“Lena, for crying out loud, say something to them! This isn’t healthy.” I caught her sneaking in before dawn with bags that had bags under her eyes.

“Can’t I just move in here with you? I’m tiny, I won’t take up much room,” she whines beside me in bed.

“Your body might not, but all your crap sure would.”

“I can downsize.” Her cringe tells me otherwise.

“Say. Something,” I insist in long drawn out words, slowly, so her tired mind understands.

“I did, and it seems they’ve ramped it up. How can two people screw so much? You’d think they’d have worn each other, or their hoohah’s, out by now. This can’t be normal.” The disgust on Lena’s face likely matches my own.

“Hoohah?” I try—unsuccessfully—to tamp down my laughter.

The smack she delivers increases my hysteria. “Shut up, True. It’s not even funny.”

“About as funny as you mailing a letter I tossed in the trash.” I level her with a glare. I refuse to admit that I’m glad she ignored my privacy. I love the girl, but she’d gloat like crazy.

“Oh, whatever. You guys are still writing.”

Speaking of, I didn’t check the mail yesterday. Getting up from the bed, Lena’s sarcastic laughter isn’t missed while I toss on my slippers and a sweater to go check it out. My heart flutters when I open the mail box and see his masculine scrawl across a thick envelope with my name on it.

Ignoring my friend’s yelling and kissing sounds, I head straight for the bathroom where I fill up the tub with hot water, lavender, and bubbles. Relaxing in the soothing water, I open the envelope and the contents nearly spill into the water. Mav’s sent half a dozen pictures of himself and his unit. There’s even one with him and a little boy playing basketball. Lord, he’s just the sweetest.

My True,

Baby girl, you can kiss me anytime you like. Never ask, ‘cause, doll, I’m not gonna say no. Since we’re going for broke here, I’m every bit as enthralled with you, too. It helps that I find your quirky personality just as appealing as those luscious thighs of yours.

You’ve been the source of many pleasant dreams that I’ve not wanted to wake up from. Tell me, is your voice husky? Or soft and sweet? I imagine both, especially when you’re moaning my name.

My boy Des told some of the kids around base camp about you, and the youngest, Amid, asked me to include a picture of him after I showed him yours. He says you’re as beautiful as his mama, by the way.

It’s been rather boring here the past few months. No action, but that’s a good thing. It means what we’re doing is working. The people are settled and planning to rebuild a school that was bombed last year.

My troop is being sent to provide safe passage for all the supplies. Which, unfortunately, means I may not be able to write you for a while. It’s a month-long project with the trip both ways. We head out in two weeks, so if you’re feeling generous, help a guy out and send me some more pictures.

My imagination can only do so much with the one I’ve got.

I commend you for jumping into a profession you know will likely leave you looking like a fool when things get…messy. Nursing is no joke, sweet girl. Do you have any job prospects lined up? Hospital, private practice?

To be honest, when I find my way to the west coast, it ain’t gonna be for Lena.

It’ll be for you.

And if she has an issue with the gorillas rutting at home, she’s gonna have bigger problems at your place, so tell her to grow up and be a woman about shit.

When I get there, you’re all mine. Every last curve.

Each of those sexy smiles I imagine on your face.

The breathy moans that follow me into sleep.

You’ll be all for me, True.

Yours,

Maverick

“Oh. My. Stars.”

Sinking into the tub, I can’t believe how…dominant he sounds.

Which also gives me a naughty idea.