The Soldier Next Door by Storm Savage Read Free Book Online Page B

thrust in and out. He kept to a leisurely pace, clearly allowing her to enjoy her orgasm and prepare for another one. She admired his stamina. His parted lips skimmed her face with such profound affection, tears sprung to her eyes. She felt herself falling hard for him.
    He took her to heaven two more times, stealing her breath and her heart. She gazed up at him through misty eyes. Gentle hands and lips bathed her in sweetness then his body tensed. Gathering her into a strong embrace, he crushed her against him as he lurched forward with a long deep groan. He came with force, shooting a stream of hot liquid deep inside. The experience was nothing less than euphoric.
    They lay tangled together on the bed, panting for breath. He placed soft lingering kisses over her bare shoulders and neck, spoiling her with quiet whisperings of flattery.
    When the afterglow began to wear off, she realized that they had forgotten to use protection. “We forgot something.”
    He didn’t respond straight away. A few minutes later, he rolled on top of her and stared down with sincere eyes. “I don’t have an STD. I get tested every month at the hospital when I go in for my checkups. I’ve not been with anyone since she moved out.”
    She breathed a sigh of relief and realized his doctors would likely keep a close eye on his health considering his condition. “I haven’t been with anyone since my divorce and I was tested, also.”
    “I guess we’ll just have to trust each other then,” he said with a relaxed smile.
    “Yes…” She returned his smile. “I guess we will.”
     
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    “Mason, are you in here?” Sydnie peeked inside his front door.
    She hadn’t heard from him since their incredible afternoon and evening of lovemaking the previous day. His truck was in the drive and the front door open. Spring seemed to have finally taken root with the temps staying in the seventies since the freak snowstorm. He’d asked her to go hiking with him today yet hadn’t called and sunset now lurked on the horizon.
    Hesitantly, she went inside and walked from room to room. “Mason?” Still no sign of him but she did notice several empty cans of hard lemonade on the counter. Oh no, he must be having a bad day. The ghosts of his past did not seem to reveal a pattern.
    She knew the house well from when the previous neighbor had lived there, as they had been friends. Cautiously she opened the basement door and drew a calming breath. Images she tried to resist forced their way into her mind, especially over the noose.
    He seemed perfectly fine when they’d parted company yesterday. She couldn’t imagine what might have triggered him to drink again. Maybe he received a troubling phone call, or something on TV sparked a flashback. Hell, it could be anything, she thought. And for a split second she remembered why she’d tried to control her growing attachment to this man. During his stable phases, he was alluring beyond belief.
    However, when the demons trapped him in his mind, he took her to places of pure horror. Mason’s darkness was not just dark—his shadows were black.
    The steps creaked slightly as she made her way down. She could barely draw a breath, terrified of the worst. She reached the ground floor and looked around. No lights, just the glow from his computer screen radiating around a desk. On the far side of the room sat Mason with his back toward her, his shoulders slouched and his head hanging down.
    “Mason?”
    He didn’t answer
    Oh God, is he dead? She couldn’t bear the thought. Her heart pounded in her ears.
    She reached out with a trembling hand to touch his shoulder, praying that his body didn’t fall off the stool or do anything horrific that would indicate he’d left this world.
    Closing her eyes, she laid one hand on him. “Mason?”
    He bolted upright, scaring a little pee out of her. She jumped back and gasped. “What are you doing, hon?” She inched around to his front.
    Sure enough, he