Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“Have you worked up an appetite? We should probably go back down and tell the family goodnight,” Reed said. He continued with the small soft kisses, holding Trevor tightly, “What kind of best man would I be if I just left for the night? I would rather stay right here with you, do this all again, over and over, but it will only take us a minute to take our leave. The night is still young. How about breakfast in bed in the morning?” Reed asked. He felt Trevor's hand caressing him softly on his back. “A quick shower perhaps before we go back down stairs?”
Bending forward, Trevor softly kissed Reed, and closed his eyes again. “Reed, food...and a shower would be good, but a few minutes of sleep would be better.” Within seconds, he drifted off to sleep as Reed continued to gently nuzzle his jaw.
Pulling Trevor closer, Reed stayed tight in the circle of Trevor’s arms while he slept. All of these feelings of wanting to take care of someone are so very new to me, but I do want to take care of you. Trevor, handsome, I believe I love you... The thought caused a small smile to spread across Reed’s lips as he trailed kisses along Trevor's jaw and neck. His sexy bed partner slept, softly snoring as Reed’s entire world settled in on this man in his arms. After a long moment, Reed continued the conversation aloud, more secure now that Trevor wouldn’t bolt if he heard the directions of his thoughts. .
“I’ve never been so taken by another. We've only know each other for a few days.” Looking down, Reed smiled at the peaceful look on Trevor's beautiful face. Reed reached out to lightly trace Trevor’s full lips with his finger tip, and softly whispered, “I'm afraid I’ve fallen in love with you.” The confession again made him smile. “You’ve captivated me completely, Trevor West.” Tenderly brushing Trevor's hair from his forehead, Reed continued, “No matter what the future holds for us, I’m afraid I’ll be forever yours.”
Reed’s phone went off at the same moment an alert came from Trevor’s. Trevor jerked awake, confusion clouding his features, and then pulled Reed tightly to him. The embrace became one of protection.
“It’s okay, beautiful. It’s our phones. I think we’re being missed downstairs.” Reed pulled free, rising from bed. Trevor tried to follow, but Reed kept him down. “Let me grab a towel, hang on, handsome.” Walking to the bathroom, Reed cleaned himself quickly and grabbed a towel for Trevor. Heading back, Reed dug through their clothing to find their phones before wiping the towel across Trevor's stomach. The alert on Trevor’s phone sounded again, giving the official military ring tone this time. Trevor didn’t hesitate then and rose, reaching for his phone.
“Shit, we’ve been called in.”
“I see that. Rylie’s asking me to come to the front. He wants to know if I’m with you. Cars are on their way,” Reed read from his phone, sending a quick text back.
“Damn, poor Elise, this is gonna be hard on her.” Trevor rose quickly, going to the restroom. Reed followed behind him, picking up their clothes as he went. They dressed together. All of the romance and love faded into the reality of what faced them. Reed finished first and stood by the door waiting. Buttoning up his jacket, Trevor stopped in front of the mirror, fingers combing his hair back in place before going to Reed.
“I don’t think you want our goodbye in front of the others,” Reed said, and tenderly pressed his lips to Trevor's. Reed broke from the kiss, his concerned eyes focusing on Trevor's. “I find it so very hard to pull myself away from you. When will I hear from you?”
“I don’t know. You know the rules. I have no idea why we’re being called in. I’ll contact you as soon as I can.” Remorse sounded in Trevor’s voice as he spoke. “If it’s too long, I’ll understand. Thank you for tonight, it means everything to me. It’ll always mean everything to me.”
“I’ll wait for however long it takes, handsome. I meant everything I said to you. Even the parts you slept through.” Reed gave a small grin while lifting his hand to Trevor’s cheek, caressing him with his thumb. Reed never broke eye contact and knew his eyes spoke of the love he felt for the man standing before him.
“I’ve gotta go,” he spoke softly, kissing Reed quickly. They walked to the elevator, hand in hand. They stayed quiet for the ride down. Reed’s heart was breaking; he’d only just met Trevor, but he felt like his whole world was being ripped away from him. He was sick with worry, but he would never let Trevor know. He couldn’t. Trevor needed to focus on his mission, not worry about him.
When the doors opened to the lobby, Reed released Trevor’s hand, not wanting to out him to his team. The entire team was loading into two vans in the front of the hotel. Elise stood in her wedding dress, wrapped in Rylie’s arms, crying her heart out. Anguish filled Rylie’s gaze as he looked up and made eye contact with Reed, who broke out in a jog across the crowded lobby. Reed took Elise from Rylie’s arms, bringing her to his chest. He ran his hands up and down her back in a loving gesture, trying to soothe her. “Go, brother. The sooner you go, the sooner you’ll be back to us.”
Reed watched, feeling a deep loss as Trevor piled into one of the vans. Rylie went in behind him, sitting on the seat with him. Both men stared out the window, watching Reed hold a sobbing Elise as they pulled away.
Chapter Eleven
Pulling his pack forward, Trevor dropped to one knee to rummage through his heavy backpack, pulling the few necessary items he needed to stay alive. Trevor had been instructed to lighten his load, and after twenty one miles of running through an overgrown jungle in the dead of night, the idea of lightening his load sounded very appealing. Rylie, his newly appointed team lead, wanted to get back home to his new bride, which turned out to be a good thing for all of them.