Page 1 of The Soldier's Final Mission

Bob thought back, remembering the firsttime he laid eyes on Becca. Blonde curls bounced around her pixie face as sheraced across the sand. Her carefree laughter had joined the call of the gullsthat flew overhead. Her compact, shapely body had been the perfect blend ofmuscles and curves in his opinion. And he got quite the eyeful of that combinationas her bikini had allowed for ample viewing of her golden skin.

Becca worked with Bob’s cousin, Tessa, ata local bank, and had recently become her new roommate even though they’d beenworking together for a few years. They shared a house with two others inFayetteville, North Carolina, but this weekend, the girls were having aget-together on the coast in Surf City. Tessa had begged Bob to come, and toldhim to bring friends. At first he’d been reluctant, but his cousin had beenrelentless.

One look at Becca made him glad that he hadn’tresisted.

Bob had been stationed at Fort Bragg, NorthCarolina, as part of the SOF—Special Operations Forces. He’d been stateside forthe last two months but knew that could change in an instant.

“I’m glad you decided to come,” Tessa saidin greeting as she wrapped an arm around Bob’s waist.

“Yeah, figured might as well enjoy somedowntime while I can.” He gladly accepted the beer that Tessa handed him. Twoof his buddies came up behind them. “Tessa, you remember Jake and Garrett?

“I sure do. Gladya’llcould make it. Grab a beer while I strike up the grill.”

Jake offered to help.

“Sure thing. Wendi and Keisha are in thekitchen, and that’s Becca out there trying to race those birds.”

“Looks like she’s holding her own,” Bobcommented, admiring her power and determination. A bit jealous of heruninhibited fun.

“Yeah, used to run track in high school. Keepstrying to get me up everymornin’ to join her on herruns. But you know me,” she said and winked. “I like my beauty sleep too much.”

“Well, it’s working forya,” Bob quipped.

“Sweet talker.” She nudged him with herhip. “I can see you like the view. Go on out there and get some sun on thosechicken legs,” she teased before nodding to the guys. “Let’s go, boys.”

While Tessa headed for the grill, with Jakeand Garrett following, Bob grabbed a second beer and made his way down the decksteps and onto the sand. The Atlantic was about fifty yards in front of him,the foamy water inching its way closer as the tide came in. The rental Tessasecured had a nice beachfront with few neighbors, and Becca was the only otherperson out there.

He slowly made his way across the sand,taking in more details of Becca’s fine body. She couldn’t have been more thanfive feet tall, maybe a hundred pounds. Her hair stopped just short of hershoulders, and Bob noticed a tattoo peeking out at the base of her neck. He’dhave to get closer to see what it was, and he planned to do exactly that.

****

Becca had made two more runs before shestopped chasing the gulls. She had been so close to touching one before itveered off, making her laugh. She loved running. It’s what saved her in highschool.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw themale form making his way toward her. She saw him the moment he stepped onto thedeck. Saw Tessa hug him. Saw ink on his tan, muscular arms. And although hislegs were muscled as well, they were in need of some sun. He was tall andsported a blond crew cut. Sunglasses made it impossible to see his eyes, but sheknew they were hazel. She’d seen enough pictures of him from Tessa.

****

Bob got within five feet of Becca beforeshe turned to face him. It gave him enough time to see that the tattoo on herneck looked like the symbol for female, only it had a partial U on top of thecircle. He’d later learn that it’s the symbol for Mercury—the winged foot god. Shieldingthe sun with her hand, her green eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiledbroadly at him.

“Hey, Bob.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Tessamust’ve warned you about me.” He shifted the beers to one hand in order toremove his sunglasses.

Her light laughter caused a stirring inhis chest. And elsewhere.

“No, nowarnin’s.She praises you. Glad you made it.”

“Me too. Care for a beer?” He held out oneof the bottles.

“Thanks,” she answered while taking hisoffering.

As she drank, Bob took in every detail. Herdelicate fingers wrapping around the bottle, her lips puckering at the opening.She closed her eyes as she tipped her head back slightly, throat pulsing as sheswallowed the liquid. Those few seconds were all he needed to see the goosebumps rising on her arms, her nipples pebbling beneath the fabric of her bikini.

She lowered her arm and Bob jerked hisgaze back to her face. She sighed and smiled. “Not much better than ice coldbeer on a hot summer day.”

Bob lifted his beer and agreed beforetaking a drink of his own.

“Guess you know I’m Becca, Tessa’sroommate.”

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