Hell Bent (28 page)

“
N
ervous
?” Bryce asks. He’s leaning in, whispering as I stare out into the crowd. I’d taken Milly’s advice—as well as my therapist’s—and reached out to him soon after I’d been notified that I would be allowed to stay in the Marines.

Unfortunately—or
fortunately
, if you asked Milly—my health had not recovered enough for me to be sent back into the field. Though I was allowed to remain in the Marines, I was given a job at the recruitment office here in D.C., where I can come home every night to Milly. It’s actually hard for me to view these circumstances as unfortunate either, when I really think about it.

As it turns out, Bryce is now stationed in D.C. as well. He was the only other survivor of that accident. We’d easily fallen back into our close friendship. Instead of judging me for what had happened, he’d understood. He’d been able to listen and relate in a way that no one else could. Now we’re standing next to each other in our tuxes, waiting for my bride to walk down the aisle.

I shake my head, offering him a confident grin.

“Not in the slightest,” I tell him honestly.

My smile grows even brighter as my eyes fall on my father and stepmother, sitting a few rows down. They’ve opted not to sit in a place of honor generally reserved for parents. But they are here all the same, so Milly and I are counting that as a win.

Soon, the music changes. It’s light and bubbly, and suddenly Susie is prancing down the aisle. I see her lock eyes with Bryce and wink. Bryce grins in return. I shake my head. I knew those two would be trouble if they ever met. If their disappearance from last night’s rehearsal dinner suspiciously early was any an indication, this is only the beginning of the terror they will cause together.

Once Susie is standing across from Bryce, leering lasciviously at the Best Man, the music changes again. This time, it’s soft and sweet. Soon, Milly is sweeping down the aisle. Tears pool in my eyes and threaten to spill over at the sight. Her long white gown trails behind her, her bump barely visible, and her bright blonde hair is piled high on her head. But it’s her eyes—her big beautiful eyes, so full of love—that I can’t look away from.

I’m reminded of the moment I first awoke from my coma. I remember the way I’d seen Milly smile at me, her blonde hair piled on her head like a halo, and thought she was an angel.

Little did I know at the time how right I was.

O
ur wedding turned
out to be everything I’d always hoped it would be. It was small and intimate, but tasteful and fun. There was a cozy reception afterwards, with a full band that played all night. And, best of all, my mother had shown up. She hadn’t stayed for the entire reception, but I couldn’t really blame her for that. Hell, I hadn’t stayed the entirety of hers either.

But the wedding is over now, and we’ve moved on to the good part. We’re at a five-star resort in Maui, getting ready for bed after a long flight. I’m lucky that my pregnancy is not burdened by the extreme nausea that so frequently plagues the expectant mothers during the first trimester.

We found out I was pregnant the day after we announced our engagement to our parents. I had been so stressed out that I didn’t even realize that my period was late. When it finally registered that it was supposed to happen two week prior to that day, I sent Cameron to get me a pregnancy test, freaking out. We both watched it turn positive, and it was probably the most intimate moment we’d shared up till then.

I’d gotten pregnant during our parents’ reception, we both knew that.

Of course I panicked realizing that I may have to raise our child on my own, if Cameron was redeployed. But I loved my man and was preparing myself for anything. When his medical clearance went through, with a stipulation that he’s not to be redeployed due to his health, it just felt like everything happened exactly the way it was meant to happen.

And now, we are getting ready for bed, as man and wife, and as future parents to Cameron Junior.

Cameron is teasing me for what seems like an eternity, kissing his way all the way up and down my body, everywhere but where I crave him the most. I thrust my hips against him and squeeze my thighs together.

“Please,” I beg finally. But I know that my pleading only spurs Cameron on.

“Please what, sweetheart?” he asks in a low voice as he slowly inches his way up to my lips. “What do you need? Tell me!”

“I need my husband,” I whisper. The word is still stiff as it rolls off my tongue. It’s new and shiny and exciting.
Husband
. I’ve been saying it all night. From the whine that escapes from Cameron’s throat, I know he’s not unaffected. “Please, husband,” I whisper again, raising my hips in offering.

This time, it’s more of a growl than a moan that escapes Cameron’s lips. There is no pretense now. No more foreplay. Only need. Without much warning, he lines himself up and pushes into me. I moan as I feel myself stretch to accommodate him. There is no need for him to give me a moment to adjust, however. My body is fully acclimated to taking his sizable length. He just thrusts into me, hard and fast, panting into my neck as he brings me towards release.

“I love you, Milly,” he whispers, and that’s all it takes to send me over the edge. I’m hit with wave after wave of pleasure, crashing through my body. His thrusts grow erratic, and then Cameron is coming as well. I can feel the hot gush of his seed as he releases deep inside me.

“I love you too, Cameron,” I reply.

I can’t help but smile, because this is my forever.

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