The Truth of the Body (Templer Series) (3 page)

Chapter Five

“One kiss?” Mia’s eyes grow wide, a small smile playing across her lips. “No-one falls in love after one kiss!”

Jake swaggers out of the kitchen, a mouth full of crisps. “You did! All I did was kiss you once and you were mine.” He reaches across planting a cheese and onion kiss on the top of Mia’s head. He throws a wink at me.

Mia bats him away with a playful scowl. “You did not have me after one kiss…..and any more cheese and onion kisses and the engagement is off. Pig!”

Drew calls out from his study. “Who has kissed my little sister? I’ll kill him.”
He roars a playful laugh.

“No you w
ill not. Anyway, he is a Major in the 40 Commando so he could nail your ass.” Tilly shouts from the veranda.

I tennis ball looks at my family. Sometimes this house in Cornwall feels like organised madness
but it is exactly what I need right now. Alison Rowe had been right. The work with the patients
is
emotive, and tiring. So when she insisted that I took a week off, I jumped at the chance to re-group in Cornwall. I fall asleep thinking of Major Logan Grant. And I wake up thinking of him. It is slowly driving me insane. I have never been so affected by one person. Sure, I have had relationships. And I think I have been in love. Maybe. But that one kiss had set a fire within me I have never experienced.

And there he is again, in my thoughts.

“Oh, you got it bad.” Tilly enters the kitchen bringing me out of my day dream. She plumps herself down next to me, squeezing an arm around my shoulders. “You know you have to let this one go down to experience right?”

I nod quietly. And she is right. He made it quite clear. He does
not do relationships.

Mia huffs in Tilly’s direction. “So she should just give up? Is that what you are saying?”

“I don’t have much choice!” I cry out stomping a frustrated foot. “He does not want anything more…..and anyway, it was just one kiss. It probably meant nothing to him!” I curl myself up, hugging my knees.

Drew leans against the door frame of the kitchen. He lets out a deep sigh. “Jake,
it looks like you and I are heading out for girly supplies.”

“Girly supplies?” Jake throws him a puzzled look.

“Chocolate!” We all shout out in unison.

              ***

Aiden beams directly
at me as I walk into the unit. I stop, stunned to the spot.

“Hi, Amber. So you are beautiful.
It is true” He grins, shyly.

I am glued to the floor.
He can see me. He can see me!
I shake myself free from my daze and rush towards him. “You can see me. Has your vision fully returned?” I bounce excitedly.

“
It came back while you were away. I wanted to text you but I thought I would surprise you instead. It’s been three days now. But I’m a while away from being discharged so you are still stuck with me.” A cheeky grin spreads across his handsome face.

I hug him tight to me. “Well, I suppose I
will have to survive a few more days in your company.”

He holds a hand to his chest, fawning pain. “Oh, now that stung. And I was going to ask you to the Summer Ball.”

“Summer Ball?” I cock my head, puzzled.

“The British Forces Foundation Summer Ball. It is a grand affair at the Dorchester Hotel, dinner
and champagne and dancing.”

“And I’m afraid you
are not well enough yet to go, young man. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.” Alison’s kindly tone enters the unit. We both spin around in her direction. Major Grant is stood beside her.

“That’s a shame, Aiden. Maybe we can do something else on that night
. I could visit and we could have a meal in the canteen or something. I will even get dressed up.” I breathe out each word purposefully, avoiding any eye contact with Logan.

“Actually, Amber. That
is what I came to see you about. We are all booked on the Major’s table. You, me and the rest of the medical team here on the unit. It is a tradition since the unit opened. I thought I had said but you know me. My mind is a bit like my desk. Too much going on!” Alison shrugs an apology.

Aiden clasps my hand. “Looks like someone else will see your fancy dress….and get to dance with you, Amber.”

“Yes. Maybe.” I squeeze his hand back, making a start with pulling out the Art supplies.

Chapter Six

The British Forces Foundation Ball, Dorchester Hotel, London

Jonny, Mia’s close friend and stylist, is scowling at me. He rakes a hand through his hair, throwing himself into one of the burgundy semi-circular chairs in my hotel suite in a tantrum. “Will you stop pacing or all my efforts will be ruined!” He squeals, his frustration rising by the minute.

I re-trace my previous steps before grinding to a stop in front of him. I shake my head feeling another stray hair come away from my fashionable undone chignon. I am wearing the plunge front Issa jersey silk gown in the rich indigo hue with Givenchy
suede sandals in black with matching black Marni clutch. I take one last look at myself in the full length mirror, twirl, and smile nervously at Jonny. “I can’t help it. I feel like a teenager going to the Prom.” I bite my lower lip just to emphasise my point.

“It’s 7.45. No time to back out now, pretty girl.” Jonny ushers me towards the door of my suite, The Harlequin, a roof top penthouse within the Dorchester Hotel. The suite, the dress and even
Jonny are all ‘a treat’ from Mia and Tilly.

As I enter the lobby leading into the formal ballroom, I am handed a glass of champagne, my name is taken, before I am escorted through to my table. There are
nine of us to be seated with the Major. As I approach the table, the Major stands formally to greet me. He brushes his fingertips softly on the bare skin of my lower back as he guides me into the seat opposite his. The slightest of touches has already caused my skin to tingle. I sit, sipping my champagne rather too eagerly.

Alison reaches across to pat my arm. “You look a complete vision, Amber. Every man in this room stopped to look in your direction when you entered. Even the Major could
not take his eyes of you.” She throws a playful laugh at the Major.

“I’m sure that
is not true, Alison.” I retort scolding her, feeling a warmth build in my face. “But thank you for the compliment”

***

We have dined and drank our way through three courses of exquisite food while being entertained
by Adore, a favourite operatic quartet of The British Forces Foundation. We have laughed through Jim Donaldson, and struggled with our emotions viewing film reels of the current tours of our troops, some present in this ballroom, including Major Logan Grant.

Watching him on screen, dirty and weary in the dust of Afghanistan, talking about his men, I feel a tremor in my lips. I sneak a glance at this incredibly handsome man sat opposite me, and am stunned to find him staring directly at me, rather than watching himself on screen. I avert my daze quickly
, remaining transfixed on the screens until the showing is finished.

As the films draw to a close, I excuse myself to the powder rooms. I am gripping tightly onto the edge of the wash basin, mentally talking to myself in the gilded mirror. The reality of war, of maintaining strength and relationships, of loving a man or woman who is risking their life daily, comes to a head. A violent sob breaks in my throat. I am twenty four years old, basically a spoiled and pampered girl. He is thirty and has
lived through war, death and what else I cannot imagine.

And he doesn’t do relationships. He w
ill not have a woman wait for him. In case he doesn’t come back.

I pat my cheeks dry, take several deep breaths, and head out towards the ballroom.

***

I must have been in the powder room longer than I imagined. The ballroom is now overflowing with couples dancing. There is laughter and conversation intermingled with the sound of the band. I try to make my way through the throngs of swaying bodies before my elbow is lightly tugged. As I turn around I am encircled in the strong arms of Major Grant. He presses me snug against his chest, one hand wrapped along my lower back, the other gently holding the nape of my neck. Instinctively, I fold my arms around him. No words are spoken. Just his warm breath as he lowers his head to lean against mine, while we begin to sway in motion to the music.

Suddenly as the music quietens towards the end of the dance, he tilts my chin up to face him. His eyes are soft but his expression is serious.

“Stop thinking about the films, Amber” He says gruffly.

“H-how did you know?” I reply, puzzled.

“I’m not stupid.” He thumbs the crease between my eyes. He lowers his lips just enough to brush against mine without actually kissing me. I feel and hear his next words as they vibrate along my mouth.

“
I can’t seem to stay away from you. I can’t give you anything more…….but I can give you tonight”

Chapter Seven

Anticipation and sexual tension are suffocating the air of the elevator as we ride up to the rooftop suites. We are stood facing each other, both our backs pressed hard against the outer edges of this enclosed space. It feels as though the moment we touch we will combust, so we dare not. Our chests rise and fall in unison, each breath, each pant harsher and heavier than the last. His eyes are drowsy with greed, the blue iris fierce and penetrating. Watching each rise of his chest, and breath expel out his mouth, my nipples harden and scrape painfully against the fabric of my gown. My sex is pulsating
growing sodden as each second passes.

I run my gaze through the length of his powerful frame finally settling on his groin. I can see the thick outline of his erection pressing hard against the material of his dress trousers. I am mesmerized. I ache to have it fill me.

My eyes spring away as I hear him bang his head repeatedly off the glass. He groans loudly. “If you stare at my cock one more time, I’m going to fuck you right here, Amber.”

The ping of the elevator signals our arrival at the rooftop suites. As the doors swing apart, he launches at me picking me off my feet. I straddle him with my legs around his waist as he carries me out and into the lobby. His erection is pressed hard against my sex as I rock myself against him, repeatedly stroking his cock with my pussy.

“Christ, Amber….get your fucking room key ready. My cock is about to explode!” He growls harshly.

I fumble through my clutch
, nibbling and suckling on his neck, licking every drop of the heady scent of his skin. We burst through the door, entangled and panting. His mouth finds mine, hard and hungry, our tongues eager for taste. I hear the groan come from deep inside him, sending heat straight to my core. I moan as I capture his tongue and begin to suck at its tip.

We stagger, still entwined, through the rooms to the bedroom
, before he forcefully throws me onto the bed. He stands for a moment looking down at me, his nostrils flare with need. He remains still, breathing hard, looking down at me. I slide my dress up slowly, inch by inch, gliding passed my thighs until it reaches my naked pussy. I part my thighs as I watch him close his eyes briefly, roll his head back, groan and look down again.

“Fuck…..I said you were bad news, sweetness. You are so fucking good, and so fucking bad all rolled into one.”
He growls, grabbing at the buttons of his jacket.

I keep my focus directly into his eyes as I slide the remainder of the material up my body and over my head. I stretch a spiked heel towards his cock, stroking slow motions up its length, smiling as he wildly pulls himself from layer upon layer of dress uniform. Finally he is naked, save for his trousers. He grabs for both my ankles and pulls me towards him, stretching my thighs wide
, bending down before me.

He bites and suckles along the length of my inner thighs, licking long strokes with his tongue. I arch my
hips hungrily, aching for his touch on my sex. He plunges his tongue straight into my folds and I thrust upward in response. He groans his own pleasure, the vibration so raw making me pant with anticipation. He holds my sex against his mouth, cupping my ass with each hand, pulling me tighter into his mouth.

Again, plunging into my folds again, in, out, in, out, making love with his tongue. He releases, beginning small circles around my clit. The tightness and pull of imminent orgasm is almost unbearable, pain and pleasure combined. He quickens the pace of his circling before taking my clit whole in his mouth, sucking hard, taking me there….taking me over the edge.

“Yes, Logan!” I cry out my release as he drinks and savours every drop of my juices, plunging his tongue deeper and harder into me.

He raises himself up to me, finding my mouth.
Surrounding his lips upon mine, he kisses deep and slow, his tongue tasting all around my mouth. He begins to rock deliberately against me, stroking his erection through my sodden pubes. I push my hand down through our bodies, reaching to stroke his shaft. He groans as I squeeze gently through the material, sliding up and down the hardness. “Let me taste you, Logan” I pull on his belt, edging him up the bed until his knees are either side of my head. I unzip him, draw his cock out fisting him slowly. His hips begin to rock, his face fixed with arousal, his eyes blazing wildly.