by Dahlia Rose
My Daddy is a Hero: Gunnery Sergeant Aidan Brooks
Copyright © April 2012 Dahlia Rose
Cover Art by For the Muses Design
ISBN 978-1-936668-78-6
All rights are reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Chapter One
The nightclub in Charlotte, North Carolina was jumping. Maybe it was because it was filled with Marines on leave or because it was the perfect Saturday night where the wind was cool and you could smell summer in the air. Twenty-seven-year-old Cherish Walker already had her guy and he was a definite keeper. They clicked from the time he asked her to dance and he was at the bar getting them a few drinks while she sat at the table with his buddy. Gunny Aidan Brooks was sexy as hell with green eyes that held laughter and a jaw line that looked as if it was sculpted by the gods. He was thirty four and had a career in the military, first signing up when he was eighteen years old. His arms were huge, and she could imagine being held in them. If she even thought about his abs, they wouldn’t get past the drinks. His buddy, on the other hand, was a slime ball. Jose Rodriguez knew full well that she had a thing for Aidan yet he still insisted on hitting on her behind his friend’s back. It was like he couldn’t understand why she liked Aidan over him, and as the night progressed she liked him less and less.
“So when are you going to let me take you home?” Jose asked.
“The twelfth of never,” she answered instantly. “Listen, can’t you see I’m into your friend?”
Jose laughed. “Can’t you see I could give you a better ride than he ever could, baby?”
He reached out to touch her hand and Cherish gave him a cold look. “If you touch me I’ll taser you in the balls and fry those boys.”
Jose grinned, but it didn’t travel to his eyes. “Okay, baby, I get when I’m not wanted.”
“Obviously not,” she retorted and got up to find Aidan. “Don’t wait up for your friend; we’ll be hanging out all night.”
“Bitch.”
Even over the music she heard his words. Cherish knew that Jose wanted her to hear him, but didn’t care. She met Aidan in the middle of the crowded dance floor and stood on her tippy toes to kiss him. He put the drinks he was holding on the table closest to him and pulled her in for a searing kiss that left her breathless.
When he broke the kiss, she whispered close to his ear so he could hear her. “I don’t usually do this. In fact, I never have, but I feel a connection with you. Aidan, come back to my place.”
“Let me just tell Jose I’m out.” His green eyes darkened with desire.
“I already told him we were leaving.” Cherish took his hand and pulled him out into the cool Charlotte night.
The streets were pulsating with people and music as they walked.
Aidan put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer before teasing, “You’re not using me as a one night stand, are you?”
“Do I look like that type of girl?” Cherish asked.
“You never know. You might just want me for my righteous body,” Aidan said.
“Righteous?” Laughter spilled from Cherish’s lips. “Trust me. I want more than that.”
“Good because when we head out in the morning, I want to see my e-mail inbox filled with messages from you while I’m gone,” Aidan said. “I’ll call you whenever I can.”
“Don’t all the soldiers heading out say that for a night of sex with an unknown woman?” Cherish questioned.
“I don’t,” he said huskily. “I feel something with you, and I’d like to see where it goes. Plus, you invited me, remember?”
“That’s because I’m a woman who knows what she wants,” Cherish said, wrapping her arms around his waist. “And I want you.”
Another two blocks to the second ward area of Charlotte and they arrived at her place. It was in one of the new high rise condo units that were built around the city. And the cost was upwards of three hundred thousand dollars. Cherish had bought her condo for the full price, paid in full.
Aidan whistled. “You live here? The rent must be out of this world.”
“I own my place,” Cherish replied and used her key card to get into the lobby.
“Maybe I should ask what you do for a living.” Aidan followed her inside.
“I’m a clothing designer, and I own my own boutiques.”
“I’d like see your work sometime.” Aidan kissed her fingers before they took the stairs. “I knew these hands were perfect for a reason.”
Cherish shook her head. “You are completely different than the other men I know. Most guys are uncomfortable that I make more money than they do.”
He shrugged. “If a man can’t be secure in himself, it’s on his head. If he’s not happy, he should go for his dream. You did it and good show. Why would I fault you for being successful?”
Cherish felt a little breathless and it wasn’t because of taking the stairs. Aidan Brooks was that perfect fit she had been looking for in her life. The thought of him going away to Afghanistan caused tears to prick her eyes. They would make tonight special, and then they would have time to learn about each other from thousands of miles away. She had never been one to believe in love at first sight, but then she met Aidan and love seemed to punch its way into her heart.
Once they got to the fourth floor they walked down a lushly carpeted hallway. She stopped at room 419, unlocked the door, and led Aidan inside. When the door snapped shut behind him, she looked up and felt her heart hitch as she gazed into deep, bottomless green eyes. He took one step forward and she took one step back. A sexy smile spread across his face as he moved again. Their little dance continued until she was up against the wall next to her bedroom door.
“Where are you going to go now?” he growled softly.
“I guess you caught me,” Cherish said seductively.
He chuckled as he lowered his head to hers and their lips met. Cherish dug her fingers into his hair and felt like she was holding electricity in the palm of her hand. Every part of her tingled as she touched him and their tongues parried and played. The barrier of their clothing kept her flesh from meeting his. Cherish pressed her body closer to his, wanting to feel more. As he kissed her, he undid the tiny row of buttons on her halter top blouse and trailed his mouth down her neck to her breasts. She gasped as his hot mouth closed over her nipple while he took the other smooth mound in his hand and rubbed the nipple with his thumb.
“I want to be naked so you can touch me everywhere,” she panted.
“I’ll get there, but not quite yet,” he murmured.
His breath was hot on her stomach as his tongue paved a path around her belly button and she felt his hands underneath her short skirt, cupping the cheeks of her ass. She worked at the zipper and buttons and the fabric pooled at her feet. Aidan was on his knees and he looked up at her with dark desire in his eyes. His eyes never left hers as he parted her legs and rubbed her clit through the fabric of her panties. Her hips arched towards his fingers, seeking more of the pleasure he offered. He gave her more than that—he bent his head and she felt his mouth on her through her panties. Cherish whimpered and held his head to her. She wanted to feel his mouth on her skin.
She pulled her panties down until they fell around her ankles. “There, now you can take all you want.”
He gave a soft growl in the back of his throat, one that made her shiver with need. His hot mouth pressed against the shaved skin of her pussy and she bucked against him. His tongue licked between the folds of flesh before he spread the lips of her pussy and sucked on her clit. She wanted to slide down the wall as sheer pleasure coursed through her
. As if sensing the weakness in her knees, he removed his mouth to pull her down to the floor with him. He kissed her, his lips and tongue demanding entrance into her mouth and she could taste her essence on his lips.
“You taste sweet, like peaches. I think I’m addicted,” he teased.
She struggled with his shirt, and he moved away long enough to drag it over his head and toss it aside. She didn’t care that they were on the floor outside her bedroom and not on her king-sized bed. Looking at his hard muscled body, she could practically feel her mouth watering.
“I want you completely naked,” she demanded.
He took the rest of his clothes off and came back to her on the carpeted floor. “Should we head to your bedroom?”
“If you can wait that long,” Cherish teased, feeling wanton, and ran her hand down her body. “I don’t think I can.”
“Damn, I’m the luckiest man in the world meeting you,” he said huskily and nipped at her lips.
“I like hearing that.” Cherish stroked his shoulders. “Show me how much.”
The next kiss seared him into her senses until nothing else mattered. His hands stroked and massaged her body until she hungered for him even more. Cherish felt his hand delve between her legs and cup the mound of her pussy. His finger stroked and teased between the wet slit before penetrating her with his finger and she moaned against his mouth.
She lifted her head and watched as he used his fingers to please her. “Damn, you’re so tight and wet.”
“Oh, Aidan, please,” she moaned.
“Please what?” His husky voice was against her ear. “Tell me what you need, baby girl.”
“Use your fingers to make me come,” Cherish pleaded.
“Look at me. I want to see you go over that edge.”
She couldn’t resist even if she wanted to. Cherish was drawn to the green-eyed gaze of her sexy soldier. In her heart she already considered Aidan hers and opened herself up to him completely. “Oh, God, yes,” she cried out as he buried his fingers deep inside her. But Aidan was going to drive her mad, because he moved his fingers in a slow, deliberate way.
He kept that pace until she begged. “Harder. I need more!”
“You’re a very bad girl. You want to come all over my hand, don’t you?” The need was now evident in his voice as he spoke.
“Yes. Oh, yes, Aidan,” she panted and her hips followed the rhythm of his hands.
His cock was hard as steel and pressed against her thigh. She stroked his length, hoping to give him as much pleasure as he was giving her. Looking at his face, she could see he was excited and could feel it in the tense muscles of his body. He used two fingers now, sliding them deeper, faster and her head fell back as ecstasy coursed through her. She could feel the orgasm building inside her, tightening to the point she could hardly bear it, yet she craved more and didn’t want it to end. She spread her legs wider, taking more of his fingers. By now, she was not able to hold back and a cry escaped her lips. She dug her fingers into the soft carpet beneath her to anchor herself in the storm of passion that was crashing through her body. Her hips rose and fell in a frantic pace. She pushed against his fingers wildly as her body reached the pinnacle of desire. Drawn tight like a bow, and with a scream, the band of need inside her snapped and she orgasmed with his name on her lips.
“Oh, Cherish. Damn, baby, I could watch you do that a thousand times and it would always make me want to fuck you,” Aidan said roughly.
“My turn,” Cherish said. “I want to taste you.”
She pushed him back and knelt between his legs. She took the hard length of him in her hand and stroked, watching his neck arch and tense at her touch. A low moan escaped his lips at her ministrations. She bent low, licked the tip of his cock slowly then ran her tongue down the erect shaft. Inch by pleasurable inch, she took the entire length of him into her mouth. She sucked and swirled her tongue around the tip, tasting his pre-come and moaning as the taste of him sent a bolt of need through her wet pussy. Aidan grabbed her head and she slid his cock in and out between her lips.
“You are so good. God, yes, baby, show me how much you want me,” he groaned.
His body tightened and she loved watching the strong muscles of his thighs bunch and tense as she used her mouth to please him. He pulled away suddenly, breathing harshly and his eyes were dark with pleasure.
“If I didn’t stop you, I’d have come in your mouth and I plan to be buried deep inside you when that happens,” Aidan said.
He pulled her to her knees and devoured her lips in a kiss before he turned her around and bent her over. On her hands and knees she could feel his erection against her ass and wiggled in anticipation. Cherish moaned in excitement when she felt the tip of his cock against the entrance of her pussy. Aidan ran the tip of his cock up and down her slit until she moaned in frustration. With one smooth thrust he filled her and she cried out his name.
“Oh, Cherish, you feel so damn good,” he muttered.
This time he didn’t tease her; he pumped into her at a feverish pace that made her feel hot all over. The noises their bodies made as he took her were primal. He reached around to cup her breasts while he fucked her. “Yes, yes, yes,” Cherish chanted the words over and over again. The pleasure had built up again to a point where it could hold no longer and took her over the edge. She came hard and still the sensation and pleasure continued, one after the other in waves that seemed to never end. She’d never felt like this before; didn’t know her body could reach heights of ecstasy that Aidan was taking her to. Her pussy had become so wet, liquid ran down her thighs.
“Cherish, I can’t hold back,” he groaned. She felt his cock jump inside her as his thrusts increased.
“You don’t have to. Let go, Aidan.” She reached between her legs to cup his balls and squeezed them gently.
“Fuck yes!” With a loud, harsh cry, he grabbed her hips and pumped into her mercilessly. She felt his come fill her with each thrust until nothing was left and they both slumped to the carpet, sweaty, damp and completely sated in the aftermath of their coupling.
Aidan picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. “We finally made it to the bed,” he said and she giggled. In the bathroom connected to her room, he found towels and cleaned them both up before slipping between the sheets and pulling her into his arms. Cherish could see herself being held by him like this for the rest of her life. She slept in his arms, and they made love twice more that night and each time it was just as amazing as the first. She wished she could push the sunrise away when he got up to get dressed. She wanted the magical world they had created to last forever. She watched him as he dressed, and he knelt beside her on the bed and gave her a long, lingering kiss.
“You have my number, e-mail and everything, right?” he asked and then teased, “Don’t throw them away as soon as I’m out the door.”
“I would never do that. This thing between us is crazy and exciting.” She laughed and then caressed his cheek. “I want to see where it leads, so you better bring your butt home to me, soldier.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll call you when I get settled and send you a mailing address and all that. See you soon, peaches.”
“You’re really going to stick with that nickname, aren’t you?” She laughed.
“Damn right, and you’re mine,” he replied and kissed her once more. “Bye.”
She walked him to the door wrapped in a sheet. “Be safe,” she said as she locked the door behind him. Tears threatened to fall as she went back to the bedroom and lay back on the pillow that held his scent.
She had found the one, the perfect guy, and he had to leave for nine months. She hoped the time would fly by because she missed him already. She turned over and tried to get some sleep. Aidan’s face filled her dreams, and she welcomed it gratefully.
* * * *
Aidan finally got on the plane and looked down the aisle at all the seats. It was a sea of green—soldiers in uniform and it was
his platoon heading out for their tour in Afghanistan. For him, it was his third, but some of the faces were so new and fresh he felt sorry for them. He pushed that aside, telling himself that they knew what they had signed up for when they scribbled their name on the dotted line. Realistically, he knew none of them had a clue what to expect because no training could prepare them for what they were about to see. They wouldn’t be so innocent when they came back, and he was determined to make sure they all came back alive.
The bright spot was that he now had someone he would be coming home to. Cherish’s face flashed in his mind and he chuckled. He certainly didn’t expect to meet her and end up in her bed last night. Nor did he expect his heart to beat like a snare drum when he looked into her eyes. She was gorgeous; brown satin eyes and full lips that begged to be kissed. Her body was drop dead, make-your-cock-hard amazing. He recalled kissing all the way up those long, ebony legs and tasting her essence. He could still feel her skin beneath his hand; she was silky smooth. He couldn’t wait to see her again. Nine months seemed like a lifetime.
“You look like a cat that ate the cream,” Jose said from behind him.
“Yeah?” Aidan asked and grinned. “Maybe I did.”
“You tapped that too, huh? Good for you. You need a taste.” Jose started to move past him down the aisle, but Aidan put his hand on his shoulder to stop him.
“What do you mean ‘tapped that too?’” He didn’t know why he asked. He didn’t want to let whatever Jose was about to say ruin his good mood and his feelings for Cherish.
“I mean Friday night when I went out without you I hooked up with her in the same bar,” Jose replied. “I know I should’ve told you, but she is a sweet piece of ass, man. I thought you should sample it too before you head out. So I kept my mouth shut.”
Anger punched through him and he wanted to smash Jose’s face in for touching Cherish. How could he? He obviously didn’t know her like he thought he did, and on top of it she was a liar. If she slept with Jose and then him, she was not the woman he wanted in his life. Disappointment mixed with anger. You’re a fool, he berated himself. He was thinking he’d found something special and Jose tarnished it. He wasn’t that lucky, never was, and never would be.