No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology by Elizabeth Knox (black authors fiction TXT) 📕

her breasts within the palms of his hands, elated they spilled over the sides of his fingers. Sterling always loved Abby’s generous form even if she, at times, debased herself because of it. She’d learned through the years not to belittle her figure in front of him. With a great sense of humor, a flirtatious, kind-hearted nature, and a loyalty that surpassed the basic meaning of the word, she was perfect in every way. Her feminine assets only added to the already stellar package.

Sterling knew whoever won her heart would be lucky, indeed. He never figured she might choose him, in the end.

With a tinge of regret, he broke their kiss. Leaning his forehead against hers, he inhaled deeply, striving to regulate the normal cycle of oxygen flow and smiling when he found her, too, happily out of breath. He sensed the stirrings of his heart, inhaled several deep breaths of air and, finally, confessed to her his true feelings. “I love you, Abby, and not just as your friend. I’ve loved you for a long time now.”

She caressed the side of his face, her fingers passing over his skin with short, gentle strokes. “Why didn’t you tell me, Sterling?”

“I don’t know. I guess I never thought I had a chance.”

She smiled up at him. “You’re my best friend, silly. We already have half the relationship down pat and in our favor.”

He gazed at her, fondly, while a warm, cozy sensation filled his heart to capacity.

“Undress,” she ordered, standing back a bit and watching in admiration as he stripped his clothes quickly off. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him beside her into the shower and closed the curtain. She placed her hands within his, and gazed into his eyes.

“And by the way, I love you too, Sterling. I always have. I think I’ve been waiting for you to love me back.”

He scooped her into his arms with a big, goofy grin. “I love you so much. I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

Giving him a full view of her bare ass, she bent over and turned the water on. Swiveling toward him, she placed her hands across his bare chest and whispered. “Well . . . You can start by soaping me.”

The next day, they stayed in, cuddled, and made love. Only when they grew hungry for something besides each other, did they dare step out of the bed to fix a sandwich or pour a glass of iced tea.

She caught Sterling watching her, eying her as if he was waiting to catch her slipping out the front door. In the past she might’ve done that, yet today, she wasn’t going anywhere. As soon as she invited Sterling into the shower with her, she knew their relationship would change. She decided, from that moment, she’d set aside her nagging reservations and see how far they could go. That was—if he was willing to take the unknown journey with her.

Being with Sterling had always been an untouchable dream. An elusive wish, she imagined possible with all of the girls he dated but never with her. Yet, here she was, encased within his solid, perfect arms when years ago she’d find him holding someone else, instead.

Gunner slipped beneath the sheets, startling them. He stalked toward them and slumped down, forcing his furry body between their happily fused, nakedness. Abby balked, screeching as Gunner’s wet nose slid across her stomach while Sterling pointed to the floor and ordered Gunner out with a stern tone of voice. They watched as Gunner’s ears flopped down and he slowly slinked off the bed as if in apology. Turning toward each other, they laughed merrily at his antics.

For, possibly, the first time in her life, Abby’s heart was full. With Gunner and now, Sterling, in her life, in the way she’d always wanted, everything was as it should be. She couldn’t think of anything else she wanted to make her life whole. It already was.

Abby patted the lower edge of the bed. “Poor Gunner. Come here. You can lie down right here.” Gunner leaped onto the foot of the bed and, promptly, received caresses and belly rubs from them. His paws hung in the air and his tongue lolled out of his mouth as they continued their adoration with plenty of chuckles and glee.

Sterling turned toward Abby. Lowering her head back onto her pillow, he stared into her eyes. “I adore you.”

She smiled, the corners of her mouth widening as wave after wave of joy rushed through her. Inviting Sterling to take the next step was scary but she was more than thrilled that she leaped over the edge into the unknown and that he took the fall with her.

Awe and respect for the soldier, currently planting kisses across her cheeks and her shoulders, shone through her eyes. This man, her best friend, fought bravely to defend their country. His selfless act of service and his generosity rendered her speechless. The one man she’d always loved and admired looked deeply into her eyes, the golden flecks adorning his filled with something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It was something she’d never seen from anyone in a very long time.

“I love you.” The force of his words cut straight through her heart. The way he said them and the deep, adoring look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.

“I love you too. Always, Sterling. I will always love you, no matter what happens to us.”

Lifting her hand toward his mouth, his lips planted soft, sweet kisses across her knuckles. “I don’t know what you’re planning, Abs, but I expect to be with you, forever.”

Abby caressed his cheek. “Good, ‘cause I’m not letting you go. I can’t, Sterling. I can’t imagine my life without you. I think I would be incredibly sad.”

Sterling tilted her chin up, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. “We can’t have that. I never want to see you sad. And when you are, I want to