Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Awakening Aubrey (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Jack 'Em Up Book 7) (7 page)

He leaned across the console and cupped my jaw. “I love you.”

I giggled. “You already said that.”

He shrugged then captured me in the sweetest, most toe-curling kiss of my life. Something burst free between us and it was raining down sweet joy.

Breathing heavy, he finally pulled back after pressing one last kiss to the edge of my lips. “I have something else to tell you.”

“What?” I couldn’t tell by his expression if it was a good something or a bad something, but at this point, I was so bewitched by him, I didn’t care.

“I got accepted into Ranger school.”

“Okaaaay. That’s good, right?”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

I smiled. “Then I’m happy for you. That’s great.”

“The thing is . . .” He didn’t smile back. “I have always wanted to be an Army Ranger, but that was before. I need you more.”

“Oh, Jude. I’d never take your dream from you. Why would you think that?”

“I don’t think that, but I know how hard the training is, and I won’t have much time for us if I do this and I can’t lose you. Not now.”

I unsnapped my seatbelt and scrambled over the center console into his lap. “How long is Ranger school?”

“All told, I’ll be gone four months then it’s another year of linguistics training.”

“Where will the linguistics training be?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Will we be able to be together then?”

“I think so.”

“Okay.”

“What do you mean,
okay
?”

“I mean that’s not so bad. Especially if we can be together during that year. I can keep myself busy with school until you finish, then we can figure out what we want from there.”

He forked his fingers through my hair. “I know what I want.”

The look in his eyes made my throat suddenly dry. “What?”

“You. With me. Forever. The question is, what do
you
want?”

“Forever?” Hope and peace unfurled on butterfly wings in my stomach.

“I don’t do anything halfway, especially you.”

I lifted a brow. “No. You don’t.”

A devilish gleam lit his eyes at the double entendre. “True, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I love you, Aubrey. I’m all in, and I’ll give up anything I have to for you.”

“But it’s your dream, baby.”

“It was. You’re my dream now.”

Melting, I leaned in and kissed him, hoping he felt the depth of my love. I drew back and pressed my forehead to his. “I want you to go. Grab your dream. Become a kick ass Ranger then come home to me.”

“You’ll wait for me?”

“Of course I will. It’s only a few months.”

“It’ll feel like a lifetime.”

“Probably, but we’ll survive.”

He tucked a curl behind my ear. “You’re right, but I’ll miss the hell out of you.”

“You haven’t left yet. There’s still time.”

“Not enough.”

I smiled and wiggled in his lap, earning myself a low groan. “Don’t be a tease.”

“Who said anything about a tease?”

He cupped my hips and kissed my neck. “You taste like Heaven.”

“Say that in Spanish.”

His smile was hot against my flesh. “
Usted el sabor como el cielo.
”

My insides became hot and muddled. “Have I ever told you how sexy that is?”

“You might’ve mentioned it before.”

I lolled my head to the side to give him better access as his lips cruised along my flesh.

“What are we going to tell the guys?” he mumbled against my throat as he cupped my breast through my shirt.

“You let me worry about them.”

He lifted his head and met my eyes. “I need them to know I have honorable intentions with you, Aubrey.”

I smirked. “Intentions, huh?”

“Definite intentions.”

“Can we start with my intention to make love with the man of my dreams?”

His tongue traced the shell of my ear, bringing goosebumps to my body. “We can absolutely start there.”

But that won’t be the end . . .

Jude

Twenty-two weeks later, Ranger Graduation, Victory Pond, Fort Benning, Georgia . . .

A cool fall breeze skittered leaves around the ground, tumbling flourishes of red, orange, green, and yellow. I studied them as I waited in formation with the other one hundred and fifty Army Ranger graduates. I’d made it. When nearly half of the class had washed out, I’d persevered and pushed through the hardest thing I’d ever done. The training was more than rigorous, it was a death-defying test of our determination and grit.

But it was done.

I knew Aubrey was there, along with my family, but I hadn’t seen her yet and I was dying to lay eyes on her sweet smile. Time and separation had done nothing to diminish my love for her, if anything, it had strengthened it. I should’ve listened to my intuition the moment we met, because deep-down I knew then that she was my other half. The absolute love of my life.

The ceremony finally began and we marched in formation in front of our guests. I did not break ranks and look away, but I’d swear I caught a flash of bright red curls in my peripheral vision.

One by one, we were called forward to receive our Ranger tabs, and when it was my turn, I was finally able to see her. Smiling in the second row, right next to Mama, she waved and blew me a kiss. My mother was openly crying, and next to her, my brother and sister watched with proud expressions.

Back in line, I was able to openly stare as I waited for the rest of my brothers to receive their tabs and recognition. I sucked in a deep lungful of air and studied my woman. I had big plans to make her 100% mine real damn soon, but for now, I couldn’t wait to taste those sweet lips again.

On her other side, MSgt Creed sat in civies, his face stoic. I’d heard he’d been medically discharged from the Army after the bullet he took to the leg shattered his femur. I hated that for him, but I’d be forever grateful he was there to help save my girl.

Right behind them, I caught sight of Fletch and his men. Fletch tipped his head in silent approval and I knew this day might never have come if he hadn’t pushed me and told me I could have anything I wanted.

My eyes swung back to Aubrey. I hoped that was really true.

As soon as the ceremony was over, I took a moment to shake hands with some of my closest classmates and instructors, then I made a beeline to my girl. She had an arm around my mom, who was still crying. My eyes were all over Aubrey in her long, fitted skirt and sweater that matched the leaves on the tree behind her. The sun burst through her hair like liquid fire and I had to pause to catch my breath.

She tipped her head toward my sobbing mother.

I acknowledged her then tugged my mom into my arms. “Mama. Don’t cry. It’s a good day.”

“I know,
mijo
, I’m just so proud of you.” She hugged me like she’d never let me go. I caught Aubrey’s gaze over her head and her eyes were soft and pooled with tears.

I love you
, she mouthed.

She’d told me before I left, then countless times in letters, but there was nothing like hearing it now.

I love you, too.

She smiled and faced Fletch and Creed as they came our way.

My mom finally let me loose so I could shake hands with my friends.

“Congratulations, Sergeant.” Fletch took my hand and pumped, his eyes twinkling with pride.

“Thanks.”

I faced MSgt Creed and eyeballed his crutches. “Sir.”

“Don’t
sir
me. I’m a civilian now, Cortez.” His eyes told a different story, but he readjusted his weight and offered a hand. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. “Congratulations, Sergeant.”

I thanked him and we talked a few minutes before he and Fletch headed off, leaving me with my family. I hugged my brother and sister as they asked a million questions about training. I let myself drift back to Aubrey as I answered, tucking her under my arm, careful to limit any PDA in uniform.

My family loved her nearly as much as I did and I was so glad they’d had the chance to meet before today when Aubrey made a trip all the way to the Bronx just for that purpose. Her letter afterward was pretty funny when she told me about shopping with my sister and tasting my mother’s
carne guisada
for the first time.

She leaned into me and I could feel her need to be alone as it vibrated through my body. Or maybe that was mine.

Once everybody was officially dismissed, we headed to the parking lot. Thank God my family had a rental car, but I’d had Aubrey drive down in my Trans Am. We agreed to meet my family for lunch at a restaurant near their hotel and they drove away.

I spun to face Aubrey. Alone at last. “In the car. Now.”

Her eyes widened, but she slid inside without a word. I rounded the hood and got in. Never more thankful for dark tint, I yanked her to me and ravaged her mouth for all I was worth.

“God, I’ve missed you,” I breathed against her lips, drowning in her taste.

Her hands flew over my shoulders as if searching for purchase with my uniform. What I wouldn’t give to take it off and feel her skin-to-skin, but that would have to wait. “I missed you, too. So much.”

We kissed until we had our fill and I leaned back to stare. “You’re beautiful.”

She blushed.

“I mean it. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and I missed you so much I almost quit a million times just so I could see you.”

Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t.”

“No. But that didn’t keep me from thinking about you when I was dirty and hungry and more exhausted then I’ve ever been in my life. The thought of you got me through, baby.”

“Oh, Jude.” She cupped my jaw. “I love you.”

I kissed her one more time. “I love you, too. Now, let’s go. The sooner we get lunch over with, the sooner I can get you alone.”

We got to the restaurant and had a fantastic meal with my family. My mother finally quit crying as my siblings peppered me with more questions. I held Aubrey’s hand under the table, my thoughts drifting back over these last months. Some of the hardest and most wonderful of my life, and I owed a lot of that to the gorgeous redhead next to me.

I smiled into her eyes at one point, and when I turned back to my food, I caught my mother’s knowing smile. Trust my mom to know what was in my heart. Plus, I knew she was thrilled I’d be settling down soon. She was probably already knitting baby clothes.

After lunch, she tugged Aubrey into a tight hug. “It was so good to see you again,
mija
. We will talk soon.”

Aubrey nodded then hugged Emilio and Bianca. My sister caught my eye over Aubrey’s shoulder and winked.
Marry her
, she mouthed.

I will.

Alone again, this time for the rest of the night, I let Aubrey drive us to the hotel she’d booked. “Your family is great,” she said.

“They are, but tell me you didn’t book us into the same hotel as them. We’ll never be alone.”

She smirked. “Two miles away.”

“Perfect.”

At the hotel, her hands shook as she tried to key our door open. I put my hand over hers. “Let me.”

I opened the door and followed her inside, tugging off my hat. She paced to the far end of the room and put her purse down. She faced me with wide, uncertain eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said a little too quickly.

I strode over. “You have nothing to be nervous about. It’s just me, baby.”

Her hands stole over my shoulders. “You’ve gotten so big.”

I shrugged out of my jacket. “Better?”

“I guess.”

“Let me make it even better then.” Slowly, I removed my uniform until I stood before her in only my briefs. Her dark eyes scanned me with open appreciation. “See? It’s just me.” I brushed the curls from her shoulder and dipped my hands under her sweater to feel hot skin. “And I’m all yours.”

I kissed her and she melted into me. She tried to rush out of her clothes, but I stopped her and took my time stripping her body bare. I wanted to savor this moment.

The pulse fluttered in her neck as her breathing became rapid. A sweet flush covered her skin as I bent to take a nipple into my mouth.

She moaned and swayed closer.

Visions of the day I thought I’d lost her bombarded my brain like heat-seeking missiles. I loved this woman with a fierceness I’d never known and I could not, would not, go another moment without her knowing how I felt.

No regrets.

“Baby.” I planted one more kiss to her collarbone then gently led her to sit on the bed. “I need to talk to you.”

Dark, hooded eyes slid open. “Now?”

“Yes. Now.”

The desire washed off her face and was replaced with fear. “About what?”

I laced our fingers. “Don’t be scared.”

“Then don’t be so serious.”

“This is serious.”

“What? Sex?”

A smile tugged my lips. “Yes, but it’s more than that.”

“Okay.” Her voice trembled with uncertainty.

“Here’s the thing . . .” I shifted and pulled her down so we lay facing each other. “I’m in love with you.”

“I love you, too.”

“I want to make sure you understand what that means to me. It means you’re it for me. You’ve captured my heart and soul and I never want to be with anyone else. Ever.”

She blinked back tears. “Me, too.”

Sweet, sweet emotion filled my chest like helium. “I’m happy to hear it.”

She curled up into me and stroked my chest, placing a kiss right over the heart that beat just for her. “Will you make love to me now?”

My body was coiled as tight as a high wire with need. “One more thing.”

She met my gaze and I was floored by the love and desire and openness I saw. “Anything.”

“I don’t want to be apart ever again. I can’t.”

A soft frown marred her perfect brow. “But . . .”

I kissed her nose. “Other than when I have no choice because of my job, I mean. When I’m stateside, I want to be with you.”

“But you have another year of training, don’t you?”

“Will you come with me?”

“To Washington?”

“Yes.”

“To live with you?”

“Yes.”

She stilled, her eyes focused on a spot on my chest. “Really?”

I tipped her chin up so she met my gaze. “Really. But only if that’s what you want, too.”

“I guess.”

My heart stopped. “You guess? I want you to be sure. Don’t let me pressure you.”

Her lip trembled, but she said nothing.

“Baby? What’s wrong? Is it school? I figured you could do your online classes anywhere, and—”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what? Don’t you want to be with me?” She started to pull away, but I held on tighter. “Aubrey. What’s wrong?”

“I . . . nothing.”

“Liar.”

She swiped the tears away that had begun streaming down her face. “Fine. Call me old fashioned, but I don’t want to just live together without a commitment.”

“Have you been talking to my mother about this?”

“What? No.” She swatted my arm. “I’m being serious, Jude. I don’t want to just be your live-in girlfriend.”

“What do you want?” I fought the grin as it became clear where this was going.

She frowned and sat up. “Never mind.”

“No.” I tugged her back and pinned her underneath me. “Do you want to be my wife?”

Eyes as endless as the sky stared up into mine. “No.”

“Liar.” I laughed.

“Don’t laugh at me.”

“I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing because I wanted to propose before I left for Ranger school, but I figured it’d be too soon for you. I was giving you space because I thought that’s what you wanted.”

“It’s not.”

I kissed her throat and soaked up her breathy response. “It’s not?”

She shook her head.

“Wait a minute. Are you proposing to me right now?”

Her eyes flew open. “Are you proposing to me?”

I thought about the ring I had tucked away in my safe at home. “I guess I am.”

“Good, because your mom will kill us for living in sin.”

“You
were
talking to my mom!”

“Only a little.” Her grin was unrepentant.

“So, is this a yes?”

She wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled into my eyes. “It’s most definitely a yes.”

Thank God.