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My military career was over, all because of lies.
I’d busted my ass to become an army ranger. Had poured myself into the job to be the top dog in my regiment. And for what? A he said, she said bullshit!
My parents and friends would believe me, of course. They’d been proud of my achievements and knew my moral character was as pure and solid as granite. That didn’t mean I was wet behind the ears and innocent. But I respected people and never took without consent.
This whole situation was a dumpster fire and could ruin my life if I fought back instead of leaving quietly. The last weeks of my commitment weren’t supposed to end like this. I’d planned out every detail of my military career and what would happen when it was over…
When I returned home to Bastion, Minnesota, my cousin Raymond would sponsor me to prospect for the Knight’s Legion MC. I had it on good authority that Maddox, the club’s president, wanted me to be one of two enforcers. I just needed to prospect for six months before they’d patch me in—do the grunt work, despite being a badass ranger.
But what I wanted more than being a Knight was to reacquaint myself with the fiery redhead who’d given me that memorable good-bye kiss before I left for basic training.
No matter how hard I had tried to put her out of my mind, the taste of her lips hadn’t faded on my tongue. I’d been confused for months afterward, and I hadn’t forgotten her.
For most of my life, I’d thought my best friend Birdie would be my one and only. But how could she be when she was in love with my older cousin? Even so, I’d written and texted Birdie monthly, and talked to her on the phone a few times, wishing she’d give me hope. She never did.
During missions, I couldn’t deny I’d gone off half-cocked sometimes, because of my pent-up frustrations and anger over Birdie and Ember. I’d been yelled at by my CO more times than most for going rogue and putting my life in danger, but not like this…
“I want your shit packed and your goddamn ass out of here by the end of the week, Montez! Do you understand me?” He roared at the top of his lungs, rattling the roof of his office.
“But I only have five more weeks.”
“If you don’t get the fuck out of my face, I’ll have you court-martialed!”
I took a step back and kept my hands relaxed. His threat enraged me, but hitting my commanding officer would seal my fate and land me in the stockade. He wasn’t worth the time I’d do if I lost control.
This situation was beyond messed up. My CO wouldn’t even hear my side. I hadn’t fucking known the chick at the bar was his underaged daughter. She looked at least twenty-one and nothing like him. Probably because she’d been adopted. Still, it wasn’t my fault she had a fake I.D. and a tight, lithe bod and a pretty face. She had been prowling around from one guy to another, and I’d taken the fucking bait.
“Why are you still standing there?” He stood and pointed his shaking finger at me. “Fucking get out, unless you’re going to marry her!”
Fuck no, I’m not marrying her.
I calmly nodded and left with my head held high. No matter what that fucker believed, I was innocent. I never had sex with his daughter. But it was my word against hers.
“Jesus Christ, homey. That ass chewing was atomic. What’d you do this time?”
I glared at Sanchez as he followed me out of the building. “Apparently touched the wrong girl.”
“Don’t tell me you screwed his wife? I’ve told you a million times, ese, make sure the chick doesn’t belong to another dude if you want to keep your balls.”
“Hell no, I didn’t touch his wife,” I hissed as we got into my Jeep Wrangler. “I messed around with his daughter.” And it was my greatest regret, even more than avoiding Ember. Then again, she hadn’t reached out to me either after we’d shared that hot-as-fuck kiss.
Women. They were proving to be too much trouble for my taste.
Taste. I snatched a sour green apple lollipop from the cup holder and popped it into my mouth. Instantly, I imagined Ember’s soft, plump lips and velvety tongue. My cock turned to iron, and I cursed myself for becoming addicted to the candy I’d tasted on her five years ago. I’d been so enraptured I hadn’t noticed the sweet flavor of green apple until after the fact. Now, I bought the candy in bulk.
Ember had left a lasting effect on me, that was for sure. Guess it had to do with her being my first kiss. I’d been holding out on Birdie, but Ember had snuck in and took what she’d wanted. Yup, I’d been a blind idiot.
Christ, I needed to risk my sanity to find out if Ember might be the one and I was getting the chance weeks earlier than I’d thought.
“You fucked the CO’s daughter?” Con, short for Conrad, stared at me with a gaping mouth as he pulled the door closed.
“No.” It pissed me off he’d think I fucked a woman I didn’t know. I had standards. My folks taught me to never have sex with someone I’d just met, and I listened to their sage advice. I’d seen a few dudes controlled by their dicks get trapped by women who aspired to be military wives. That shit wouldn’t happen to me.
“Christ, man. Almost thought you’d fucked up.”
I growled low in my throat and started the ignition and left the parking lot. “The CO doesn’t believe me.” The candy in my mouth soothed me like a shot of heroin. I sucked on it as I would Ember’s tongue. Jesus, I couldn’t wait to kiss her again and find out if the sparks I’d felt were still alive and well between us.
“Fucking aye, this sucks. Tell me you’re sticking around so we can at least party with the guys before you leave.” Con Sanchez was also a ranger and my closest friend. He knew me better than anyone. We’d been through hell together and survived our missions, sometimes by only a hair.
