My Daddy Is a Hero 02 Read online

  “You’ll pay,” Barb seethed.

  “Have a nice afternoon,” David called as the door slammed.

  He leaned against the counter in his kitchen and took a slow, deep breath. God, they brought out the worst in him whenever they came around. Noelle came back inside and without a word wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. He held her close and breathed in her scent, letting it calm him.

  “I didn’t know people still acted like that,” she murmured. “My mom told me how it was when she was growing up here long ago. Shauna’s parents brought the past straight into the present day with that kind of thinking. How can she believe it’s right to raise her grandchildren around such prejudice?”

  “I met Shauna when she was working temp jobs. They had money and she wanted no part of it because of how they were,” David explained. “We fell in love and got married in Vegas. They voiced their disapproval loudly and tried to force her to get an annulment. They only began a showing of trying to be nice when she got pregnant, but we soon saw through the guise when they tried to draw up paperwork saying they would get sole custody of the kids if anything happened to her while I was gone.”

  He shook his head. “She saw through it, and in a way I think she predicted what would happen. I got a call in one of the first incursions into Iraq. She’d left the kids with my mom to go run errands and it was storming. The car ran off the road and hit a tree. They said she felt no pain and I held on to that for along time. The grief almost crippled me.” David took a breath. It was a cleansing one for him since this was the first time he’d ever really talked about losing Shauna. “I had to go back to Iraq and her parents decided to fight me for custody. The judge laughed them out of court, almost threatened to arrest them for trying to buy me off. His exact words were that he was not going to take the children of a decorated soldier for the whimsy of rich grandparents. He also personally assured me that if they tried it again he would stand on my behalf in any court to uphold his ruling.”

  “That serves them right. They could be better people, but instead they decided to be assholes,” Noelle said angrily.

  David laughed. “Shauna would have liked you.”

  “I would have liked her too,” Noelle said softly and kissed him. “It’s time for cake and presents before they accost us. You don’t want to get between a child and birthday cake.”

  “Stay the night with us, when all this is over,” David said.

  “You just want me for my clean up skills,” she teased.

  “I want you for so much more,” David replied as they walked out into the sunshine.

  He’d never spoken truer words. After Shauna, he thought his life would be spent alone raising their children. He never expected to find love again, but he had in the arms of their teacher. David knew he’d fallen madly in love with the feisty Ms. Cherise.

  * * * *

  The party ended around five and the kids ran the sugar out of their systems by nine. Super charged kids hopped up on birthday cake and presents were practically unmanageable. But finally they wound down after baths and helped put all their new shiny toys away. Finally, Andy and Annette fell asleep. David was still in the room with them and she stood out on the patio with his mother. They were talking and enjoying the star filled night while they sat in the porch swing and rested their feet after being on the move all day.

  “I’m sorry that you had to deal with Shauna’s parents,” Diana Cutter said.

  “There was no problem in it, I was just happy to be there for David,” Noelle replied. “They were really striking a nerve in him.”

  Diana shook her head. “David had a hard time with them. Shauna was sweet and I loved that girl. It’s not her fault those two were her parents.”

  “I’m sure she turned out really great regardless of who raised her.” She smiled. “You’ve raised a pretty great son yourself.”

  “I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. He’s in love,” Diana stated. Noelle started to object but Diana cut her off with a laugh. She reached out and patted her hand lightly. “It’s a good thing. Don’t panic, I’m not busting you for making out in the back seat of his car. I want him to be happy. I saw him die inside when Shauna was killed, and now I see him coming to life because of you. And unlike Jim and Barb I couldn’t care less what color your skin is. You’ve got a good heart.”

  “I think I love him too,” Noelle blurted out. “Do you really think he loves me?”

  Diana laughed. “Young love is so beautiful. Don’t take my word for it, sweetie. How about you ask him later when I’m gone?”

  “Do you disapprove of my staying here the night,” she asked his mother. “I don’t want to disrespect his home, the kids or you.”

  “This is David’s home and he wants you in it. You’re not doing anything but being with the man you’re falling in love with,” Diana said and got up. “Now I’m going home to spend time with my new fresh love. Things are heating up with my carpenter friend, and he should be leaving his bowling championship about now. I might be having a sleepover myself.”

  Oh goodness, Noelle thought. She hoped when she was Diana’s age there was still that vivacious spark in her romantic life. If she happened to be with David still at that time, well, she definitely had no doubt that they would be as passionate as the first time they made love.

  “I’m going to kiss David and the babies goodnight and head home.” Diana leaned over and hugged her. “Welcome to my family, Noelle.”

  She watched his mother leave and rocked gently. The breeze still carried the scent of flowers from the gardens and she felt her eyes begin to get heavy. The sliding door to the back patio opened and David came out and sat beside her.

  “You look like you’re about to fall asleep. I almost did in the kids’ rooms.” David pulled her close.

  She leaned her head on his shoulder. “It was a day, and the two of them seemed to have a ton of fun.”

  “I’m so glad you were here,” he kissed her temple. “Now, come inside. I have a surprise for you.”

  “Will you be dressed like Zorro? Ooh, kinky,” Noelle teased.

  His laughter filled the air. “No, you perv. Is that what you want?”

  “No, I like you just the way you are.”

  He held her hand and led her inside and to the master bedroom. In the bathroom he had a tub full of bubbles and candles lit around its edge. Two glasses of wine sat on the side of the wide tub and the scene was very romantic.

  “I figured it’s the least I could do since you took on the horde of children at my kids’ party,” he said and he began to undress her.

  “It would be perfect if you share it with me,” she said.

  “Definitely.”

  They undressed each other slowly and sank into the tub. David sat with his back to the cool enamel and she sat between his legs, her back against his chest. The water felt great, and as they relaxed he trailed his fingers over her skin, leaving delicious goose bumps in their wake. Desire filled her and she tuned in the water to give him a soulful kiss.

  “I think you should take me to bed,” she said against his mouth.

  “Oh yeah,” David said huskily.

  Together they stepped from the tub and dried the water from their skin. There was no need to think about clothes because their hands touched and ignited a fire of desire. Noelle stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his in a sweet kiss.

  “You’re so amazing. I feel so beautiful in your arms,” she whispered.

  “That’s because you are, Noelle you take my breath away,” he said huskily.

  The sweet ache in her heart at his words was almost unbearable. This time when he took her lips, the kiss was filled with intensity and want. Noelle kissed him in return and her eyes closed as she reveled in the sensations coursing through her body. With a groan he wrapped her into his arms and took the kiss even deeper. His tongue grazed her teeth before he slipped it into her mouth, and she willingly accepted his taste. She
could drown in his kisses. Noelle loved how he sipped and teased her mouth. It was like he was sampling an exotic delicacy while his hands touched and caressed her. The bulge of his arousal pressed between their naked bodies. Noelle shifted restlessly, wrapped her fingers around his cock and stroked. It felt like velvet over steel and she loved how he moaned her name in response.

  She wrenched her lips away from his and said breathlessly, “The bed…you’re making my knees weak.”

  “Well then I can fix that.” David chuckled and gently picked her up in his arms.

  He placed her on the bed as if she were a fragile object made of glass. David made her feel treasured. There was no other way to put it. He was so strong and masculine, but he didn’t use it against her like some men would. He tapered his strength with gentleness.

  He climbed into bed next to her, and while they kissed his fingers trailed fire along her skin wherever he touched. Noelle spread her legs when he moved between her legs, his fingers deftly searching out and finding her core. Her body jerked as the sensations rocked through her, and she lifted her hips in a silent plea for more. David groaned and deepened the kiss while his hand caressed her pussy, making her wet and she writhed in ecstasy. A gasp escaped her when his lips left hers and trailed down the sensitive skin of her neck then wandered on to her breasts. He buried his face against the smooth globes for a moment before he lifted them to his mouth to suck at the hardening nipples.

  “I love how your hands feel on me, how you taste me,” Noelle whispered.

  “Good, because I’m going to take more.”

  With a hungry groan he took her nipple into his mouth. He played with one and then the other, sucking them deep into his mouth. She reached for him, but David pinned her hands so he could pleasure her unhampered. Like a man dying of thirst, he was almost crazy in the way his mouth roamed her body. Noelle burned under his ministrations and held on as waves of sensations rolled over her. He kissed his way down her body until he was between her legs. His breath on the sensitive flesh of her pussy made her shiver in anticipation. She could feel her body react to him by the puddle of wetness that pooled between her thighs.

  “Damn, I don’t even have to touch you and I can watch you get wet,” he murmured. His first lick made her arch off the bed. He clamped his hands around her thighs and brought her back to his mouth. “Oh no, you don’t get away, you’re going to take it until you come.”

  “Oh God!” Noelle tried to smother her cries into the pillow as he sucked on her clit.

  He made a primal sound from his position between her legs and penetrated her with his tongue. Noelle called his name as his fingers joined his tongue and she felt them slide inside her. He fucked her with his lips, fingers and tongue until her body tensed and her orgasm rolled over her. She fell back against the bed, pliant and gasping for breath. When he kissed her she could taste her come on his lips. This time she wanted his flavor and rolled on top of his body. He was so solid, muscles that were big and hard he could have been sculpted from marble. Noelle decided to tease and tempt him with her lips and body. His hand tightened in her hair when she bit his neck and shoulder, working down his masculine.

  He groaned her name, the sound filled with pleasure, telling her how much he approved of what she was doing. The lower she went the more he responded to her caresses, and his body shuddered. Noelle moved like liquid sliver above him, and each time he tried to grab her and take control she moved away with a seductive giggle. Another longing kiss and she was gone again. His muttered curse and the way his hands fisted the sheets was her reward. It was pleasing to know she could affect him and make him as crazy and he made her. The tip of his hard cock was her destination, and when she took it into her mouth for a taste. David’s head fell back against the pillows and she saw his lips part in anticipation. She took him in her mouth deeper and a slow tortured moan escaped him. She licked and kissed her way down and then back up his manhood. Noelle stroked his length as she used her mouth to please him.

  “Oh Jesus, Noelle.”

  The words were forced out from between his clenched teeth. She wondered if she could make him come with her mouth, how he would taste on her tongue. Before she could put that action into play, David reared up and grabbed her by her shoulders and brought her up his body so he could kiss her senseless. He reached between then and slipped his fingers inside her and mercilessly used them to make her come. Before she could catch her breath, his cock was inside her.

  “Damn, you’re milking my cock, ” David said harshly. “So hot and tight. Noelle I’m going over the edge here.”

  Her hips pumped against him as he thrust upward, and she said urgently, “Let go, fall with me.”

  He rubbed her clit, and her head fell back in the pleasure of both sensations assaulting her at once. Their pace increased to a frenzied blur until she doubted she could tell where he ended and she began. Her hips bucked against him and she took him, pistoning down on his rigid cock hard. The feeling of his cock brushing against her clit rung a cry from her lips.

  “Take more, all of it!” He ground out.

  He grabbed her hips pulling her against him hard and Noelle cried out in pleasure. David seemed to grow harder and thicker inside her and she arched in abandon. “Oh yes, I’m going to come.”

  “Fall for me, with me,” David said.

  The sensations drove her to orgasm on a keening cry of pleasure. With her release, David let himself go. He pulled her against his chest and kissed her savagely while he pounded inside her. He groaned against her lips and she felt his warm seed spill in the confines of her body. Every ounce of tension left their bodies, still intimately connected while they tried to catch their breath. His caress eased the shivers that occasionally went through her body. He somehow got them both under the covers and they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  * * * *

  Gunfire, the explosions, yelling that came in the midst of the static of a military radio. It all blended together in his head. Blood and sweat, the sounds of guttural pain that came from injured warriors. There was never a time when they went out in a convoy and didn’t come back with someone bleeding and in pain. The insurgents in Afghanistan were insatiable in the delight of planting bombs and causing havoc. Blood of their victims was never a factor, they carried no remorse only a maniacal belief in their cause. You could never sleep too deep or relax too much…each next breath could be your last. A mortar could hit the FOB or an attack that always seemed too long in coming. It was actually a sense of relief when they did attack, the strain of months in battle could be seen etched on every face, each day.

  It all blurred in his dreams. The faces, names and blood, camouflage and the flapping sound of tents in an unforgiveable wind. The smell of gun oil, the click of a weapon being broken down and put back together again to keep it working to perfection, to kill. The cries of children, hungry, hurt or scared; the haunted eyes of a people who had lived in fear for far too long. It haunted his dreams, like specters of the past. Ghosts of those lost begging not be forgotten, the cries of grieving families as they are handed a pristine folded flag, the only thing left of a loved one gone. David wanted to cover his ears and turn away from his dreams. The torture of it making him stay awake for long hours. But then the guilt of leaving them in the shadows burned through him when his eyes closed as well.

  “Shhh, David. You’re okay, baby. It’s all over now, your home.” Her voice called him back from the brink of terror. The kiss of her lips on his soothed him like a balm and helped bring reality into focus.

  “Noelle,” he said her name with a voice husky from sleep and heavy with emotion. “So many lost, I can’t sleep without seeing the carnage of Afghanistan. Not only my men, but women and children as well. There is no care to how fragile the human body is under the onslaught of an IED. How hot metal can destroy flesh and bone.”

  “Oh, David, let me hold you and help you carry the burden the best way I can,” Noelle said. “I can only imagine what you’ve seen,
but I am here for you each and every day and I’ll lay with you each night and chase away the nightmares.”

  Her word humbled him and he swallowed the lump in his throat as she linked fingers with his.

  “I love you, Noelle,” David said. “It’s not too soon. I think I knew it from the time I heard your voice when I called from the FOB. You don’t have to say it in return. When I hear those words from you, I’ll know I earned them and they’ll be treasured by me.”

  She put her fingers over his lips. “David, I don’t have to wait to say the words. You have my heart soldier. I love you. I loved your children before I even met you. I’m honored if you accept me into your family.”

  “You’re already a part of me and I’ll seal it with a kiss.”

  He took her lips and let passion consume them both. He pushed away the rest of the dream with her kisses, they way she felt and smelled. He let it all fill him until there was nothing left but her and the one thought in his head: Noelle.

  They had fallen asleep naked, so it was easy to find the spots that pleased her and made her moan. He loved the sounds she made when she was in the throes of desire. It fueled his own, need knowing it was him who made her cry out. Her nipples were already beaded hard and she pushed against his hand as he gently played at her breasts. His eyes never left hers as he trailed his finger from her lips down her neck between the valley of her breast and down her tight stomach. He heard her inhale as his fingers moved lower to the very core of her that was waiting, wanting. She bit her lip and he soothed it with his tongue. David found her pussy already moist and slick as he moved his finger slowly over her clit. Noelle gasped out his name and spread her legs farther apart in silent plea.

  “Do you want me to touch you there, babydoll?” he asked softly, his finger continuing its manipulation of her clit.

  “Please, yes.” She moved restlessly, looking for satisfaction. David wanted to drive her past sanity and beyond.