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“Why did you come home? Why did you leave the Army?”
I resisted closing my hands into fists, but the tightening of every muscle in my shoulders couldn’t be prevented. Someday I might be able to think about the whole situation without wanting to punch my hand into a wall, but that day hadn’t arrived yet.
I’d told exactly zero people this story, outside of those who already knew, and the words seemed to stick in my mouth.
“Talk to me, Lucas.”
I took a deep breath. “A sergeant first class got handsy with a new private who’d had a few too many drinks. Nice girl, though. I sort of took her under my wing. Tough cookie, but there was a vulnerability in her that worried me. With good reason, I guess.”
“Oh shit. I’m not gonna like this.”
“No,” I said, being brutally honest. “You’re not. When I advised him to cut the shit, he pulled rank. Told me to stay the fuck out of it.”
“Oh no.”
“So, I punched him.”
“I assume that is a superior rank to yours?”
“It is.”
“And that didn’t go over so well?”
“You can say that.”
“Jesus. So, what happened?”
“Pretty much what you’d expect. I was threatened with a court-martial but made a side deal to get out completely on a general discharge. I was barred from reenlistment but was able to keep my VA benefits.”
“Lucas.” The look in her eyes wasn’t something Charlee could feign. Although I didn’t need her sympathy—what was done was done—it was impossible to ignore her concern.
“It’s fine,” I lied. “I was lucky not to be dishonorably discharged. Kept my bonus and was able to open Grunt Ink.”
Our eyes met.
I didn’t say it.
But Charlee understood.
Maybe it was way too soon. Actually, it was definitely way too soon to be thinking this way since today was really our first date. But this was Charlee we were talking about.
She stood.
Sauntered around the table over to me.
I pushed my chair back.
Didn’t the saucy minx sit right on my lap. I put my arm around her, Charlee’s bare back too enticing to resist. She leaned down and kissed me.
It was a kiss that said, “I’m sorry that happened. I’m here for you.”
Fuck, I actually felt something stir in me. And for once, it wasn’t my dick. Although, that stirred too.
Jesus Christ, what was it about this woman?
My hand seemed to have a mind of its own. Slipped into her dress, right around to Charlee’s magnificent breasts. And just like that, our talk fell away. The meal over.
Charlee Donovan had been mine once and would be again. It was time to make it official.
