A Second Chance at Love Page 2

  She continued to watch me with bright eyes. I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, and I knew the moment she’d made her decision.

  “I want everything. Please.”

  Never let it be said that I didn’t know how to please a lady. Every muscle in my body relaxed from a tension I hadn’t realized I’d been feeling. Callie reached up to run her fingers through my hair. The caress was soothing. That thought was quickly cut off though when she wrapped a leg around my waist and thrust up, pushing her pelvis into mine. My cock jumped with anticipation.

  Her plea for everything unleashed the restraint I’d been holding. Not wasting another minute, I pulled back and lined my cock up with her slit. I slowly pushed inside her, watching as my length disappeared inside her tight pussy. Her muscles clenched down and almost had me coming right then and there. I thought about other things as I pushed forward until I was inside her to the hilt.

  My eyes met Callie’s as I began shallow thrusts that gradually deepened until I was pounding uncontrollably into her. For a brief second I thought I was being too rough, but she tightened her legs around me and met me thrust for thrust. Her moans of pleasure couldn’t be faked. Neither could the expression on her face. As much as I wanted to break the connection between us, I found I couldn’t. I maintained eye contact with her, and a thousand emotions were communicated between us. It scared the shit out of me.

  Knowing I was close, I reached between us and rubbed her clit. Callie gasped in pleasure, and her breathing quickened. Her muscles tightened around me, and she continued to clench down on me. After a few more circles on her nub, she threw her head back as her body spasmed beneath me. I took my cue from her and let my release go. My seed flooded her as my climax roared through me.

  I fell into an exhausted heap next to Callie. She cuddled up beside me, and her breathing slowed and evened out. The emotional connection we’d just felt had both of us silent as though we feared breaking it with even a whisper. Eventually, she fell asleep, but I remained wide-awake, replaying what had happened over and over again.

  I left shortly after she woke up, and I declined staying for breakfast. I couldn’t stay away after that, but I held a part of myself back each time we made love. That night, and all the rest that followed that week, would forever be ingrained inside my head. On the days I felt sorry for myself, I’d think about my time with Callie. I’d never tell any of my buddies what a sap I’d become, but I would always remember how loved she’d made me feel. It would have to keep me warm at night, because I was an idiot and pushed her away. Long distance relationships rarely worked out. Even when you put forth the effort. We’d only known each other a few short days. I refused to admit that I might be scared of even trying to make it work. After Leslie had left me, I’d cut myself off from the emotional entanglements that a relationship brought. Hopefully, this week with the guys would take my mind off Callie and all the what-ifs that kept creeping into my mind.

  4

  Callie

  Myrtle Beach. I hadn’t been there since my mid-20s when my parents owned a timeshare and we’d go once a year for a family vacation. It brought back great memories of walking along the beach with the cool breeze blowing. We always went in the off-season, usually in March; nine times out of ten it was colder than a witch’s tit. We got lucky a few times and it hit the low 70s, but mostly it was windy and overcast. I was excited to see the girls. I was nearing the end of my three-week vacation, having just left Miami after two weeks, before heading up here on my way home.

  Every year for the umpteenth year, three of my former college sorority sisters and I meet for a one to two week vacation. This year, we’d planned it for the Fourth of July in Myrtle Beach. Liana’s mother found us an awesome beach house to rent while we were there. It abutted some small sand dunes before opening up to the miles long beach. I knew the girls had a ton of things planned including the Fourth of July fireworks and at least one cookout. I wasn’t much of a planner so I always left it up to the others. This was a time when I didn’t have to make any decisions.

  I was the director of nursing for a local hospital where the majority of decisions I made daily were a matter of life or death. Any mistakes on my part regarding the care of a patient in the facility could be costly. So, these vacations were my time to relax and rejuvenate. I eagerly anticipated them. I tacked on the trip to Miami with my best friend as a bonus this year. I’d had an exceptionally shitty year with several of my nurses resigning or retiring and one of my favorite, long-term patients losing her bout with cancer.

  Miami had turned out to be more than I’d expected, in more ways than one. My best friend somehow managed to run into the father of her child, even though she hadn’t seen him since the crazy night they’d hooked up. He didn’t even know he was a dad. That’s how I met Kyle.

  Kyle was a former SEAL who’d been discharged from the war after he’d been injured in an explosion that took his left leg. I worked with a lot of Veterans that came through my hospital, and since I’d minored in psychology in school, I was always curious to see how Vets were adjusting to the change in status. Most of them found it difficult adjusting to civilian life after living a regimental life for so long. Add in a life-altering injury and the mental adjustments were often overwhelming. We talked for hours at dinner and at the house when he’d taken me home after our friends went their own way.

  I wanted to chalk up my boldness to the wine I’d drunk for dinner, but honestly, it was loneliness. As well as recognition of the same loneliness in Kyle’s eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and Kyle’s soul was desperate for human connection. I had no doubts the same could have been said of mine. One thing led to another, and I’d found comfort in his arms that night. And for the rest of the week. He’d pushed me away so I spent my second week there alone after my best friend left early. I hadn’t told her what had happened between Kyle and me. Not that I was ashamed or embarrassed, but she was dealing with her own life. Me hooking up with some guy wasn’t front-page news. Although, for me, it might as well have been.

  I tried to tell myself it was just a fling, but I knew he felt the connection between us. Only, Kyle didn’t want to admit it, and any time I broached the topic of seeing each other after I left, I was shut down. So, I gave up. I wasn’t going to force my attention on someone who either wasn’t ready or wasn’t truly interested. We said our good-byes and that was that. I would try and spend this time not thinking about Kyle or how he’d made me feel alive again after all these years.

  I finally pulled up to the beach house and parked my car in the carport underneath the house. I got out, needing to stretch my muscles after having sat for so long, and was instantly assaulted with the tang of salt in the air. The humidity was stifling, and immediately, beads of sweat popped out on my forehead. Heat always made me react that way, and I saw a lot of ocean time in the near future. Which suited me just fine.

  I loved the smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and the chatter of children splashing in the water. I was mid-30s with no kids. I thanked the Lord every day that Travis and I never had them. It had been enough of a challenge getting myself out of that relationship. I can’t imagine how much more difficult it would have been had there been kids involved. He wouldn’t have let them go without a fight. Thankfully, it no longer mattered. It still didn’t mean I didn’t want kids. Sadly, they didn't seem to be in my future. So, I’d settle for being “auntie”.

  I grabbed my bags and trudged up the two flights of stairs, cursing myself for skipping my daily workouts the last two weeks. By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was huffing and puffing, and a trail of sweat trickled between my boobs. I could hear raucous noise coming from inside. Looked like the girls had already started the party. Sounds of laughter filtered through the door, and immediately, my attitude changed. A smile crossed my face, and the anticipation of having a great vacation poured through me. I was looking forward to everything Myrtle Beach ha
d to offer.

  I punched in the security code on the keypad on the door and entered the house.

  “What’s up, bitches? I’m here.”

  Squeals of excitement sounded at my greeting, and I prepared myself for the rounds of hugs. Man, I’d missed these ladies. First, Skye came bounding down the hall, followed by Journey. When no one else came, I guessed Liana hadn’t arrived yet. I’d talked to her earlier so I knew she was on her way. After a roundtable of bear hugs, Skye walked me to my room, and after she left, I freshened up a bit before joining them.

  “I’m so happy to see you guys,” I said when Journey handed me a cocktail. I took a tentative sip of the pink, fruity smelling beverage and sighed in pleasure as I swallowed the delicious drink.

  “Sooooo, how was Miami?” This came from Skye, who was busy pulling buffalo wings out of the oven.

  I wasn’t sure where to start and even though I loved these women, I wasn’t sure I was ready to share what had happened in Miami. Of course, I hesitated too long, and Skye jumped on my silence like a dog on a bone.

  “Ok, spill it.”

  “Miami was fine. Good. Really.” Even knowing it would be pointless in the end, I didn’t say anything else.

  “Oh, no. Not a chance in hell I’m letting you get away with that answer. Something happened. Either talk about it or tell me you don’t want to discuss it. But don’t act like nothing at all happened. We’ve always been honest with each other.”

  “God, I hate that you know me so well.” A sigh escaped, and I wet my mouth with my drink before telling most of the story. There were some details I’d rather leave out. “I met a guy. A Vet. We hit it off, spent a week together, but he didn’t seem to want to see where it might lead, and he pushed me away. I let him. Not much more to tell.”

  Journey, always the most compassionate one of our group, sat on the couch next to me and put her arm around me in an attempt to comfort me.

  “I’m sorry it didn’t work out between you guys. I know you’ve had a rough time since Travis. I wish it had gone differently for you.”

  I shrugged under her touch and took another sip of my drink.

  “Nothing more I can do. Either way, I’m done thinking about him. I’m ready to get our fabulous vacation started. Here’s to surf and sand.” I saluted the air with my glass before guzzling the rest of it down.

  5

  Kyle

  I pulled into the next gas station and rolled to a stop at one of the pumps. I flipped down the kickstand and carefully dismounted. My prosthetic was state-of-the-art, but I still hesitated moving certain ways. I’d practically killed myself in physical therapy in order to normalize my gait pattern. I still had a slight limp, but it was barely noticeable I’d been told. I’d just removed my helmet when I spotted a gorgeous blonde woman filling up her Beemer at the next pump over. Except for her smaller build, she reminded me of another gorgeous blonde I would never forget but wished I could.

  Being a healthy male, I couldn’t help smiling at her, running my gaze up and down her body as I ambled toward the entrance of the building. She caught me staring and quickly flashed me the rock gracing the fourth finger on her left hand. My gait briefly hesitated, and my smile vanished. No need to piss off the fiancé who might be giving me the evil eye from inside the store. I nodded slightly as I kept walking past her, my limp slightly more pronounced, careful to keep my eyes averted.

  I quickly paid for my gas, filled up, and hopped back on the bike. I sped down the road, revving the engine a few times to feel the vibration of the machine under me, passing the same Beemer I’d seen a short time ago. Not long after, I reached my destination.

  After grabbing my saddlebags, I knocked on the door of the enormous beach house. The sound of seagulls cooing filled the air, and the faint sound of the surf could be heard from the front porch.

  I’d been enjoying the sounds when the door swung open.

  “Welcome to Casa de Paradise.” Trevor and I wrapped fists and pulled each other in for a half-body man hug, bumping chests and each clapping the other on the back.

  “Good to see you, man. The house looks awesome.”

  “Dude, Gannon’s ex-mother-in-law outdid herself, that’s for sure. We got a pool and Jacuzzi as well as a badass game room. Your room is the first room on the left at the top of the stairs. Drop your shit up there and head out to the back patio. We got the grill fired up. Oh, and man, the chicks next door are hot. Nothing like some gorgeous babes to make a vacation that much better.”

  I couldn’t help laughing as Trevor left me to find my way to my room while he headed back outside to check out the “hot chicks”. I laughed, mostly because I knew his macho attitude was just a front. Trevor was the last person to be interested in a woman just because of her looks. He was a good guy who treated all women with respect. He was straight-laced with the biggest, most tight-knit family I’d ever seen. There were times I was so envious of his relationship with his family that I had to stop myself from hating him. It wasn’t his fault my parents were dead and any family I did have wanted nothing to do with me.

  After throwing my bags on the bed in the room, I headed out to the patio, the smell of burgers grilling wafting through the air. My stomach grumbled, and I was reminded that I hadn’t eaten since this morning at the hotel where I’d spent the night in Jacksonville. I couldn’t spend more than five or six hours at a time on the bike anymore, not with my leg, so I usually had to stop somewhere during long road trips. Now that the delicious smells hit my nose, my stomach made its protest known. I grabbed a beer out of the fridge on my way out. I stepped out onto the deck and inhaled deeply. I noticed the attention of the guys were fixated next door so I had to take a look at what had them transfixed.

  My eyes fell on a blonde drinking a longneck, and I stopped breathing. My heart started beating again when I realized, with a smile, that it was the blonde from the gas station. I tipped my beer in greeting and just when I lifted it back to my lips for a sip, I froze again. This time, though, my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

  Standing just behind, and to the right, of the wrong blonde was the right one. It was the woman whose face I would never forget in all my days. Callie Foster. Her stare locked on mine. What the fuck was she doing here? Before I could puzzle it out, a crash sounded, and everyone’s gaze gravitated to the source. Blondie stood with her eyes wide in shock and her mouth slack-jawed. I turned my head to see what had her immobilized, and my eyes fell on my buddy, Gannon. From his matching expression, they both clearly knew each other. Well, this week just got slightly more interesting.

  My concern quickly returned to Callie, but she was no longer looking at me. Out of my peripheral vision, I noticed blondie and another woman rush inside. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Callie, but soon I was forced to as she too followed the other women inside. I finished my beer before I noticed Gannon was no longer outside with us.

  “What happened to Gannon?”

  Dondre tilted his head toward the neighboring house. Well, well, well, what secrets had Gannon been keeping from us? Knowing I wasn’t going to get any answers right away, I plated some food and grabbed another beer. I joined Trevor and Dondre on the sand dune and ate in contemplative silence until Gannon joined us a short time later. Gauging by his expression, he wasn’t in the mood to talk. I could totally understand that. Respecting his privacy for now, I finished off my burger and beer and headed back inside to relax with a book. I also needed to figure out what I was going to say to Callie. A week living in such close proximity was going to be brutal, knowing the chances of us seeing each other frequently were pretty high.

  Coming face to face with Callie again brought forth emotions I wasn’t ready to deal with. Arousal. Longing. Insecurity. Fear. Everything I’d ever loved had been taken from me. My parents. My fiancée. My platoon. I knew my therapist would call my feelings avoidance, but whatever. Tomorrow, I’d seek her out and we’d talk. Like normal adults. I’d enjoyed her company in Miami. Of course, I’d had
to fuck it up by taking it a step further. But there was something about her I hadn’t been able to resist. Maybe it was the vulnerability hidden behind the bold and outgoing personality. Either way, I’d had a taste of paradise, and it scared the shit out of me.

  After a night spent tossing and turning, I woke up early. My morning ritual followed; I did all the exercises my PT had assigned me and some light yoga to maintain my flexibility. I took a short walk along the beach. Just when I reached the pier, I saw a familiar silhouette standing at the end of it. How I recognized her from so far away, I had no idea, but I strode toward where Callie stood leaning against the wooden railing.

  “Didn’t expect to see you here.” I mentally slapped myself on the forehead. What a dumb thing to say. I hated that my statement sounded accusatory. As though she had no right to be here.

  She sneaked a quick glance at me before returning her attention to the vast ocean in front of us.

  “Yeah, well, it was a shock to see you here as well.”

  When she didn’t say any more, I shuffled nervously, hating the awkwardness that hung in the air. Everything had been effortless between us two weeks ago.

  “I’m sorry.” It was the only thing I could think of to say, although I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what I was sorry for. There were so many things. Sorry I let things get as far as they did. Sorry I pushed her away with no true reason. Sorry I didn’t think I could give her the things she needed. Sorry I was a coward.

  Callie shrugged, as though my words were of no consequence to her.

  “I’m not sure what you have to be sorry for. We had a good time together. We screwed a few times, and then we parted ways. You don’t have to apologize for that. Men do it all the time.”