their own individual way.
My brief exchange with Christine this morning is no guarantee she wants to date me again. She needed comforting, and I was there. Maybe it's best if I wait until tomorrow to have my next session.
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Over here!" Snake calls. It looks like they've been through three to four beers without me. I'll have to catch up.
I weave through the crowded country bar, and Cyrus hands me a beer before my butt hits the stool. "I'm sorry to hear about Pete, Matthis. He was working for me part-time, just started last week. I feel the loss too."
I had no idea. He offers a somber toast as we clink to another day in the life of a medic.
"Thanks," I reply, three full swigs cooling my throat. Everett reminded me last night how much we have in common. I've always assumed my struggles were unique, but each one of us learns to manage abiding traumas the best way we know how.
"It looks like your day was as stressful as mine. I've got a fifty-thousand-dollar mistake to correct," Cyrus says in commiseration.
"It's been a ball buster," I breath out.
"Care to elaborate on exactly who's busting your balls?"
Snake never lets me off the hook. The bonds of service hood are unbreakable. He's still a jackass for asking.
"No," I growl. The second beer of the night is already touching my lips as I scan the crowd.
I nearly choke on the gulp halfway down my throat as I see Christine sitting at a small table with a decorated soldier, the Colonel she was with Sunday.
I look away and slam my bottle on the table.
"Easy bro," Cyrus says, "someone here you weren't expecting?"
"Christine," Snake says, pointing her out to Cryus, my face burning red as she gives them a small wave.
"Fuck guys," I snarl at them, my bad mood resurfacing with a roar.
"He hasn't asked her for a second date yet," Snake says, "chicken shit, I think. Can't take the competition." He's smiling at me with a wicked grin.
"Fuck off," I retort, the smell of peonies suddenly consuming my nostrils.
"Good Evening, Matthis," Christine says in a soft voi
ce, the intimidating Colonel directly behind her.
"I'd like you to meet my father, Colonel Maxum Fletcher."
My mouth falls open as Snake kicks my stool to stand up.
"It's an honor to meet you, Colonel Fletcher, Sir," I say, his handshake as formidable as his presence.
"This is the Sergeant you were telling me about, Christine?" he asks in a serious tone, his disapproval evident as he looks to her for an answer.
"Daddy, please, don't scare him away. Yes, this is Sergeant Hayes." Her smile is wide as she looks at me with joy, proud of me. She's actually proud of me and my position. My mind is spinning with possibility as the Colonel directs me to join their table. I'm starting to believe I am good enough for her, if she'll still have me.
Snake makes a rude sexual gesture with his fingers as we walk over to their table. We spend the next twenty minutes discussing my service and my current position at the Rehab Center. Colonel Fletcher is smitten with his beautiful daughter and lets me know his expectation in clear terms, should we choose to continue dating.
I escort them to the parking lot, praying Christine will let me come over and apologize, maybe even stay the night.
"It was an honor to meet you this evening, Colonel Fletcher, Sir. Goodnight." I shake his hand firmly, and he gives Christine a fatherly kiss on the cheek.
"We'll speak tomorrow," he instructs his smiling daughter. He starts the engine of his special edition Lexus and drives away.
"He liked you," she grins widely, her arms wrapping around my waist, her chin tipping up to offer me her sweet lips.
The immeasurable level of emotion I've experienced during the last forty-eight hours bursts forth as I passionately devour her. She meets my mouth with equal desire, anxious to continue what we started this morning. I have a sneaking suspicion she arranged for me to meet her father tonight. I need to know for sure.
"Did you bring your father to the bar tonight, just to meet me?" I kiss her eyelids inch by inch, my hands gently pressing her supple body against mine.
"Yes," she answers immediately. "Daddy can be tough on my dates. I figured this casual bar would ease some of the tension. He's very protective."
"So am I," I whisper, tightening my hands on her appealing hips. "I'll fight for you."
Our tongues dive deeply into each other's willing mouths, the breathless sound of her sighs loosening the knots I've kept tied up inside.
"I'm honored you went to such effort. Does this mean you agree to continue dating me? Even after I behaved like a complete coward?"
My erection can't resist pulsing against her stomach, the gasp from her mouth delighting my inflamed body.
"Depends," she pulls back, leaving my mouth empty of her taste.
"On what?" I growl, spiraling out of control with every throb and pulse.
"On whether or not you're willing to find a new therapist. I believe there's a conflict of interest between my personal and professional life when it comes to you."
"I want to be your entire life, Christine," I declare, a tear gracing the corner of her eye.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I behaved like a coward Friday night and walked out. The loss I've experienced in the last few days has taught me how quickly life passes by. I promise to be honest and forthright with my feelings from this moment forward, in all aspects of my life."
"I know how deeply you were hurting, Matthis. Thank you for apologizing, I needed to hear those words from you. You have my unconditional support."
I'm not sure if it's humanly possible for two souls to be more deeply connected than we are right now. A layer of sadness, guilt, and relief lift from my shoulders. I feel a growing sense of freedom and possibility, this woman in my arms opening my mind and my heart to lasting love.
"Will you spend the night with me?" I ask against her lips, my urge to hold her and never let go driving my decisive actions.
"Take me home, Matthis," she answers. I won't walk out on her again. Not ever. This time is for keeps.
CHAPTER NINE
The drive to my apartment is mercifully short. Christine's left hand fingers are teasing my swelling cock, lightly tracing the outline with her nails. I give her strict orders to maintain her position. Much to my delight and arousal, that's exactly what she's doing.
My place is modest and clean, though the lingering smell of fast food and beer from last night still hangs in the air.
"I'm hungry," she says, catching me completely off guard as she walks through the door.
I lock the deadbolt behind us and stare longingly at her confident shapely figure. The clicks of her heels on my wood floors match my heartbeat's pace, gratitude flowing through me for this second chance to earn her love.
She walks over to the sparse refrigerator and opens the door. Other than bottles of beer and a few condiments, my stock is depleted. I realize this was another sign of my inability to commit, keeping my food supply low in case of a hasty exit.
My hot luscious doctor is up to something, though it's tough to concentrate with her curvy round ass swaying back and forth in front of me.
"This will do quite nicely," she says, turning around with a can of whipped cream in her devious hand. Oh, hell, yes.
My overheating frame overtakes her, pressing her securely against the appliance door. I taste her unabashed desire, willing and able to allow herself to be taken. My confidence is on point tonight, the sentiment of introducing me to her father resonating joy from within. She must see long-term potential with me to take this vital step. The feeling is absolutely mutual - time to dazzle her body with mine.
"Did you ask permission to go poking around my refrigerator, Dr. Fletcher?"
"No," she purrs, smirking with her mouth and her eyes.
"Then you shall receive a punishment befitting of the crime."
"On. Your. Knees."
Her hands reach out for my zipper as I chastise her enthusiasm. It's hard to deny Christine anything when her expression is pure salacious want.
"Hands behind your back," I direct, her eyes glazing over with lust, beyond eager to comply.
I free my constricted cock from my worn jeans and boxer briefs, giving myself a few slow, methodical strokes as she stares in anticipation. I take the can of whipped cream from the counter a put a small amount on my tingling head. The excited look in her eyes and licking of her lips spontaneously jerks a small amount of precum into the foam.
Good God, she hasn't even touched me yet.
"I'm a dirty man Christine. Lick me clean." I press my tip onto the soft bottom lip of her open mouth, releasing my hand as she sucks me against her tongue.
My fingers weave hungrily through her silky hair to match the rhythm of her generous mouth. Her shining eyes look up into mine, the pleasure increasing as I move into her throat more deeply. I look down to see her swollen breasts and hardened nipples bouncing between us, crying to be set free from her bra's entrapment. She's so fucking sexy I'm losing all control.
"Stop now, baby, if you don't want me to come in your mouth."
I groan deep in my chest, only a few seconds from coming completely undone. My hesitation spurs her to double down on the pace of her libidinous sucks. Her teeth-baring against me as I'm against the back of her throat is all it takes to burst into a sensational orgasm.
She gags slightly, and her victorious eyes water as my spurting cum slowly subsides. Her soft tender licking and sighs of satisfaction melt my heart as I keep my eyes squeezed tightly shut, this moment scalded into my memory.
Her lips release my spent cock, and I pull her up against my chest. I passionately kiss her despite my taste in her mouth.
"I think that was a reward, not a punishment," she smiles, my hands methodically sweeping up and down her relaxed body.
"Thank you, baby," I whisper reverentially. "Thank you for giving me a second chance to be the man you deserve. I won't let you down, ever again." My arms are entirely around her shoulders, her head resting on my chest. The soft caressing of her hands o
n my back signifies her full agreement to be mine.
"I know you won't, Matthis. I felt the sincerity and genuine goodness from your heart the moment we met, when I literally fell into your arms. You needed some time to process your emotions, but I knew we had a connection worth pursuing. You make me feel safe, protected, and cherished. You're everything a girl could ask for."
"Everything?" I ask, lifting an eyebrow.
"Everything," she replies. "Now, get your Sergeant ass in the bedroom and prove it to me."