Love's Sacrifice (3 page)

“And look at how that ended up.” She glanced away from him.

“Whose fault was that, Shon?” He leaned back and lay on his back with his hands behind his head, watching her.

She was about to move. “No stay… I love to watch you.”

“Cody, it’s been so many years.”

“Didn’t you feel what I just felt?” He massaged her leg. “Shon Blake… I’ve never stopped loving you.”

Shon froze, staring at him with her mouth agape.

“I tried telling you so many times how I felt, but you ignored me.” He leered. “You deactivated your Facebook and blocked me from emailing you. I was going to break security protocol and just find out everything about you, but my conscious wouldn’t allow me. I wanted to hear everything from your mouth, not prying into your privacy.”

“Thank you for that.”

“Tell me you don’t feel the same way I feel about you?”

She was silent.

“You don’t love me anymore?” he whispered.

“I never said I didn’t love you.” She bent down, his dick slipping out of her warm cavern.

“Do you?”

“Cody, I’ve always loved you.” She showed him her wrist with the tattoo they got together the day they said their goodbye’s.

She’d gotten a heart with his initials in it, and he’d gotten the same one with her initials on his. The guys at the Seal team used to make fun of him every time they saw the little tattoo.

He twisted his wrist, showing her his.

She traced the tattoo with her index finger, and he’d added an arrow through the heart. Shon kissed it.

“You broke my heart.” He pulled her down on top of his chest, placing her head over his heart.

“I didn’t mean to. I broke my own heart in the process.” She said against his chest.

“We have twenty-nine days to get to know each other.” He rubbed her back. “Give us that opportunity.”

“Yes…” she whispered.

“I can always ask to be co-located with you.” He smiled. “That’s if you marry me.”

“There is something I need to tell you first…” Shon yawned.

“Are you in a relationship?” He eyed her.

“No.” She raised her voice, making him chuckle.

“Then it can wait. Go to sleep; we have a long day tomorrow.” He wrapped her in his arms. “Tomorrow is a new beginning.” Who would’ve though he would run into the love of his life on this trip? Thank God his buddy McKay couldn’t make it, and they sent him instead. He’d waited for years to get Shon back into his life and bed. After Shon, Cody hadn’t been the same, she ruined it for any other woman, he tried but they weren’t her. He wouldn’t let her run this time. Whatever she needed to tell him; wouldn’t change how he felt about her.

Chapter Three

Two days later.

“See you tonight,” Cody’s lips brushed the plastic mouthpiece of his cell phone. He and Shon went out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner the day after the club. They spent the entire time getting to know each other again. Yet, something was off when it came to Shon. He sighed. Was she still married and didn’t know how to tell him? After dinner she said she couldn’t spend the night with him. He wanted her all to himself, and he wasn’t willing to share her with anyone.

“I’m sorry. I can’t tonight. I have an event I need to attend.” He heard her wrestling with something. “Maybe we can meet for lunch, tomorrow.”

“Is the event work related?” He was being noisy.

“No.”

That was it, no explanation, just no. “I see.” He stepped out of the rental vehicle in front of the command he and his team were about to inspect. “I guess lunch will have to do.”

“Don’t say it like that.” She was silent for a few seconds. “I just have obligations.”

“What kind of responsibilities, Shon?”

“I’ll call you when I take a break, and we can meet up at the food court.” Shon was trying to get him off the phone. “I have to go. I’m about to get briefed.”

“Bye.” Cody swiped his phone off. He didn’t have the right to feel so fucking possessive. He’d just stepped back into her life. She might have some things going on and needed to end before fully giving herself to him.

“Hey. Where did you disappear to on Saturday?” his friend Bartley asked.

“None of your business.” Cody shook his head and grabbed his computer bag.

“I had a woman lined up for you.” Bartley walked through the parking lot. “What happened to taking one for the team?”

Cody smirked. “I ran in to someone I knew long time ago. We had some catching up to do.”

“Okay man, I guess you’re not sharing. Never one to kiss and tell.” Barkley patted him on the shoulder. “Lets go see what we can hit this command with. I hope they have all their ducks in row.”

“I hope so too.” Cody opened the double glass doors to the building, allowing his friend to step in, and he followed.

The young sailor at the Quarter Deck spoke through the speaker behind the thick glass. “Good morning, may I see your ID’s?”

They both pulled out their wallets and dug for their military ID. Barkley showed his against the window, being funny, and Cody showed his next. He was impressed a Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander didn’t intimidate the young sailor; some commands would’ve automatically let them in and have them wait inside of the Quarter Deck.

“Who are you here to see, Sir?”

“Commander Roberts,” Barkley answered.

“Give me one minute, Sir.” He picked up the office phone. “I’ll call him down to escort you in.”

“Come on, you can’t let us in.” Barkley tested him. “I’m a Lieutenant.”

“Sorry, Sir.” The sailor stood his ground. “You have to wait until Commander Roberts comes down.” He hit the button, turning off the speaker.

“A plus for security.” Cody scanned the area. There were two chairs along the wall, so the visitors can sit as they waited for their escort. Three big signs hung on the glass door, which read, “100% ID CHECK.”

A female Chief entered the building. “Good morning, Sir,” she said as she swiped her ID in front of the small box next to the double doors inside the waiting area.

“Good morning, Chief,” Cody answered back, as Barkley checked her out. There was a
buzz
, and the doors opened. She entered and then pulled it shut until it
clicked
close, making sure the barrier secured after she walked in. They watched her through the glass.

“Barkley, don’t go looking for trouble.” Cody chuckled. “She’s a Chief.”

“Whoever came up with that fucking fraternization policy should get shot.” They both started laughing. “There are some fine enlisted women out there.”

“You don’t want to lose your career over some ass,” Cody pointed out as the door opened.

“Mitchell and Barkley,” Commander Roberts shook their hands. “Good morning and welcome.”

They followed the commander into the Quarter Deck, and the sailor issued them a temporary visitor’s pass. They signed into the visitor’s log. Before they turned to leave, Cody added, “Great job, Petty Officer Hampton. Keep it up.” Then Cody followed the others to the elevator.

“Barkley, I’ll take you to the department you’ll be inspecting first, and then Mitchell, I’ll introduce you to my Senior Chief who’s over the security in this building.”

“Great.”

***

“Michele!” Shon raised her voice, speaking on her office phone as she tapped her feet on the floor. “I said, no!”

“But…” Michele sang.

“But nothing, tell Devon to bring you here.” Shon closed her eyes, inhaling then exhaling. Michele could be a hand full when she wanted to be. She must have taken after her father.

There was a knock on her door. She covered the mouthpiece of the phone with her hand. “Come in.” She turned, glowering out the window. “Michele, I wont repeat myself.” Shon’s voice was stern.

“Senior Chief,” her commander called.

Without another word, Shon placed the phone on its cradle and twisted around. “Oh God.” She covered her mouth with her hand. She was in shock as she glanced between Cody’s face and then his rank. He wasn’t enlisted; he was an officer.

Cody returned her stare. He peered at her face and then at her collar device; he must be thinking the same thing. His eyes were wide, and she could see the surprised look on his face.

“Do you know Lieutenant Commander Mitchell?” Commander Roberts asked, gazing at her through narrowed eyes.

Cody was about to say something, but she spoke first. “No, I’m sorry for my out burst. I didn’t like the answer I was given to my question on the phone.”

“Senior Chief Blake, this is Lieutenant Commander Mitchell.” Cody just stared at her, making her more nervous than she was. “He’ll be inspecting your department this week.”

She moved from behind her desk and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Cody glared at her palm for a couple of seconds and then shook it. “The pleasure is all mine, Senior Chief Blake.” He squeezed her hand tightly.

She yanked her hand from his grip.

“Mitchell, if you need anything, I’m down the hall.” Commander Robert’s walked to the door and grabbed the knob. “I leave you in good hands.” He strolled out and closed the door behind him.

“You’re a Lieutenant Commander?” she spoke first. “How?”

“What do you mean, how? I put in a packet to Officer Candidate School and was accepted into the program.” He combed his fingers through his hair. “I thought you were going to do the same. I took this route,” he touched his rank on his sleeve, “Because you said you were. What the hell happened? I thought you would at least be Lieutenant by now.”

Shon retreated behind her desk, placed her palms on the surface, and glared at him. “Life happened. Unlike you, I had to make some sacrifices.”

“What fucking sacrifices?” He raised his voice. “What aren’t you telling me?”

She sat in her leather chair. “I can’t believe I slept with an officer. If anyone finds out, my career is over.”

“Is that all you care about, your career?” He rushed over to her desk and faced her. His eyes were a shade darker. “I don’t fucking care about fraternization right now. Our relationship started thirteen years ago, when we were both seamen.”

“Really, Cody… I mean, Lieutenant Commander Mitchell,” she spat. “If all I cared about was my career, I wouldn’t have…” There was a knock on her door. Shon was on the verge of crying. “Come in!” she yelled.

“Some things never change.” Cody backed away, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked so damn sexy in his desert camouflage uniform. She should be mad at him for not telling her he was an officer, but who was she to throw stones at his glass house when she was living in a crystal mansion. He put them in a tough situation; nonetheless, their relationship did happen when both of them were enlisted.

“Shon, don’t be angry at her.” Devon, her ex-husband, walked into her office. This day couldn’t get any better. God blessed her with some fine men in her life. However, Devon also thought he was God’s gift to women. He didn’t know how to keep it in his pants. He was built of the finest chocolate, but he didn’t compare to Cody in the muscle department. Cody was always in her heart.

“Where is she?” She glared at him.

“She’s in the bathroom.” Devon glanced over to his right. “Oh, I’m sorry, Sir. Were you in a meeting?”

“No.” She looked out her office. “Chief Collins, this is Lieutenant Commander Mitchell, he’s here to do the assessment.”

“Nice to meet you, Sir,” Devon said from afar. He must have seen the anger in Cody’s eyes. “Sorry for interrupting your discussion, but her daughter…”

“Daughter?” Cody’s eyes widen. “I didn’t know the Senior Chief had kids.”

Devon chuckled. “Yes, she does. A very energetic, speak-her-mind, little girl.”

Shon saw the emotions flit across Cody’s face. She wanted to tell him she had a daughter, but every time she tried, something would come up.

“Thank you for bringing her,” she sighed. “I’ve told you to please keep your distance.”

“She called me,” her ex stated.

“I understand. I’ll have another talk with her.” Shon covered her face with her hands.

“Honey.” He glanced over at Cody. “I mean, Senior Chief, just because I’m re-married doesn’t mean I care any less for her.”

“Devon.” She sized him up. “Once again, thank you.”

“If you need me.” He peered at her and then turned to Cody. “Have a nice day.”

“You too.” Cody’s voice sounded harsh.

Shon’s ex stepped out of her office.

“So, you have a daughter?”

“Yes, Cody…” she whispered. “I have a daughter.”
 

“When were you going tell me that?”
he huffed.

“I tried, but you said it could wait.”

“A child, you should’ve told me.” He sat in the chair in the far corner. “When did you start listening to me?” He pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Is my having a child a problem? Does it make you see me any differently?” Shon studied him.

“What kind of stupid questions is that?” He shot her a dirty stare. “I guess you were right. We don’t know each other anymore.”

Shon’s eyes watered. She didn’t feel like defending herself. No matter what, she could’ve told him. She wanted Cody to succeed in life, and not hold himself back because he was a father. Shon had every intention on telling him, but time just flew by, and every time she got up the nerve to tell him, something happened. “You know me better than anyone.”

“I use to believe that.”

She was hurt.

“Mom.” Michele swung the door open.

***

Cody squint his eyes at the young lady entering the office. It was evident she was biracial
. There was no way she was a product of Shon’s last marriage. She resembled her mother a bit; her tight brown curls were up into a ponytail, her complexion reminded him of toffee candy. She turned his way, surprised to see him.