The Soldier's Final Mission Read online

  “Bob…” She drew out his name on a plea as her pelvis lifted. Her hands clutched the sides of the chair for leverage.

  “Easy, Becca,” he cooed while he gently pressed a hand to her lower abdomen. His other teased her clit with slow, feather-light touches. “I’m gonna give you what you want.”

  Bob then leaned forward, replacing his fingers with his tongue, swiping its flat surface across her entire pussy. She bucked, and he latched onto her clit, nipping and suckling while she gyrated beneath him.

  Fuck, she tasted like Heaven!

  He swirled around her bundle of nerves then down to her opening, plunging inside to greedily lap at her cream. Returning to her clit, he sucked her hard as he drove two fingers inside, fucking her and driving her wild with his mouth and hand. Her cries of pleasure were erotic, tempting him to interrupt his current task so that he could plunge his cock inside that hot sheath of hers. But he held back on his own demands and continued his attention to the sweet Becca.

  Bob felt her tightening, felt her clenching around his fingers as her clit grew more engorged. Tiny tremors pulsed through her as her body shook, and he knew she was close to orgasm. He buried his fingers as deep as he could and gave one more pull on her clit before she shattered. Her body rippled, shaking as she tried but failed to control her screams. He delighted in hearing her pleasure—pleasure he knew he’d given her. And he didn’t relent, drawing out her release that seemed never-ending.

  When Becca finally descended, her body relaxing beneath his hands, her gaze connected with his and her smile was brilliant. “That was wonderful.” She closed her eyes and sighed.

  “You’re beautiful,” Bob said softly. When she opened her eyes again, they remained locked on him. He smoothed his hands across her hips and down her thighs, enjoying the quiver of her skin. She didn’t seem to mind being naked and open for him, and he loved her continued confidence.

  Becca sat up and reached for his hands, a sexy smile on her lips. “My turn.” When Bob started to protest, she cut him off. “Let me take care of you.” Her hand traveled between his legs, molding to the outline of his erection and applying pressure. “You definitely need some relief.”

  Bob gently held her wrist and tried to stifle his groan. His voice was gruff as he said, “I don’t expect you to—”

  “To return the favor? I’ve been waiting two years for this, for you.”

  Bob was stunned speechless at her confession. He watched her eyes soften and a gentle smile curve her lips. “I think I’ve been in love with you since the first picture Tessa ever showed me. She shared everything, she was always so proud of you. I could feel your energy, your elation in every photo. Made me wish I’d been there to share your joy.”

  “Becca.” Bob cupped her face and leaned forward, kissing her with the same sweetness she exuded, the sweetness she deserved in return. Pulling back, her eyes slowly opened to his. “I told myself I’m not the hit-it-and-quit-it kinda guy. I don’t want to take advantage of you, and I can’t guarantee you any more than tonight.”

  Becca placed her hand to the side of his face and smiled. “I’ll take tonight if it’s all I get. I understand your job, your duty, and I’m not gonna make demands on you. I don’t expect any declarations—”

  “But, Becca…”

  She shook her head. “Don’t deny me, Bob. I want you. Right here, right now. No promises. I get it, I really do.”

  Silence hung in the air for all of a second before Bob reacted. “Fuck, I want you, and damn my honor.” He was off the chair and stripping out of his clothes.

  Becca whipped her top over her head leaving her completely naked. “You have more honor than any man I know.”

  Bob stood over her, taking in her beauty, knowing what he was about to do was wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. “Do I need a condom? Because I’m clean, haven’t been with anyone in some time.”

  She shook her head and said she was on the pill, then lifted her arms to him as if beseeching him to come to her. But he had other plans. He lifted her from the chair and surprised her by pulling her body to his so that she could wrap her legs around his waist. He then spun them and placed himself on the chair so that she straddled him. As his hands fell to her waist, she moved her hips across his body, rubbing her wet center across his erection.

  “I need to be inside you, Becca. I need to feel your pussy surrounding me.”

  “Tessa always said you were a sweet-talker,” she teased. She lay forward across his body, sealing her lips to his while her breasts pressed into his chest.

  Bob moved his hands around to her ass, squeezing as he pressed further into her. He broke the kiss to say, “I’m no sweet-talker, baby. I just tell it like it is.”

  “And you’d like my pussy on your cock?”

  Her grin was driving him crazy, her body even more so. And now to hear her talk dirty to him? Yeah, she was something, all right. “Hell yeah, I want that pussy on my cock. I want to feel you come again, squeezing me until I explode inside you.” Bob could feel her skin heating, he could hear her breath quicken.

  A strangled sob escaped her as she fisted his erection and guided him to her opening. She was plenty wet and still swollen from her first orgasm, and he planned to make sure her second proved to be even more powerful.

  Bob surged into her, unable to hold back, and her startled gasp turned into a gratifying moan as she held herself tightly against his body. Becca then braced her hands on his shoulders and lifted her body, giving him access to her breasts once again. While he palmed them, squeezed them, Becca pumped her hips in tiny thrusts, creating a friction that felt fantastic.

  “That feels so goddamn good,” he groaned.

  “Yeah? You like that?” Her sassy smile and hooded eyes were so damn sexy. She was stunning.

  Bob dropped his hands to her hips and latched on, taking control and moving their bodies together at a faster pace. “Yeah, Becca, I do. I’m trying to let you set the pace but I wanna drive into you so hard.” He punctuated that statement with a forceful surge that had her crying out.

  “Yes, take me harder, Bob.” Her nails dug into his flesh and her insides tightened around his cock. She threw her head back and her perky little breasts bounced as he gave her what she wanted. What they both wanted.

  Bob was certain he’d leave marks on her skin as he further tightened his hold on her flesh and pounded into her, chasing his release. Becca’s pants and gasps competed with his own groans, knowing they were both close to exploding. He released a hand from her hip to find her center, thumbing her sensitized clit, and within seconds she ignited, bringing him with her. He bucked wildly as she held on, both moving in sync to the most intense climax Bob had ever felt. His entire body practically convulsed with power as Becca’s inner muscles squeezed the life out of him, milking him of every last drop as he filled her with his cum.

  She collapsed onto his chest, her body still quaking as pulses seemed to zip back and forth between the two. Becca buried her face into his neck as Bob banded his arms around her tiny body. He held her tightly as their ragged breaths slowly returned to normal and their shudders began to diminish, leaving their slick, heated bodies seemingly fused together.

  “So good,” she whispered against his skin. “So much more than I imagined.”

  Bob gently caressed her back with one hand as another sifted through her blonde silky strands, loving the softness—simply loving the feel of her body atop his. The firelight danced across her skin, causing her to glow, and Bob thought he’d never seen another woman look so … perfect. “You are incredible, Becca.”

  “Mmm, you are,” she purred.

  Bob chuckled as she sat up, her dreamy appearance so damn cute. And her grin … he could easily stare at that satisfied expression every day.

  Whoa! Where the hell did that come from? You’re just enjoying a weekend.

  “Hey, where’d ya go?” Becca’s concerned look and tender voice brought Bob back into focus.

  “Nowhere
. I’m right here.” He hoped the smile he gave her was convincing, because he really did look forward to enjoying this weekend without getting into anything heavy. He just couldn’t guarantee much more than that.

  As his hands continued to stroke her soft skin, he felt goose bumps rise. “Getting chilly? Want to move inside?”

  She ran her hands up and down his chest as she answered. “As long as you aren’t sending me off to a separate room.”

  “From the looks of things earlier, I’d say we probably won’t have a choice but to share a room. Not that I’ll complain.” He gave her a wink.

  Becca leaned down to place a soft kiss on his lips. “Good, because I can’t think of anything better than spending the night in your arms and waking up together for our run.”

  ****

  Morning came and Bob was gone.

  Becca felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath her, sending her for a spin that may never right itself.

  She learned from Tessa that Bob and the guys had to report back to Bragg ASAP and get ready for deployment.

  Becca never heard a thing, having slept so soundly. She tried to put up a good front for Tessa, but had suspected her friend knew the truth—that she was impossibly in love with Bob. When she’d told him, she certainly didn’t expect any declaration from him, given he’d just met her. And one hot night of sex with him didn’t really equate to love, did it? But Becca was falling hard, and she just hoped she’d be able to withstand the impact when she landed, wherever that may be.

  ****

  Bob had been out of country more than he was in, barely having time to recharge, let alone try to develop any sense of a relationship with Becca. His impromptu deployment that interrupted the weekend at the beach had kept him away for six months. And when his team had returned to regroup, thinking they’d have some time stateside, they were notified of another mission for which they’d had only two weeks to prepare.

  As much as Bob wished it could’ve been different, Becca hadn’t deserved the uncertainty, the waiting. And he told her so. It had ripped his heart in two.

  Hell, he’d barely had a relationship with his daughter, Mackenzie, who was nearly ten, and he’d hated that. Bob had to watch her grow up mostly through pictures and emails. There were visitations on the occasions that he was in-country, along with the rare Skype sessions when he had a secure and steady link. His contribution to her upbringing was chiefly financial, but he longed for the day that would change.

  As for Becca, he’d learned from Tessa that she had eventually moved on when she realized the circumstances weren’t going to bring Bob back to her. Seemed life on the West Coast was the perfect change of scenery, where she ended up marrying and having a son, only to divorce a few years later. Bob was saddened to hear that, wishing she’d gone on to be happy, even if he wasn’t the one providing that happiness.

  Contact between Tessa and Becca had become sporadic, but as far as Bob knew from his cousin, Becca was in Southern California. San Diego, to be exact.

  Yeah, he still thought of her and what could have been, constantly kicking himself for turning away what had had the potential to be amazing. Guess the ship had sailed on that one.

  Regret had taken root, digging in deep.

  After seeing and experiencing the ravages man was capable of, he now knew that you take advantage of every opportunity, ensuring that every minute of your life be lived to the fullest. Because you never knew when that life would be forever altered. Or worse, over.

  ****

  Gunfire lit up the predawn morning, the deafening barrage shattering the peaceful silence. Bob and his men hit the ground, returning fire around them. Two shooters were twenty yards behind the group, having popped out of a covered pit the guys had walked by earlier.

  Mack took a round in the calf, but barely let it slow him down. Three more shooters about a hundred yards in front of them jumped out from the rocks. With the advantage of the NVGs, Bob and his men made short work of the others, quickly taking them out.

  But the damage was done. Their position was compromised.

  Bob had Scotty radio Command and attend to Mack while he and the others went ahead to get a quick assessment. Bob figured they’d have less than thirty minutes to gather what intel they could and beat feet outta there before they faced another confrontation.

  Garrett began taking pictures of the town, the buildings, the well-guarded by armed men. Raul’s thermal camera picked up a dozen or so men that were headed their way.

  “Boss.” Raul got Bob’s attention. “We gotta go. RPGs headed our way.”

  “Roger,” Bob responded. “Scotty, get the copter back. Pick a spot for extraction and let’s get to it. Jake, Raul, keep eyes on any incoming. Garrett, you got enough?”

  “Got it. Looks like they may have a tunnel system or at least an underground safe spot. Armed men just took two unarmed men into a well. Insurgent leaders possibly.”

  “Okay, let’s wrap it up and move. Mack, you good to go?”

  “Good to go, boss.”

  As the men began their retreat, a shot rang out. Jake took down the lead man ascending toward them. “Raul, to our left! They’re spreading out!” The group fired more shots and took more men down. The insurgents were getting a few shots off, but luckily they were still too far away to inflict damage.

  “Scotty, you radio that copter? What’s its twenty?”

  “Thirty minutes out. We need to head back southwest to the rendezvous.”

  “Jake, Raul, let’s move. Keep eyes on our six, I’ll take the lead.”

  Garrett positioned himself up front with Bob while they kept Scotty and Mack behind them. They needed to move quickly in order to put space between them and the men that were following.

  They made it only a few hundred yards before Raul went down. Everyone spun and caught sight of another man coming out of the ground. Sneaky bastard must’ve stayed hidden when he realized all his buddies were goners. He got off another shot, hitting Jake in the shoulder.

  Bob aimed, fired. Shooter down.

  He and Garrett ran back to Jake’s position. He was kneeling, assessing Raul. When Bob approached, he saw Jake’s grim expression as light slowly filtered into the sky.

  Jake shook his head, indicating that Raul was dead.

  “Fuck!” Bob rarely lost his cool, but he was sick and tired of losing men. He knew the risks, they all did. Never take for granted that it’d be a cut-and-dried mission, because danger was never far. He knew well not to forget that. “Garrett, wrap Jake’s shoulder. Scotty, get Raul’s gear.”

  The men reacted, doing their duty, but Bob knew they were just as pissed as him. Bob bent down, picked Raul up, and slung his body across his shoulder.

  “Let me,” Mack said. He was the biggest and strongest of the men.

  “I got it,” Bob grunted. “You’re a better shot, so you and Garrett watch our backs. The longer we stand here the closer those bastards get. Jake, G2G?”

  “G2G, boss.”

  “Scotty, lead the way. And get that copter to us. Let’s go!”

  The group resumed their movement, trying to put distance between themselves and the men intent on ending their lives. More grenades were launched, and they were landing closer and closer. Mack and Garrett took out a few more men, but others were quickly gaining on them. A quick peek behind him told Bob that they were clearly outnumbered. Shit!

  As the sun made its way over the mountain peaks, it sent its blinding light into the eyepieces of Mack and Garrett’s scopes. They had to readjust to get eyes on the men. One second was all it took for a grenade to hit its mark.

  Bob felt as if someone had shoved him from behind. It felt as if a million fireballs were thrown at his backside. He heard muffled yells, he smelled dust and heat. He saw the ground rise up and smack him in the face.

  Lights out.

  ****

  Becca watched Riley splash in the shallow surf, his squeals of delight bringing a smile to her face as always. Mid-S
eptember Saturdays still brought plenty of beachgoers, and today was no different. Her son darted around others, slipping in and out of the water as if playing tag, laughing harder when it touched his feet. At four, he was a little daredevil. Many times he reminded her of herself when she was younger and seemed to fear nothing.

  Moments like this almost made Becca forget about her worries. Forget about Riley’s dad, Patrick, who always found reasons to put off his visits which were becoming more infrequent. They were supposed to have a family day at Sea World and then a picnic on the beach.

  But if she was being honest, she selfishly wished he’d just give up partial custody and leave her and Riley alone. Her son was already confused enough by his actions, and Becca was tired of making excuses for him.

  Granted, Patrick was a busy man. He was an orthopedic surgeon at Sharp Coronado Hospital. For all the skill and care he gave his patients, she wished he’d given his family just a fraction of that. Then, they might still be together. They might still be happy.

  Who was she kidding? Patrick liked the idea of the perfect family, but all of Patrick’s focus had been and would always be on his career. Realizing their marriage wasn’t salvageable, it took a considerable amount of persuasion to convince Patrick that a divorce was best, rather than live in a loveless marriage. They finally came to a civil agreement.

  She certainly couldn’t complain about the financial support he provided for her and Riley, but Patrick seemed to think that that would more than make up for his absence. In Becca’s eyes, his love and devotion to his son should be most important. Money couldn’t replace a father’s presence. But the more she thought about it, the more she asked if Riley needed a father figure. With Patrick being such a non-presence, she’d be quick to answer no.

  Becca was more than capable of providing all the love and emotional support her son needed, as he had become her number one priority from the second he was born.