Mercy: Second Chance Military Romance (8 page)

“What are you doing now?” she asked then took a sip of water from her glass.

“Not too much. I saved a bit of money, and I’ve been thinking about starting my own business. Lately, I’ve just been relaxing and enjoying life after all the craziness over in Afghanistan.”

She nodded.

“What kind of business?”

“I forgot how much you like asking questions,” I said with a chuckle.

“I’m sorry. When I get nervous, I tend to ask questions to keep the conversation going.”

“You’re fine. It’s cute.” I unrolled my cloth napkin and put it on my lap. “I guess I’m not sure what type of business I want to run yet. With my background, maybe a security firm or something.”

“It must be nice to have enough money saved up to not need to work for a while.”

“Yeah, I guess. My expenses were super low the two years I was over there, so I saved a lot.”

“Maybe I should join the Navy or something.”

I smiled.

“What about you? Boyfriend?”

She glanced away a moment, avoiding my eyes.

“Not really,” she said in a noncommittal voice. “You?”

“Still single. I’ve been thinking about that night…”

I stopped talking as the waitress returned with our bottle of wine. She poured us each a glass before leaving. Mercy lifted hers into the air.

“To finding friends years later.”

“To moving relationships to that next level.”

She stared into my eyes as we clinked our glasses together. I took a sip of the expensive wine, loving the bittersweet taste in my mouth.

“That’s good,” she said after taking a drink of her own.

“Maybe I’ll open a vineyard.”

“You’d have to move out of the city.”

“Yeah, there’s too much here I’m interested in right now.”

I decided to turn up my flirting after she used the word friends to describe us.

“Yeah? Like what?”

“Well, you for one.”

She glanced away again, looking down at the table covered in a white cloth.

“You’ve thought about that night, haven’t you?”

“Yeah,” she said. “I mean, once or twice. Not excessively.”

The waitress returned with our salads. I wanted to press Mercy for more, but I backed off. We ate quietly for a minute.

“We can’t just pick up where we left off,” she said suddenly.

“No, I guess not. Let’s forget about it and have fun tonight, okay? We have more options here than in Afghanistan.”

“That’s for sure,” she said, smiling.

By the end of our dinner, I had her laughing lightheartedly.

“You up for a comedy club or something?”

She took a deep breath.

“Normally I would, but I need to get up in the morning. I should get home.”

“Maybe some other time. You have my number now.”

“I do,” she said.

“Let me get a cab for us.”

“I’d rather go home alone if that’s okay with you.”

“Sure,” I said, trying not to sound too disappointed.

From what I could tell, she would be worth the wait.

“I’ll call you later this week, okay?”

I stepped forward and put my arms around her waist, hugging tightly. After a few seconds, I pulled back and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

“Good night, Mercy. So great to see you again.”

“Yeah,” she said. “You too.”

“Hold on.”

I stepped to the street and hailed a cab for her.

“Thanks again,” she said as she got in the back.

“No problem. Talk to you soon.”

After I closed the door, I watched the driver pull away, merging with traffic. I thought briefly about heading to a strip joint to blow off some steam, but with her on my mind, I decided against it.

She’ll come around
, I told myself as I made my way home.
We’ll finish what we started
.

THIRTEEN

Mercy

Back at the apartment after my dinner with Tyler, I wondered if I should have invited him over. My phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw Roger’s name.
Ugh
.

“Hey, Roger,” I answered. “What’s up?”

“You never called me back about our second date. You’re not backing out on me, are you?”

“No, I’ve been busy with work and stuff.”

Tell him about Tyler and get it over with!

“How about tonight? We could grab a bite to eat.”

“It’s late,” I said, walking into my kitchen. “I’ll call you later in the week, okay?”

“What’s wrong? You didn’t like our first date?”

“It was fine, but I’ve got a lot going on right now.”

“Yeah, that’s what you said.”

Both of us fell silent for a few seconds.

“I’m going to jump off here,” I said. “I’m getting ready for bed.”

“Alright. I’m not going to stop trying to get that second date.”

“You can keep trying, but I’m not making any promises.”

“Later on, Mercy.”

He ended the call before I had a chance to say anything. Roger had looked me up a week earlier, and I had gone on a date with him out of curiosity, wanting to get information on Tyler.

Now both men were interested in me, and I didn’t know what to do. In Afghanistan, I had leaned toward Tyler, but maybe that had been a mistake? Roger was much easier to read.

After pouring myself a glass of water, I retired to my bedroom and get ready for sleep. It was early, but I did have to make it to work early the next day. My skills as an editor were in high demand.

I worked for a publisher of trashy romance novels, which was as far away from journalism as one could get. While I told myself I didn’t care what other people thought, none of my friends or family knew about the job.

As I laid under the covers, memories of that night in Afghanistan flooded my mind. We had been so close to fucking, taking our blossoming relationship to the next level. Had I been too hasty?

The look on his face after the explosion would always be etched in my memory. Why had both men come back into my life so suddenly? Was it a sign I should be with one of them? Which one?

I had slept with one man on and off over the last year, one of the few male writers of romance novels, but I had broken it off with him a few months earlier.

He was okay in bed, but I couldn’t stand him the rest of the time. It wasn’t even worth the trouble. At the same time, as a woman, I had needs and desires.

Tyler had stoked my fire by arriving out of the blue. Or maybe it was Roger who made me so horny?
No, he’s so annoying. I should call Tyler.

When the thought hit me, I reached over and grabbed my phone off the nightstand. I turned on the screen, tapping and swiping until I saw his name in my contact list.

Should I call? It’s so late…

My finger tapped the screen, starting the call. I put the phone to my ear, my heart beating faster.

“Hello?” he answered.

“Hey, it’s Mercy.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine, but I thought it might be better.”

“Huh?”

“You know, the night I left in Afghanistan. What we were about to do.”

“Ohhh,” he said, drawing it out. “Fucking. What about it?”

“Are you really going to make me say it?”

“I love it when women talk dirty.”

“Do you want to come over and fuck me?”

The words sounded extra dirty coming out of my mouth.

“I’m on my way,” he said then ended the call.

What have I done?

I sat up and threw the covers back. After getting got out of bed, I rushed to the bathroom. Am I making a mistake? I barely know the man, but that night in Afghanistan had been so special, even if we were interrupted.

As I looked at my reflection in the mirror above the sink, I swished mouthwash back and forth and decided I would have fun with him for a night. After that, we would see where it went.

I’m still young. This is no big thing.

I spit into the sink before washing my hands.

What should I wear? Why did I do this?

I decided to stick with the two-piece pajamas I was wearing. They were soft and comfortable and a bit sexy.
Maybe if I unbutton a few buttons…

After baring a bit more of my cleavage, I went around the house, making sure everything was in place.
Should I light candles? Start some music? Pour some wine?

I heard the buzzer.

This is it. Calm down and enjoy yourself.

I took a deep breath then pressed the button to open the security door downstairs.

Oh, shit!
What if Roger calls or decides to come over? I should have gone to his place. Why am I such an idiot?

I walked over to my front door and opened it an inch, hoping Tyler and not Roger walked in.

FOURTEEN

Mercy

Tyler stood in the hallway. I smiled and stepped back.

“Come inside.”

He moved forward quickly, shutting the door behind him. I stood in my living room with pajamas and no socks on my feet, my heart fluttering as emotions from the past appeared.

Our eyes met as he stepped forward. He put his hands on my waist and pulled me toward him. My soft body pressed against his hard one, the perfect combination for love.

I stood on my toes and kissed him, wanting that warmth and sexual heat from my memories to turn into reality. His reaction told me he wanted the same.
He’s so good
.

While he unbuttoned my top, I fumbled with his pants. His dick had haunted my dreams many times, and I wanted to touch it again, have it inside me.

As our clothes came off, we kissed as much as possible. Once finished, I took his hand and led him to my bedroom. We did not need candles and soft music.
This is it.

We kissed more as I walked backward toward my bed. I reached it and sat down on the edge of the mattress, the same way I had in Afghanistan.
Will he?

A lustful look fell over his face as he dropped to his knees in front of me. Once again, those strong, thick hands ran over my smooth, silky skin, getting my blood flowing.

He trailed a path down my thigh with his tongue. I knew its eventual destination, and I couldn’t wait. The closer he got to my pussy, the faster my heart beat.

His tongue made contact. I ran my fingers through his hair as he explored every inch of my tender, pink flesh. Tingles radiated throughout my body.

I remembered the explosion in Afghanistan and laughed. He stopped and looked up at my face, looking so cute and preoccupied with pleasing me.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s nothing. I was just hoping there’s not an explosion before we get to it this time.”

He rubbed my thighs with his hand a few times, saying nothing, then stood. I saw his massive cock bouncing up and down in front of him like a young sapling.

I watched intently as he covered it with a condom. He crawled on the bed. I scooted back, spreading my legs and expecting the moment.

He held himself up with one huge arm and held his cock with the other hand, positioning it for penetration. I stared up into his eyes.

While the pleasure so far had been incredible, I noticed other feelings as I stared at him. Never to be one who believes in wishy-washy love, I pushed them aside.

His cock penetrated me. Everything else faded away. I saw his face and felt his hard, thick cock sliding in and out of my wet pussy like we were made for each other.

As I stared at his face, I ran my hands down his back to his ass cheeks. They were so hard and strong, just like the rest of him. He leaned down and kissed me on the lips.

I forgot about thinking of my decision as a mistake and enjoyed the moment. He thrust in and out of me, faster and harder, sending chills through my entire body.

“Don’t stop,” I begged, so close to coming.

The desperation on his face pushed me over the edge. My pussy tightened around his thick cock as my whole body shook. He continued pounding me as I moaned in pleasure.

“Fuck. Yes…”

His words made no sense, but I understood what he meant as his face scrunched up. He grunted and thrust into me one final time.

“Yes…” he hissed, breathing heavy.