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

manly snuggles. Snuggles that could lead to a little hanky-panky and fooling around. I’m not sure Sam is a fooling around type of guy. He seems to be all business. Mmm . . . naughty thoughts lead to my panties becoming soaked. Damn, he is fine with clothes on and if he looks like anything that my daydream Sam looks like then I’m in for a treat. The whistling of the teakettle breaks me out of my thoughts.

Pouring hot, steamy water into the mug, I give it a stir and head to the living room. Plopping down, I turn on the boob-tube. I run across a sappy romance comedy and zone out again.

Sipping my tea, I can feel its calming effect moments later. My eyelids become heavy and I can’t keep them open. Stretching out on the couch, I pull a fleece throw over me and continue watching the movie. You know the kind, where a girl meets a guy and falls for him but something unexpected happens and in the end it all works out and they live happily ever after.

My eyes fall closed, and I doze off. A bounding Careful drifts through my dreams. He’s chasing a ball that seems to be coming from right out of my clouded vision. I follow the dog toward the mysterious person. As the fog lifts, Sam comes into view. I pull up short, slightly skidding to a stop.

“Sam?” I whisper.

He looks up and gives me one of his sexy crooked grins. My heart speeds up and I walk the rest of the way to him. Walking right into his waiting arms, I glance up, and bite my lip. I want him to kiss me, and maybe more. Yes, definitely more.

Slanting his head toward me, I meet him somewhere in the middle. Our lips collide and I can’t keep my hands off of him. I touch him everywhere. He caresses my breasts. I really want more.

Lifting my shirt over my head, he lifts me up so my chest is level with his mouth. Sucking my nipple in, he nibbles and licks until I feel like my body is on fire. With a popping sound he releases me.

Beep . . . Beep . . . Beep . . . my alarm goes off. I sit up so suddenly that I fall off the couch. Grabbing my phone, I silence the damn thing. I want to throw it against the wall, but I can’t afford that temper tantrum.

I realize that it’s my day off and I totally forgot to turn it off. I sit on the freezing floor for a few moments to shake the wet dream. Can a girl have a wet dream? If so, that was definitely one.

I think it’s time to come clean with Sam. I know he already guessed my purpose behind his doggy sitting but I want to come clean about it all.

The clammy cold seeps through my pajama pants to the point that I can’t take it any longer. I climb to my feet and trudge myself to the bathroom for a hot shower. I know a cold one would put me in a more acceptable mental state to confront Sam and my emotions but it’s just too damn cold.

I blow-dry my hair and dress quickly to stave off the crisp temperatures. Making myself a cup of coffee and a couple slices of toast, I sit before the empty fireplace and contemplate how I’m going to tell him.

Brushing my teeth and cleaning up the little mess in the kitchen, I can’t think of anything else to do to put off the conversation.

Looking at my watch, I see it’s still kind of early. I know Sam will be awake. I dress in my warm outerwear and carefully walk to my Jeep. I don’t want another incident like yesterday. My ankle is fine and my hands have scabbed over.

I stop by the drive-thru of the coffee house for a couple cups of coffee and donuts. Nothing like some sweets and soul juice to lighten up the mood.

Pulling into his driveway behind his old Ford, I slide out taking the peace offering with me.

I hear barking coming from inside. Smiling, I cross the walkway to the front door. Sam’s there with it open and that same crooked grin from last night's dream planted on his face. I stop in my tracks for a moment to get my bearings.

“Good morning. I thought you had somewhere to be?” he remarks with one eyebrow cocked in question.

“Yeah . . . Well . . . About that . . .” I start but Careful chooses that moment to come rushing out toward me in his puppy excited glory.

“Careful!” Sam shouts to no avail.

“Stop,” I command and he skids to a stop. “Sit.” I watch him hover his butt over the cold concrete. I know he hates that feeling but I need him to calm.

“Seriously? That works?” Sam looks dumbfounded between me and Careful.

“Yes, it’s called commands. He’s actually pretty intelligent,” I brag a little. We’ve worked hard to get him out of his puppy faze and it’s paid off.

“Well, damn. I thought I would have to train him, you know, if he stayed,” he says, looking down as he shuffles his feet.

“If?” I question.

“Why don’t you come inside. It looks like you have something on your mind,” he comments and holds the door open for me. I hand him the tray of coffee and baggie of goodies as I pass him. I pause at the door to shrug out of my coat and boots and then continue to the living room.

As I sit, he hands me a cup and takes a seat next to me on the couch. And gives me a patient look.

Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage. I start with the easy part.

“Yes, I tried to trick you into getting a service animal. Actually, I want you to adopt Careful, that way I can see him whenever I want or close