Read Online The Soldier Next Door by Storm Savage - Free Book Online Page A

yours down yet?”
    Mason stood with both arms folded across his chest, staring intently at the deer. “Yeah…I got lucky this time. They didn’t die.”
    “You can visit them whenever you want. I’ll let you know when they’re transferred to the private reserve.”
    “Thanks, man.”
    They walked with Officer Troy back to the parking lot. He and Mason took a brief trip down memory lane, shared a few laughs, then parted company. She climbed into the truck. Mason closed the door behind her.
    “Fucking amazing, isn’t it?” He smiled from the driver’s seat.
    “Yes, it really is. I don’t know anyone who would do what you did.”
    “I never leave a fallen comrade.”
    “You see animals as friends?”
    “When they aren’t food, yeah, I love animals. I’d never hurt one to be cruel.”
    His soft side surprised her. Everything about him seemed to surprise her. He was like a Jack-in-the-box. She never knew when he’d spring into action.
     
    An enchanting full moon had inched into a clear night sky by the time he parked in his driveway.
    “I’m going to spend a quiet night at home tonight,” she told him.
    Disappointment shadowed his face. “I was hoping you’d come in and have something to eat with me.”
    “Thank you, but I’m not very hungry.”
    “A movie?” He arched persuasive brows.
    “Mason…” She gave him a pleading look.
    “Just one movie.”
    “Okay. One movie. No sex. And no zombie tactics. Promise?”
    He laughed but nodded nonetheless. “I swear. I won’t scare you tonight.”
    They walked inside. His house smelled incredibly fresh as always and was spotless. “I wish I could achieve this level of neatness in my place.”
    “Your house is great, warm, and inviting like you.” He took her jacket and hung it on a wooden coat rack.
    She sat on the couch while he meandered around the house, turning on a few lights and rattling about in the kitchen. He returned to the living room with two vodka coolers in one hand and a small box in the other.
    “I thought you only drank when you got nervous. It’s just us here.” She gave him an admonishing look.
    “I am nervous.” He offered her a bottle, but she waved it off.
    “Why?”
    After placing his bottle on a coaster, he sat beside her. “I want to ask you something. I bought you a present today while I was out.”
    “But you can’t do this without a drink?”
    A warring expression flickered in his eyes. “I’ll just have one.”
    Gently, she reached for the bottle. “I am flattered that you bought me a gift. However, I cannot accept it unless we establish a few ground rules.”
    “Here comes the breakup-let’s-be-friends speech.” He sighed, then chugged half the contents of a twelve-ounce bottle. “I scare you.”
    “Hell yes, you scare me, but you’re way off base about the breakup speech.” Her fingers wrapped around his bottle. “I’m crazy about you, but I like you better sober.”
    Their eyes met. He searched hers with an intensity that felt alarming. She sensed he’d learned to read people very well.
    “You’re right,” he said after a few tense moments. “It’s time I quit this shit.”
    “Then start now, give me the bottle.”
    The sweetest expression she’d ever seen swept across his strong facial features as he handed over that bottle. She walked to the kitchen and dumped it down the sink. He stood right behind her.
    “Dump it all. I don’t need it anymore.” He opened the refrigerator door.
    “Are you serious?”
    “Fuck yeah. I need to straighten my ass up.”
    Together they poured every drop of liquor from his kitchen down the drain. His willingness to go sober right then impressed and thrilled her.
    “Are you going to run out and buy more when I go home?”
    “No. I’m done with it.”
    Impulsively, she threw her arms around his neck in a fierce hug. He hugged her back, sweeping long muscular arms up her back. They stood there in a deeply tender embrace for endless minutes. She breathed in