Back in the Soldier's Bed

“I was offered a contract through the SAS to train Special Forces. Everything’s been spearheaded out of Petawawa, but the majority of training will be at the Combat Arms Centre here. Included in that is a chance to be a liaison with the government for anti-terrorism.”

“Oh, Jonas. You must be so proud. Of course you must take it.”

“It’s a choice assignment. I couldn’t ask for better. I couldn’t answer though until I knew what you wanted. All I knew is that it could keep me where I belong—with you and Emma. If…”

“If…”

She held her breath.

He reached into his trousers and pulled out a ring, the platinum and single diamond catching the dying sunbeams in the fading light. “I should have done this years ago, but better late than never.” He gripped her left hand in his strong right one. “If you’ll marry me. Give me a chance to be the husband and father you both deserve. Let

us build a family together.” His eyes twinkled at her. “Maybe even a bigger family.”

She put the fingers of her right hand over her lips, unsure of whether to laugh or cry. She’d come here tonight prepared for a stand off, not a proposal. Not the answer to all her hopes and dreams. And she’d come in her ratty jeans, she thought. A spurt of laughter crept up and out her lips.

“You haven’t said yes yet,” he reminded her.

“It’s about time I made that leap of faith, don’t you think?” Her fingers trembled but her smile was wide. “Put it on, Jonas. Put on the ring and make us a family.”

He slid the ring over her knuckle, the diamond in the winking as she wiggled her fingers.

She lifted both her hands to cup his face.

“I love you. No matter what, you’ll always be a hero to me. You just remember that, Sergeant Kirkpatrick.”

He kissed her then, a kiss better than all of his other kisses. This one was freer, victorious, tender, passionate. His mouth was firm on hers, and she reached up and twined her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He loved her. He wanted to marry her. Her heart was soaring, so incredibly happy and relieved and hopeful.

He’d given her her hope back. What a glorious, glorious gift.

She wished now that she’d changed before coming over, especially since need was overtaking the initial rush of joy and he was tugging at the hem of her T-shirt. But it didn’t seem to matter that she hadn’t put on a lacy bra and panties; within seconds he’d undone the clasp and her bra landed on the floor with her shirt.

He was still in his uniform, and she hardly knew where to begin to undress him, but he stepped back and held out his hand.

She took it without hesitation. She’d waited too long to stop now.

Jonas led her into his bedroom. It was like the rest of his apartment; comfortable but sparsely decorated, but none of that mattered. He began to remove his uniform piece by piece, hanging it over a chair while Shannyn unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them to the floor. There was no hesitation, no shyness…just anticipation of what was to come, what they’d been missing for six long years. Wondering if it would be as good…or better. Needing to see, to touch.

Within moments he stood before her in cotton boxers, while she wore nothing but a pair of cotton bikini panties.

He took two steps and had her in his arms again, his hands roaming over her skin. “I love you, Shan. We wasted so much time…”

“Then don’t waste any more,” she whispered, running a hand over his chest. “Make love to me, Jonas. Please. I’ve been dying for this for weeks.”

A slow grin crawled up his cheek. “Weeks, huh?”

She nodded. “Years.”

Things moved faster after that. He laid her on the bed and made short work of her underwear, then teased her into a haze of pleasure with his mouth and hands. Just when she thought she might combust, he pulled away, and stripped off his boxers.

Everything tightened in anticipation.

When he slid inside her, her breath stopped for a moment as their gazes met, caught, and her heart overflowed with emotion. He was here. Her Jonas. He wasn’t leaving again. He loved her. And it was real, so real.

He lowered his head, kissing her slowly, tenderly, as he started to move. She lost herself in the sensations, unable to think. She could only feel, and the pressure built inside again, upward to the peak until the orgasm hit, fast and all-consuming. A cry erupted from her lips, which only seemed to spur him on, and he followed her over the precipice only moments later, saying her name on a gasp and a sigh.

She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t. But she felt it. It was…fulfilment. Completeness. Happiness.

When he slid out of her body she instantly missed him, but she cuddled up next to him on the bed, their sweat-slicked bodies cooling by the breeze from the ceiling fan. He chuckled, down low, and she responded the same way, and before long they were laughing together.