By Honor Bound Read online

  The doorbell rang and she hurried down the steps. Abe waited outside, looking handsome in his uniform and carrying a bouquet of red roses.

  “They’re beautiful, Abe,” she said, taking the flowers and closing her eyes as she inhaled their scent.

  “I thought they were, until I saw you.”

  Angela smiled and gazed at him. “I know what you’re trying to do. You want to make sure I’ll never love another man like I love you.”

  “Damn right. Are you ready to go to dinner?”

  “Just let me put these in some water.”

  The small town only had a couple of diners and a drugstore lunch counter, so Abe took her to the only decent place around he could think of. Angela had been to the NCO club once before with Jim, but with Abe everything seemed completely different. She didn’t really care where she was since all she could see was the blue of his eyes and the warmth of his smile.

  After dinner, they drove to the beach and parked nearby, watching the waves lick the shore.

  “Angela?” He turned to her, his gaze even more intense than usual.

  “Yes, Abe.”

  “I know we haven’t been together very long, but I love you. I said it before but I’m saying it again just to make things real clear.”

  She nodded, tingling inside. “I love you, too, Abe.”

  “I care a lot about Polly, too. I think of her like a daughter.”

  “So do I. She’s my niece. She means the world to me.”

  “How does she feel about me, do you think?”

  “She’s crazy about you, Abe. You know that.”

  “Good. You know next week my leave is over.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve never spent such a terrific three weeks in my life.”

  “Neither have I.”

  “I don’t want to rush you, so I think we should give it some time before we set a date—”

  A smile touched her lips. “Abraham Marley Forbes, what are you asking me?”

  He reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a ring box. Opening the lid, he held it out to her, revealing a single, pear-shaped diamond. “I’m asking if you’ll marry me, Angela.”

  She laughed, excitement coursing through her.

  “Are you poking fun at me, or is that laugh because you like the idea?”

  “I don’t like it, Abe. I love it!”

  “Good.” He took the ring out of the box, grasped her hand, and slipped it onto her finger. “I tried getting the prettiest ring I could find, but it’s nothing compared to the hand it’s resting on.”

  Angela’s heart fluttered as he kissed the back of her hand. Tugging her close, he covered her mouth with his. Angela wrapped her arms around his neck, loving the warmth of his body against hers and the moist, tender stroking of his tongue as it explored her mouth.

  “When should we set the date?” he asked.

  “Late this year? That should give us more time to get to know one another as well as plan a decent wedding.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Now comes the hard part.”

  His brow knitted in question.

  She laughed. “Telling my parents without letting them take over all the plans.”

  “Let’s tell them tomorrow.” He nuzzled her neck. “I have some plans to celebrate on our own tonight.”

  Angela uttered a soft moan of pleasure as he kissed her neck and gently traced the shape of her breasts through the fabric of her dress. “Let’s go back to my place.”

  “You’re right.” He kissed her upper lip then her lower. “We’re a little old to be making it in a car.”

  She smiled, massaging his inner thigh and stroking his cock with her fingertips. She longed to hold the warm, velvet-skinned rod and run her lips over the smooth head. The thought of feeling it deep inside her again, of being wrapped in his steely arms against his hard, naked body, made her wet with desire. “A bed is much more comfortable.”

  After one more kiss, he turned on the ignition and headed for her house. She smiled as he took a hand off the wheel to adjust his cock. It was nice knowing he was as hungry for her as she was for him.

  During the ride, Abe’s hand rested on Angela’s knee, stroking gently. If she hadn’t been afraid of distracting him, she’d have continued fondling him through his trousers. Oh well, not touching him just helps build anticipation.

  Not that they needed anything more to spur them on. As soon as they stepped into the house and closed the door behind them, they tore at each other’s clothes. They walked up the steps in a tangle of arms and hands, unbuttoning, unzipping, and un-tucking.

  Giggling, Angela stumbled on the steps, but Abe caught her and swept her into his arms. As he carried her to the bedroom, he covered her face with kisses.

  He placed her on the bed and removed his clothes while she undressed.

  When he searched his pocket for a condom, she purred, “Just think. This time next year you won’t have to bother with that anymore.”

  Grinning, he rolled it on. “I can hardly wait.”

  Naked, except for her stockings, she began slipping off the thigh-high silk, but Abe grasped her hands.

  “Let me,” he whispered against her lips.

  Nodding, Angela leaned back on her elbows, lifting first one leg then the other as he slid off the silk, kissing from her knee to the top of her foot. After tossing the stockings aside, Abe spread her legs and settled himself between them. Closing his eyes, he pressed his lips to her inner thighs before covering each with kisses. Brushing his thumb through the curls partially concealing her clit, he stroked gently while thrusting his tongue into her pussy, tasting and exploring. Her warm flesh, so soft and quivering, squeezed his engorged cock. God, every time he took her, instead of satisfying his need for her, he wanted her more.

  She moaned, the sexy, high-pitched sound exciting him. Her buttocks felt so smooth yet firm as he squeezed them, pressing her soft mound close to his face as he swirled his tongue in her pussy then lapped her clit. His lips fastened on the warm, swollen flesh and sucked tenderly.

  “Oh, Abe,” she panted. “I love it when you do that! You know just how to touch me.”

  She squirmed, her buttocks tightening and pussy throbbing as she neared her peak. How he loved touching her, pleasuring her! With Angela, he could explore a strange and wondrous side of himself. Emotions, long buried, sprang alive when she looked at him, held him, and panted for his touch. Bringing her joy was his top priority. Her excitement and happiness inspired his own.

  Abe knew her body as well as she knew it herself. Just before she came, he entered her with a long, slow thrust. By the time he reached his hilt she throbbed around his cock, her arms and legs clutching him in the most wonderful death grip.

  As her orgasm ebbed, he began thrusting in a steady rhythm while he kissed her neck and traced the shape of her ear with his tongue.

  Abe resisted the urge to groan. She felt so damn good. Her pussy was hot and wet. Her breath fanned his shoulder, and her fingers kneaded the taut muscles of his back. Every lusty sound that escaped her throat increased his excitement. With a racing pulse, he kept his thrusts slow and steady, ignoring the need to ram into her and satisfy the magnificent, torturous lust building inside him.

  “Oh, Abe, sweetheart, I love you so much,” she breathed, her hips joining his rhythm and her legs wrapping around him as she approached her climax.

  He knew by the rasp of her breath and her frantic squirming that she was about to come. Increasing his pace, he managed a few more fast, hard thrusts before orgasm washed over him at the same moment he felt her erupt in pulsations of pleasure.

  Angela cuddled against him, stroking his chest while he ran his fingers through her hair.

  “This has been the nicest night of my life,” she said.

  “Mine too.”

  Gazing at the ring on her finger, she asked, “How does Angela Forbes sound?”

  “Sounds great to me.”

  “Have you ev
er asked a woman to marry you before, Abe? Don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.”

  “No, Angela. You’re the only woman I’ve ever asked to marry me.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded and kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever felt this close to. I’ve never been good at making relationships last, even friendships. Don’t get me wrong. In the Corps we’d die for one another, but it’s not like what you and I have. This is… I have no words for how I feel about you.”

  “I know what you mean. When I’m with you, I feel good inside, like you’ve touched a part of me I didn’t even know existed. I had lots of fantasies about what it would be like when Mr. Right came along, but they were all childish compared to what we have.”

  “I hope I can make you happy, Angela. You and Polly.”

  “You will. I hope I can do the same for you.”

  “You already make me happier than I ever thought possible.”

  She cupped his face in her hand and drew a deep breath. “Just…”

  “What?”

  “Just be safe wherever you go, whatever you do.”

  He held her gaze. “I love being a Marine, Angela.”

  “I know. I’d never ask you to give it up. You’d only end up resenting me.”

  “I could never resent you.”

  Smiling, she kissed his lips. “That’s sweet, Abe, but you could and you would. I’m smart enough to know it. It’s more than a job to you. It’s part of who you are. I’m proud of what you do.”

  “Thanks, darlin’.” He squeezed her tighter. “That’s good to know.”

  It was true. She admired Abe and men like him. The Corps meant as much to him as she did, and asking him to give it up or whining because he decided to stay wouldn’t be fair. From the moment they’d met she knew what he was. She didn’t have to stop him that first night when he was going to leave because he wanted to kiss her, nor did she have to write him that letter when he’d left her after that incident in the basement.

  “So tell me, Master Sergeant.” She straddled his hips, her hand splayed across his chest as she gazed into his eyes. “Do I get one of those weddings with Marines lined up on either side of me, drawing their swords?”

  “If that’s what you want.” He ran his hands up her sides and cupped her breasts. Amusement gleamed in his eyes as he bucked a bit, his hardening cock rubbing against her. “Speaking of swords, I got one right here that can use a special kind of sheath.”

  “Maybe I can help,” she purred.

  “Darlin’, I believe you’re the only one who can.”

  Angela’s eyes closed with pleasure as she curled her fist around his cock and guided him deep inside her warm, waiting pussy.

  Chapter Eight

  Two weeks before the wedding

  “I think that looks just beautiful.” Patricia Franco gazed at Angela who stood in front of a full-length mirror wearing her wedding gown. It was cream-colored satin with a long train decorated with pink seed pearls that matched the pearls sewn along the edge of her veil. “Sweetheart, Abe is such a lucky man.”

  “I can’t wait to marry him, Ma.”

  “I know. All you and Polly do is talk about him. She’s going to make the cutest little flower girl.”

  “She’s all excited about being in the wedding.”

  “I think it’s a wonderful idea that you and Abe are adopting her once you’re married.”

  “He loves her like his own child, Ma.”

  “I believe he does. You know, when your father and I first met him, we weren’t so sure about him, but he’s a good man.”

  “He’s the best.” Angela smiled. When he’d proposed and she suggested they wait almost a year for the wedding, she thought it would fly by, but waiting so long to become his wife seemed to take forever. Just a little longer and she, Abe, and Polly would be a family by law, though in their hearts they already were.

  For the past year, Abe had spent all his free time with Angela and Polly, planning the wedding. They’d decided that after they were married, instead of buying a new home, Abe would move into Angela’s. Already he’d made so many of the repairs on it that Angela had been putting off. Her parents were happy about the forthcoming marriage and, as a wedding gift, offered them a generous amount of money to help pay for the expenses.

  Angela and Patricia glanced out the window as Abe’s car pulled into the driveway.

  “He’s here early,” Patricia said. “Sweetheart, you’d better get out of that dress. You know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in it before the wedding.”

  “Tell him I’ll be right out, will you, Ma?”

  Patricia closed the door behind her as she left. While Angela undressed and carefully packed away the dress, she heard voices from the kitchen. As usual, her belly fluttered at the thought of seeing Abe. She wondered if she’d ever completely get over that giddy feeling almost every time she saw him.

  As she stepped into the kitchen, she knew by his expression he had something to tell her. Even Patricia appeared uncharacteristically quiet.

  “I’ll go pick up Polly at school,” Patricia said, patting Abe on the arm. “I’ll see you two later.”

  “What was that about?” Angela’s gaze followed her mother as she left.

  Abe approached. “I got orders today. I’m going back to ‘Nam at the end of the week.”

  Angela drew a deep breath, stunned. She shouldn’t have been. All along she’d known he could be sent back at a moment’s notice.

  “I’m sorry, darlin’.” He took her in his arms. “I know the wedding’s planned and all, but—”

  “How long?”

  “Eighteen months.”

  She nodded, forcing a smile. “Are you going to marry me first or wait until later?”

  “If you don’t mind getting married without the big wedding, I would love to have you as my bride before I go.”

  “I want that more than anything.”

  Taking her in his arms, he kissed her forehead and lips. “Then let’s tell Polly and your parents.”

  Angela clung to him tightly, closing her eyes. She wished that moment could freeze in time, so the end of the week would never come, and Abe would never have to leave her.

  * * * * *

  The day before Abe was to leave for Vietnam, he and Angela were married by a Justice of the Peace with her parents and Polly as guests.

  Patricia cooked a delicious meal at Abe and Angela’s, but the Francos left early, giving the new family privacy before their separation. That night, Angela listened from the doorway as Abe read Polly a bedtime story.

  “Abe, are you scared to go?” the girl asked as he tucked her in.

  He sat on the bed and held her gaze. “Everybody gets scared about something at one time or another. When I do, I’ll have you and Angela to think about instead. Goodnight, darlin’.”

  “Goodnight, Abe.”

  He kissed her cheek and walked to the door. Taking Angela’s hand, he switched off the light.

  Angela swallowed hard, willing herself not to cry. That would only make it harder for Abe and she certainly didn’t want Polly seeing her all teary. What kind of an example would that be? Tomorrow, when Abe was gone and Polly was off playing with her friends, she’d get upset. She could hold back until then.

  In their room, Angela climbed into bed while Abe locked their door and pulled the shade. She heard him unzip his jeans and kick off his boots. When he slipped into bed, she snuggled close to his warm, naked body, her cheek resting against his chest. His heart beat steadily against her face. The thought that he might be wounded or killed in action suddenly overwhelmed her. No! She would not let this night be ruined. It belonged to them and she would not poison it for him by succumbing to her fears.

  His arms enfolded her. Kissing the top of her head, he slid one of the straps on her nightgown down her shoulder and caressed the smooth flesh.

  “Abe,” she murmured, straddling his waist and pressing
soft kisses to his chest. She licked his nipples and splayed her hands across the hard pectorals, rubbing and squeezing the plates of muscle. Sitting up, she raised her arms, allowing him to lift her nightgown over her head. She wore no underclothes beneath, so her curves were bared to his touch.

  “So beautiful, Angela,” he whispered, resting his hands on her waist and stroking upward, tracing her ribs with his fingertips. Cupping her breasts, he gently squeezed the full globes. His thumbs rolled over her nipples, circling over and over until they stood out stiff and aching.

  While one hand continued stroking her breasts, his other found her clit. He circled it with a callused fingertip, feeling her grow wet against his belly. Rising onto her knees, she lowered her drenched pussy onto his cock, swallowing him inch by delectable inch. She wanted to make him happy tonight, so he could remember the warmth and love they shared whenever he was stuck somewhere terrible, surrounded by danger and yearning for home. Still, keeping her passion under control long enough to tease and please him was difficult when she wanted him so, so badly!

  Their hands locked as she rocked upon him, keeping her mewls of desire trapped in her throat, as she didn’t want Polly to hear. It was so hard, not verbally expressing her lust as passion grew. Her heart beat frantically and her clit and pussy ached with desire.

  Abe strained to see her in the darkness. He made out her silhouette, her gorgeous body gyrating astride him, her breasts so full and thrust forward as she moved sensuously.

  Pleasure built deep inside him, centering in his cockhead. She enveloped him like a hot, wet velvet glove sliding over him, loving him on all sides.

  Her breath rasped and he knew she was trying like hell to keep silent. Angela was normally a very vocal lover, but with the little girl in the next room, they’d both have to alter their ways a bit.

  Abe grinned. It could be fun.

  He gently rolled her onto her back without his cock sliding from her. Pinning her hands above her head, he covered her mouth with his and thrust with short fast strokes, pushing her toward a quick orgasm. Just when he sensed she was about to come, he slowed his movements, drawing out their pleasure. All the while he rimmed her lips with his tongue and thrust it into her mouth in time with his hips.