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“Someone else is driving. I never got used to driving on the wrong side of the road.” He smiles, answering the question I’m trying to form about him getting in the back instead of the driver’s seat while wondering how someone so amazing could exist. A chauffeur-driven ride is the least of the surprises awaiting me if Mark’s my host. I can just feel it.
But if I can’t get over these powerful and sudden feelings…
“Thanks again for the ticket! The upgrade, I mean,” I blurt out too excitedly, wracking my brain for something to say to break the instant silence once we’re moving. In a flash of confidence, I look into his eyes, which seem suddenly sad, before he looks away.
“You’re welcome,” he murmurs, creasing his mouth, but there’s no smile. Making me wonder if his nice guy act is only good for the meet ’n greet. Maybe now he’s seeing me up close, getting a face full of girl on a plane for nineteen hours.
Mark cracks the window, subtly pressing a smooth panel near his hand. The rush of air from outside and the sounds of traffic make me wonder if I went too heavy or light on the deodorant.
“Did… did I say something wrong?” I ask, feeling like I’ve blown everything before we’ve even left the airport.
“I’m just surprised, is all,” Mark observes, taking a long breath through his nose before exhaling loudly.
I feel my face redden again. I’m ashamed for no reason other than I think I’ve somehow disappointed him already.
“What is it?” I ask, alarm growing in my voice. Seeing the change in his mood is unbearable.
“I could’ve been anyone, Melissa, and just because I knew your name, you came along and got into a car with a complete stranger?” he says cuttingly.
The pit of my stomach lurches, and I feel a stab of hurt in my chest that rises like reflux into my throat.
“I-I’m sorry,” I murmur, the emotion making my voice quiver.
Mark gently grips my forearm.
“It’s alright,” he says soothingly, instantly forgiving me and making me sniff. I catch the tears before they run from my eyes.
“I made your dad a promise, Melissa…” he starts to say, and I cut him off.
“Call me Mel, please. I hate Melissa,” I explain, trying to sound chirpy but wondering if it doesn’t sound a little cold.
“Mel,” Mark echoes, glancing at his hand on me before sliding it over to his side, looking out the window, which makes a sucking sound as he closes it. “I promised him I’d take you to your hotel, keep an eye on you, and show you around until he gets here,” Mark continues, sounding almost bored as he stares at the traffic.
I sense he has more to say. “But?” I rasp, already feeling more butterflies in my stomach.
“You’remine, Melissa,” he says firmly, jerking his head and flashing an intense look.
“Mine. So, don’t go wandering off. And don’t… well… Don’t mind me if I’m a little bossy. I’m not so bad once you get to know me,” he says, relaxing his expression but cocking his brow and smiling just for me again, drawing a little squeak from me.
I realize I’ve only known Mark for five minutes, but I’m already hopelessly falling for him in a way I know he could never return.
>One click The Australian’s Obsession<
INKING THE SOLDIER
CHAPTER ONE
Kayden
There’s always howling in my dreams. My service animals, Gunner and Sergeant, would never howl like that in real life.
When I was overseas, doing what had to be done with my best friends—one, then the other, since life is cruel—they were like assassins. Stalking, silent, acting only when I needed them to, but in my dreams, they howl, scratch, and sniff frantically so that I wake up to the sound of it. Sometimes, Ijoltawake. I don’t let myself think about that for long.
My alarm clock screeches, and I sit up, glancing at the time as I always do. It’s five a.m. Some people think discipline comes easy to us ex-service folks, but that’s never been the case in my experience. Some of us become less disciplined once we’re out of the system.
The pull of the bed is real, the softness of the pillow, the mattress beckoning and telling me if I return to bed, the dreams will be sweeter.
Instead, I force myself to walk through my apartment, quickly brush my teeth, and pull on my gym clothes, folded the night before. At the door, as I pull on my sneakers, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. There’s this aura around me. Haunted almost. But I don’t let myself think about it.
