Loved by a Soldier: A Military Romance Collection

by Alison Mello

  He knows he should talk to her about it and wonders how she feels toward him. What will she say if I tell her I’m attracted to her? No, he should rephrase that. What will she think if I tell her I think she’s the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and my feelings for her are growing?

  She’s hard to read so he isn’t sure if he should say anything or not. Yes, she has become comfortable with him and has opened up a lot. Yes, they are doing things together and he thinks he has seen her looking at him in ways that can send certain messages. But he knows himself; he’s probably reading more into those looks than he should. He has to do something before he loses his mind. The last thing he will ever do is disrespect her in any way.

  “Are you enjoying your book?”

  He’s caught off guard when he hears her sweet, soft voice from the doorway. He was deep in thoughts about her when she appeared, and she giggles when he jumps.

  “Oh, hey I didn’t hear you,” he says with a grin and sits up on the edge of the bed.

  “Sorry about that.”

  He lays the book he isn’t actually reading on the bed and looks at her smiling at him. “No, I wasn’t really getting into it, so it’s okay. What are you doing?”

  “I was lonely in there and thought if you weren’t too involved with your book, maybe we could talk. If that’s okay.”

  “Of course, come on in,” he replies and pats the edge of the bed.

  He watches her walk toward him and feels his heart hammer against his chest. He wouldn’t be surprised if she can hear it. To him it sounds like the drums in Jumanji. She’s wearing light green pajamas with little red hearts all over them, and with the way her hips sway she looks like a Victoria’s Secret model.

  ***

  Trinity

  She sees how he looks at her and doesn’t try to hide her smile. Her nerves are going crazy, and when she gets next to the bed she thinks she feels the temperature rise in the room. She sits about two feet away, because she’s afraid if she sits too close, something will happen that neither will be able, or want, to stop.

  “What’s on your mind?” he asks.

  She looks at the floor and wonders how she’s going to start. She takes a deep breath and silently asks God to guide her. Her fingers play with the cuffs of her sleeves; she’s obviously nervous.

  “It’s nothing really…well, it is, but I guess I only want to talk is all. I guess being in there alone isn’t enough for me tonight.”

  He smiles and asks, “What do you mean?”

  She looks into his eyes and her heart clenches. “Well, ummm…”

  “Do you want to watch a movie or something?”

  Something? Yeah I guess you could say that. “No, not really in the mood for a movie.”

  “Are you sure you are okay? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you are acting like you really have something on your mind. You can talk to me. You never know, I might be able to relate.”

  Is that a hint?

  He surprises her by placing his hand on her back. She can feel the warmth of it through her shirt, sending a jolt through her. She’s surprised she didn’t jump. She stares into his eyes and knows she has to be honest with him. Right then.

  “Okay, please don’t take this the wrong way, Gates, but there is something that’s very much on my mind and I don’t know any way to tell you but to be honest about it.”

  “Okay, I’m all ears.”

  “Trust me when I say this, because of what I have been through with men that I am very surprised, but I’ve become very attracted to you and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m a Christian and I don’t want to do anything to feel bad about. Does that make sense?”

  ***

  Gates

  He almost blows out the air he was holding in, but manages to start breathing again without letting her notice. He was scared she was going to say something he wasn’t prepared to hear. Even though he was hoping she felt the same as him, he is still surprised she wants to talk about it.

  “It makes perfect sense, and I can’t express how relieved I am to hear you say that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’ve been struggling with the same feelings about you, but I didn’t want to touch you or hold you or anything else because I didn’t know how you felt. I didn’t want to scare you. I didn’t know what was in your mind or heart. All I knew for sure was the pain you have been through, but I had hope.”

  “I’m scared, Gates.”

  “Of me?” he asks, with a look of hurt on his face.

  “Oh, no, no, definitely not! I’m sorry,” she exclaims and holds his hand in hers. “I’m scared because I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if God planned this, if I’m supposed to be here right now talking to you about this, if something is supposed to happen between us, or what. I’m just not sure about anything right now except that I would really like it…if you held me.”

  When Trinity says those words and he sees the expression on her face his desire to hold her turns into a need. She doesn’t have to make that request again. He moves closer and wraps his arms around her slim waist, pulling her to him. Her hands rest against his chest and her head is on his shoulder. Neither say a word; they simply enjoy each other’s presence and the feel of being in each other’s arms. Even though he knows they are both confused about the entire situation, holding her is definitely right. Perfect. He can feel her hot breath through his shirt and her hands pressed between them. He takes a chance and kisses her on her forehead.

  She lifts her head and looks into his eyes and he sees it. There’s passion in her eyes. Very obvious passion. Obvious and dangerous. She lowers her hungry eyes to his lips and he takes that as an invitation to taste hers. Their lips meet for the first time; they know it will not be the last, but they can’t stay that way. He enjoys the passion they share, but too soon, she breaks away.

  Shaking her hands and stepping away from the bed, Trinity apologizes vehemently. “Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry!”

  “Don’t be sorry, please,” he pleads as he stands with her. He wants to hold her again, but knows she needs her space.

  Turning toward him she cries, “I’m not sorry for what happened; I’m sorry for having to pull away.” Tears run down her flushed cheeks and her chest heaves. “Please don’t be mad.”

  “Hey…” he says softly and steps closer, standing only inches away. With a single finger beneath her quivering chin, he lifts her face to look into her eyes. “I’m not mad. Not at all. That kiss was incredibly beautiful and I’m glad it happened. What could have happened afterward isn’t meant to happen for us yet, if ever. You have no reason to be upset. I’m not.”

  “You promise?” she asks as she lifts her eyes to his again.

  Wiping a tear that escapes her eye, he replies, “I promise. Things are happening fast between us. For most people this would take months and months, but for some reason, for us, it’s happening now. We will take it slow, as slow as we can, and if it’s meant to happen it will.”

  Leaning into him and letting herself be enveloped in his arms, she says, “Thank you.”

  They remain that way for a long time without a single word. Nothing needs to be said and when they separate, they say goodnight and that they will see each other in the morning.

  ***

  Trinity

  Trinity goes straight to the bathroom for a bubble bath. Once she is hidden by a tub full of hot water and bubbles, she begins to feel better about everything. She allows herself to sink low enough where all that is showing is her face. The bubbles fill the tub, covering her and the water.

  Sheeba sits beside the tub with her chin resting on the edge, watching her and looking like she is about to jump in.

  “Don’t you even think about it, girl,” Trinity giggles, trying to sound tough. “I’ll give you one tomorrow.”

  Sheeba huffs at her and lays down beside the tub. Trinity rests her head against the wall and takes deep breaths, thinking. She doesn’t regret what h
appened. That kiss…their very first one…was incredible. She felt sparks from his lips like she had never felt before in her life.

  That’s what terrified her and she had to pull away. She thinks if she hadn’t she would have allowed things to go a lot further. As a Christian she can’t let that happen, but she hopes he will hold her and kiss her many more times. They will have to be careful.

  ***

  David Tremper

  David Tremper hasn’t been able to find any kind of paper trail following Trinity. No transactions or withdrawals of any kind in her name. Obviously, she’s smart enough to know better than to take money out from a machine. She hasn’t paid for anything with a card either, so she has cash on her or someone is helping her. The detective sits back from his desk and thinks about calling Derrick to let him know that so far it’s been a dry run, no luck at all on his precious girlfriend. It’s been a month since Derrick hired him, and if Trinity does have cash, it will run out soon.

  Tapping his pencil on the desk, he goes through the facts so far. He knows Trinity is originally from North Carolina, but moved to Connecticut from Colorado. He knows she has family down south, but from what her boyfriend told him they aren’t close, so he doubts she’s with any of them. He has a gut feeling she is with someone else. Someone who can help her on a much larger scale, but who?

  Looking at the picture her boyfriend gave him he grins. Yeah, she’s a pretty thing, all right. Why would she run? Why would she up and disappear for no reason? He has a strange gnawing instinct that Derrick, the jerk, didn’t tell him everything there is to know. He probably smacked her around and she got tired of it; maybe she was even scared for her life. David hates guys like that, but it isn’t his business. He’s being paid to find out where she is. When he finds her, his business is done.

  Logging onto his computer, he types in “Litchfield County” and the night she disappeared. He looks for any kind of accidents or arrests, but there isn’t anything helpful to him. She isn’t in any of the hospitals or shelters, either. He looks at the outgoing flights at all the airports, but again, there isn’t anything with her name attached to it. Nothing at the bus stops, either. She doesn’t have a car with her and she hasn’t leased one, at least not in her real name.

  She didn’t just up and disappear into thin air, but it looks that way. The last thing he can look at before having to actually hit the streets are the recorded videos of the parking lot from that rainy night she ran. He doubts anything will turn up there either, but he needs to check that lead out.

  Chapter 9

  Trinity

  Trinity’s Sunday morning begins with Sheeba licking her face…again. She giggles and lovingly pushes her away, telling her to stop.

  “Good morning to you too, you big love bug.”

  Panting and drooling on the blanket, Sheeba rests her front legs on Trinity’s chest and doesn’t move until she receives a long scratch on her head and behind her ears. Trinity has to make her move by sitting up and removing the covers.

  “Sorry girl, but I have got to get ready for church. I know you understand, of course.”

  Sheeba barks and rests her furry chin on Trinity’s pillow as she watches her kneel and pray, follows her into the bathroom, then into the kitchen. Gates is already awake and at the table with the morning paper and coffee. He looks up at her and smiles the second he sees her.

  “Good morning.”

  Glad to see him already awake she grins back at him. Feeling wonderful she replies, “Good morning to you too. Thanks for making coffee. How long have you been awake?”

  “About an hour. I woke up for some reason and was wide awake, so I didn’t see any reason to stay there. Besides, I have to get ready soon.”

  “Oh? You going somewhere this morning.”

  He lays the paper down and presses his lips. “Yeah, I was thinking last night about something. Something important.”

  Sitting down across from him with her cup, a curious grin, and hair astray she asks, “And what might that be?”

  “I was thinking about going to church with you today. If that’s okay.”

  Her eyes bulge and she almost spits out her coffee onto the table in surprise.

  “Really? Well, yeah, of course it’s okay. I would love for you to go with me. What brought that on?”

  Shrugging his shoulders, he says, “I don’t know, to be honest. It entered my mind last night as I was thinking about you and how you said going to church made so many great changes in how you feel so quickly. Also, I was thinking more about the nightmare I recently had and when I woke up it was still on my mind, so I sort of want to check it out.”

  “Soooo, you aren’t going just to impress me?” she asks suspiciously.

  “No, of course not,” he laughs. “I mean, in a small way it is because of you, but no I’m not going to make you like me more. I really do want to go. Trust me when I say it surprises me too.”

  “Well, in that case you made my heart smile. I’m thrilled you want to go.”

  They stare and smile at each other for a few seconds and it’s obvious last night means something to both of them, but don’t bring it up. Instead, they talk about eating a small breakfast and getting ready. It doesn’t take long, but they realize they need to hurry if they want make it on time.

  An hour later they are stepping out of the car, walking toward the church door and she feels the need to hold his hand. When their fingers intertwine they both smile and walk in together.

  ***

  Gates

  It’s the first time in years Gates has stepped inside a church. Everyone he meets makes him feel as if he is part of the family, and he starts to understand why Trinity feels so good about this place. As they walk down between the pews he looks around at the architecture and is impressed. He particularly likes the large mural of the Last Supper behind the pulpit, where the baptisms are given.

  Trinity tugs on his hand and they sit near the front of the church as the choir begins to walk onto the stage. His emotions surprise him when they start singing, and he even sings a little with the congregation. He doesn’t have a Bible and notices Trinity doesn’t either. He will have to make sure she gets one. Maybe after they leave they can go to Walmart or somewhere and buy one for her. He knows she will like that.

  After two songs and the offering, the pastor begins his sermon. Gates listens to the pastor talk about the faith of a mustard seed and how if someone has at least that much, anything is possible. It confuses him a little, but he enjoys it. When they say goodbye and get back in the car, Trinity asks him what he thinks.

  “I didn’t completely understand the sermon, but I did enjoy being here. I’m glad I came with you.”

  Smiling and leaning against him, she slides her arm within his. “I’m glad too.”

  The fact she is being openly affectionate brings up confused feelings, but he doesn’t complain. He loves the way she feels against him. When they leave the parking lot he tells her they are going to Walmart first, then get some lunch before going home.

  When they reach the city limits of Bedford, they witness a horrible car accident. Since they are the first people who stop to help, their unplanned adventure of the day brings something else they didn’t expect. Fortunately, the collision isn’t fatal to those involved, but news crews show up. Both Gates and Trinity are caught on camera as the police talk with them.

  ***

  David Tremper

  Someone in Connecticut is watching the national news that afternoon as he sits on the sofa, eating lunch and drinking a beer. He smiles broadly when he sees the beautiful young black lady standing helplessly to the side, oblivious to the fact she has been found. The detective immediately writes the information down and tells himself that once in a blue moon his job is very easy. His job is finished as far as he is concerned. All he has to do is make a phone call.

  ***

  Gates

  “I hope that couple will be okay,” Trinity says during the drive to Walmart. “T
hey looked pretty shaken up.”

  Gates has a stern look on his face when he answers. “I’m sure they are going to be fine. They’re in good hands now. The hardest part for them will be getting the insurance and car taken care of.”

  “Are you okay?” she asks. She can hear something different in his tone and knows something isn’t right.

  He looks at her and lies, faking a smile. “Huh? Oh, yeah I’m fine. Just thinking about something is all.” He doesn’t want to worry her by telling her the truth. He saw the cameras and the reporters, and has a bad feeling about them being on the news. Even though they weren’t interviewed by the media, he knows they were caught on film. If her boyfriend sees her on the news, it won’t be long before there is trouble. Not long at all.

  Nothing more is said about it. They walk into Walmart and he takes her to the book section to pick out a Bible she likes. The act of generosity from him brings pure joy to her and in the aisle, in front of the books, she hugs him and gives him a small kiss.

  “Thank you, you are so sweet to me. I don’t deserve this at all.”

  “You’re welcome and of course you do. How do you like this one?” he reaches down and picks up a leather bound King James Version.

  Trinity takes it from him and holds it to her chest.

  “It’s perfect,” she softly replies with a tear in her eye.

  “Okay, I will get this one,” he comments and takes a black one from the shelf. “So we don’t get them mixed up.”

  Laughing, she holds his hand and they walk up front to pay. They eat lunch at the Subtrak inside Walmart before they go home. He can’t get the nagging feeling of trouble out of his thoughts, but hides it well. He knows he will have to take some precautions, but he can’t say anything to her yet. He can’t keep it from her for long because she needs to be ready in case anything does happen. He’ll think about it more before talking to her.