Dear Killian (Love Letters 1)

I have to let him go. I’m going insane.

“Good, good,” he says, pausing, as if he’s hesitant to say what’s next. “I have a favor to ask…” His voice trails and I know I’m going to like it less than the last one he asked of me.

“What?” I’m trying to control my impatience.

“I have a few men I need picked up in two hours when they land. Could you do that for me?” His tone sounds bored, but the inflections in his pitch are off.

“What’s really going on General?” I doubt he’ll tell me, but figure it’s worth a shot.

“Just as I said. Can I count on you?” He snaps.

I sigh again, “Yes, I’ll be there.”

He hangs up without a single thank you. I love the man, but sometimes he gets on my nerves. My phone dings again as a text comes through. Opening it, I see the address I’m to pick them up at.

Resigned to my fate I gather my ice cream and look down at my clothes wondering if I have time to change, or if my baggy sweater and short shorts will be okay. I know my dad would want me looking my best, but frankly I’m too depressed to care.

Shrugging I gather my keys and purse, leaving early intent on stopping at Starbucks on the way for a vanilla Frappuccino. Because if I can’t have my man, I can have the next best thing.

I hadn’t been paying attention to my dad’s text when he sent me the address or I’d have known I was going to the Fort Meade airbase.

Killian’s base.

Tears sting my eyes as I sit in my car at the gate waiting for the time to pass since I was early for pick up. Gathering as much courage as I can muster I climb free of my little Civic and wonder why I was asked to pick up my dad’s men when they likely wouldn’t fit in the damn car in the first place. Let alone their luggage.

One of the many mysteries of the General, I suppose.

Walking through the building, I go through two of the security check points no problem. As I’m clearing the third, the large cargo plane could be heard landing and I just know they’re on that plane.

“You’re clear ma’am,” the security guy tells me when I pause at the door he’s holding open.

“Thank you,” I murmur as I see the large cargo door open on the plane. Nearly a dozen men and women disembark from the aircraft as I walk towards them, wondering how I’ll know who I’m here for.

The sun blinds me as the clouds clear the sky just as I see a touch of silver, and a crooked jaw I think I might recognize. Rushing towards the passengers, I can see again as shade covers the sun and I see him.

Captain Killian St. James.

Elation fills me as I take in his perfectly handsome form. I see laugh lines when he smiles at a man beside him, as he turns like he’s searching for someone.

Then the tears start streaming down my face. My heart constricts. And I wonder what cruel fate would do this to me.

Give him to me, only to take him away, and now he’s tossed in my face just as I’ve come to the decision to let him go.

When I see him turning my way, I whip around nearly running into a pole I hadn’t seen there when coming outside.

“Jersey?” I hear him call. “Jersey wait!”

Blood rushes through my ears, flooding my mind and making me dizzy. I can’t face him. He can’t see how he broke me.

I don’t realize I’ve collapsed in a heap on the ground until I feel strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. His scent surrounds me, sandalwood and lemon invade my senses.

“My sweet fucking Jersey girl,” he murmurs into my ear. His arms tighten around me again as I try and struggle to get free.

“This her?” I hear another masculine voice approach.

“Oh yeah,” Killian kisses along my jaw. My body gives up the fight, melting into his embrace. Accepting his claim on me.

“She’s on fire,” the voice laughs as it fades away.