Soldier Boy

  Soldier Boy

  by

  Megan Slayer

  Plenty of surprises in store when the party goes from costumes and fright to sexy delight.

  Vada hadn’t planned on finding a man at the Halloween party. No, she came to hang out with her best friend, Maya. She’s not there to snag a date, especially not since she’s sworn off men. When a handsome man wearing an Army uniform shows up, Vada begins to rethink her decision. Halloween is a time for rebirth and change. Maybe change—in the form of the blue-eyed, handsome man—is just what she needs.

  Features Maya and Levi from Guarding Me

  Contents

  One. 4

  Two. 7

  Three. 9

  Four. 12

  Five. 14

  Six. 17

  One

  “Whose idea was it to dress up like a sixties girl group?” Juevator Vada Gibson asked. She stared at the shimmery silver sparkles on her cleavage and sighed. She’d squeezed her curves into the gold sequin dress, and her boobs practically jumped out of the low neckline.

  “It’s fun,” her best friend Maya said. “We’re adorable this way. Vada, I’m trying to find you a man.”

  “Oh, sure, but I don’t need help.” Vada pulled the front of the dress up in vain, but her D-cup breasts refused to be any more contained.

  “What do you mean, you don’t need help? You haven’t had a boyfriend in a year.” Maya fluffed the thick curls in her hair. “Levi has lots of friends coming tonight. One of them might be who you’re looking for.”

  Vada debated an answer, but kept quiet. Once her friend made up her mind, nothing would change it.

  “It’s a Halloween party, not a wedding.” Maya stood behind Vada again and sprayed hairspray onto Vada’s curls. “Go out there and have a good time.”

  Vada flipped a lock of her hair out of her eyes. The glitter and thick makeup weren’t her norm, but it was Halloween and she wanted to be glam for a change. She pursed her lips. Parties weren’t her idea of fun, but a night of drinking and dancing would be good.

  “You’re looking forward to the party, now?” Maya grinned. Her dark eyes shimmered. “I knew you would.” She giggled. “I’ve got a sitter for the entire night and the next twelve hours to have fun with my husband. Where’s the karaoke machine?”

  “Downstairs with the margaritas. Give me five minutes and I’ll be down.” Vada waited for her friend to leave, then she sat on the edge of the bed. Halloween wasn’t her favorite time of year. She liked the colors of the changing leaves, the nip in the air and the festive decorations, but she hated the parties. At the different gatherings, the attendees were expected to pair up. She wasn’t ready for a relationship. Not so close to the end of her last relationship. Terrence had really screwed with her head, and she despised men who couldn’t be honest.

  Vada swiped the makeup brush along her cheeks once more, then stood. The dress did showcase her curves. If the men downstairs couldn’t appreciate her, then screw ’em. She wanted to have fun.

  After one last look in the mirror, Vada headed downstairs. The music blasted from the DJ stand and colored lights danced around the living room. The bass thrummed through the floor. She bobbed her head to the beat. A handful of the partygoers had already shown up. She appraised the group. Three vampires, a witch and two cowboys...not the exciting group Maya swore would be there, but they’d do. She tapped Maya on the shoulder.

  “Where’s your man?” Vada asked.

  “He’s picking up more beer. He’s dressing up as a zombie janitor.” Maya shrugged. “He wanted to be a zombie.”

  “Cool.” Vada surveyed the crowd again. The living room had filled up a bit more. Zombies, a disco dancer, three comic book characters and a sailor. Nice variety. A techno song blasted from the speakers. She wriggled into the middle of the makeshift dance floor and moved to the beat. Nothing mattered but the music and having fun. She hadn’t had enough fun in a long time. For the next two hours, she danced and immersed herself in the thrill of the party.

  Maya bounced over to her and grabbed Vada’s hands. “Hey.”

  Vada sang along with the song and nodded to acknowledge her friend.

  “You’re being watched.” Maya turned Vada around. “The soldier. He’s been keeping an eye on you for the last fifteen minutes.”

  “He has?” Pushy bastard. Who did he think he was? She focused on where Maya pointed and gasped. Maybe the guy wasn’t so ballsy…no, he was hot as hell.

  The soldier wasn’t just a man in uniform...he sent shivers up her spine. Muscles where a man should be strong, tall enough to tower over her and icy blue eyes. She loved a man with blue eyes. She wondered what he sounded like when he talked—did he have a deep, gravelly voice or was he a rich tenor? What did he smell like? Heaven?

  Oh, damn. She was thinking way too much, but looking at him...why not?

  “You want him, don’t you?” Maya said in her ear. “Makes you want to forget all about Terrence, doesn’t he?”

  Yeah, she wanted him. Every cell in her body screamed to be with him, but she wasn’t going to give in to him and play weak. Oh, hell, no. If she wanted someone, she made a point to meet him. Time to meet her destiny.

  Two

  Charlie Frye wiped his hands on his pants and eased backwards against the wall. He hated to be pinned down, but he wasn’t sure what else to do. Most women he’d been interested in didn’t take the forthright approach. Not this woman. She stalked across the room, a vision in gold sparkles and poufy hair. The blood rushed through his body. The predatory gaze in her eyes called to him. He suppressed a groan.

  Levi had sworn Charlie needed to come to the party. They’d have fun, Levi said. Charlie could get out and meet people. Well, he needed to get out of himself. He’d been alone for too long and stuck in a rut.

  Seeing the ebony goddess certainly made him rethink his unintended solitude. He forced himself away from the wall and met her in the middle of the living room. The other partygoers swarmed around them, but barely seemed to notice them. He held out his hand to the woman.

  “Care to dance?” he said, although he wasn’t sure she could hear him over the music.

  The woman didn’t answer him in words. Instead, she slid her hand into his. One of the people behind her nudged her forward, pressing their bodies together. He groaned. She fit against him perfectly.

  “Tell me your name,” he said, his mouth a fraction of an inch from her ear.

  “Vada.” She leaned back in his arms and grinned.

  God, she had a gorgeous smile.

  “I’m Charlie.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Nice party.” Christ. He sucked at small talk.

  “It’s not mine.” She wriggled against him, rubbing him in all the right places. Her breasts bounced with each step.

  “You’re not looking into my eyes,” she said. She curled her fingers under his chin, redirecting his gaze. “You’ve got nice eyes and I’d like to see them.”

  “Oh.” The tips of his ears burned. He’d never forgotten why he’d been crap around women and her harsh words reminded him he didn’t belong there.

  “What’s wrong, sugar?” The corners of her crimson lips kinked and her dark eyes glittered. “Don’t like the noise? Or do the jack-o’-lanterns freak you out?”

  “I’m not wild about the gigantic spiders,” he confessed. “But it’s more the crowd. I don’t do well when I feel penned in.” He pressed his lips together. He’d never mentioned that tidbit to anyone. Most of the time his issues with crowds were hidden and ignored. A man in the service didn’t show his fears. Never.

  “I feel you.” She nudged him toward the edge of the room. The music blared, making conversation nearly impossible.

  Good thing he could read her lips. He wondered wha
t she tasted like. Would she nip his bottom lip or shy away from him if he tried to kiss her? Something about Vada screamed she wouldn’t pull back. She seemed like the type who loved with her whole heart involved.

  Vada led him through the kitchen to the back of the house and into a screened-in porch. The walls drowned out most of the music, providing some peace and quiet. The chill from the night air seeped into the room, though, and she rubbed her arms.

  “There isn’t much privacy in this house.” She shrugged. “My best friend likes to throw parties, and ever since she and Levi bought the house, she’s made a point to celebrate every holiday.” She smiled again. “You said your name is Charlie?”

  “Yeah, I’m in the Air Force. I borrowed this get-up from a friend. He said I’d look cool.” Charlie scrubbed one hand across his forehead. “I don’t know if I look cool or not.”

  “You’re very handsome.” She tugged at his collar. “I like a man in uniform—even if it’s borrowed. Bet you look sexy in your dress blues.”

  “I do okay.” His cheeks burned. At twenty-six years old, he’d only had one serious relationship and three girlfriends. Most of the women he’d dated wanted a pilot. He fueled the planes. Would she dismiss him, too? He gazed into her eyes and noticed her shivering. Shit. He shrugged out of his coat, then draped the garment around her shoulders.

  “Thank you.” She smiled even wider. “Gentlemen are hot, too. Tell me about yourself. What brings you to this loud Halloween party?”

  “Levi,” he blurted. “He told me if I didn’t show up, I’d wish I had. I gave in to him and came along. I’m glad I listened to him.” Charlie balled his fist to keep from reaching for her and moving too fast. But he’d already admitted she was pretty...might as well go whole hog. “You’re the prettiest girl here. What are you doing tonight?”

  Three

  The laughter started low in her chest and burst forth. Vada grabbed the front of the coat. Usually, she was the one to ask the guy out. He’d beaten her to the punch, and he’d been so awkwardly cute about asking.

  “I am at this party until midnight, but if I slipped off I doubt anyone would notice. What about you? Any exciting plans beyond the party?” She nudged him to the darkest corner of the porch. “Or do you tell every girl she’s sexy?”

  “I...” He blushed again.

  The man got embarrassed so easily. If they ended up seeing each other beyond the night, he’d either have to get a whole lot more comfortable with her bluntness or they wouldn’t have any sort of future. She snorted to herself. A future? She only knew his name!

  “I’ve only had four girlfriends.” He averted his gaze. “I’m twenty-six, and I’ve only been out of my home state of Pennsylvania because of the Air Force. Most of the women I know have told me I’m boring.”

  “That’s okay, baby.” She caged him in her arms. The awkwardness continued to endear him to her. Such a shy man. She trailed her fingers down his cheek. “We don’t have to go get married right now. How about a glass of cider? You can tell me all the things you like or dislike about Halloween.”

  “I’d like that.” His blue eyes glittered in the low light. “I really am glad I came to the party.”

  “Me, too.” She disengaged from him long enough to stroll into the kitchen. She fanned herself with the open refrigerator door. Damn, he was fine and shy.

  “What are you doing?” Maya nudged Vada with her butt. “You’re letting out all the cold air.”

  “I’m looking for the cider.” Vada grabbed the plastic jug, then closed the door. “I’m thirsty.”

  “That boy out on my back porch isn’t quenching your thirst enough?” Maya narrowed her eyes and a sly smile spread across her lips. “He’s cute. Levi said he’s really shy. He talked to you, right?”

  “Is this high school?” Vada poured cider into two plastic cups. “Yes, he talked to me. Yes, he’s shy and yes, he’s handsome. He’s also in the Air Force.” She closed the cider. “I like him.”

  “Vada?” Maya’s eyes lit up. She clasped her hands together. “Does this mean you’re ready to enter the dating pool again?”

  “Maybe.” Vada adjusted the front of her dress again. The girls were about to burst from the bodice. “Let me do this my way. I’ve dated guys you’ve suggested, and it was a disaster. Terrence found me, and that was hell. This is something I have to navigate on my own.”

  “Okay, but if you need me, shout. I will break his legs if I need to.” Maya winked, then headed back into the living room.

  She’d break his legs. Vada shook her head, then picked up the cups. Instead of being in the corner where she’d left him, Charlie sat on the back steps. He’d removed his hat and rubbed his fingers through his short blond hair. She liked guys with a little more hair, but the close-cut soldier look did something for her. She longed to run her fingers over the prickles. Would that turn him on?

  “I’ve got cider.” She maneuvered down the steps, then sat beside him. “This dress is certainly not made for dancing. I can barely walk in it.” She handed him one of the cups. “I wanted to go as a mummy or a disco diva. I’ve got a big-ass, blue, curly-haired wig that would’ve looked fine with my shimmery black jumpsuit.”

  Charlie sipped the cider. “That would’ve been very sexy.” He glanced over at her. “I like how you speak your mind.”

  “It’s been a blessing and a curse.” She pulled the coat tighter around her shoulders. “Most of the time people accept me being loud because I don’t pull punches. I’m honest, but I try like hell not to be mean. Sometimes, my being myself isn’t good enough.” She stared at the cup. Terrence had hated her forthright approach to life. He used to tell her she spoke, then thought, then forgot to apologize.

  “I don’t speak up much. I’m the type that follows orders.” He rested his elbows on his knees. “Like tonight. I could’ve said no, but I went along with Levi’s suggestion. Keeping quiet has been a curse for me. I don’t like to hurt feelings, so I keep quiet. Probably sounds dumb.”

  “Nah.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re easy to talk to. You listen, which is hard for most people to do. Maya is good at listening, but since she and Levi got together I don’t see her as much.” Since she’d split from Terrence, most of her friends had kept away from her. She draped her arm on Charlie’s thigh. “I need a someone like you to balance me out.”

  “Yeah?” Charlie slid his fingers into her hair and massaged the back of her head. “Would you smack me if I said I wanted to kiss you?”

  She moaned and leaned into his touch. The man had magic in his fingertips. “Why haven’t you?”

  Four

  “Kissed you?” Charlie asked. Why hadn’t he made a move? Beyond his shyness, he wasn’t sure if she wanted him to kiss her. “Yeah, I do want to kiss you.”

  Vada didn’t give him a chance to say anything else. She moved the cup from his hands, then scooted closer to him. The moment her lips touched his, sizzles shot across his skin. His nerve endings tingled, and all rational thought slid from his brain. He pressed his knees together to increase pressure on his dick. She stole his breath, made him hyperaware of his surroundings and got him rock hard.

  He nibbled on her bottom lip, then sucked her tongue into his mouth. As much as she seemed to enjoy taking control, she also seemed to appreciate giving over control. She splayed her hand on his chest over his heart.

  Beneath the coat, he wrapped her in his arms. She fit against him like a glove. Her breasts pillowed on his chest and her warm breath fanned over his skin. They bumped noses a couple times and his teeth clashed against hers, but he loved every minute of the kisses.

  Vada pulled away first, but only a fraction of an inch. She glanced toward the house, then hiked up her skirt. Something tore.

  He must’ve given her a questioning look because she shrugged. “The side seam split. It was my intention. Gives me more room to move.” She glanced at the door again, then crawled onto his lap and draped her arms around his neck. The bodice of h
er dress drooped, offering him an even more enticing view of her breasts. He longed to press his face into the vee of her cleavage and lose himself in her blunt sweetness.

  The coat hid her assets, but he didn’t mind. He palmed her ass and resumed kissing her. From his head to his toes, he came alive. Nothing had ever felt as good as holding her. Nothing tasted the way she did. Her perfume wrapped around him and her hair tickled his cheeks.

  “Want you,” he whispered.

  “Yeah?” She nodded. “I want you, too.”

  “Where?” They needed to get off the porch and away from the Halloween crowd.

  “Upstairs.” She inched off his lap, then clutched the coat to her breasts. “I’ve got a room we can use, plus Maya owes me one. Come on.”

  Running off for sex with someone he barely knew wasn’t his style. He liked to get to know his partner first, but something about Vada made him crave her. He yearned to please her. He slid his hand into hers and allowed her to escort him to the second story of the house.

  When they reached the top of the stairs, her wig slipped and plopped onto the floor. Her real hair stuck out in thick hanks. Vada froze, then touched her head. Her eyes widened as she looked back at him.

  “What?” Charlie moved the wig away from her feet. “I like the natural you. There’s a wildness to you that you’re trying to rein in, even though that’s who you are. Let that woman be free with me.”

  “You keep talking like that and I might not let you go.” She opened one of the doors and dragged him into the room.

  He didn’t protest, so much as he tripped over his own feet. God. The nerdy man he’d tried to hide was dying to come out. Losing his balance, he pitched forward but managed to right himself before he tumbled to the floor.

  “You need to be yourself, too,” Vada said.