The American Soldier Collection 11: Mending Hearts (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Read online

Her cell phone rang, and she fumbled with her keys to unlock the door as she answered the phone. Using her shoulder to hold her phone as she tossed her purse then bag into the front passenger seat, she heard her friend Elizabeth’s excitement.

  “Hey, where are you? You’re not still working, are you? We’re all here at the club.”

  “Oh God, Elizabeth. I just got off work. I’m getting into my car now.”

  “You have to come here. The guys are smoking hot.”

  “You say that all the time. I just don’t think I have the energy tonight.”

  “Oh come on over for one drink. If you don’t feel better and can’t stay, then leave. But you have come here. It’s so much fun, and every one who is anyone is here.”

  Sarah took a deep breath and released it. “Fine. One drink and then a bubble bath is calling my name.”

  Fifteen minutes later, and after she finally found a parking spot two small shopping centers away, Sarah walked into the club. Elizabeth was right. It was jam-packed, and there were so many people. She felt encouraged that she’d made the right choice in coming here.

  As she approached her friends, she noticed the guys around them, and Elizabeth had been right. There were some smoking-hot guys here.

  Everyone greeted her hello, and she was grateful she had worn the skirt and heeled boots to work today. At least she was dressed for the dance hall club scene. Elizabeth handed her a drink, and from there on out, she knew she was not going to be heading home soon.

  * * * *

  He watched her from afar. Not quite as conservative or beautiful as his Alana, but she would do. He just needed to take off the edge. He was becoming desperate, and the other day in the store he’d nearly lost it. To see Alana with those two men, soldiers, too, just like he was, really angered him. They wanted her. They wanted to fuck her together and make her theirs, but he wasn’t going to let that happen.

  I saw her first. She’s mine.

  He clenched his fists then unclenched them, feeling his blood pressure rising and his heart racing with fury. He needed to calm down. Everything had to be perfect when he finally took Alana. He needed practice. Practice arousing a woman, making her beg for mercy then beg for his cock. He couldn’t do that right for Alana if he didn’t practice first. The other woman hadn’t worked out as he planned.

  She’d fought him. Called him names and mocked him as if he weren’t good enough for her. She suffered the consequences of defying him. Just like this one would if she reacted the same way. No, he needed to do this differently. Gain her trust. Make her like him and accept his advances then begin the training.

  He took a deep breath and looked around him. To ensure he wasn’t identified if things went awry like with the other woman, he should make this quick. As quick as he could without gaining attention.

  “Excuse me.”

  She turned around and smiled. Soft, sweet, brown eyes not green, but she would do.

  “Yes?”

  “I saw you from across the room. You looked familiar to me. Are you from Salvation?” he asked her.

  “I don’t think I’ve seen you before, but yes, I work around here.”

  “Maybe that’s where I’ve seen you. I would never forget a pretty face. Do you work for the newspaper?”

  She blushed and shyly looked away. He knew he had big muscles, was pretty attractive, as he got looks often. But he played off shy too.

  “No, I work at the salon.”

  “Well, I don’t think that’s where I’ve seen you before.”

  “Sarah, we’re going to dance. Are you coming?” a friend of hers asked, interrupting the conversation. He shot her a look then recovered quickly and winked.

  “I’m sorry to bother you. I’ll let you get back to your friends,” he said in a sad voice. She placed her hand on his arm, and he bit his cheek. No woman touched him or showed control over him.

  “Stay. I’m not in the mood for dancing,” she said, and her friend shrugged and walked away.

  He spent the rest of the time courting her. He gave her small compliments and made up a story about himself and where he came from. The more they engaged in conversation, the more he found her to be similar to Alana, and he knew that she would do just fine.

  As the night went on, he made his move as she said she was tired and wanted to head home. He offered to walk her out, and she looked for her friends, but none of them seemed to be around.

  He offered her assistance.

  The moment he got to her car, he knew this was meant to be. His van was only two vehicles away, and he had knocked out the parking lot light above on his way in earlier. It seemed that fate was on his side after all.

  “God, it’s so dark out here. I think one of the lights is out,” she said.

  “Well then, I’m glad I walked you out. That could be dangerous.”

  He placed his hand at her lower back and looked around as she searched for her keys. She gave him a smile, and then he reached into his pocket for the small syringe.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you.”

  “It was nice meeting you too. The night is young. Maybe we could continue the good time we’ve been having?” he asked.

  “I don’t think I have the energy. Not tonight. But maybe I’ll see you here again? Maybe this Friday? We could meet,” she suggested.

  He had her. But he couldn’t wait a week. He needed training.

  “Why wait when we can have tonight?” He stepped closer and went to kiss her, but she pressed her hands against his chest and stopped him.

  “I don’t know you. I’m sorry but maybe another time.” She turned him down, and he panicked.

  “Not another time. Tonight.”

  She went to move away from him, and he pulled her close then stuck her in the neck with the syringe. She gasped, and he pulled her close. He heard voices, turned, and saw two guys and a woman heading out of the club and toward where they stood. He improvised like a good soldier should.

  He pressed her body against the car and held her close as he kissed her. She was sweet and pliant in his arms. She would be perfect.

  “Get a room, buddy,” one of the guys said, and the woman they were with reprimanded him. “Leave them alone. Let’s go.”

  They got into the car right beside Sarah’s and pulled out of the parking lot. He watched them leave and released Sarah’s lips then dragged her toward the van. He’d done it. He was successful. Now the training would begin.

  * * * *

  “Come here,” Jaxon said to Alana as she walked into the kitchen dressed in a long button-down dress shirt. His burgundy one.

  She came to him willingly, and his heart raced with adoration for her. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply until she was flush against his body.

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  He tilted her head back as he held her cheeks and head between his hands, staring down into her gorgeous green eyes.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  He ran a hand along her ass, squeezing it and pulling her snugger against his chest.

  She looked concerned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I think Gabe overdid it. He asked me to give him some time while he took a shower.”

  He understood her concern.

  He ran his hand under her shirt and against her ass, realizing she was wearing only her thong.

  “He’ll be fine. After all, with a body like yours, he’s bound to lose control again. We all will.”

  She hugged him, surprising him, as his heart felt full with instant adoration.

  “Hey, I’m serious. He’ll be fine,” he told her, cupping her cheeks. He could see the tears of concern in her eyes.

  Her stomach growled.

  “How about something to eat?”

  “I’m starving.”

  “Well, you and Gabe kind of missed out on dinner last night.”

  “That was your fault too,” she said, pushing to change the subject of Gabe’s condition just like he was.


  “Just wait. You may miss it again tonight.”

  “Jaxon, I’ll need to go home soon. I have work tomorrow.”

  He felt an ache in his belly. He didn’t want her to leave, but then he saw Geno sneak up behind her, wrap his arms around her waist, and lift her up into the cradle position in his arms.

  Alana gasped.

  “Geno.”

  Jaxon could see her ass as Geno lifted her up into his arms.

  “You’re not going anywhere. I’m taking you prisoner.”

  She placed her hand on his chest then gave him a light slap. She tried to push the shirt down to cover her ass.

  Gator whistled as he joined them.

  “Put me down,” she stated.

  “Hot damn, mamma, I can get used to coming down to the kitchen and seeing you flashing your ass.”

  “Gator,” she reprimanded and still tried to cover up, but Geno set her down on the kitchen table and lowered her down. She pressed her hands against his chest.

  “Geno.” She said his name in a tone that meant business, and Jaxon chuckled.

  Geno reached under her shirt and cupped her breast.

  “I know exactly what I want for breakfast.”

  “Lunch,” Gator teased, taking a seat at the table and gliding his hand up along Alana’s thigh.

  “Gator, stop that. Geno, let me up,” she stated, and Geno manipulated her breasts.

  “First things first.” Geno pushed her shirt up to her neck and leaned down to feast on her left breast. Jaxon chuckled as Gator lifted the shirt up and leaned forward to feast on her right breast.

  She grabbed their hair and heads and held on as she moaned and tried to reprimand them.

  “What do we have here?” Jeb joined them.

  “Oh God. Please stop, this isn’t fair. It’s two against one.”

  “Four actually,” Jaxon said.

  “Jaxon, order them to stop. We’re on the kitchen table. Someone might come to the door,” she carried on, truly feeling embarrassed.

  Geno and Gator stopped suckling her breast, and Geno pulled her shirt back down.

  “Ain’t no one ever going to see you naked but the five of us. And get yourself ready, woman. I, for one, plan on having you in a lot of places in this house, including this here kitchen table.” He pressed a finger over her mound and against her panties, making her wiggle and screech at him.

  Gator laughed, and Geno lifted her up, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her deeply.

  As Geno pulled from her mouth, Jaxon thought she might reprimand Geno again or maybe even give him a smack against his chest, but instead, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight.

  Geno looked stunned as he locked gazes with Jaxon then Gator and Jeb. His buddy looked incredibly happy.

  * * * *

  Alana watched Jaxon and Geno cooking breakfast and admired their bodies over the mug of her hot cup of coffee. Gator was making the toast, and Jeb was looking at his laptop, checking out the latest news. It was apparently a morning ritual that the others shared with her. She couldn’t help but admire their sexy bodies and the way it felt to be surrounded by four men she’d made love to last night.

  She looked up toward the ceiling, worried about Gabe. He hadn’t come down yet, and he should have by now. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth and contemplated heading back upstairs to check on him. She put her mug down and ran the palms of her hands down her thighs and over the bit of material from Jaxon’s shirt. That was another thing. She was practically naked, and they were all fully dressed except for their feet. No one was wearing any shoes.

  She sensed her body’s reaction to the men and couldn’t help but think about last night. She had let them all make love to her. Gabe had watched them all make love to her before he took her last. It was kind of overwhelming. They were big men, very dominant and controlling. She had been on her own, taking care of herself for quite some time. Would their need for control cause a problem in the future?

  If she’d learned one thing last night, she was definitely a submissive who enjoyed being ordered around by these men. She wanted to please them. To give them all of her heart and her soul. She began to feel a little panicked. She’d given them her heart and soul last night. What if they left her like Gabe had?

  She felt the tears sting her eyes, and she quickly stood up.

  “Alana, breakfast is ready,” Jaxon told her.

  She looked up at him, locked gazes with his blue eyes, and knew that he could tell she was upset.

  “Alana?”

  She turned away. “I’ll be right back. I just need to use the bathroom.” She hurried out of there and could hear the scraping of a chair then footsteps. She quickly entered the bathroom and closed the door. She locked it and a moment later, as the tears rolled down her cheeks and an anxiety attack began, she heard the knock.

  She gasped.

  “Alana, are you okay?” Jaxon asked.

  She tried to speak, but her mind kept whirling over the possibilities of how terrible this whole ménage relationship could end.

  “Answer me, Alana, or I’ll break down the door.”

  “Fine. Need a minute,” she barked out and then turned to look at herself in the mirror as she gripped the sink and counter.

  Her face was pale, her eyes filled with tears as worry filled her heart.

  Where had all her self-confidence gone? When had she decided to overanalyze the situation and freak out? And she was definitely freaking out. Jaxon, Geno, Jeb, Gator, and Gabe were five very large, capable men. In that large kitchen with four of them, she’d felt exposed, outnumbered, vulnerable… and that was it. She was feeling vulnerable.

  All this time, over the years, she trained herself to be so self-sufficient and to not take any orders or direction from anyone but herself. She had to live her life. She had to make the mistakes, and she’d had to survive on her own after losing her parents and losing Gabe. By giving into this attraction, this sexual need and pull to these five men, was she giving up that freedom to choose, to live her life, and to do as she wanted?

  Were they instantly going to make demands on her? She loved the way they made love to her. She wouldn’t mind those sexual demands, but what about the other stuff?

  “Alana, open up. We’re worried,” Jeb said.

  “I’m fine, Jeb. Just give me a minute. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  “No, you’ll open the door right now,” Jaxon demanded.

  She felt her heart race. He was fierce and demanding. It concerned her but aroused her more.

  She wiped her eyes and took and an unsteady breath. She could do this. She could have breakfast with them, maybe make love to them again, and then head home to her cottage and continue her normal routine.

  Her small, lonely cottage, where she was going to sleep alone and dream of them and wish they were with her. But she couldn’t do that. She had to maintain her control, her independence, and, of course, her sanity.

  With that last bit of pep talk, she unlocked the door, and Jaxon stood there, arms crossed, with an angry expression, and she did what anyone would do in such a situation. She tried walking right by him.

  His hand touched hers, and she froze in place.

  Alana gulped and then tilted her head way up to give him a soft smile.

  It didn’t work. He held her gaze with a firm expression that was all Jaxon.

  God, he’s so sexy. I love this man.

  Her eyes widened at her own thoughts. It was instant. She fell in love with him in one night of lovemaking. She was in love with all of them. How stupid could she be? This was how she’d lost control and fallen into a pool of depression when Gabe left her.

  “Alana, I don’t know what’s going through your pretty little head right now, but I suggest we discuss it.”

  Jaxon. Damn controlling leader of his entire team and now her too? She couldn’t allow this. She couldn’t succumb to his sexual appeal, masculinity, and authoritative demeanor and crumble into a weak love-str
uck dope.

  She pulled her hand from his. It was best to not confront him or cause an argument she would surely lose. She smiled softly.

  “I’m fine, Jaxon. Just tired and hungry. Why don’t we go eat?”

  She began walking. He stopped her and pressed her up against the wall as he cupped one cheek with his palm so gently and eyes filled with passion. His other hand wrapped around her waist possessively, and he swept down and kissed her.

  In that moment, as her lips parted to his need for control, an act she was more than likely going to have to get used to, she gave in. She allowed the feel of his arms, the gentleness of his compassion to overtake her. There was no turning back. The fire, the connection, and power between them were combustible. She kissed him back, rocked her hips against his, and then felt his hand move lower and press her panties down her thighs.

  “Jaxon,” she reprimanded, but in actuality, she was utterly turned on and dripping wet.

  “I want you. I can’t get enough of you,” he told her as he lifted her up so she had to wrap her legs around his waist. He maneuvered out of his pants, dropping them to the floor as he pressed her back against the wall so she wouldn’t fall.

  “You’re mine. Do you even realize that?” he asked her as he held her gaze, gripped his cock, and pressed up into her cunt.

  She gripped his forearms and gasped at the forceful, sexual invasion.

  He thrust fully into her, making her moan.

  Jaxon cupped her cheeks between his hands as he rocked his hips back and forth, thrusting into her wet channel and making her hold his complete attention.

  “I didn’t like that look in your eyes. That uncertain, almost panicked expression. Last night was perfect. From here on out will be perfect because you’re meant to be ours.”

  He kissed her deeply as his words sunk in. Jaxon’s ability to see through to her thoughts, to know she was indeed panicking, overwhelmed her with emotion. He thrust in and out of her, and she held on to him, reveling in the feel of his hard, thick cock marking her, claiming her as his woman again and again.

  Jaxon was the leader, the man in control of the men, of all of them. It seemed this included her now, and that was something she needed time to process. But for the moment, in this heat of passion, she gave of herself fully. She countered his thrusts, called out his name as she came, and accepted him fully as he exploded inside of her.