Second Time Lucky (Club Decadence Book 5) Read Online Free PDF

it’s who I am. It’s why I advanced quickly up the ranks to Master Sergeant. It’s also why I take care of my woman. I’m not going to dictate what you eat, or how you dress—well, not all the time—and I won’t dick around with your career. However, when it comes to your health, safety, and a goddamn drive-by shooting at the shithole apartment complex where you live, I won’t take no for an answer.”
    With a small smile, she gazed up at him. “I’ve never had anyone want to take care of me or protect me before. I like it.”
    “It breaks my heart that you never had anyone to rely on, beautiful, but those days are over. You’ve got me to cherish and protect you now. I have to warn you though; this won’t always be a democracy. Sometimes it will be like a dictatorship where you only get to say ‘yes, Sir’. If you don’t like it, we can talk about it and I’ll help you get your head turned around to my way of thinking. Or, you can trust me to take care of you. Understood?”
    “Yes, I understand, although it’s rather high-handed for a man who has spent over a decade fighting for freedom and democracy.”
    “Ironic, huh? What can I say? The Army drummed into me the importance of respecting the chain of command.”
    “So you’d be my commanding officer?” Her eyes were twinkling which told him she was more on board with this than she was letting on.
    “In certain situations I’ll absolutely outrank you, Mara.”
    “Situations like my health and safety, Sergeant?”
    “Yes, and don’t be surprised if I take exception to insubordination, recruit.” He was only half teasing.
    In turn, she gave him a mock salute. “Sir, yes, sir! What did you have in mind if I mess up? KP or latrine duty? I probably shouldn’t admit this, but neither of those things scares me, Sarge. As a nurse, I’ve dealt with some nasty, foul stuff in my day. I suppose waking me before dawn for a 5-mile run with a full pack is doable. It would be torture, since I despise running, so as punishment goes it would be quite effective. Pushups, regrettably,” she flexed her upper arm and grimaced, “are so not happening.”
    In return for her teasing, he pinched her bottom lightly. Too lightly, evidently, because she laughed outright.
    “My idea, was the flat of my hand against your naughty behind.”
    The image silenced her in a heartbeat. Wide-eyed, after a moment, she asked, “Seriously?”
    Both hands lowered to her full, gorgeous ass, giving it a firm squeeze. Her quick intake of breath told him she understood how serious he was, still he warned, “You could test me to find out, though I don’t recommend it.”
    Planting a kiss on her upturned nose, he tucked her under his arm and led her into the kitchen.
    “Uh, Sean?”
    “Yeah, baby.”
    “I shouldn’t admit this either, but that’s doable too.”
    His mouth fell open for a split second before the joy bubbled up within him and he threw his head back, laughing. He lifted her onto the counter. With his hands caging her on either side, he leaned forward intending to seal the deal with a kiss. Before he could make it happen, her hands slid up his chest and cupped his jaw. Without a hint of reservation, she met his gaze.
    “I’ve more than fallen for you, Lucky. I’m in love with you.”
    Her hands continued upward, sliding around his neck as their lips met and ending with her fingers threaded in his hair. She tasted as she always did, sweet with a hint of spice, which was the cinnamon toothpaste she favored. Whatever the flavor, underneath he tasted Mara.
    Against his lips, she murmured, “It’s soon enough.”
    He pulled back slightly, not understanding. “Say again?”
    “You said we’d get to the physical soon enough. I think it’s well past ‘soon enough’, babe.”
    Searching passion-filled eyes that shimmered with wetness and were as green as a deep forest pool, he worried she was reacting to the stress of the day. Wanting her more than ever, he also