Page 78 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Mason

Jalalabad, Afghanistan

2020

After Millie left me a few hours ago, my doctor came in and did every test in the book on me. She can’t believe how quickly I’ve recovered. I think she’s kind of pissed about it, actually. I nagged her for a few minutes before she finally agreed to discharge me early. I text Chase to see where Millie’s room is and to make sure he’s not there when I arrive. I knock on her door.

“What are you doing here?” she says, throwing herself into my outstretched arms.

I squeeze her tighter than I ever have, bury my face in her hair, and take a deep breath. She tries to pull back, but I won’t let her.

“Mason,” she asks against my chest, “did you break out of the hospital?”

“Yes. And I left a wake of destruction in my path. Anything to get to you.”

“Mason.”

“I didn’t break out.” I say, laughing. “They discharged me a few minutes ago.”

I lean down and kiss her softly. The minute she starts sliding her hands up my chest, my lower body springs to life. I push her into the room and kick the door closed with my foot. I back her up until she’s pressed against the wall.

“Mason.” She pulls back a little. “Are you sure this is okay?”

“I promise you’re not taking advantage of me,” I say as I pull her T-shirt over her head. “Just be gentle.”

“Mason.” She pushes at my chest. “I’m being serious. Do you have permission from your doctor to do this?”

I run my hands down her shoulders—sliding her bra straps down. I gently cradle her breasts in my hands as my thumbs start rubbing her nipples. She makes a little sound as her body starts to squirm.

“My doctor said I am fully cleared for all physical duties I might have to perform. I think she was specifically talking about military duties, but I know she would agree this is much more important.” I take a step back and pull my T-shirt over my head. I unbuckle my pants and let them drop to the ground.

She looks down at me—fully erect and pointing right at her. She smiles up at me. “Well, if the doctors gave you permission . . .”

“Millie. Really. If you can sex me to death, I am willing to die.” I take her by the hand and lead her over to the bed. “Come here,” I say, pulling her down on top of me.

***

It’s well after midnight, and neither of us can sleep. We’ve been talking and making out for hours.

“I think I remember seeing your dad pull you off me just before I blacked out,” I say, squinting to try to help bring that picture back in my mind. “Didn’t you guys talk in the helo on the way over here?”

“Oh yeah. We had a great conversation while I watched my boyfriend almost bleed out two feet away from me.”

“I didn’t almost bleed out. I’m sure Ty had a bag hooked up to me before we even made it to the evac site.”

“Yeah. By the way, who knew y’all carried bags of blood on you?”

“Well I did, for one,” I say, laughing. “And we don’t all carry them—only the medics.”

“Is that why you felt it was a good idea to jump in front of a bullet?”

“Mills. Enough,” I say, rubbing her back. “So what happened when we landed here? Did you not talk to him at all?”

“I really don’t remember anything that happened after you got shot until I was sitting by your bed in recovery.”

“Okay,” I say softly. I know she’s not telling me the truth, but I’m sensing it wasn’t her finest hour. I’m going to let her keep that one to herself.

Her tears start coming again. I reach down to wipe them away.

“I seriously can’t believe I have any tears left in my body after the last week,” she says quietly. “I’m so mad at him.”

“Then be mad at him. You have every right to be. But you do need to talk to him. Not for him. For yourself. It’s the only way you’re going to get any peace.”

She nods silently against my chest.

“Don’t ever leave me, okay?” she says, burrowing deeper into my body.

“I will never leave you, babe. Never.”

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