Fight For Her (Soldiers in Arms Book 1) (5 page)

But he hadn’t intended to be the one to help her, had he? After all, he did not get involved with local women.

He smirked to himself. Bit too fucking late.

“If there’s something you’re not telling me…”

She reached for the robe on the back of the door and thrust her arms into it, careful to keep herself hidden from him. He gritted his teeth. First she was trying to keep secrets from him, now she was attempting to hide that gorgeous body. He didn’t like it one damn bit.

“It’s none of your business, Jake.”

“After last night—hell, after just now—I think it is.”

“Why? Because we fucked once?”

“It was more than just fucking.”

She lifted her chin. “Was it?”

He narrowed his gaze at her. He didn’t much like this game she was playing. There was no way Waverly hadn’t felt what he had last night. Their connection was electric. He still wanted her with every fiber of his being. If it was just simple fucking, he’d have been happy to fuck her and leave her but he wasn’t.

“You know damn well it was.” He stepped close. “Don’t try to lie about it because you can’t. I can see the doubt in your eyes. You’re a crappy liar, Waverly.”

He saw her throat work. “Look, whatever it was, it doesn’t change things. I’m still pregnant with another man’s baby and…and I don’t intend to work as a waitress forever.” She wrapped her arms about her. “I said I didn’t expect anything of you, and I still don’t. So you shouldn’t expect anything from me, either.”

He drew in a long breath to prevent him from saying something stupid and blowing things all together.

“I don’t expect to be lied to,” he said simply. He glanced over her, all bundled up in that fluffy robe. “I’ll leave you to get dressed. Maybe by tonight you’ll have decided whether you want to be honest with me or not.”

Walker stalked out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He pushed a hand through his hair. Waverly not telling him the whole truth bothered him more than it should. He was willing to bet there were plenty of women he’d slept with who had lied to him. But it hadn’t mattered with them. They were just a willing pussy, someone to fuck and leave.

But it mattered with Waverly.

What a fucking idiot he was for breaking his own rule.

Waverly pushed back her hair from her face and grimaced at her own reflection. At least she was probably done being sick for the night. She washed up and eyed the pack of mints on the side table.

With a huff, she snatched it up, tore it open and stuffed one in her mouth.

“Damn him.”

The sweet seemed to settle her stomach instantly.

She stuffed the pack in the back of her jeans and ran a brush through her hair. Her stomach was more tangled than her locks. Would he be here tonight as promised? What would she say to him?

Checking her reflection once more, she gave up and headed downstairs to begin opening up. Maybe he wouldn’t come after all. She’d been rude to him when all he’d done was look after her so wonderfully. So what if talking about her father left her feeling so raw? She should have sucked up the courage and told him everything.

Perhaps she would if she saw him tonight.

She scowled when she entered the bar area, noting a few lights were left on. Had she neglected to turn them off? She skipped back in her mind. She’d been distracted for sure, but she was certain Walker wouldn’t have let her forget anything.

Whirling at the sound of a footstep, she pressed her hand to her heart when Walker stepped out from around the corner.

“What are you doing here?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Couldn’t stay away.” He strode over, took her face in his hands and kissed her swiftly.

“Jake, I—”

“You can tell me all later. Let’s get out of here.”

He took her hand.

“I can’t, I have to—”

Justice strode up behind the bar, propping her elbows on the surface and grinning at them. “I got back early. You two kids go have fun.”

She glanced between Jake and Justice. “But…”

“No buts,” Justice insisted. “I can handle things here and from what Walker tells me, you need a break. If I see you before lunch tomorrow, you’re fired.” A glint of amusement softened the threat, but Waverly suspected Justice might well go through with it.

She laughed. “I guess I don’t have much choice then.”

“No choice at all,” Jake agreed. “Thanks, Justice. You’re a doll.”

Justice waved a hand. “Don’t I know it.”

He led her out to the parking lot and guided her over to a shiny, big, black bike. She stilled. “Is that yours?”

He nodded and grabbed the spare helmet. “You’ll be perfectly safe, I promise.” His gaze locked onto hers, making her heart come to a standstill. “I would never let anything happen to you.”

Somehow she knew that. This man protected their country for a living and he’d sure as hell protect her. “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.”

“I’ll take it easy to begin with. Just hold onto me and try to go with the movement of the bike.”

She nodded and he went to help her with the helmet. “Wait.” She put a hand to his wrist. “I should explain…”

He shook his head. “Explain later. I shouldn’t have pushed you, but I’d still like to know the truth.”

“You’ll have it,” she vowed.

Jake gave a quick grin that had her pulse racing. He helped her get on the helmet and clipped it under her chin. Once he was on, she climbed onto the back and wrapped her arms around his torso. Beneath the leather jacket she could feel stone hard abs. An immediate pulse of need ran through her.

The thrum of the engine made her pulse quicken. Jake did as he promised and took it easy until they were out on the open roads. Waverly began to get used to moving with the bike as he navigated it around corners and exhilaration began to replace any nervousness. With Jake, she felt totally safe and protected.

They came to a stop at the end of a country lane. Tucked amongst the trees was a small cabin. To one side, a jetty jutted out into a beautiful pond.

He pulled the bike up outside the front and helped her off. She undid the helmet and took it off, shaking out her hair.

“Where are we?”

“It’s a place a friend owns. We often come out here for a bit of downtime.”

“We?”

“Me and the guys.”

“You’ve been friends a long time, haven’t you?”

“As long as I can remember. Some of us did basic training together.”

He took the helmet from her and ushered her inside the cabin. Though traditional on the outside, the interior had a modern feel to it, with a walnut and marble kitchen, blinds on each window and cream furnishings.

“This is beautiful.”

“It’s a good place to relax.”

She turned to eye him. “Is that what we’ll be doing?”

He grinned. “Well, I won’t keep you awake all night.” His grin turned wicked. “But I thought you could do with a night away.”

Waverly shook her head in awe. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“Why?”

“No one has ever been so considerate.”

He took two paces over and had her in his arms. “Then they were fucking idiots. You’re worth the effort, baby.”

She almost got lost staring up into those dark eyes. Her heart gave another thud, reminding her what was at stake here. It would be so, so easy to get attached to him. But she was carrying another man’s baby, remember? Who would want anything more than a little fun with a pregnant woman?

However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy herself just a little longer, right?

She scowled. “I don’t have any overnight stuff.”

“Let’s just say Justice helped me get together a few bits.” He went back out to the bike for a moment and returned with a small bag of toiletries and a change of clothes.

Waverly took them and shook her head. “You really did put some thought into this.”

“I’m a soldier. Always be prepared is practically my motto.”

“You didn’t need to go to so much effort. After all, I was the one who was in the wrong.”

Walker took the bag from her and led her into a bedroom. The massive bed was covered with cream sheets and several beige pillows. It looks like the sort of bed you’d find in a hotel and not at all like the one she was sleeping on at the bar. She sighed. Not long ago she’d been sleeping in surroundings even better than this.

“I shouldn’t have pushed you, Waverly.” Jake put the bag on the bed and took her into his arms. “You’re dealing with a lot right now, and a guy who’s only known you a few days has no right to know everything.”

She glanced at him. Had she really only known him a few days? It seemed longer. Of course, she had been watching him ever since she started working at the bar and Justice had told her all she knew about Jake. Her short time with him had confirmed everything she’d been told. Walker was sexy, far too charming, kind and self-assured.

That part appealed to her. Adam had appeared confident but he was filled with insecurities, Waverly had decided. From his carefully bleached teeth to his expensive haircut, everything her ex-fiancé did was so carefully calculated to create the right appearance. Walker didn’t care what anyone else thought.

Waverly sank onto the bed. “I was engaged for a year, you know.”

Jake’s eyebrows rose. She noted his clenched fist.

“I didn’t love him.”

Walker sank down beside her. “Why were you engaged then?”

“We dated for about a year and it was fine. We were a match in so many ways, it seemed. I thought I could be happy with him, but after we got engaged I realized I didn’t love him and that really he bored me.” She smirked. “I didn’t realize he was a complete asshole, though. That only became apparent when he told me to get an abortion.”

“What happened when you refused?”

“He threatened to tell my father.” She peeked at him. “That might not seem like much but you don’t know him. I was still living at home and he was in control of everything, all my money, everything. I even worked for him.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“Not physically, no. But, of course, I realize now that he was trying to hurt me in many ways by controlling my behavior all my life. And Adam was no better. He was my father’s lawyer and would do anything for him, including keeping me under control.”

“Why not leave before?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure I even realized how much control he had until I thought about bringing the baby up in that environment.” Waverly turned her head to stare out of the window that looked over the pond. “It’s hard to admit that I let any of that happen to me. That I was so silly and scared of being abandoned to look after myself that I’d rather stay and let other people control my life. I was embarrassed to tell you, Walker.”

He took her hand and squeezed it. “It’s hard to see outside of those situations. I get it.”

“Obviously I never would have given up the baby but my father would have made my life hell. A baby would get in the way of all of Adam’s great plans and my father would have supported him.”

“Assholes,” Walker muttered.

“They are.” She turned a smile on him. “So I grabbed my things and left and drove and drove until I was too tired to go any farther. Then Justice gave me a job.”

“What next?”

“I’m not sure.” She laughed. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Took off or come to a beach house with a strange man?” he teased.

She nudged him. “Either! Though I don’t think you’re that strange.”

“Maybe not strange but definitely crazy. For you.”

Her chest constricted. Was this what this was? Craziness? Because it certainly felt it. She wanted this man so badly she felt like she needed to tear off her clothes and fling herself on him immediately.

His dark gaze searched hers. She prayed she was giving him what he was looking for. His hand cupped her cheek and he came down for a kiss. She thought he might go slow after what she’d told her, but she hoped he wouldn’t. All she needed was him, hard and fast, frantic and furious.

He must have sensed the ratcheting of her need. He pulled at the edge of her tee and tugged it up and over her head. The rest of her clothes were gone in moments while he remained dressed. She grumbled a little at all the clothing preventing her from touching him, but there was something insanely sexy about her being all naked in front of him while he was fully dressed.

“Turn over, baby.”

She did as she was told, offering him her ass. He skimmed fingers over it and down between her ass cheeks. He pressed lightly on her puckered hole.

“One day, I’ll take you there. You won’t believe how good it feels.”

She sucked in a ragged breath.
One day
, he said. Did that mean there would be more days between them?

He pressed two fingers into her, hard and swift. She arched her back and gasped. He pistoned his fingers in and out, bringing her close to the brinks. Then he moved back and she heard the snap of his jeans and them dropping to the floor. On her knees, she waited.

Warm hands cupped her hips and he slid into her swiftly. He bent over her briefly to kiss her back. “Feels so fucking good,” he murmured against her skin.

Jake straightened and took her hair in one hand, pulling her head back and using it as leverage. The angle was so deep, so acute that Waverly could hardly feel the sting of her scalp. All sensations blurred into one intense one of utter bliss.