A mental health break. That’s how my therapist described it. Almost every year since I’d been medically discharged from the Navy after having my leg blown off, I’ve taken a “mental health” vacation. Each year, a group of guys I know from the military take some time off to rest, relax, and otherwise decompress. This year, we decided to rent a beach house in Myrtle Beach over the Fourth of July holiday. Gannon’s ex-mother-in-law found us a great deal on the rental.

It hadn’t really sounded like my idea of fun when my therapist first suggested it, but it had been what the doctor ordered, so I went. Regardless of my original reluctance to go that first year, I’d had a good time. Each of us had been dealing with our own shit in our own way, and it was nice to see the guys. Now, I looked forward to these yearly trips.

One of my other Navy buddies had just spent the last two weeks with me at my house in Miami, but he’d taken off to chase down the love of his life. I wished him well. Against my will, her face flashed before my eyes. Callie Foster. Damn, just thinking about her had me hard as a rock. I’d met Callie while my buddy had been visiting. She was the best friend of his girl. The women had been vacationing in Miami, and we’d all gone out to dinner together. I’d groaned when my friend told me he was dragging me along, but it had actually turned into an unforgettable night. And week.

Callie was bold-as-brass and didn’t give a shit what anyone thought. She was, unapologetically, who she was. It was refreshing to talk to a woman who spoke her mind. She’d been funny, smart, and sassy. And sexy as fuck.

At first, I’d been taken aback by her boldness, but the more we talked, the more turned on I’d become. Right up front she’d asked about my prosthetic. Most people stared, while trying to appear as though they weren’t staring. The ones who stared outright then asked the stupidest and, usually, the rudest questions. Questions that were none of their business. Oddly, some of the same questions I’d been asked before that pissed me off, didn’t bother me when Callie asked. She told me she worked with Veterans, and she was curious about my recovery and how I was adjusting to civilian life.

We spent the entire evening talking about me. It was comfortable and effortless with her. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been rambling until dinner was over, and I discovered I hadn’t learned a single thing about her beyond the fact that she worked with Vets. I didn’t even know what kind of work she did. I felt like an asshole. She laughed it off and said she’d rather talk about me anyway.

When my buddy asked me to take Callie home, I jumped at the chance. She was the first woman who’d sparked my interest since I’d been injured and since Leslie’d left me. Coincidentally, Callie and her friend had rented the house next door to where I lived. It was as though we were destined to meet. I had no ulterior movies when I took her home other than to spend a little more time getting to know her. During the ride home, it was my turn to ask all the questions and to try and figure her out. Callie had been humble and modest and didn’t seem too keen on talking about herself. It only made me that much more anxious to find out about her.

Once we reached the house, I planned on dropping her off at their rental and saying good night. To my surprise, she invited me inside. I didn’t hesitate accepting. She poured herself a glass of wine and handed me a cold beer. We settled in on the couch and talked. Several hours passed before I realized it. When I glanced at the clock and saw how late it was, I figured I’d worn out my welcome, and after I took another empty beer bottle into the kitchen to throw away, I turned around to say my goodbyes and literally ran into her. Her breasts flattened against my chest, and the semi-hard on I’d been sporting all night lengthened. I pulled back slightly so she wouldn’t feel my erection pressing into her. Her soft, flowery scent pleasantly tickled my nose. I wanted to bury my nose in her hair and breathe in her smell.

Without warning, she leaned up on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around my neck, and pressed her lips to mine. Lust exploded through me, and I couldn’t help pulling her close and deepening the kiss. My tongue traced her lips, almost begging for entrance. Elation filled me when, without hesitation, she opened for me. I plundered her mouth, and it was as though I’d been parched until this moment. Flavors flooded my mouth, and I reveled in the taste of her. I caught a moan that escaped her. We stood in the kitchen, tongues dueling, and all I wanted was more.

I couldn't help but groan in ecstasy when she pressed herself fully against me so we were molded together from chest to thigh. Her hips undulated slightly, and my cock twitched at the contact. I moved my hands from her waist to grab two handfuls of her ass. I pulled her even closer as I kneaded her cheeks. I’d always been an ass man, and Callie’s was the perfect heart shape. I freely admitted I’d checked it out more than once tonight. I bet she even had those fucking sexy dimples at the base of her spine too. My body ached with the need to find out, even though my mind said to slow down.

Callie kissed like a dream. I could have spent the whole night just kissing her, but the second her lips touched mine, she’d ignited a fire inside me that was now burning out of control. It was a fire I hadn’t felt in years. In fact, it had been so long, I had almost given up on feeling it ever again. Even still, if she didn’t want this to go any further, I’d stop, no matter how much I thought it might kill me. Bracing myself for whatever answer I got, I reluctantly tore my lips from hers.

“Would you like to move this some place a little more comfortable?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Callie pulled away, grabbed my hand, and led me down the hall then up the stairs to the second floor.