Page 8 of All Along

“Come on. Let’s go back to the party. Rumor has it they have beer fromFive Fathoms Brewing, which I have to tell you is the best beer on the island. Not merely the island but in the US. Maybe in the world. I tried to send some to you a few years ago but it’s not allowed to send alcoholic beverages to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan, which I learned when some Army dude showed up on my doorstep to ask me if I worked for a terrorist organization.”

He scowls. “Who came to your door? Did they scare you?”

“I nearly peed my pants when he asked me if I agreed with Americans being beheaded.” I shiver. “Of course, I don’t. I don’t think anyone should be beheaded. I don’t even agree with the death penalty. I know you do. Let’s not argue about it now.”

“I’ll find out who it is and speak to them.”

I roll my eyes. “No need to go Rambo on him. He left pretty quick after he noticed all the romance books in my house. He seemed kind of scared.”

“You’re still obsessed with romance novels?”

“I wouldn’t say obsessed. Enamored is the term I’d use.”

“Maya!” Paisley shouts. I glance over my shoulder. All of my friends are standing near the chalet watching us.

“I need to go,” Caleb says. “Stay safe, Maya.”

“That sounds like goodbye!” I shout after him.

“Because it is!”

Silly man. Thinking he can get rid of me. As if. I now have a mission. Find out why Caleb thinks everyone in his life is better off without him. And then convince him he’s wrong.

And convince him we’re more than friends,a little voice in my mind whispers.

I ignore her. She’s delusional from reading too many romance novels. My life is no romance novel.

Chapter 4

“You don’t understand shit.” ~ Caleb

Caleb

My heart pounds in my chest as I limp back to my cabin. What was I thinking accepting Hudson’s invitation? Did I seriously expect Maya not to notice me?

She notices everything. Those whiskey-colored eyes of hers don’t miss a thing. I want to watch them flare with passion as I touch every inch of her curvy body. Watch her cheeks darken as I fist her honey blonde hair and expose her neck to me.

I bet her skin tastes like honey. What I wouldn’t give to taste her pussy. Drive her mad with desire with my mouth and my fingers before sinking deep into her wet warmth.

My cock hardens and lengthens as images of all the dirty things I’ve dreamed of doing to Maya over the past decade flirt through my mind.

Damnit! I didn’t want her to see me this way. Broken and injured. Hobbling like a damn fawn who hasn’t figured out how his legs work yet.

I was supposed to return to Smuggler’s Hideaway triumphant. A man who’d proven his worth. Proven I’m good enough for Maya. I snort. Some man I am.

I finally reach the cabin. My left leg is burning from the exertion but I ignore it. If I want to heal and return to the Army, it’s going to burn a shitload more before I’m back on active duty.

I enter the cabin and slam the door behind me. I don’t bother locking it since I’m in the middle of nowhere.

I collapse on the sofa and bury my face in my hands. For years I’ve dreamed of my reunion with Maya. She’d run into my arms and I’d kiss those pouty lips I’ve been fantasizing about for more than a decade. She’d wrap her legs around my waist and I would—

Someone bangs on the door and pulls me out of my fantasy.

“Go the fuck away.”

A woman giggles. “He uses the f-word as much as you do.” She sounds like Nova.

“What are you doing here?” Hudson asks her.

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