Loved by a Soldier: A Military Romance Collection

by Alison Mello

  Is it Jake?

  She pressed her hand to her forehead, frustrated at the memory and the news she wanted to share, which stuck in her brain.

  “I remembered something. I’m not sure it’s important, but I was waiting for someone.” Frowning, she lifted her face from his T-shirt that lie damp from her tears and studied his hard face, which examined hers.

  “Okay, that’s good, isn’t it? Do you remember who you’re waiting for?” Rafe held her, rubbing her arms. He pulled a cream-colored, woolen blanket over her. The fact that he was taking care of her wasn’t lost on her; neither was the fact he was drop-dead gorgeous. The need to snuggle into the male hardness that was him and tell him everything proved impossible to resist, and she caved, holding him as she stared into the fire that flickered.

  “I was in a car accident nearly a year ago, outside of Boston on Christmas Eve. The doctors said I was lucky, but I was in a coma for a month. When I woke up, I didn’t remember the crash or most of the previous twelve months. My last memory was from January the year before when I caught my boyfriend in bed with my best friend. Not a good memory. When I was discharged, I stayed with my parents, and they made me see a doctor and a shrink. Certain memories returned, but a lot is still missing. They both agreed…I may never recall the missing months…” Her voice broke. She pushed away from the comfort of his arms and stood, needing some distance as the scene repeated over in her mind. Summer walked and placed her hands in front of the fire, feeling the heat from the flames, and twirled around.

  “Sometimes, I don’t want to know what happened. It scares me because I’m not the same person anymore. But that memory was so clear. I was at my favorite restaurant waiting. I know for whatever reason, it was important, and I’m pretty sure I was meeting a man, but I have no clue who.” She snapped her eyes closed and covered her face with her hands.

  Rafe hauled her in against him until she couldn’t breathe. He brushed her long hair away from her face, back over her shoulders, and cupped her face, lifting it to face him.

  “It’s okay. Don’t push it. It’s a good sign, Summer.” He brushed her lower lip in a hypnotic rhythm that made her belly tighten. She kept her focus on him, not convinced. “Trust me, Summer. Now, relax. Shall I put a movie on? How about To Catch a Thief?”

  Unable to stop herself, she smiled. Rafe may not be able to act on his feelings, which she knew from his admission earlier he had, but he was here with her, and this Viking knew all the right words to say. She was glad he was here, comforting her. She nodded and frowned. “I love that movie. How did you know?”

  Holding her hand, he drew her to the television, where he pulled an old video off the shelf underneath. “I noticed the DVDs the last time I was here.” Rafe shoved the disc into the machine and strolled back to the couch.

  Summer inhaled and let her worries fade. Whatever was between them brought her comfort—was that so bad? Sucking her lower lip, she stared at the screen as the titles rose and settled down into the warmth Rafe offered, not thinking too hard about the future. Crushed into his side, his arm wrapped tight around her, and she sighed with contentment.

  “Just relax, Summer.”

  Tears bubbled and fell down her cheeks quicker than she could wipe them away, and she blinked to clear her sight. Summer flicked the windshield wipers faster because the rain fell like a waterfall, blocking her vision. Peering as best she could through the glass into the misty darkness, a blinding bright-yellow light flashed, and she blinked for a second. That second changed everything. The oncoming truck slammed into her car, sending her spinning out of control.

  She twisted the wheel to regain control, but the car jettisoned forward. Rubber squealed on the wet road, and her heart pounded as she tried in vain to gain control. The car hurtled down the embankment into ghostly woods, bumping over stones, hitting branches and small bushes as fog swirled around to hide the surroundings. Summer saw the tree too late. She tugged the wheel to change direction but couldn’t prevent the impact. The smash thrust her forward, and her head slammed hard on the windshield. Glass smashed, metal crunched, and smoke danced around.

  “Summer, wake up. It’s me, baby. You’re having a bad dream.”

  Summer twisted and thrashed out, the smell of burning rubber overwhelming. She screamed, clawing at the sheets.

  “Summer.”

  She opened her eyes, blinking at the near-naked vision before her. She fell into his arms, and he locked her in a fierce hug. Sobbing, she allowed the heat of his embrace to soothe her, but the need for him to demolish the nightmares surged. Leaning her head flat against Rafe’s naked chest, she listened to his frantic heartbeat. An awareness crept over her as she lifted her head an inch. The smell of him rose between them. A rich, spicy, and earthy masculine scent made her pulse race and her insides thrum. Summer gazed up at the serious man who sat on her bed cradling her, obliterating her demons, and she reached her hand up to caress his warm cheek as he frowned.

  “Make it go away, Rafe. Make love to me, please.”

  Absorbing his beautiful sculpted cheeks and straight nose, noting his flaxen hair tied back in a tight ponytail that emphasized his neat beard, she couldn’t help but smile. Summer reached out and ran her fingers over the black tattoos along his neck and shoulder before trailing down over his corded abs to skim the multiple indents there. She circled the various scars as he inhaled a deep breath. She had never wanted anyone as much as she wanted this man right now. Each mark added to his persona of a rugged warrior. Her warrior. Letting her hand wander back over his chest to adore the hard ridges and plains, she loved the virile intensity he carried in his gaze as he watched her. The strength he exuded stemmed way beyond his toned six-pack. As his nostrils flared at her examination, she knew she stirred his senses.

  “Summer, if you don’t stop…”

  An intoxicating power swept through her. “You’ll do what?”

  Aware of the pull between them, she wriggled back a little and glanced at her chest, aware of how exposed she was for the first time. Someone had undressed her before putting her to bed last night, and that could only have been Rafe. A thrill charged through her blood, but nerves rose at the thought of his inquisition of her imperfect body, and she rubbed her wrists where tiny pale scars lay. Her life was different now. Studying the man silently as she sat on his lap, dressed only in her white bra and barely there panties, she let the past drift away. The coarse material of his jeans brushed against her skin, and the friction drove her crazy. Leaning forward, she pressed her finger over his mouth and rocked against his front, rubbing herself into his hardened length until delightful sensations crept inside.

  Oh God, I want him. No questions. No promises. Just tonight.

  Moving her head back, she let the flutters of desire weave through her bloodstream, unable to stop herself. She moaned, wanting to get lost in his ancient beauty and incredible strength. But his hands held still on her waist, holding her in silence.

  “Summer…”

  “Shh, no words. Let me take control.”

  Returning her gaze to his magnificent body, she pressed her breasts against his warm chest and gripped his rounded shoulders, savoring the feel of flesh rubbing against flesh. She squirmed in his lap, and his unflinching eyes examined hers. Summer smoothed her hands down his impressive body, tracing lines with her fingertips toward the opening of his jeans. She slipped her hand inside to touch his rock-hard erection.

  “Jesus,” he growled as she rubbed the tip of his dick and his hold tightened on her waist.

  She studied his firm mouth as he held it in a tight line and longed to see him unleash that tethered restraint. Summer kissed his lips, teasing him. Next, she unclipped and removed her bra, pressing her breasts against his smooth chest until he groaned watching her. Leaning closer, she nudged his lips with hers again and swept her tongue along the seam of his lips. Rafe finally opened his mouth, and she slid her tongue inside to taste him.

  Uncontrollable passion soared, and she
clutched his back, digging her nails in and weaving her hands up his neck into his hair. The wildness she knew lay inside him erupted. He broke the kiss, grabbed her biceps, and pushed her back flat on the mattress. She gasped at the sudden break in connection and lay there, a prisoner at his complete mercy and terrified he would get up and walk out. Her chest rose and fell as she waited, a puddle of blatant desire. She lifted her back off the bed and tilted her head only inches from his lips as he shadowed her body with his.

  “Please, Rafe, don’t stop. I need you.”

  The last word left her mouth, and he stole any more she planned to deliver with an earth-shattering kiss that ravaged and plundered. She responded in kind, running her hands down over his wide back, and pulled him flush against her, loving the weight of him on her body. A molten heat flared between the two bodies, melding them together, and she roamed her hands low over his back to the dip in his spine. She dueled with his tongue, and he kissed her until her heartbeat soared, drowning out logic and reason. Rafe lifted his head, and she pressed hers back into the pillow to catch her breath.

  Summer lay there as he rained kisses down her neck, heating her flesh. His beard scratched, marking her, but she clung to him, not wanting his assault on her senses to ever end. She squeezed and stroked his skin as waves of pure pleasure rippled throughout, swamping her. Lost in the bliss and overwhelming feverish euphoria he created while he made love to her, Summer didn’t care about anything else. The sounds of twisting metal slid away, and her screams drowned. The memories vanished. All she wanted was to have him touch her everywhere, to kiss away the hurt, to fill the cracks and ward off the cold by lighting the flames of erotic delight.

  Under Rafe’s sensual onslaught, Summer was shameless. Whimpers of pure joy escaped as she abandoned herself to his masterful fingers as they worked and teased her body to a boneless surrender. For one night, she would give him everything. As his rough hands caressed every part of her sensitive skin, she burned for him.

  CHAPTER 9

  Rafe

  Standing in the enclosed glass walk-in shower and brushing his hair back with both his hands, Rafe let the steaming water pummel his taut muscles. The steam rose, and Rafe closed his eyes to savor the memories of last night with Summer. His body jerked to swift attention at the thought of her undulating beneath him, moaning and screaming out his name as she hit her orgasm. Digging her nails in, she clung to him with utter abandon as he adored every curve and plane of her body, drawing out her enjoyment and leaving her satisfied and exhausted. At least from for the look on her face he thought he had satisfied her. For those few carefree and precious hours, it was like traveling back in time.

  They couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

  Leaving her early this morning was hard, but his leg ached, and he needed his meds. He moved his head in and out of the stream of water. Summer was his, from the moment they met. Rafe smiled at the memories of the young woman drinking with her rowdy bunch of elegant friends, bent on having sex to get over her ex. That night was ingrained on his brain.

  It was Valentine’s Day, Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long” blasted out from the jukebox in the Irish bar, and the gorgeous brunette he’d eyed swung her hips to the rocking beat. That motion, and the fact that she wore a crooked smile, pulled at his gut. It wasn’t his style to approach a woman. Women flocked to him. He had his pick. He wasn’t boasting when he thought of that fact, but having lived on the West Coast and being a Navy SEAL, he possessed an air of confidence many lacked and women adored. They also loved his well-toned assets, which suited him because he adored the curves of a woman. It was the relationship part he couldn’t handle—at least not long term. Being in the military, deployment lasted long months at a time, which sucked for those left behind, like girlfriends and wives. Anyhow, given his past and current situation, steering clear of entanglements was best for all concerned. But as he appraised the attractive brunette across the room—who, from her stiletto heels and designer dress, looked way out of his league—it didn’t stop him. And even though his brain said stay the hell away, his needy body had a mind of its own, and before he knew it, Rafe trudged over, taking slow steps.

  Rafe stepped under the powerful jets of the shower again and let the water sluice over him. But no amount of washing would change what had transpired last night. Rafe had gone back on his word. Now, he had to deal with the consequences. Making love to Summer had never simply been sex or a fleeting act—ever. Driving her home last night had been about protecting her, damn it, but hearing her cry out in the middle of a nightmare shattered his defenses. Seeing her absolute need shining in her eyes, he couldn’t refuse even if he should have.

  How the hell did this happen?

  Tears fell, the first in years, and he slammed his fist against the white tiles, cracking one, and blood dripped down the wall. Pain ricocheted up his arm, but he embraced it. The water sprayed down his back. The heat relaxed his tight muscles and legs, but his right thigh throbbed like a hot poker. Moving his arm, he massaged his quads and stared at the multiple ugly indented scars that ran over his arm, chest, and over his right hip down to his patella. Shards of metal remained deep inside his battle-worn leg, and today he needed the drugs before he tackled Summer.

  Switching the shower off with a squeak, he stepped outside and grabbed a towel from the heated rail to dry himself. He pulled a smaller white one from the built-in closet to wrap his bloody knuckles in. Striding out of the large beige and black glossy tiled bathroom into his penthouse-sized bedroom, he stared at the seamless views of the surrounding black mountain. The enormous ski resort that sat at the bottom of the valley was owned by their investor. As he dried his shoulder-length hair, he surveyed the room. The house also belonged to Markham, and he had offered the place to him and his friends while they completed the work on STEPS. At some point, he and the boys would need to consider buying a place for themselves, but for now, this comfortable hilltop mansion worked well.

  He let the towel drop to the floor, and he walked to the dresser to grab his underwear. Life had changed beyond recognition in the last twelve months, but one thing hadn’t changed: how Summer responded when aroused. One minute, the temptress; the next, the submissive who melted under his tender strokes, giving him everything he craved. And he had taken it all.

  He didn’t want to leave, but beside his meds, he needed to sift through his thoughts and plan what he did next carefully. Blurting out all the facts carelessly would turn Summer against him, he was certain. What he knew without a doubt was he wanted Summer back in his life and back in his bed where she belonged—permanently. He had waited long enough, and she needed him just as much as he needed her. Last night, she begged him to make love to her, damn it, and he wanted to be that man every time. He would do anything for her. Walk away if she wanted.

  That very first night, as she chatted like a runaway train about herself and getting tipsy on margaritas that appeared in her hand from her friends, he had listened, caught in her web. A powerful urge to protect had invaded him. From that moment on, even if Summer didn’t realize it, she occupied his mind like no one before. Now, he needed to stand and fight for what was his. To hell with everyone else.

  “Shit.”

  Rafe leaned on the dresser and winced as crippling pain shot through his thigh, and he shifted his weight onto his left leg. He stretched and flexed his muscles, shaking off the aches in the affected limb. Once the muscles eased, he finished dressing, but his leg continued to burn. Before he left the house, he downed two painkillers with water from the kitchen and covered the gash on his knuckles in a light gauze dressing.

  Driving to Betty’s gave him time to sort through the jumble of words he wanted to say to Summer. Although, if he knew the damn woman like he thought he did, she would fight him every inch. Stepping inside the diner, Rafe removed his black cap and nodded at the other waitress as he made his way to his usual seat, leaning his weight heavily on his left leg as he waited for the painkillers to kick in.r />
  Today, whether Summer served him or not, he wasn’t leaving until he spoke his mind and explained their history. He was done waiting. Everything had exploded last night, and they had made love over and over.

  What will happen when she remembers everything?

  Frowning, he sat down. Holding his cap in his hands, waiting. Pretending to study the menu that he knew by heart, his gaze roamed above to search the diner for any sign of her. He was later than normal, but Summer should be here, unless she’d taken the day off. Just as he was about to leave, she appeared.

  Today, instead of tying her hair in a tight ponytail, she let it hang in loose waves down her back, with some type of knot plaited around the top of her head. All that was missing were flowers, and the image resembled the way she wore her hair at their wedding. He watched as she delivered orders to her customers. She glanced his way once and gave him a brilliant smile. One that made him want to lift her over his shoulder and carry her out of here right now and make love to her again. Forget the past and carry on, make a new start. But how? Pieces of the past were filtering back. Over the last twenty-four hours, he had witnessed her revisit memories she had forgotten. Tracking her every movement, he waited until she made her way over to him.

  Summer wiped her hands on her white apron that covered her black polka dot dress before writing on her pad.

  “Morning, Sunshine,” he said.

  She smiled and handed him a slip of paper.

  I missed you this morning.

  He couldn’t help but return a smile at her words and pulled her hand down to capture it in his. God, he wished they were anywhere but here. That crooked smile lit across her face as she slid her gaze to the diner and the customers.

  “Nicki dropped you to get your car, then?” he said.

  “Yes, she’s a good friend, but I don’t want to make it a habit.”