The Long Ride Home”
(excerpted from Duty and Desire: Military Erotic Romance for Women)
by Delilah Devlin
Haddox was already dropping his duffel bag into the trunk of a caran older model black Mustang. I halted beside him, trying to figure out what I could say to keep him from driving away.
You forget something, PFC Hollister?” he asked, glancing at me as he slammed down the trunk lid.
Megan,” I said, suddenly breathless. Thought you might like some company.”
His gaze narrowed. Did you, now? Im gonna blow the carbon out of the exhaust. The rides gonna be bumpy.”
I dont want to get in the wayif you have plans.”
He snorted. No plans. Dont even have a place to sleep. Didnt your sister come to pick you up?”
Yeah, but shes all right with me leavin.”
This time, his mouth twisted into something between a smile and a snarl. Shelby?”
Yeah. You know theyve been writing each other.”
His gaze trailed straight down my body, then up again. Get in.”
I strode quickly to the passenger door, opened it, and slipped into the bucket seat. Then I tossed my hat in the backseat and began unbuttoning my ACU-camouflaged jacket.
He slid in beside me, one dark brow lifted, but he didnt say a thing when I threw it into the back and sat in my sweat-damp shirt in the musty car.
Better roll down the windows." Then he said a little prayer under his breath and turned the key in the ignition. I buckled my seatbelt. The engine rumbled into life. With a quick, tight grin, he jerked the stick into reverse, and then punched it forward, and we rolled out onto the street, heading west rather than east into town.
Hot wind whipped through the interior of the car, dispelling the musty air and tugging at my blond hair, which was looped into a clip at the back of my head. I reached back and released it, then laughed as the Mustang roared.
Glancing toward Haddox, I noted the hard edge of his jaw, the hand wrapped so tight around the steering wheel, the muscles in his forearm tensed. I didnt have to crawl inside his head to know he didnt want me there, but I was.
Maybe I could help him out a bit. And maybe, hed see me as more than a fellow soldier whod shared the bench seat of a deuce-and-a-half truck a time or two. One I'd been driving when hed had to talk me through a hail of gunfire when our transport convoy had come under attack.
I unbuckled my belt, ignoring his deep frown. I turned in the seat and reached for the buttons of his jacket, flicking them open then parting each side.
He didnt say a thing, but his nostrils flared and his jaw tightened.
I gripped the front of his T-shirt, bunched it in my hand, and tugged it from his ACU trousers.
His stomach jumped, and he sucked it in, making just enough room for me to get my fingers behind the waistband as I unbuckled, unbuttoned and tugged down the zip.
Dammit, Hollister,” he said, his voice rough as gravel. Youre gonna get us both killed.”
Not if you keep your eyes on the road,” I said, tilting up my chin. Then I leaned over his lap, folded down the elastic band of his boxer briefs and pulled his cock upright.
Fuck.” The car bolted forward. I had a glimpse of the long, black ribbon of highway, then turned my attention to his thickening cock.
I fingered the curve of the satin-soft cap. I never said thanks for saving my ass.”
I didnt expect it.”
I know. But it meant a lot, knowing you had faith I wouldnt freak.”
I recall shouting at you, calling you a pansy-assed waitress.”
Which I was, and will be again.” I leaned toward him, brushing my breasts against his firm upper arms. You made me mad enough to want to kill you.”
Which I take it turned you on?”
Not right then. But later. Every time I heard you shout, I creamed.”
His eyelids dipped down and he shot me a searing glance. My dicks out. Gonna do something with it, or were you just curious, Hollister?”
Ive seen it beforeat the showers, when Specialist Shelby whipped off your towel.”
He grunted. Most of the camp saw me stomp back to the tent in my birthday suit. Not my finest moment.”
It was one of the highlights of the tour for me.”
Better get busy or put it back.”
I winked. Yes, Sarge. Im pretty good at followin orders.”