A Soldier For Bella (Love Conquers Life #4)

by Alison Mello

  “It was good. I had a meeting with Carter to get him caught up on what’s been going on around the office and to brainstorm ideas for the TV fundraiser. How was your day?” he asks, pulling away to look into my eyes.

  “Completely exhausting and my feet are killing me.”

  “Dinner is just about done. After we eat, I’ll run you a bath and we can relax together.”

  I smile up at him. “Thank you.”

  I take a seat at the snack bar, where we often eat when it’s just the two of us. He hands me a bottle of water prior to pulling a roasted spaghetti squash out of the oven. Taking a fork from the drawer, he gets to work on shredding the squash and adding it to a pan he has on the stove top.

  When he’s finished, he hands me a plate of spaghetti squash mixed with diced tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, and chicken sausage. He truly is an amazing man.

  “Derek, this is delicious.”

  “Thank you. I knew you had a shoot today, and I assume after you sign the contract tomorrow you’ll have another, so I figured you’d want to eat healthy.”

  “I do. I need to get my butt back in the gym too. My trainer sent me a text to ask me where the hell I’ve been.” I make a facial expression that makes me look scared, and Derek laughs. “My trainer is this beast girl who is sure to kick my ass the next time I go in.”

  “Maybe you need a new trainer or a new form of exercise.” He wiggles his eyebrows. I shake my head, laughing. Then I get up to put my plate in the dishwasher.

  “Are you bathing with me?” I ask, walking toward the stairs.

  “Yes, I’ll be up in a minute. I’m going to clean up quickly. Why don’t you get it started?”

  As soon as I get into the bedroom, I sit on the bed and remove my shoes. I lay back on the bed to rest for a minute, but I must have dozed off because I wake to Derek nudging me.

  “Come on, love. I have the tub ready. Let’s take a bath.”

  I stretch on the bed. “I’m sorry, babe.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Come on.” He pulls me up, and I follow him into the bathroom.

  Once we’re both comfortable in the tub, he says, “Tell me about your day.”

  I chuckle. “Sid has already replaced his ex with a guy named Matthew.”

  “That was quick,” he says as he runs water over my body.

  “I know. He met him yesterday, and he happened to be the guy I was doing part of my shoot with today. He was wearing these summer shorts and a polo set that matched my outfits.”

  I continue telling him how they met. I follow that up by telling him about the weird guy that was at the shoot and the odd way he introduced himself to me. Actually, now that I think about it, he didn’t introduce himself. I lie still, thinking about him a bit more. I don’t remember this guy from any other shoots I’ve done, and I don’t remember him being someone that Brock hung with, but I suppose there’s a lot I don’t know about Brock.

  “What’s wrong, love?”

  “I guess I’m just trying to remember the weird guy, but I can’t place him. I suppose it’s because there’s stuff about Brock I just didn’t know.”

  “How did Jordan handle it?” he asks as he rubs a washcloth covered in soap over the front of my body. If I wasn’t so tired, I’d be turned on and want to jump his bones.

  “Poor guy was stressed out all day today. There were a lot of people at the shoot. He told me he was going to be talking to the agency about giving me added protection if things are going to be that busy.”

  I lay my head back against his chest. He kisses my temple. “Do you need to do anything before your meeting tomorrow?”

  “Nope, just dress professional and show up.”

  “Do you want to lie in bed and relax with your coloring books when we’re done? I’ll watch a movie or something on TV?”

  “That sounds great, babe,” I say with a yawn. I climb out of the tub, wrap myself in a towel, and then wrap my hair. He follows me out, quickly drying off and wrapping the towel around his waist. He scurries into the bedroom and a minute later, he returns with a pair of my sleep shorts and a tank top. I smile and thank him as I get dressed.

  When I get into the bedroom, the sheets are pulled down and my coloring stuff is set up with Derek already lying in bed with the TV playing. I climb in next to him, give him a quick kiss, and begin coloring. I need to clear my head so I can sleep.

  “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

  “You’re welcome, love.”

  I begin to color, but it doesn’t take long for sleep to overcome me. I can’t keep my eyes open, so I put the book aside and snuggle into Derek’s side, where I doze off to dreams of a happy life with him.

  Chapter 6

  Derek

  I hit my gym this morning because I haven’t been going and I need to stay in shape. Plus, I know Bella wants to start going again too, and I figure if she sees me going maybe it’ll help encourage her. She doesn’t quite enjoy the gym the way I do, but she knows she has to so she can keep that fine body of hers in shape for her shoots.

  As I walk into the room, ready to shower, Bella is stretching in bed.

  “Good morning,” she says to me with a smile.

  “Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?”

  “I did, and I was about to shower. It looks like I’m going to have some company with me.”

  His brows shoot up. “Is that a problem for you?”

  “Not at all. As a matter of fact, I’d much rather shower with you than alone.”

  “Good. That’s what I like to hear,” I say as I climb on top of her, lowering my lips to hers.

  She laughs and says, “Come on, stinky. Let’s wash that gym stank off of you.”

  “Stinky?” I ask, pulling her down the bed to tickle her. She’s squealing and laughing as she begs me to stop.

  “Derek, please stop. I have to use the bathroom,” she pants. I instantly stop because the last thing I want is for her to wet our bed. She jumps up and runs to the bathroom. I give her a minute, and then I go in to start the shower for us. While I strip, she climbs in and begins to wet her hair. I step in behind her, grabbing her shampoo. I squirt some into the palm of my hand and work it into her hair, massaging her scalp as I do. I love the way her shampoo smells. It’s fruity and light, and it smells amazing on her.

  “Mmm, that feels so good.” She groans, and her delicious sound makes my dick twitch.

  “Turn around, baby.”

  She does, and I instantly start running my fingers through her long, beautiful hair, rinsing all the shampoo out of it. Continuing the treatment, I move onto conditioner again, squirting some in my hand and massaging it into her scalp. This time she rinses it herself as I get my loofah and soap to begin scrubbing my “stank” off, as she says.

  While I’m all soapy, she rubs my chest, arms, and back. She works her way down to my ass, giving it a quick squeeze. Then she glides her hands over my hips to my cock. She takes it firmly in her hand and strokes it. It quickly responds to her touch, growing to a full erection. She backs up, pulling me toward the water by my cock. The water runs down my body, removing the soap.

  When she’s satisfied that it’s all been removed, she pushes me backwards, never removing her hand. She lowers herself to her knees and takes my full length into her warm, wet mouth. I moan as my cock twitches and I move my hips, fucking her mouth. My hand goes to her hair. She whimpers slightly as I lightly pull a handful. It amazes me how deep she can take me in the back of her throat. She’s moaning and licking the vein in my cock as my hips continue fucking her mouth.

  “Baby, I’m going to fucking lose it. I hope you’re ready.” She moans her answer and handles me like a champ. I bury myself one last time, emptying everything I have as she swallows me down.

  I pick her up, our mouths crash, and our tongues collide. I taste myself on her, and it’s an amazing way to start my day. She moans into my mouth as I grope her breasts, kneading and massaging. I’m getting rough with her, but I kn
ow she loves it.

  I run my hand down her stomach and into her folds to find she’s soaking wet for me. Using her juices I run my finger over her ass, pressing my finger into her tight hole. She moans as she sticks her ass out, giving me better access. I haven’t claimed her ass yet and though I plan too, I have to prepare her a bit more first. She told me she’s never been claimed there, but she seems to love it every time I work her over.

  My cock is slowly growing between us as I kiss her neck and finger her ass. She’s moaning as I kiss my way down the front of her body. I sit between her legs, removing my finger from her ass. I begin licking at her pussy, holding onto her hips as she nearly collapses on top of me.

  “Damn, Derek, I’m going to come.”

  I smile up at her. “That’s the plan, baby. Give it to me.”

  While I’m licking her clit, I stick my finger back in her ass, working her over. She’s so lost she doesn’t know what to do. I look up at her to see her holding onto the shower handle bar for dear life.

  “Oh my God,” she whines as her orgasm rips through her body. I’m devouring every last drop she gives me as her legs shake.

  Standing in the shower as I lick my lips clean of her delicious juices, she pulls on my cock and starts to stroke it. I put my hand over hers. “Oh no you don’t.” She backs up against the wall and smiles as I lower my lips to her. “Show me that ass,” I tell her, and like a good girl she bends over, spreading her legs as far apart as she can.

  I stick my fingers in her warm, wet pussy, only to remove them so I can lube her ass with her juices yet again. Once I have my finger inside her ass, spreading her, I slowly stick my cock inside her pussy. She’s moaning and panting at all the sensations she’s feeling right now. Holding onto her hip with my free hand, I start pounding my cock into her pussy as I fuck her ass with my finger.

  “That feels amazing.”

  She screams as I continue my assault on both her ass and her pussy. “Come on, Bella. Give me what I want. Let me feel that sweet pussy of yours squeeze my cock.”

  “Oh God, Derek,” she screams as her legs are about to give. I quickly catch her with both hands, holding her up as she rides out her orgasm on my cock.

  She slowly stands and shakes out her legs under the water. “That was just what I needed.” She giggles. “I’m now ready for my meeting with my agent today. Thank you.”

  I smile down at her. “You’re welcome. Tonight we’ll go for round two after we celebrate your new contract.”

  “I look forward to that,” she says as she begins to wash her body. She smiles as she watches me quickly wash up. I have to get my ass in gear or I’m going to be really late. I’m willing to bet Carter is at the office already trying to finish catching up from his honeymoon. I tried to tell him he was fine, but he’s being stubborn.

  “So, what’s on your agenda for today?” Bella asks, bringing me back to the now.

  “Well, Carter and I still have to come up with a fundraiser. I’m hoping he’s done some research. I also have to follow up with Tobey on that house we’re having issues with, but pretty much a basic day in the office.”

  “Good. So you should be home by six, like usual?”

  “Sure, why?” I ask her.

  “Well, I’m hoping to make us a nice dinner to celebrate the contract. I think a nice night at home with dinner and some romance is the perfect way to celebrate.”

  “I like how you think.”

  “I will be ready to romance you,” I say, stepping out of the shower so I can dress for work.

  I’m already dressed when Bella steps out of our bathroom.

  “Baby, I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you tonight after work. Good luck at your meeting.”

  “Thanks, babe. I’ll see you later.” She leans over, planting a soft kiss on my lips, and then I head out. I practically run down the stairs and out of the house so I can get to work as quickly as possible. I pull up to the office twenty five minutes later, and sure enough Carter’s Jeep is already here. I shake my head and smile as I hustle into the office to see what he’s been up to.

  I stand in the doorway to his office and watch. He’s so deep in thought he doesn’t even see me standing here until I finally clear my throat. Poor guy practically jumps out of his seat.

  “Dude, I’ve been standing here for a good minute and you didn’t even realize it. What are you working on?” I ask, chuckling at him.

  “My fundraising idea,” he says as he continues to look at his computer screen.

  “You mean you came up with an idea?”

  “I may have. What do you think about a comedy night? Dinner and a comedy show, all proceeds go directly to the Stuart House for the TVs.”

  “I think it’s an awesome idea, but first it’s Briar House. Stuart House is the psych house we’re having issues with, and second, who are you going to get for comedians and how?”

  He smiles at me. “My bad, and have some faith in me, brother! I have Sandra Fitzpatrick-Carmichael on my side. I’m sure between the two of us we can round some people up. I’ve already emailed her.”

  He laughs. “Let’s talk about your idea and see what Sandra can do to help. Give me a few minutes to put my stuff away and then come to my office,” I tell him as I walk away. I knew my boy would come up with something. I love the idea of a comedy show. I just hope we can line up some good comedians.

  I drop my stuff in my office and take a seat so I can boot up my laptop. My phone chirps.

  Bella: Thanks for a great start to my day. Hope yours goes well. Xoxo

  Derek: My pleasure baby. Good luck with your meeting.

  I hear nothing more from her, so I assume she’s getting ready when Carter walks into my office.

  “Are you ready?” he asks, taking the seat across from me.

  “Sure. What do you have in mind?”

  “Well, Sandra offered the club for next year’s New Year’s Eve event so I’m hoping she can get us the club for this as well. We have a cocktail hour with drinks and hot finger foods. Then we do dinner and as dessert is being served, we’ll have the comedy show.”

  I nod my head, liking his thoughts so far. “What do we do during dinner? Anything?”

  He shrugs his shoulders at me. “Do you think we need something?”

  “Maybe not,” I answer as I try to think of something that could take place during dinner.

  “I’m thinking a hundred dollars a ticket, but I will know for sure once we know about the hall and if the comedians will donate their time.”

  “Okay, so what’s your next plan?”

  “I’m going to research some local comedians and see if I can pull some menu options from the club’s website. That way we can get a general idea of what dinner will cost us per person. I’m assuming that Sandra will be able to get us a better rate, but we’ll go by that for now.”

  “Good. Keep me posted,” I tell him. He walks back to his office. I pick up my phone and dial Tobey. I need to let him know what we’re working on and see if he’s had any conversations with Stuart House. I want to go back out there next week to see if they’ve made any progress.

  “This is Tobey,” he answers quickly.

  “Hey, Tobey. It’s Derek.”

  “Hey, man. What’s going on? How’s it feel to have your boy back?” He laughs into the phone.

  “Good. That’s one of the reasons I’m calling you. We’re working on a comedy night to raise money for the TVs at Briar House.”

  “That sounds like a fun night. Who is he going to get for comedians?” he asks, sounding concerned.

  “He’s working on that part right now. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.”

  “Good. Anything else?”

  “Yeah. How are things with Stuart House?”

  “That house is going to be the death of me,” he says with a sigh. “I know they’re neglecting the guys, but I have to figure out how to prove it and get this director removed from the house. I called to speak with him last week about som
e of the notes in your file, and they kept telling me that he was visiting with patients to ensure they’re happy with their care, as if that isn’t the biggest line of horse shit.”

  I chuckle into the phone. “I agree with you. What we really need is to get someone to open up and talk to us. You should have seen the look on their faces when I entered their rooms. They were so afraid of him.”

  “Don’t you worry, we’ll figure this out,” he says with determination. He cuts the call, and I take that as my cue to move on to other problems.

  ***

  Bella

  I’m in the elevator of my agent’s building. Using the mirrored walls, I check my appearance one last time before I arrive at the twentieth floor. My agent is a stickler for us representing ourselves perfectly all the time. I’m wearing a knee-length gray pencil skirt with a coral color dress shirt and a jacket that matches. It’s spring, so I have on these killer strappy heels that match my outfit perfectly.

  I shake my head as I think back to the last time I saw a model walk into the agency wearing less than perfect attire. The agent dismissed her. She was so upset she ran off crying. Brunswick and Brown modeling agency doesn’t take just anyone, and they expect their models to be in the best shape at all times.

  As I step off the elevator, I’m sure to maintain perfect posture and walk with style and grace to the reception desk. “Good afternoon, Ms. Campbell. How are you today?”

  “I’m well, thank you. Is Madeline ready to see me?”

  She grins. “Madeline will see you in just a few minutes, please take a seat.” She nods toward the waiting area, which has a beautiful coffee table and the softest chairs. There’s a sofa too, but I never sit in it because it’s a bit low and hard to sit gracefully in while wearing a skirt.

  I choose one of the comfy white chairs to sit in, carefully crossing my legs and sitting up straight and tall. My padfolio, which also matches my attire, is in my hand. I’m about to pick up one of the magazines when Madeline appears and says, “Bella, it’s so good to see you. How are you?”