Forever My Soldier Read online

  I lick my lips with excitement. I want to taste him, but he must be reading my mind because he says, “Oh, no you don’t. I want to bury this deep inside you.”

  His hand glides up and down his cock in a slow, sensual motion. It makes my mouth water for him. I bite my lip as I blush. I can’t believe how hot it is to watch him stroke it.

  He smiles as he crawls back onto the bed. Hovering over me, he lines himself up and slowly slips his cock inside of me. He slowly pumps it in and out of me, teasing me. He gradually picks up the pace until he’s pounding it deep inside of me. My orgasm is already building from the wonderful rhythm he’s created. He slams into me a few more times, when finally another orgasm tears through me. My muscles tighten around him as he lets go of his release.

  He lowers himself to kiss me. “I love you and am so happy you’re in my life.”

  “I love you too.”

  He picks me up off the bed, pulling the blankets down with his free hand. Placing me back in bed, he climbs in with me and covers us up. He kisses me and says, “Good night, my love.”

  “Good night, honey.”

  He spoons me, and we both fall into peaceful sleep.

  Chapter 4

  Patty

  I’m in the kitchen making breakfast for my man before he leaves work. After he leaves and I finish cleaning up, I’m going to my apartment to meet up with Bella. Today’s the day we’re cleaning my place out. I still have plenty of time, but I really want it done prior to the holidays.

  “Good morning, baby,” Carter says, slowly gliding his hands over my hips.

  I turn to him with a flirty smile. “Good morning to you too. I hope you’re hungry. I’ve made you some over easy eggs with turkey bacon, potatoes, and toast.”

  He whispers in my ear, “Oh woman, you’re so good to me.” He scrapes his teeth gently across my earlobe and then walks away to make his coffee. I place his plate on the countertop as he sits down.

  “This looks delicious, baby. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you for arranging to have the furniture picked up today. I really appreciate it.”

  “Really? We arranged it together. I just encouraged it. I didn’t want you scrambling around during the holiday.”

  “I know, but it was a good idea. Now Bella and I are going to spend the afternoon together. It’ll be nice. We haven’t hung out together, just the two of us, in a while.” I take a seat next to Carter with my breakfast and coffee.

  “I’m glad you two can enjoy the day. I have to be honest, I’m a lot less worried now that I know…” He pauses for the right words. “Things are done.”

  “I know. Me too. I need to talk to you about something, though.”

  “What’s that?” he says as he finishes off his breakfast. It amazes me how quickly he eats.

  “I would like to go to his wake. I want to pay my respects to his father and tell him I’m sorry things ended the way they did. I was a part of their lives for over a year, and his father was always good to me even after Ben and I broke up.”

  Carter nods. “I can understand that. It will provide some closure for you too. I think it’s a nice idea.”

  “Good. I thought you were going to be mad at me,” I say, looking to the floor.

  He turns to me and gently lifts my chin. Looking me in the eyes, he says, “Baby, you need to talk to me more. Why would I be mad?”

  “Because of everything he’s put me through. I thought you were going to think it’s a crazy idea.”

  “Baby, with all I’ve been through, I can certainly understand needing closure. I would never tell you your ideas are crazy. Christ, I have an appointment with a counselor at lunch time today. Who am I to judge?”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right. I need to stop worrying. I know you love me and will support me, but I’m not used to this.” I point to the two of us. “Before I met you, I hadn’t had a real relationship since Ben, and that was more me being his arm candy and him trying to tell me what to do. I could never talk to him the way I do you.”

  “Well, you can always talk to me, okay?” I nod. “Good, because I really have to get to work. Thank you for a great breakfast.”

  “You’re welcome, honey. Have a good day.”

  “You too. I love you, Patty.” He places a soft kiss on my lips.

  “I love you too, Carter.”

  I finish my breakfast and then quickly clean up so I too can get out the door to meet up with Bella. As soon as I’m done, I pull out my phone and shoot her a text.

  Patty: I’m putting my coat and I’m leaving.

  Bella: Great! I’m leaving Derek’s now.

  Patty: Perfect! See you soon.

  I hurry downstairs with my purse and keys in hand. As I reach the lobby, Darryl nods and says, “Have a nice day, Ms. Fitzgerald.”

  “You too, Darryl.” I skip out the door with a sense of freedom. That is, until I’m swarmed by cameras.

  “Ms. Fitzgerald, do you care to comment on the death of Benjamin Mancini?”

  “His death was tragic and my heart goes out to his father.” I’m stunned as I try to figure out how they knew where I was staying. I push my way through the crowd.

  “How can you feel that way after what he did to you?”

  I turn to face them. “The loss of any life is tragic regardless of their actions. I wish it didn’t have to end the way it did for Ben. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m meeting with a friend.” I slam my car door shut and start the engine. I slowly back out of my spot to let them know I’m leaving and they need to get away from my car. As soon as I’m out of the parking spot, I call Carter.

  “Hey, baby. Miss me already?”

  “Carter, I’m sorry the media is swarming your place over the death of Ben. I gave them two small statements, but it may not be over. I want you to be prepared when you get home.”

  “Okay, no problem. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. I love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  I cut the call and drive straight to my place, watching my tail as I go. I’m hoping they’re not following me. I really have nothing more to say to them. I need to pay my respects to his father and move on with my life.

  I pull up outside of my place, watching to make sure I don’t see anything suspicious. When I don’t, I hurry out of my car, practically running inside. As I’m pulling out my keys, I hear, “What’s your rush?” I turn to find Bella walking up the steps.

  “Come on, I’ll explain inside.” We both walk in, and I close the door securely behind us so no one can get in. “The media showed up outside Carter’s place asking me questions about Ben’s death.”

  “Savages. They were at my place too,” she says in frustration as she follows me into my apartment.

  “I know, right. I told them my heart went out to his father and they were mad.” She rolls her eyes. “I can’t wait to see my picture because when I turned to them I was so angry, but I gave them another small statement and they were totally shocked.”

  “They were probably expecting you to soak up the drama of it like your mother would. I told them that it was a tragic day and that we both needed space so we could move on,” Bella says with a sigh.

  “Yeah, well, I’m not my mother. And you’re right, I need to move on.”

  She giggles. “Don’t I know it.”

  I smile. “Come on, I have a lot to do and there will be trucks here soon to pick up the furniture.”

  “Trucks? Why more than one?” She looks confused.

  “One is picking up the majority of the furniture to donate to veterans, and the other is picking up the few small pieces that are going to Carter’s.”

  “Okay, cool.”

  We get to work putting the things I’m going to take into boxes. Carter needs stuff for his kitchen. Although we bought a lot of new things, he doesn’t have the blender/mixer that I have, and I need to bring my containers over. We really do not have enough for storing leftovers. I open the cabinet where all my pa
ns are, and we start deciding which ones to take and which to donate. He really doesn’t have half the cookware I have. I get everything we need to complete his set and place them into another box.

  I go into my room to find it’s been completely cleaned. The mattress and box spring have been tossed so all that’s left is my bed with the frame. Bella is right behind me. “We’ve decided to move this set into the spare room. We’re going to donate his gym set to the building and we’ll start using their gym.”

  “That’s cool. What about the mattress and stuff?”

  “We ordered a new one that’ll be delivered tomorrow.”

  She walks to my closet with a trash bag. She holds up clothes, and I start telling her what to keep and what to donate. I’m grateful for the company who’s picking all of this stuff up. They are going to go through and donate everything to various military families in need. Some woman who will fit into my clothes will get what she needs from them. Another family will get the living room furniture and anything else that’s picked up. It makes me feel good to know it’s all going to good families.

  A short while later, we hear the doorbell ring. I run to the buzzer. It’s the guys for the donations. I buzz them up and meet them at the door. I show them what they are taking and tell them to leave all of the boxes that are marked ‘keep.’ The moving company will be here in about an hour to take that stuff and follow me to our place with it.

  I find Bella in the bathroom packing up the remainder of my things from there, but there isn’t much because we moved a lot of that already. “Thanks, Bella.” I nudge her as she wipes down the sink so we don’t leave the place dusty. I haven’t been here in a while so, despite the cleaners coming through, it’s still a bit dirty in here.

  I walk out to the living room to find the guys moving the couch out. I unplug my small TV and move it to the ‘keep’ pile. It’ll go with my bedroom set in the spare room. We want guests to be able to have a TV to watch.

  The manager from our place should have arranged for Carter’s gym equipment to be moved so the bedroom set can be put into place. As I look around, deep in thought, Bella interrupts my thoughts. “What’s wrong?” she asks, her voice full of concern.

  I shake my head. “Nothing. I’m happy that I’ll be fully moved in with Carter, but I’m thinking about how much your life can change, and in such a short time. I love him so much and feel very lucky to have met him, but it’s all happened so quickly.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. I told Derek after you guys left the other night that I was falling in love with him. I told him I didn’t want to scare him, but I wanted him to know.”

  “Aww, that’s great. What did he say?”

  “He kissed me and told me he was happy to hear that because he felt the same way. I spend more time at his house than I do in my apartment.”

  “Have you guys talked about moving in together?”

  “Not really, and I don’t want to rush it. I want to do it when he’s ready. He told me about his ex, and she was a total bitch. I’ll tell you about her some time.”

  The doorbell rings again, and this time it’s the movers. I let them up, and we start showing them what I’m taking. While I’m walking around with them, Bella says, “I’m going to order us some lunch to be delivered to your place in an hour and a half.”

  “Sounds good, thanks!” she gets her phone from her purse while the guys start moving stuff down to the truck.

  I get my phone and text Carter.

  Patty: Things are going well. We’re almost done here. Bella ordered lunch to have at our place. I’ll let you know when we get there.

  Carter: Thank you. I was a little worried about you with the media.

  Patty: No need, Bella will kick their asses for me ;-)

  Carter: Well be careful. Talk to you soon.

  “Carter says to be careful when we get back. I told him not to worry, that you’ll kick the savages’ asses if need be.”

  She bursts into laughter. “For sure.”

  The movers are finally done, and the place is completely empty. After locking up, Bella and I leave together. She tells me she’ll follow me to Carter’s, so we both climb in our cars and take the short drive over. As I approach the door, Darryl informs me that the gym equipment has been taken care of. I thank him as Bella and I quickly get up to the apartment, ahead of the movers.

  Sure enough, when we get inside, we find the spare room has not only been emptied, but they vacuumed for us as well. I really like this place. They take such good care of their tenants. They should for what Carter pays to live here. Bella props the door open as the guys are coming up with the headboard and footboard to my old bed. Their next trip up, our food is delivered with them. Bella places it in the fridge, and the guys tell me they only have a few more trips and they’ll be done. I can’t believe how quickly they’re moving.

  While I sign off on the move, Bella’s getting our lunch. I pour us some diet soda. Now we can finally sit and relax. We’re both starving and tired from running around nonstop all morning.

  “We should make plans to go dress shopping for the New Year’s Eve event,” Bella says as she bites into her salad.

  “Oh, speaking of the New Year’s Eve event. Guess who’s going to help us?”

  “Who?”

  “My mother. She and Richard came over for dinner. She apologized for everything she put us through and told me if there was anything she could do to make it up to us, we should name it. So, I named it.”

  “That’s great. I hope she’s learned her lesson.”

  “Me too, because Richard is trying to forgive and forget and I’m pretty sure he has no intentions of giving her any more chances.”

  “So, what is your mother working on?”

  “Selling tickets and getting us some silent auction stuff. She told me she’d call me with an update.”

  “That cool. My fashion show is coming up, and we plan to use that as a way to network and get some more people to attend the event. Some of the models have already promised to buy tickets, and I’ve sold one to each of the two women running the show.”

  “That’s next weekend, right?”

  “Yes, and I got you guys VIP seats to sit with Derek. Your mom and Richard will be there too.”

  “Nice. Is this a suit or tux type of event?”

  “Definitely a tux,” she says as she throws her takeout container away.

  “That’s fine. Carter has one. I wanted to make sure I knew how we were dressing. My mother will probably send her limo for us.”

  She giggles. “Probably. You know how she is. Listen, it’s been a fun day, but I have to get going. I want to be back at Derek’s to surprise him with dinner tonight. He’s been doing a lot of the cooking, so I’m planning a romantic night for us.”

  “Aww, look at my little lovebird cooking for her man.”

  She sticks her tongue out at me. My eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, you went from grown up to thirteen in a matter of seconds.”

  “Shut up and give me a hug. I miss you,” she says as she squeezes me tight.

  “I miss you too. Thanks for your help today. I’ll see you soon.”

  She walks out the door, and as soon as I’ve locked it, my phone starts to ring. It’s Carter. I realize I forgot to text him when I got home.

  “Hey, honey. I’m so sorry I forgot to text you.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re okay. I was about to send out a search team.”

  “I really am sorry. I was busy with the movers, and then Bella and I sat down to lunch and we got busy talking about the fundraiser and her fashion show next weekend. By the way, is your tux clean?”

  “It could probably use some freshening up. It’s been hanging in my closet. Why?”

  “You need it for the fashion show. We have VIP seats to sit with Derek, my mom, and Richard.”

  “Okay, there’s a company that provides a cleaning service for clothes for our building. They’ll pick it up and drop it back off. I’ll bring it down
tomorrow on my way to work, and they’ll take care of it for me.”

  Shocked, I say, “Is there anything this building won’t take care of for you?”

  “There are a lot of things, but lucky for me, I have you to help with them.”

  I giggle. “Oh really? Maybe I’ll have to remind you tonight how good I am at taking care of those things.”

  “Yes, please,” he says as he chuckles into the phone. “Listen, as much as I’m enjoying flirting with you, Derek is standing in my doorway waiting for me. I’ll talk to you a little later, but I’m glad you’re home safe.”

  “Bye, Carter.”

  “Bye, baby”

  Chapter 5

  Patty

  I’ve spent the entire morning working on the book so I can send the final manuscript to my agent. We’re meeting on Monday to discuss the timeline the publisher has given her and talk about signings. I need to finish it, but I’m having a hard time focusing. Ben’s wake is in a few short hours, and I’m getting a bit nervous. Carter went to work early this morning because he is coming with me. Bella and Derek are going as well as my mother and Richard. We’re all going to pay our respects and then go out to dinner. As usual, my mother has made reservations at the Palm Spring Country Club. My mother and Richard are members there, and we eat here often.

  I click ‘save’ after approving the final edit and attach it to an email addressed to Joan. I inform her that this is the full manuscript. I also state that I’ll see her for our scheduled meeting on Monday to discuss any concerns the publisher may have as well as the timeline she’s gotten from them. Next I send a quick message off to my beta readers.

  Karen and Cassie,

  Thank you so much for all of your work on this book. I truly enjoy reading your notes and appreciate the input you provide. I’ll let you know when I’ve started the next one, but it won’t be for a while now since I’m taking time off. Watch for your signed copies in the mail. ;-)