Anything can happen in just one day. We are born. We die. Things can change in the blink of an eye.

“Yes, ma’am. I understand. Yes…Alright…Okay, Mother. Would you please just listen—” My voice escalates. I’m distressed and annoyed from the current conversation. “Everything’s good. Not in any danger at the moment. I’ve gotta go.”

I’ve had this same tête-á-tête with my mother since I joined the military as an officer. She couldn’t grasp the magnitude or the importance of the career path I decided to take.

It was another mistake, another disappointment I caused my family. Not because of the job, but because I wouldn’t go into the family business. Their desire for me to take over my father’s law firm produces more sweat to bead on my forehead and temples.

I enjoy puzzles, math, and solving problems. Creating and decoding intricately woven programing of mass proportions. It's my niche—what I'm good at. I’ve been hacking systems since I was a kid. Some might call me a genius, but I'm too modest to entertain the notion. I've seen the test scores; I get it. None of that's important to me. I will admit, though, I'm good at it. Wicked good. And I enjoy the hell out of the work I do.

I push the off button on the satellite phone as I breathe in the sticky, hot humid desert air into my parched lungs. Pushing the door open, I reenter the bar and proceed to the corner booth where my buddies are shooting down three types of liquor called stop lights, chasing it back with beer, and causing quite a ruckus.

My heavy gait pounds the unforgiving surface of the concrete floor due to my unnaturally large stature. From my point of view, I can see everything going on around me as I push through the crowded pub, easily. Multiple eyes scan up and up to reach my face.

As I come to a stop at the table, I take in my teammates, and a smile naturally appears on my face. These guys: Keagan, Oliver, and Moose, three men from of our team are up to no good. Brothers-in-arms who have quickly become family due to the action we’re thrust into on a daily basis, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Where’d you go—hiccup—Jolly Bean?” Oliver’s slurred speech echoes around the booth.

“Yeah, bon ami. You’re behind, Jolly Green. Drink!” Keagan mumbles as he pushes three tiny cups in front of me. Then he throws back another shot of vodka chased by a beer.

I laugh at the outburst; my comrades are wasted, but I get it. Our final mission for this tour is coming up soon. We’re heading into the bowels of the heaviest part of the fighting and war zone on a mission of stealth and precision. One we cannot fail.

Aiming to please, I toss the fiery liquid of the first cup into my mouth, turning the cup upside down and placing it on the table with a clunk. Taking the next one, I repeat. Then picking up the last one, I chug it back.

“Hoorah,” we echo around the table.

I scan the room, and my vision lands on a gorgeous brunette sitting at the bar. From my position, I estimate she's tall and has an athletic build judged from her tight crop top exposing full round breasts a man could play with for hours, and second-skin jeans that exhibit toned legs able to hook around me without concern for the position. Mahogany hair falls to the middle of her back, with a soft, wavy appearance.

She adjusts her head to the side, and I glimpse her profile. Gorgeous. This babe is hot.

My feet take over my actions, and before I know it, I’m standing behind the sexy raven sitting at the bar. Catcalls and whistles coming from my brothers cause me to lift a finger in their direction at their unashamedly rowdy support, but I continue the path pulling me to her. I’m on autopilot, or dick-pilot. Let’s be real. My other head is doing all the plotting at the moment.

Life is a game; you win some and you lose some. Then there are times you play and you don’t care about the turnout, your only concern is the here and now. I want her with every fiber of my being. I clear my throat, and beautiful brown eyes turn in my direction and a sultry pout graces her plump lips as her eyes devour me. Game on. Oh, yeah. Princess Peach, here comes Mario.

Leaning over, I hover beside her ear, barely touching it, and say, “Hey, gorgeous, my name’s Microsoft. Can I crash at your place tonight?”

She chuckles pushing her face slightly into mine. I’m inundated by the faint trace of perfume, like sunshine and roses. Unique and refined.

“You use that line with all the girls?” Her voice is sexy yet full of playfulness.

“Is it working?” I ask.

“Mmmm. Maybe,” she banters back in a hungry tone.

Placing my nose against her neck, I sniff my way back up to her ear and suck the lobe into my mouth, causing a shudder from both of us.

“My place is just around the corner, soldier. You on board?” she queries as she gulps in short, quick breaths.

She’s affected just as much as I am.

“What’s your name, pretty lady?” I ask, needing a name.

“You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine,” she playfully throws back at me.

I quickly respond, “Lukas, but you can call me Luc.”

Her dark orbs have me mesmerized, and I can’t look away. She offers me her hand.

“Lukas, I like it. I’m Sage. And you can call me Sage.”

The sexy way her mouth quirks up has me on the edge. This woman is a straight shooter, funny and beautiful, a combination that causes my dick to twitch.

“Let’s go,” I reply, my voice filled with need.

Gently, I take her by the arm and usher her out of the crowded space. She complies with no complaints.

My eyes travel to the guys and I motion with a nod, indicating my departure. The smiles on their faces reveal I’ll have hell to pay tomorrow from their ribbing, but it’s all good.

This sexy female is just what the doctor ordered and just what I need tonight.

We enter the alley in the direction of the parking lot located behind the bar when delicate fingers brush mine. I look around, and without a second thought, I swing her into my arms, crushing my mouth over hers. Her lips part and I dive in. I want to devour the sweet and juicy taste. Long nails knead my shoulders and inch up the back of my neck into my scalp, causing all the blood in my body to rush south. Fuck! Every touch from her leaves a fiery trail of unfulfilled need. At this rate, we won’t make it to her place before my dick finds a new home.

I make an effort to stop, but those damn toned legs wrap around my waist. She’s clinging to me, dry humping my throbbing dick. My hands scoop the plump mounds of her bottom and proceed to press her over my straining erection, wishing the clothes between us would disappear. She’s an untamed wildcat on the loose.

Laughing penetrates the sensual haze we are lost in. She moans, tightens her grip in my hair, and sucks my tongue harder, choosing to ignore the interruption. I don’t give a fuck if she doesn’t. I’ve met my match.

I retaliate by applying pressure with my teeth. Neither caring who sees. Lost in the carnal pleasure of the powerful aphrodisiac passing between us.

“Get a fucking room,” an angry male voice demands from somewhere behind us.

The proximity and hostility washes over me like a bucket of ice water. Something about his tone alerts me. I glance around me, searching for the culprit. The alley is empty.

I reluctantly lower Sage. This isn’t the place. We need to leave.

“Let’s get outta here. Fast,” I command.

“Okay,” She winks and grabs my hand.

We sprint the distance to her apartment. Two magnets drawn together.