Tempt My Heart Read online

  “I have an idea…Let’s go!” I say, jumping up out of my chair and yanking Cane across the beach. He yells back to Dalton and Matt to grab our chairs. Everyone is following behind us, as we make our way through the thick crowd of people. After what feels like an eternity we finally make it to the parking lot.

  Walking over to Cane’s Silverado he finally tries to pry my idea out of me. “So what is this great idea that has popped into this beautiful head of yours?” He asks tapping my temple playfully.

  “You’ll find out. Give me your truck keys…I’m driving!” Shaking his head, he reaches into his pocket and drops the keys into the palm of my hand. He’s learned over our past few years together not to question me when I have a surprise. Nothing he says or does will get me to spill.

  “Hurry your ass up, Roxie, we got somewhere to be!” I shout climbing up onto the step bar of the truck. Matt and Dalton toss the chairs and cooler into the back of the truck. After everyone climbs in, I roar the truck to life and head downtown.

  “Where are we going?” Roxie asks popping her head between the front seats.

  Turning, I give her an impish smile, “You’ll have to wait like everyone else. You’ll find out soon enough.” I answer in a high pitched valley girl tone. I know how much it irritates Roxie when I try to mock her voice.

  After driving almost twenty minutes, we finally pull up to Tattoo & Co. “A Tattoo? You just got a freakin’ music note behind your ear when you aced your last semester!” Roxie shouts in my ear as she practically jumps into the front seat.

  “Yes, a tattoo! God you can be such a prude.” Rolling my eyes, I smile at Cane. “So what do you think? I want to get one to celebrate tonight. You up for some ink?”

  “I’ve wanted to get one before I leave for Afghanistan, so what the hell.” I jump out of the truck, bouncing with excitement. Since getting my first tattoo in May, I’ve been dying to get another. Tonight is the perfect time to do it!

  After looking through the books, I finally decide on a butterfly with the body of a music note. I told the tattoo artist to add 07-04-04 under it. Cane decided on a Bald Eagle on the middle of his back with an American flag design behind it and the words ‘No Regrets’ on a piece of paper the eagle is holding. It’s beautiful, very symbolic and means a lot for the both of us.

  We spend the rest of night partying with everyone at Ocean Side Dive, drinking and playing pool. Beyond Redemption, the most popular Miami based band around here, played tonight for the bar’s Fourth of July party. They were impressive.

  Seeing people on stage and performing, sparks something in me; all I want to do is jump up on the stage and join in. I live and breathe music; it’s my passion and my world. If I had a choice between four years of majoring in Music or actually performing on stage; I would pick performing, hands down.

  November 12th 2004

  It’s been two months since Cane deployed. Before he left, he trained me to fill his bartending position a few nights a week. I still waitress almost every weekend but during the week, when it’s a little slower, I bartend. It always feels weird going into work and not having Cane here with me. I miss being able to look over at the bar and see his beautiful face smiling back at me during our shifts together. Dale, the owner of Ocean Side Dive, has been wonderful. Anytime I need any help at our condo with anything maintenance won’t fix, he’s right there doing it for me.

  Cane and I try to write letters to each other at least once a week, and he calls when he can. Being so far apart is hard, but reading his letters helps me feel like he’s right here beside me. The worst part is not even being apart; it’s the not knowing. I constantly wonder what he’s doing, and if he’s safe. I avoid watching the news, because it only adds to my worries. Hearing about another soldier being killed, or seeing interviews with wounded soldiers, is terrifying. It’s easier to keep it out of sight out of mind, so I don’t drive myself completely crazy.

  Roxie’s is amazing. She sleeps over at our condo nearly every night to keep me company; only going home to get a change of clothes. I’ve been so distracted lately with Cane gone, that I’m having trouble focusing on school, and it’s reflecting in my grades. If it weren’t for Roxie ragging on me every night; I don’t think I would have the ambition to do my homework at all.

  August seems so far away; I hope the next nine months fly by, because I won’t feel whole again until Cane is back home, in my arms.

  August 30th 2005

  Cane comes home today! I’ve been pacing the airport for what feels like an eternity waiting for him to walk down the terminal. My parents had to work, and were sad they couldn’t be here with me to welcome him home. Cane’s parents, Janice and Terrance, or ‘Terry’, were here before I was. Roxie, Matt and Dalton all showed up about twenty minutes ago to wait along with us.

  I’m a nervous wreck. It’s feels like it’s been an eternity since I’ve been in Cane’s arms or felt his lips on mine. When he called last week and said he was back on base, and I knew he was safe, I was finally able to breathe for the first time in over a year.

  Standing by the windows, I’m watching for Cane’s plane to land when Roxie strolls over to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. We watch in silence as the planes land on the runway. The anticipation is growing heavy around us. Waiting for him to finally get here is killing me.

  With each plane that comes down the runway, my heart beats more and more furiously against my ribcage, increasing my level of anxiety. If I have to watch one more plane land without my baby getting off, I think I’m going to be sick.

  Oh, thank God!

  It finally lights up on the wall monitor; Cane’s plane has landed on schedule. I sprint to the doors with Roxie in tow. The love of my life is on the other side of those doors. We stand hand in hand waiting…I swear I’m probably cutting off the blood flow to her fingers.

  A few moments later, I see hope at the end of my dark tunnel in the form of Cane’s baby blues. I scream with excitement and break into a full on run towards him. Dropping his bags, he reaches out and catches me as I jump into his arms. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I flutter kisses all over his face and lips wanting to savor this moment that I’ve waited twelve very long months for.

  “Oh, my God, I missed you sooo much!” I say lunging at his lips for the perfect welcome home kiss, not giving him a second to try and speak. Relief washes over me as my tears fall at seeing him here safe and sound. My pent up anxiety starts seeping out of my body, leaving me relaxed.

  Letting me down, I stand beside him while everyone else hugs him and welcomes him home. A few strangers stopped him to shake his hand, thanking him for his service. It makes my heart swell that so many people are so proud of my man. Seeing him in his uniform is so freakin’ sexy, but he’ll look even better naked in our bed with his uniform on the floor beside it.

  Everyone made their way to our condo for a welcome home celebration. We live right on the beach, so the plan is to have a cook out on the grill and then water skiing and tubing.

  Grabbing two beers from the fridge, I head outside and join everyone on our patio. Cane and his dad are hard at work grilling and catching up with Dalton and Matt. Sitting down next to Roxie at the outdoor table, I slide her beer over to her. “Here you go, chicka.”

  “So are you excited to finally have Cane home?” She asks poking me with her elbow.

  “Oh, my God yes! I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am right now. It feels like the last twelve’s months dragged on forever. I’m going to miss our slumber parties though.” Smiling at her, I take a long sip of my beer as I glance over at Cane by the grill. “I’m overjoyed and relieved he’s finally home. I just hope that everything he’s experienced over there hasn’t affected him too much; that he’s still the same Cane he was when he left.”

  “He seems okay. I don’t even want to think about everything he’s witnessed over in Afghanistan. Just watching it on the news is horrible enough.” Wrapping her arm around my mid-section, Roxie rests her h
ead against my shoulder. “No matter what girly, I’m here for you and Cane, Matt is too. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to text or call me…you got it?” She says in her dramatic Roxie way, jabbing me with her finger.

  The rest of the day went by in a blink of an eye. Cane’s parents left after dinner, so we could all head out in the boat. We spent hours out on the water; I even got a little sunburn, but Cane promised to rub Aloe all over my body before bed. That perked me up. Everyone wanted us to go out to a new club that just opened, but Cane and I declined the offer. We haven’t been alone in so long; all I want to do is say goodbye to everyone, and crawl into bed with my amazing fiancé.

  After everyone leaves we decide to shower. I need to wash all the sand and salt water out of my hair. Filling his hands with my shampoo, Cane goes straight to work, lathering it in my hair. Gently massaging my scalp with his strong fingers, a small moan escapes my mouth. Going a year without his touch has been the hardest thing of all. My vibrator takes the edge off, but it’s not the same as the real thing. Making love to the person you love, and connecting with them on that intimate level…nothing compares to it.

  Pulling me under the water, he rinsed the shampoo out of my hair; I can’t help but melt under his touch. I spin around and watch as the water cascades down his toned and chiseled body, making the throbbing between my legs almost unbearable. Cane has been fit and muscular since the day I met him; he lived in the gym to stay in shape for basketball. But since he joined the army, he’s gotten even more toned and defined.

  I travel my fingers along his arms, as I lean up on my toes to kiss his lips that still taste of salt water. Within seconds, Cane lifts me in the air, instructing me to wrap my legs around him. Pinning me against the wall of the shower, he cups my ass with both hands. Biting down on my bottom lip, Cane lets out a loud growl. “God Brittan, you don’t know how hard it’s been today, waiting patiently to finally be alone with you.”

  I run my hands across the back of his head and work my way down his back. I ache to explore every inch of him, and I’m starved for his touch. I’m trying to savor every inch of his body because we’ve been apart far too long.

  “Ohh, I know, because I was ready to drag you in the bathroom at the airport!”

  “Well, be prepared to have my cock inside you all night, because baby, I plan on making love to you until we pass out from exhaustion.”

  “I look forward to it.” I say smiling at him.

  Crashing our lips together in a fury of passion, I eagerly dip my tongue into his mouth. The feeling of his tongue twisting against mine is almost enough to have me coming right then and there. Cane grinds his hips into mine, stimulating my clit with his hard growing erection.

  I can feel my first orgasm building inside me, eager to be released. Rubbing against me harder and sucking on my neck and collarbone is all he has to do to push me over the edge. Slamming my head back against the shower wall, I scream out in pleasure as the orgasm washes over my body.

  Before it’s over, Cane is sliding his cock deep inside of me, feverishly pumping in and out. The walls of my vagina are still pulsating, squeezing his dick, and making him groan out in pleasure. “You feel so fucking amazing…God, I missed you.”

  I’m so consumed with pleasure; I can’t form a single word, all I can do is moan, “Mhmm.” Digging my nails into his back and hungry for another orgasm, I rotate my hips, meeting Cane’s thrusts. The water is starting to go cold, but I don’t care.

  Working his mouth back up to mine, Cane kisses me as he runs his fingers through my water soaked hair. Fisting it in his hand, he holds the back of my head, while pressing his lips against mine with so much intensity it’s as if we need each other to breath. Without each other’s kisses and touch, we wouldn’t survive.

  This time, we finish together. Our screams are bouncing and echoing throughout the bathroom. It’s music to my ears, the sweetest most erotic sound caressing us as we both come down from our earth shattering orgasms. I turn off the cold water, leaving only the hot water running, so the shower is steaming as we finish washing our bodies. After showering, we make our way into the bedroom, only taking a few seconds to dry our bodies off. I twist my hair into a bun on top of my head and join Cane in bed.

  It’s been twelve long months since we have been able to sleep in each other’s arms. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since he left, and Cane has made it very clear in the many letters he’s written me; that he’s not had a full night’s sleep since he landed in Afghanistan. Leaning up on my elbows, I stare into his gorgeous baby blues. “I love you; I’m so happy you’re finally home.”

  Reaching up and caressing my cheek, Cane smiles up at me with his sexy panty melting smile. “I love you more baby; I missed you more than you’ll ever know. Thinking about this moment right now is the only thing that helped me get through this year without you.”

  We spend the rest of the night making love, going nice and slow; taking our time to savor each other.

  October 19th 2005

  Cane has not been home two full months, and he’s already received new orders to deploy. His Brigade will be heading to Iraq next week, so he has to fly to base to get ready. I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. I just got him back, and now he’s leaving again. I hate that all these weeks he’s been back I haven’t been able to spend every moment with him. I’ve had classes and work four days a week. The only thing that helped was Cane working at the bar, so we were able spend a few extra hours together whenever our shifts fell on the same day and time.

  Tonight is our last night together; he has to be at the airport by six a.m. We packed all of his bags this morning so we can spend the evening together. He’s been at his parents all afternoon hanging out with his dad, Matt and Dalton. They’re all as heartbroken as I am that he’s leaving again so soon. Roxie stopped by earlier to see how I was holding up, but couldn’t stay long because she had to work. She received an internship at one of the local news stations. She was so excited when she heard she got it.

  Throughout the day, Cane has sent me sweet text messages letting me know he was thinking of me. I saved every single message and voice mail. I swear I’m going to re-read and listen to them a hundred times a day while he’s gone. Hearing his voice immediately relaxes me. I am praying that this deployment will be just a few short months, and then he can hurry back home.

  Lying on the couch, I flick through the channels but can’t find anything good to watch. I finally settle on the Lifetime channel and a movie with Tori Spelling. I love Tori, so it’s good enough. After an hour into the movie, I finally get a text from Cane.

  Cane:

  Heading home now, see you soon.

  I type in a quick reply telling him to hurry his hot ass home because I need a cuddle buddy to watch Lifetime with. I can’t help but giggle as I send it. Cane cannot stand these movies, but suffers through them for me, seeing as I suffer through many hours of college basketball.

  Especially during March Madness.

  Finally, thirty minutes later, Cane strolls through the door. Tossing his keys on the table beside the door and kicking off his Adidas sandals, he walks over and plops down on the couch. I shift my body upwards so I can lay my head on his chest. We spend the next hour talking about everything I’ll do while he’s deployed. We can’t set a date for our wedding, because we don’t know when he’ll be back home. It sucks because if I would’ve known he was going to be deploying again so soon after returning home, I would’ve planned our wedding during his first deployment and gotten married as soon as he returned home.

  Cane trails his fingers up and down my arm, awakening goose bumps all over my heated skin. He leans down planting a kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to miss the hell outta you while I’m gone.”

  Resting my chin on his chest, I look up at him and try to hold back the tears. If the dam gives, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop the waterfall of tears once they start falling. “It will go by fast. We made
it through you being gone a whole year. Before we know it, you’ll be home, and we’ll finally become Mr. and Mrs. Cane Allen.”

  “Just don’t hire any Duran Duran cover bands. I’ll never live down having a bad 80’s cover band at my wedding.”

  “Shit, I guess I better call and cancel tomorrow.” I say, laughing as I tickle a trail from his belly button up to his chest. “How about we settle on a really good D.J., then we can have a mix of everything we love.”

  “Sounds good to me. I love the sound of Mrs. Allen. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Cane asks rolling onto his side. Sliding his fingers along my thigh and working his way under his oversized t-shirt, I’m wearing. “I think we’ve watched enough Lifetime movies for tonight. It’s about time I get your sweet little ass into bed.”

  Before I can protest, Cane is scooping me up in his arms and carrying me into the bedroom. Within seconds, we are both naked and tangled up in the sheets of our bed.

  December 12th 2005

  I awoke yesterday to the sweetest voice mail from Cane. With the time difference, it’s hard to talk on the phone, but I love getting his voice messages because I can re-play them over and over again whenever I’m missing him. I mailed a letter to him last week, telling him all about the wedding plans along with a new care package. I hate that we won’t be spending Christmas together. All of his gifts are wrapped under our tree, where they’ll stay until he comes home to me.

  Roxie, my mother, and Cane’s mom went with me to the Bridal Shop over the weekend and helped me pick out my wedding dress. We also selected Roxie’s maid of honor dress. My cousins Valerie and Tiffany are my bridesmaid’s, but because they live in Ft. Lauderdale, I had to email them the dresses I picked out for them so they can just go to the local Bridal shop and get theirs fitted there.