The Long Road Home Read online

  Checking the clock, she found thirty more minutes left in her workday. Close enough. She'd finished her tasks for the day, even cleaned up her work station early, all in anticipation of escaping and rushing back into the arms of Logan. Her boyfriend. Her lover.

  Heading to the staff lounge, she collected her purse from her locker, deposited her safety glasses and lab coat inside, then closed the door, clicking the lock shut. On the table was a small basket of novelty condom samples, extras from the testing process, which her company happily made available to their staff. Might as well use them for real situations when given the chance, her supervisor always said.

  With a mischievous grin, Gwen grabbed a handful and dropped them into her purse. About time she lined up as one of the voluntary guinea pigs in the up close and personal casual condom-testing research. Besides, Logan would probably get a kick out of the bright colors, the flavors, and even the glow-in-the-dark one. Lighten up their future sexual encounters. Literally.

  Chapter 33

  "Logan? I'm home."

  He stepped out of the kitchen, found Gwen dropping her purse off at the living room table, and grinned widely. He'd thought about her most of the day, daydreaming for their next sexual encounter, remembering her vivid responses to his lovemaking. Hell, he walked around with a hard-on most of the day, alternating between trying to quell the physical reaction to his risqué thoughts and enjoying the memories of a damn good night. Luckily, he'd worn loose sweats, and no one seemed to pay much attention to the bulge that came and went.

  "There you are. How was work?" Walking over, he folded her in his arms.

  "Pretty much the same." She hugged him, then stepped back. "How about you? Did you have a good day?"

  "Yep." He couldn't keep the silly grin off his face.

  Her eyebrows furrowed. "I'm missing something, aren't I?"

  "Uh huh." He moved a couple steps away and pulled up his pant leg to reveal his new prosthesis. "What do you think?"

  Gwen bent over and studied the device. "Wow. This looks so much more advanced than the metal rod you had before."

  "That's because it is." He pointed to a small box. "It's battery powered. Works like a calf muscle, which allows a more natural movement." Standing up, he held the material of his sweats, giving them both ample time to check out his new prosthesis. "It's so much easier once you get used to it. I don't have to use nearly the energy as before to move around. The battery takes care of it for me."

  "That's absolutely wonderful!" She stood up and beamed at him, her gaze flicking from the mechanical leg to his face. "Is this yours to keep? Forever?"

  He nodded. "Well, for the near future anyway. The prosthetic doctor thought I was doing well enough to handle this model."

  "I knew you could do this."

  "And I talked to him about returning to active duty. He's had several patients who did just that. Said most liked this model best and returned to service with it. A few didn't like worrying about their battery going down in a critical time, so they stuck with the old standard."

  He could hardly contain his enthusiasm. Finally, after weeks of near hopelessness, he could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Therapy proved tough, but he could already see and feel the results. Tyler's article proved his dream didn't have to die on the front lines of Afghanistan, and now he had one of the most advanced prosthetic devices available. Combined with the fact he could come home to Gwen each and every evening, he currently resided on cloud nine.

  "I'm so happy for you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "You deserve this and so much more."

  He swooped in, sealing his lips over hers, sharing his quickly rising passion with the woman he truly loved.

  Love? The word startled him, yet didn't dissuade him from sliding his tongue between her lips and reacquainting himself with her sweet taste. He pondered the emotion for only a moment, found it sound, and turned his full attention to the lovely creature in his arms. Sliding his hands under her blouse, he pushed the material upward, forcing her hands straight in the air until the garment came loose. He tossed the unneeded piece of clothing on the couch and made quick work of the clasp of her bra.

  "Wait a second." Gwen pulled the bra off, flipped it to rest on top of her discarded shirt, and stepped over to dig through her purse. Standing up, she handed a foil packet to him.

  He turned the package over to peer through the clear side, finding a brightly colored blue condom inside. "I love it when you bring your work home with you." He grinned wickedly even as his manhood leaped to attention, immediately filling to granite hardness.

  Her lips curled up at the corners. She returned to stand in front of him, grabbed his shirt, and tugged it off. Without hesitating, she slid her hands over the broad expanse of his chest, then headed lower, hooked her fingers in the waistband of his pants, and tugged downward. Kneeling before him, she carefully worked the material over his prosthesis until he could lift his leg and step out of the puddle of clothes.

  Totally naked, he watched her face as she appraised him. Appreciation appeared as longing and heightened desire sparked in her brown eyes. Her gaze fell to his jutting cock, then she licked her lips.

  He bit back a groan as his erection throbbed with impatient need. He craved her, needed her touch, her body writhing under him. Wanted to hear her scream his name as she reached the pinnacle over and over again.

  "You have way too many clothes on."

  "I do?" She blinked innocently at him, then ruined the effect by chuckling. "Sorry, I'm too enthralled with staring at your gorgeous body to do more than stand here."

  He smiled, relieved and thrilled to know she liked what she saw. "No worries. Stare all you want. I'll just help you get naked while you do." Reaching out, he found the button on her slacks, slipped it through the hole, then undid the zipper. Snagging both the panties and pants, he slid them both down her slender legs, finally dropping them to the floor. She kicked free, leaving her in the buff. Except for her socks. As her feet didn't interest him nearly as much as the other bits, he could deal.

  Her beauty astounded him, whetted his already revved up libido and compelled him to do more than simply look. Before he could touch, she grinned mischievously, then darted straight for the bedroom. He shook his head and followed at a more sedate pace, stalking her like a hungry lion would pursue an antelope.

  Turning into her bedroom, he found her sitting on the edge of the bed with a come-hither expression pasted on her face. Nothing short of Armageddon could tear him away at this moment. Probably not even that.

  "Do you know how much I want you?" He took a moment to tear open the foil package he'd carried with him, then rolled the blue condom over his aching member.

  Her eyes lit up at his words. "Plan on showing me?"

  "Oh, yeah." When she scooted to lay flat on the bed, he climbed on, finally settling on his side facing her. He cupped a breast and worried the nipple with his thumb. "I'll show you over and over again. Until we raise a white flag or the cows come home, whichever happens first." Leaning in, he kissed the rosy peak, then suckled.

  Dropping his hand, he dipped his fingers between her legs, smiling when she splayed her legs, eagerly accepting his touch and lifting for more. Gently, he parted her folds, found her tight nubbin and strummed.

  Gwen threw her head back and whimpered. Her breath caught as he repeated the caress.

  "There?"

  "Yes. Oh, yes."

  His arousal jacked up ten notches with her whispered words, the stark passion written across her face, as well as the abundance of dew greeting his fingers as he moved lower and entered her channel.

  Gwen groaned, then reached for him, wrapping her fingers around his condom-clad cock. Lightly, she explored, then with more confidence, measuring him in long, snug strokes. Fiery need cascaded over him, pushing him to the threshold of his control.

  He ground himself against her hand, showing her exactly what she did to him, how hard she made him. "I can't wait a
ny longer."

  Shifting, he positioned himself over her, kneeling while using his new prosthesis to hold traction on the bed. Satisfied with his sturdiness, he lowered enough to cover her, while levering most of his weight on his forearms.

  Sealing his lips over hers, he drank deeply, savoring her taste. Meeting her unbridled passion with gusto.

  Gwen's hands wrapped around him, stroking his back with long caresses before dipping lower to squeeze his rear.

  Sucking in a breath, he grasped the reins of his control with an iron fist before slowly pushing ahead, joining his body with hers, unable to stifle a moan at the tight and hot channel still as snug as the first time. He steadily pushed forward, her muscles squeezing his rock hard cock deliciously, like a perfectly fitting glove.

  Pride and satisfaction flared. With exquisite precision, he pulled back and thrust forward with more power, not stopping until he rested fully seated deep inside her feminine core.

  Logan kissed her collarbone, her neck, licking his way up to her chin, before he meshed their lips together once more. Delving in, he sought to build her banked fire, to share his burning desire, let her catch the fever and follow him to ecstasy.

  Immediately, she returned his kiss, demanding more, flicking her tongue inside for a deeper taste. Her hips surged upward, telling him of her wants and needs.

  Slowly, he retreated a few inches only to reverse direction and push forward once more. Testing the waters, he found her more than responsive as she matched him in counterpoint.

  Her hands found his flanks and dug in. "Ohhh. Logan."

  Shifting most of his weight to his arms, he began a lazy rocking motion, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. Finding none, he picked up the pace, lengthened his strokes, and savored the sensation of being fully seated in her depths as he hit bottom each and every time.

  She spread her legs farther, providing plenty of room and easy access for him. Her feet rested on the bed, giving her leverage as she lifted to meet his downward motion, their flesh slapping together time and again.

  "That's it, sweetheart." His breathing escalated as he fought to maintain control until she could reach the pinnacle. Not an easy task with such a beauty under him obviously delighting in riding the waves of passion once more. Despite the fact they'd had a healthy round of sex just the day before, he grappled with his control.

  Gwen lifted, rolled, and clamped down with her inner muscles. He saw stars and felt the reins slowly slipping from his grasp as a low moan carried through the room. "Take what you need. Reach for it. You can do it. Just feel."

  Her breath panted in and out as she flung herself into the frantic pace. Her eyes lost focus as she reached down, cupped his butt, and yanked him to her.

  He slammed against her, locked deeply inside as strong muscles rippled and clenched around him. Her climax threw him over the edge. With a hoarse shout, he buried his face in her shoulder and ground against her, ensuring the farthest depth while his whole body centered on his rapidly firing orgasm.

  Chapter 34

  Sated and spent, Gwen lay panting, savoring the feel of Logan's body resting on her own. Yeah, he was heavy, but she didn't have the will to complain. Not when he felt simply too good.

  "Are you okay?" He lifted enough to stare down at her.

  "Oh, yeah." She grinned and wiggled, using her feminine muscles to clench at his slowly deflating erection. "More than okay. Wonderful."

  A slow smile appeared on his face. "We make a good team."

  Running her hands up and down his back, she lightly massaged the muscles, enjoying postcoital bliss with the man she loved. "You'll get no argument from me." She nuzzled his cheek and ran the tip of her tongue up the length of his throat. Intimacy proved addictive, and she couldn't seem to keep her hands off Logan's splendid, pleasure-inducing body.

  He lifted his head, allowing her to lick all the way up to his chin before lowering to mesh their lips once more. "I love you."

  She heard the words and sucked in a breath. Her heart filled with joy at his declaration. "That's good to know since I love you, too." Gwen's smile mirrored his.

  "Will you marry me?"

  Gwen blinked, her mouth fell open. While the first statement wasn't a shock, his offer of binding them for life was. She thought about pinching herself to make sure this wasn't a dream.

  Tears pooled in her eyes as she read the sincerity and truth in his blue eyes. "Yes. A resounding yes."

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him tight. His mouth found hers in a kiss born of promise and passion, love and intimacy. A kiss to mark the beginning of the rest of their lives together.

  Epilogue

  Eighteen months later

  "I can't believe you're finally home!" Gwen grinned from ear to ear, snuggling up to him on the couch. She'd been unable to keep her hands off him since they walked in the door that morning.

  He had hardly been able to contain his enthusiasm and excitement when he'd passed the fitness test a little over a year before and received papers reinstating him to active duty as an Army Ranger. He had smiled for days on end, eager to return to the front, to combat, to prove he didn't lose a single step despite only having one leg. His life had come full circle, and his self-confidence swelled to epic proportions when he'd received his orders to return to duty. Not many amputees were able to make such a recovery and stand on the war front again. He beat the odds and reveled in the unique situation, which proved a victory for him against the terrorists that set off the bomb and proved he could overcome just about anything, especially with Gwen at his side.

  Once morose, he now felt like he'd sprouted eagle wings and could fly.

  Logan pulled her close, meshing his lips with hers, glorifying in finally being with his wife once again after such a long deployment. He took her hand in his, noting the way their wedding bands glinted in the afternoon light streaming through the window. His first task had been to slip his wedding band back on. Afraid of losing it or garnering too much attention with the golden ring, he had opted to leave it at home for Gwen to guard while he was away. He'd hated to remove the symbol of their love, but preferred to ensure the treasured item's safety until he stepped foot in the house again.

  "I'm home. For good."

  She tilted her head in bewilderment. "You mean until your next deployment?"

  "No. For good. I'm retiring." His gaze held hers as he searched her face.

  "But I thought you wanted to stay on active duty for several more years?"

  Pulling her on to his lap, he cradled her in his arms, staring down at her intently. "I did a lot of thinking over there. As much as I loved my job, I love you more. All I wanted to do the past few months was come home, settle down, and start a family."

  Her mouth opened and shut with no words emerging.

  "Gwen. I want to be a father. Come home every night to you and the children. To be there for everything."

  "Can you be happy without the Army?" Her voice laced with concern.

  "I'll still have the Army. After all, I've been accepted into the physical therapy program at our old alma mater. Walter Reed hired me to be a physical therapy aid, and I'll do my clinicals there."

  A bright smile lit up her face. "Wow. You've been busy."

  He nuzzled her cheek. "Once I knew I wanted to be home, beside you, then the rest fell into place."

  "Won't you miss the action? The adrenaline rushes?"

  Logan grinned wickedly. "Baby, the way you heat my blood into a burning inferno, I believe we'll have plenty of action right here."

  "I love you, Logan. Heart and soul."

  "I love you more, Gwen. So much more." He chuckled, pulled her close, and sealed his lips over hers in a kiss full of passion, deep feelings, and love for all time. A year and a half before, he'd thought his life had ended. Little had he known it had only begun.

  Almost forgetting, he leaned back for a second and pulled the small gift from his pocket. "This is for you. Although it might be a li
ttle late."

  She looked at the small red and white striped candy cane and laughed, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree. "It's perfect. I bet I can find a couple of condoms as a belated Christmas present for you as well."

  He smiled. "I happen to like those flavored condoms. You can taste test all you want."

  Her head tilted. "What about that family you mentioned?"

  Joy washed over him. "Lick to your heart's content with or without the condom." He waggled his eyebrows. "Good thing I married an expert condom tester. I'm sure you can find a way to get down to some serious baby-making business."

  "I'm sure I can figure out something." She purred and placed a kiss on his chin.

  "I knew I could count on you." With a happy smile, he rubbed his nose against hers. Standing, he lifted her carefully in his arms and walked confidently to the bedroom, without a single limp, not stopping until he laid her in the middle of the bed. Climbing over her, he sealed their lips together and proceeded to show her exactly how much he loved her for now and all time.

  About the Author

  Growing up in the Midwest, I began reading romance novels in high school, immediately falling in love with the genre, to the point where I decided to write professionally for a career. However, that dream splattered against a brick wall, resulting in a quick death in my first writing class in college when my professor told me bluntly that I wasn't any good at it. I shifted gears quickly, and left my writing dreams behind, eventually settling on becoming a nurse.

  A few years back, I stumbled across a fan-fiction writing site on a favorite author's webpage. I began to read stories others wrote, not only making some wonderful close friends from the experience, but also, really learning to write for the very first time. Here I was able to share short stories, practice my writing skills, and truly develop into a writer. More than that, the experience allowed me to revitalize my dream, as I rediscovered joy in writing. Now, I spend my days off with my alpha male characters, quick witted heroines, and see how much trouble everyone can get into.