Page 32 of The Soldier

That’s the moment my world shattered. The moment I hated the military and swore I would never fall in love with a man in uniform.

Unfortunately, I lied to myself.

Then again, when you’ve been raised as an army brat and all your friends are too, it means the men you meet are likely to follow in their parent’s footsteps. Which is exactly what Anthony Drivers did. He joined the Marines and came home in his fancy uniform and my ovaries sat up and took in the boy I’d grown up with.

Stupid damn things.

Next minute he took my virginity along with three other girls’ that summer. Unfortunately, I didn’t find out for two years.

And there were many more during that time.

It was only when I thought I was pregnant and we were both standing over the little white stick waiting for the pink lines to appear that Anthony announced, “I slept with Mindy.”

My face.

I was shocked and then angry all in the same split second.

“You what?” I exclaimed as I looked up at the six-foot-two cheater.

“And Sarah.” Anthony ran his hand through his hair. “And...Lilly.”

My brows were almost in the clouds by then. “ALL of them?”

We both stared down at the single pink line and let out an audible sigh.

“Get out,” I screamed, pushing his chest. “Get out and I don’t ever want to see you again, you useless lying piece of shit.”

He uttered a bunch of weak apologies as I shoved him out the door.

Fucking military.

Fucking men in uniform.

They can’t keep their cocks in their pants.

So, when Briar started seeing Aidan I had to hold my tongue. Which is not something I do easily. I know they’re paramilitary now—meaning private and independent—but in my opinion, they’re all cut from the same cloth.

As the saying goes.

When I heard the background story, I couldn’t argue that the two of them seemed to be meant for one another. That doesn’t meanallof them are good guys.

Ryder and Savannah are an amazing couple. So are Josh and Cassy.

But that’s three.

The amount of bullshit I’ve observed over the years in the bars on the barracks would put any woman off. A couple of drinks and enough of their buddies...well it doesn’t matter if they have a good wife at home.

They’re playboys who think the uniform they wear will spread legs. The problem is...it does.

But not mine.

Okay, the truth is, I may have slept with one or two more. A Navy SEAL—can you blame me—and a pilot from the Australian Airforce who was visiting. But it was on my terms and with zero expectations. Or better put, I had no interest in a relationship with them.

Nor did they want one.

What Ididdo was check both of them were single and unmarried before letting them slide down my body to the promise land.

If they lied, that’s on them.

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