Chapter 3

CHAPTER

THREE

Chad

Landed .

The screen on the wall just changed, which means she's here.

I head toward the baggage claim area, where I told her I'd meet her when she arrived. It's been a long week, despite the fact I've been learning my new job with my new team. Each day has crawled along until it was finally Friday.

When I called her back the other night with details on flights and the hotel, she didn't hesitate. The flight was booked, and the room reserved, both on my credit card, despite her insisting she would cover it.

It was my invitation. I was paying.

Turns out, a small hotel not far from where I work offers a package rate for families of servicemen and women, which was at a decent discount. It's an inn used frequently by visitors and offers the basic necessities for their guests, including a continental breakfast. I was able to secure her a king-size room, and I'll be honest, I'm hoping I'll be able to join her a few times in that bed. But if not, that's okay too. I'm not going to push it. Just having her here for two weeks is enough.

For now.

I can't wait.

I adjust the flowers in my hands nervously. I've never been more anxious in my entire life than I am to see Faith right now, and that's saying something. When I got on that bus to head to boot camp, I was a ball of nerves. A mixture of fear and excitement. Now, it's mostly anticipation, along with a root-deep desperation to see the one woman who consumes my every dream and most of my waking thoughts too.

My eyes keep scanning the crowd, especially when I see a large group making their way toward the luggage conveyor I'm standing near. I spot movement weaving in and out of the masses, politely excusing herself as she buzzes around them to get to the front of the pack. A huge smile spreads across my face moments before our eyes meet, and suddenly, she's running, her slender legs eating up the space between us. I take two steps forward and hold out my arms, ready for what's coming.

Faith leaps, dropping her carry-on bag in the process and slamming into my chest. I catch her easily, forgetting all about the bouquet in my hand, as my arms wrap around her body. I pull her close and just breathe her in. Her legs lock around my back, and I have to ignore the way my cock notices her nearness and focus just on her. On the smell of her shampoo and the way she molds perfectly against me.

As if we were made for each other.

"I can't believe you're here," I mutter, inhaling her sweet scent.

Jasmine.

My favorite ever since the day we met.

"Me either," she whispers, her warm breath tickling my neck.

Finally, she pulls back and gives me that familiar grin. The one that makes my heart pound in my chest and my dick get all sorts of excited. My lips move forward, pressing against her forehead hard. It takes everything I have not to kiss her lips.

I haven't actually kissed her sweet mouth in over a year. Ever since that night we spent in a hotel and decided to press the pause button. That one amazing night where we made out like high schoolers. When I kissed her so much, my lips were raw and swollen for hours after I left her.

Since then, the few times we've actually seen each other, we've kept it PG. Friends don't make out, even though I desperately long to do just that. Friends don't also sport huge hard-ons and picture her sweet face when I'm alone in the shower, either, but we're not talking about that right now.

"Welcome to California," I say, slowly letting her slide off me, knowing she's going to feel exactly how excited I am to see her when she reaches my groin.

"Thank you," she replies, trying to contain her grin as she looks me up and down, taking in my jeans and Army T-shirt. She has yet to step back, to put any real distance between us, which I'm extremely grateful for. If it were up to me, she'd be in my arms and plastered against me the entire time she's here.

I bend down and grab the flowers I dropped, along with her carry-on duffle bag. "What do you have in here?" I tease, feeling the weight of whatever's in the bag.

"A small child," she quips, reaching for the bag.

"I got it," I tell her, extending my hand and holding out the bouquet. "These are for you."

Faith smiles widely as she takes the flowers, bringing them to her nose and inhaling. "I love them. Thank you."

Tossing my arm around her shoulder, we turn and head for the conveyor belt. Suitcases are already dropping as passengers shuffle and retrieve their baggage. I set her carry-on beside her feet and say, "Point out yours, and I'll grab it."

She looks up. "I can get it."

Because I can't help it, I lean down and press my lips to her forehead once more. "You're my guest, Faith. I'll get your luggage."

She merely nods and returns her gaze back to the train of bags slowly moving around the belt. After a few minutes, she points. "That one. The black one with the green ribbon on the handle."

I release my hold on her and step forward, ready to snatch the suitcase as it approaches. Within seconds, I'm wheeling her luggage away from the crowd and picking up the duffle at her feet. "Ready?"

"Yes," she replies, bringing the flowers to her nose once more.

We walk together side by side through the exit and head for the parking garage. I don't know why this feels so right, having her beside me, but it does. Anytime she's near, my world just seems better, more at peace.

I slip a key fob out of my pocket and press the unlock button once we approach. "You have a car already?" she asks as the trunk pops open on the black Chevy Malibu.

"No, I rented it. I wanted you to have wheels in case you want to go somewhere while I'm busy, and since I'm still new to the area and don't know much about the public transportation or ride services, I didn't feel comfortable relying on those," I state, slipping her duffle bag into the trunk and reaching for the suitcase. "Also, we have a decent drive to get back to the base."

"You rented me a car too?" She seems dumbfounded at the fact I wanted to make sure she has wheels while she's visiting.

I bend down to move the large case but stop when she asks her question. Standing upright again, I step forward and meet her gaze. "Yes. You don't have to use it unless you want to. Plus, I thought it would come in handy this weekend."

The corner of her mouth curls upward. "What's this weekend?"

Bending down, I lift the suitcase and slip it inside the trunk. "Not telling. It's a surprise," I state, closing the lid and flashing her a big grin.

Faith rolls her eyes but can't stop the smile. "Fine. Be that way," she sasses, walking around me to get into the passenger seat.

I run around her and open the door. "Your chariot, my lady."

Shaking her head, she slips inside and sets her flowers on her lap. "Thank you, kind sir."

With a quick push, I shut the door and practically sprint around to the opposite side. I give the ignition a start, fasten my seat belt, and throw the car in Reverse. "Your vacation starts now, Faith. Sit back and enjoy."

The drive from the airport to Fort Irwin isn't exactly convenient at around two hours, but it is what it is. That'll give us plenty of time to catch up and talk as we make our way toward the base.

"How was your flight?" I ask, merging with traffic.

"It was good. I sat next to a mother and young son on their way to visit her grandparents. I was worried about him during the takeoff and descent, but he was a rock star. She kept him occupied with a movie on her phone. He didn't so much as make a sound unless he wanted a snack."

"That's great. The last time I flew to Florida, I sat next to a couple whose baby cried the whole time. I felt absolutely terrible for them. They were so embarrassed and getting frustrated, probably because they could hear the complaints from the other passengers. When we were stable in the air, I asked them if they minded if I held him to give them a break. I could see the hesitation along with the relief in both their eyes as the dad handed him over. The baby was so damn tiny. I just cradled him in my arms, stood up, and slowly moved up and down the aisle. Within a couple of minutes, he was out like a light."

When she doesn't say anything, I glance her way for a moment. Her eyes are wide and full of something I don't want to dissect for fear it'll give me too much hope in our situation. "That's the sweetest," she mutters with a soft smile.

I shrug, keeping my eyes on the road instead of on her. "It was the least I could do. They were seriously stressing out. I've heard babies respond to that."

"I've heard the same."

"How's the job search coming?" I ask once we get onto the highway.

She sighs and leans her head back against the headrest. "I should just accept one of the offered positions. There are so many good schools looking to fill teaching positions. I broadened my search and found a few kindergarten spots, but they're all farther than I want to drive, which means I'd have to relocate. I'm not against that, but I don't know the area or school system, so I'm just… I don't know, hesitant, maybe?"

"That's understandable," I reply. "It's always a little scary to move somewhere new. You don't know anyone, and the comments online are always mixed."

"Is that how you felt moving here?"

"Yeah. Fortunately, most of the soldiers I've encountered are welcoming and good dudes."

"Most of them?" There's no missing the question within her question.

"There are these two guys who don't particularly care for me. One of them was up for a promotion and I ended up with it. Hell, I didn't even apply for the spot. I was recommended and given new orders when I got to Texas."

"Sounds like something catty women do," she adds.

"Probably. Anyway, unfortunately, I have to deal with them daily, since they're on my team."

"That sucks. Can't you get them moved?"

"Yeah, but I won't. Not unless they are a danger to themselves or someone else on the team. I can deal with their brand of bullshit, which usually is just mumbling stuff under their breath. The other guys just roll their eyes at 'em."

"Well, you're a better man than most," she says.

We chat for the next hour and a half, until I finally see the lights of Fort Irwin in the distance. As I enter the small town, Faith seems to sit up straighter in her seat as she takes it all in.

"We'll go on an official tour this weekend when you can actually see it in the daylight. It's a pretty cool place," I tell her, heading to the center of town where the hotel sits.

I park in the lot and shut off the ignition. "Ready?"

She nods, eagerness filling those alluring green eyes. "Ready."

I step out of the car, Faith meeting me at the back before I can open her door. While I grab her large suitcase, she pulls her carry-on out and slips it over her shoulder. "I can get that."

She shrugs and doesn't make a move to hand over the duffle bag. "I've got it."

I take her hand and we walk through the front entrance. When she realizes I'm bypassing the front desk and heading straight for the elevator, she gives me a curious look. "Don't we need to register?"

I press the Call button, and the elevator immediately opens. "I did that before I went to pick you up," I confess, waiting for her to enter the small car before following her inside.

"You did?"

I nod, refusing to tell her why. She'll see in a few minutes. "You're on the third floor. I wanted to make sure it wasn't on the ground level, because it's statistically the most unsafe floor in a hotel. Not that I anticipate trouble here. I mean, you're near an Army base. Chances are this is one of the safest areas in the state."

The door opens, and she steps out. "What room?"

"Three fifteen," I reply, pulling a key card from my pocket and handing it over. The second one is tucked securely in my wallet.

We proceed down the short hall until we find her room. Faith slips the key card in the door and pushes it open. The room is already lit with soft lighting, since I turned on the floor lamp over by the table when I was here earlier. Aware we'd arrive well after dark, I didn't want her to have to stumble around for a light. I also spot my surprise sitting on the bed, waiting.

I hang back, letting Faith take the lead as she checks out the room. It only takes a second before she notices the extra touches I added to the place she'll be staying for the next two weeks.

She drops her bag onto the floor and walks toward the bed. "What's this?" she asks almost absently to herself as she picks up the note. Once she reads the words, she turns and rewards me with a breathtaking smile. "Thank you, Chad."

"You're welcome," I reply, even though saying more is on the tip of my tongue.

Faith pulls the gifts out of the basket. Sour Patch Kids, Goldfish crackers, and soft caramel candies—her favorites—along with a murder mystery book she's been talking about reading before it comes to the big screen later this year. "I can't believe you remembered," she says, setting the book beside the snacks.

I don't tell her I remember everything. Everything .

Next, she grabs the folded piece of paper and opens it. Once she scans the words, she turns wide eyes my way. "This is too much," she insists.

"Never," I state, shoving my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her. "I wish this place was a little fancier so you could do that stuff here, but since it's not available, I found it somewhere else. One of the men on my team's wife works there. Her name is Hannah, and she'll do the nails portion of your appointment. He assured me the other ladies you'll see are great at their jobs and very trustworthy."

She turns and heads my way, placing her hands on my forearms. I can feel the warmth in her touch as she goes up on her tiptoes and places her lips against mine in the softest kiss. Every ounce of blood I possess rushes south of my belt, landing firmly in my groin, and despite wanting to take her in my arms and control the kiss, I remain rooted in place.

"Thank you, Chad," she whispers, her breath warming my chin as she gazes up at me. "No one has ever done anything like this for me before."

"You're welcome." It takes all the strength I have not to kiss her again.

She slowly drops her hands from my arms and turns back to survey the room. As much as I want to stay with her tonight, I can't, and she needs time to get settled.

"Do you need anything before I go?" I ask, shoving my hands back into my pockets like a buffer to keep from touching her.

Faith spins around, a look on her pretty face I can't quite decipher. "You're leaving?"

"I had planned on it," I say, unable to keep myself away from her any longer. Taking a step forward, I place one hand on her hip, while the other pushes strands of hair off her forehead. "I have an early morning team workout I have to be at, so I thought I'd let you get settled tonight and maybe sleep in. But I'll be here by noon or so to start our weekend together."

She smiles and relaxes. "Okay. That sounds good."

Again, I step back and walk toward the door. If I don't do it now, I'll never leave. "There's a continental breakfast downstairs, and here are the car keys," I state, removing them from my pocket and setting them on the desk. "I kept the spare key card, but only for emergencies. If you'd prefer to have both, I'll leave it."

She's already shaking her head. "No, you keep it."

With a single nod, I reach for the door handle and give it a turn. "I'll be here by noon," I reiterate, most likely just to add a few more seconds of time with her. "Make sure you use the safety latch when I leave."

She grins as she walks my way. "Yes, Dad ."

With a low growl, I mutter, "The things running through my head aren't very fatherly, Faith."

"No?" she asks, running her hands up my chest and resting the palms against my pecs.

I shake my head, unable to form words. I'm strung tight with desire, a need for her I'm not sure will ever be sated. "Good night, Faith," I whisper softly.

"Good night, Chad. Thank you again. For everything. I'm really excited to spend these next two weeks with you," she replies, going up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek.

I'd much rather have her lips on mine like earlier, but I'll take this too.

At least for now.

"Lock up," I insist once more before finally turning the handle and stepping into the hall.

"Night, Chad," she repeats, grabbing the door. "See you tomorrow."

I nod, standing still until she closes the door and I hear the locks engage. Only then do I head for the elevator, preparing for the short walk back to base.

It's late.

Damn late.

Tomorrow morning is going to be brutal, but the lack of sleep will be worth it. Knowing she's here, in California, is worth any loss of sleep I may experience over the next two weeks. I'm going to take advantage of our time together as much as I can, because I know it's limited. Two weeks won't be nearly enough time with her, this I already know, which is why I'm going to make the most of it.

And not think about that final day until it comes.

Because that day will be the one I lose my heart completely.

The day she returns home and takes it with her.