Under Siege Read online

  Table of Contents

  title

  description

  prologue

  prologue ii

  one

  two

  three

  four

  five

  six

  seven

  epilogue

  second epilogue

  stepbrother anonymous

  rights

  eight

  acknowledgements

  about Aria

  also by Aria

  Contents

  title

  description

  prologue

  prologue ii

  one

  two

  three

  four

  five

  six

  seven

  epilogue

  second epilogue

  stepbrother anonymous

  title

  rights

  description

  one

  two

  three

  four

  five

  six

  seven

  eight

  epilogue

  second epilogue

  acknowledgements

  about Aria

  also by Aria

  UNDER SIEGE

  ARIA COLE

  What happens when ten foot tall and bulletproof asks you to spend thirty days alone with him?

  Tinsley Abernathy never thought she’d have to ask herself that question. And Ash Ford isn’t just any run-of-the-mill, drop-dead gorgeous stranger; he’s the soldier she’s been exchanging letters with every week for the last three years. And now he’s back in town. And he’s ready to meet her.

  After all, Ash has a proposition Tinsley would be crazy to refuse…

  Warning: Ash is one sticky-sweet, military muscleman in camo cargos. He’s set his sights on one woman only, and he won’t stop until her heart is Under Siege.

  Prologue

  Dear Tinsley,

  I am coming home, sweetheart. No more letters, no more wanting. Because, baby, I am coming for you. I’ve waited three long years to see your sweet face.

  I can’t tell you how much all those letters meant, sweetheart. They kept me going. Every single damn time I wanted to give up, one of your letters would come in, and I knew there was an end to it all. You gave me hope, Tinsley. YOU are my salvation. My sweet girl, you kept me alive.

  I am hoping—no, I am praying you want to see me too. I will be at McLaren’s. It’s my first night back, and even though I wanted it to be with just you, I have to meet up with my buddies. The assholes won’t let me out of it, I tried. But I want you there, Tinsley. I want you there my first night. Please be there… McLaren’s, 9 p.m. Friday night. I can’t wait to hold you, my sweet Tinsley.

  With love,

  Ash

  Ash,

  I can’t believe you’ll be home in a few weeks. I can’t believe you’ll be right here, we can meet, hang out, fight about who has the better football team (it’s State, by the way!).

  It’s been a long three years and there were so many times I thought this day would never come--of course I’ll meet you at McLaren’s. I’d meet you anywhere.

  Always Yours,

  Tinsley

  P.S. I think I’m madly in love with you.

  ONE

  Tinsley

  “Welcome home, dickhead!” A group of guys erupted into a round of cheers at the bar. My eyes slid across the polished wood table to land on my best friend’s.

  “I think it’s time we hit the road.”

  Lily huffed, sucking another strawful of her margarita. “Nonsense.” She swiped a hand as if to bat away the silly thought. “We just got here, and you have been talking to this guy for the last three years. I mean, you’ve ditched me for him on Saturday nights, writing those long love letters.”

  “I told you, they weren’t love letters. We’re just friends.” The last letter I’d written him rattled through my mind--the one where everything in me had wanted to confess I was falling for him. Only I’d been a coward and scribbled the whole thing out. Now I was thinking my foresight was pretty keen--this group of guys looked like a bunch of wild college guys, certainly not a group my thoughtful, affectionate Ash would be friends with, right? The frown deepened on my face.

  Lily huffed, taking another drink. “You should go talk to him, introduce yourself.”

  “Yeah…” I glanced over at the crew at the bar. A dozen guys at least. Ash and I had never exchanged a photo while he was away, and we’d had a little vow that we wouldn’t look each other up on social media. I’d kept it, but I wasn’t sure if he had.

  I frowned, watching a shorter guy get a round of shots for everyone. “I don’t really care which one he is, to be honest. I don’t think any of them are my type.”

  “Well, he was your type for three years when you were writing back and forth every week.”

  “Was…” I gnawed down on my bottom lip, thinking I’d made a giant mistake even coming here tonight. Ash and I should have left well enough alone, pen pals while he was deployed with the navy overseas and nothing more. “I vote we head home and start the next season of Pretty Little Liars.”

  “Well…” Lily arched one perfectly manicured brow at me. “I vote you swallow down the rest of that drink while I get us another round.”

  I was still shaking my head when she rose from the table, finishing her drink with a wink and then scurrying off to the bar.

  I rolled my eyes inwardly, sucking on the end of my straw and wishing Lily and I were curled up on the couch right now with pints of Ben & Jerry’s in hand. I had a feeling Lily wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily, though. We’d been living together for more than two years now; she’d seen the letters from overseas coming fast and furious. I think she was as nervous and excited about this night as I was.

  I groaned, sucking down the last of my drink before standing to make my way to the bathroom. A hard mass of muscle brushed by just as I stepped off the elevated platform. I stumbled, losing my footing and heading for a face-plant on the floor.

  “Shit, sorry ’bout that.” A heavy palm wrapped around my elbow and caught me in a graceful spin. Hauled against the chest of one very tall, broad monster of a man, I steadied myself on slabs of pectoral. Lightning sparked through my veins, racing to my toes as I inhaled a quick scent of woodsy cologne. The smell was so hypnotizing that my head began to spin with pure intoxication.

  “You okay, Freckles?” Ice-blue eyes caught mine, the hint of a cocky grin playing at the side of his mouth.

  “I’m fine. Thanks for catching me.” I pulled away. His palm didn’t leave my elbow, though, like he was following me, insisting on invading my space. “It looked dire for a second there. Thank you,” I whispered, both embarrassed and shy about the situation.

  “Pleasure’s all mine.” Those ocean eyes trailed across my face, down my neck, and hovered at the vee of my cleavage. My body prickled with desire under this stranger’s gaze. Sparks burned through my fingertips and hardened my nipples, a slow ache beating like a drum on my nerves. “You here for the party?” His deep yet soft voice reverberated through my body, somehow making me feel that this was the voice I was meant to hear for the rest of my life.

  I sucked on my bottom lip, wishing instantly I could disappear. Melt into the floor at his feet. Something about the way he held himself, the look in his eyes as he watched me, made it impossible for my body to ignore. My thighs shifted, and I swallowed the bundle of nerves choking my throat. “I was supposed to meet someone.”

  I averted my eyes, not really wanting to explain my circumstances for being there at that moment. “Well, I'm someone.” He thrust out his hand, cocky smile deepening. “Name’s Ash.�
�

  My heart thundered to a halt.

  Just like that, the world spun on its axis, and I was left heaving for oxygen and desperate for words.

  “Got a name, Freckles?” Ash clasped my hand in his, yanking me against him.

  This was it.

  This was the part where I confessed my name. That I was Tinsley, the Tinsley he’d been writing for the last three years. I owed it to him to be open.

  My lips parted, the words on my tongue, before something else slipped out altogether. “Freckles has a nice ring to it.”

  His gaze jumped from my eyes to my lips. I sucked in a slow breath, his hand tightening at my elbow and hauling me infinitely closer.

  “I think so too.” His warm breath washed across my neck, sending chills racing through me.

  I had to contain the moan from slipping past my lips.

  This man had that thing about him. That thing that drew women to him like honey, and I’d been a fool to think that just because we had three years of letters behind us, we could be anything in real life. Ash was out of my league. I should have picked up on that when he talked about fun-filled vacations with friends and wild parties, but I hadn’t given it much thought because it didn’t matter then.

  It mattered now, though.

  A dead weight settled on my shoulders then. He and I were worlds apart, probably never even would have crossed each other's paths if it weren’t for me reaching out to the military pen pals charity a few years ago.

  He was in a desperate time. We were both looking for friendship…

  “Hey, Tins! I told him to make yours a double.” Lily chose that moment to burst the small bubble we’d created.

  “Tins?” Ash arched an eyebrow with interest. “That short for anything?”

  He knew. Shit, he totally knew.

  “Uh…” Lily pushed my new drink at me. “I’m Lily, and you are?”

  “Ash Ford.” He thrust a hand out and shook Lily’s hand, those icy-blue orbs glued to mine the entire time.

  Lily’s eyes grew to the size of saucers. “So, you’re the man of the hour?”

  Ash’s eyebrows rose. “’Spose so.”

  “And which one of those fine gentlemen behind you might be willing to buy a girl a drink?” Lily cooed. The realization set in that she was leaving me alone, with Ash, now that she knew who he was.

  “Go introduce yourself. Sure you won’t be short on offers,” Ash said.

  “Don’t mind if I do.” Lily’s eyes gleamed as she cast me a glance, leaning in to mouth the words, “He’s gorgeous. I’d climb him like a tree if I were you.” I nearly spat out my drink. “Wish me luck!” she called as she sauntered away.

  “So,” Ash breathed. “Tins or Freckles, what should I call you?”

  I narrowed my gaze at him. The way his eyes did that gleaming thing, making my panties wet and my knees weak, was irritating as hell.

  “Nothing to you.” I steeled my spine, setting my drink on the table and making to dash around him and get the hell out of here. I was in over my head. Dating wasn’t my thing, ever, and this guy was all sorts of intimidating.

  I could hardly get a word in; my brain swam with so many thoughts of feeling his body pressed to mine again.

  And to think this beautiful, cocky bastard was Ash Ford.

  The man I’d unloaded all of my past, dreams, and hopes onto.

  “Excuse me.” I barely managed the whisper, defeat lacing my tone as I turned away.

  But Ash Ford wasn’t about to make walking away easy.

  TWO

  Ash

  I followed her on heavy footsteps right out the doors of the bar and into the cool night.

  I couldn’t let her get away, not after everything.

  “The view from behind is killer, Freckles, but I’d rather see those pretty eyes.” I’d like to see a helluva lot more of her too, but that was gonna take some time.

  “You’re an arrogant asshole, Ash Ford. Has anyone ever told you that?” She spun and faced me, heat rising to her cheeks and little breaths heaving her chest. Hell, she was hot when she was angry.

  “Once or twice.” I stepped closer, catching both of her elbows in my palms and giving her no choice but to listen to me. “Come back in and have a drink with me.”

  “I don’t think I could stand to spend an hour with you.” The way that indignant flicker lit in her eyes made my dick pound. I had not expected her fire, and I hadn't expected how hot under the collar it would make me.

  I thrust a hand into my pocket, fingering the small pouch that was tucked there.

  “Well, you're a girl who likes a challenge, right?” I caught her chin with my thumb and turned her gaze to mine.

  Electricity pulsed between us, the only thing running through my head that I wanted her under me, in my bed, right fucking now.

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Forget a drink. I’ve got a proposition for you.”

  Her eyes shot wide, lips parting with a small puff of air. I wanted to sink my teeth into those pillowy lips and kiss her while I sank my dick deep inside her body.

  “I don’t think I’m the kind of girl you’re looking for,” she shot back, yanking her chin away.

  I laughed, pushing a hand through the hair at the back of her neck and pulling her to within kissing distance of my lips. “You’re exactly the girl I’m looking for. You are the kind of girl every red-blooded man is looking for. You are the girl I have been dreaming about my whole life.”

  I felt the shudder course through her body. I yanked that body close to me and whispered in her ear, trying to speak clearly and enunciate every word so she would fully understand I meant business. Three long years of craving her touch, needing her scent… It was enough to drive a man crazy. The second I saw her, I knew it was her. My Tinsley, my girl. “Wonder how you’ll shiver when you’re underneath me.”

  One tooth dented the pillow of her bottom lip. My other hand tightened at her hip before taking a slow drive up the contours of her body. The nip of her waist, the full roundness of her tit, soft curves for miles, just made for a man like me to appreciate.

  “Give me thirty days.”

  “W-what?” Her eyes darkened. “Thirty days?”

  “Thirty days with me.” I slid the pad of my thumb down her cheekbone. “In my home. In my bed. Thirty days of pleasure and being worshiped like the queen you are. And after, if you want to walk away, you can walk away. But, Tinsley, I won’t take no for an answer.” I also knew I wouldn’t let her walk away. I would move heaven and earth, cut off a damn limb just to make sure this woman stayed in my bed and in my arms forever.

  Her eyes scrunched closed as thoughts whirred behind her pretty dark eyes.

  I hoped I hadn’t offended her. That hadn’t been my plan at all.

  My fingers worked circles around the little bag in my pocket, worrying the anxiety away.

  “What’s in this arrangement for me?” she finally replied.

  My chest nearly cracked open at the thought of thirty days, just me and her. I couldn't believe she was actually considering it. I’d known it was a wild idea, but fuck, I’d just spent six years in the desert; nothing seemed too wild anymore.

  “I'll make it worth your while,” I urged, running my lips along her hairline. “Freckles. I can give you anything your heart desires.” I didn’t wait for her reaction, pressing my lips against hers and probing with my tongue. I tried to control the urge to let loose. I had to take it slowly with her. She was inexperienced, that was written all over her face, and hell if that hadn't added to the mystery of her. “I know everything about you, Tinsley Abernathy. And I know every fiber of your body is begging to say yes right now.”

  Her big, beautiful eyes widened, causing my cock to begin a slow throb behind my zipper. If she didn’t say yes, I didn’t know what the hell I’d do.

  “So, let me get this straight.” She pulled away from me, eyes glued to mine. “I promise to live with you for thirty days, and you get whatever you wan
t…sexual favors…” She looked so fucking cute when she was angry.

  A hearty laugh bellowed from my chest. “I can’t believe you just called what I’m going to do to you sexual favors.” I pulled her back into my arms again, chest-to-chest.

  Her chin tilted up. “What would you call it, then?”

  “Listen, Freckles, there’s no easy way to explain it. You’ve just got to know I’ve been in the desert for six long fucking years. Outside of the communication you and I had…well…” I shoved a hand through my hair. “It gets lonely. A man forgets how to act around a pretty woman. Tinsley, the second I saw you, all nerves and wild eyes, my whole body knew. Those letters kept me going, all your dreams became mine. The only thing I thought about back there was how much I wanted to kiss these beautiful lips. When I caught you, I wasn’t just playing with you, sweetheart. I was nervous too. It’s not every day that a man has an opportunity to touch the most beautiful woman in the world.” I dragged one finger down the soft curve of her neck. A shiver raced through her, goose bumps erupting at my touch. She was so sensitive. Christ, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, hair spread out on my pillow, body soft and open, welcoming me. “Don’t want to scare you away, but if I learned anything being in a war zone, it’s that every second of life you’re given is precious. Made a vow I wouldn’t waste a single one when I got back."

  Something shimmered behind her eyes then. “I-I—” she stammered, swiping at a tear in the corner of her eye. “I can’t believe we finally get to meet.”

  My heart cracked then, and for the first time in a very long time, light seeped into the dark, empty space.

  “Thought about you every time I went out on a mission. I saw shit I never want to see again. You kept me alive out there, Freckles.” I averted my eyes, remembering the poverty, the pain, the violence, and the death I’d borne witness to. “First person I wanted to see when I was back on US soil was you. I wanted you to remind me there was still beauty and goodness in a world that suffers with so much fucking pain. You forget out there. And you, my beautiful girl, were my reminder.”