Operation: Tempt Me (32 page)

Aunt
Annabelle spoke up. “Well, I don’t need much taking care of and the general has
been too kind to offer to visit me in Virginia. So what’s a lady have to
complain about with those prospects? You youngins need to take care of each
other.”

Miller
returned his attention to Cambrie who all but forgot the crowd around them. Her
heart pounded being this close to Miller again. “I’ve got to tell you, Cambrie.
It’s either me or no one because I won’t allow another guy taking my place.
There’s no way in holy hell I’ll stand for that.”

“Smooth,
jackass, real smooth,” one of his team scolded when her hands went to her hips
and she frowned. “Name’s Chance and please pardon his mouth, ma’am, but he’s
not used to being gentle.”

“And right
now his words are coming out of his ass. Name’s Cade,” another man said, before
nodding at Miller. “Smarten up, man. Where’s your romantic side?”

Miller rolled
his eyes. “Ignore them, Cambrie. They’re just jealous.”

“Can say that
again,” Chance said. “Screw this one up, Miller, and you ain’t ever living it
down. Ever.”

Miller smirked.
“They’re half right, Cam. I’m not good at sharing feelings and emotions. But I
know what I want and plan to get it.” He sighed. “What I’m trying to say is…I
love you. I loved you from the moment I woke up on your porch and found you
watching me. That day my life changed forever and for the best. I always knew
that serving in the military was my calling. It’s what I was meant to do. But,
honey, it’s not all I’m meant to be. I can be your husband, too. I can do both,
I promise. My job keeps civilians like you safe and I wouldn’t choose any other
career until I’m forced to retire from this one. But through it all, I will
love you and give you the best life I can.”

“That better
include keeping yourself safe, Miller,” Cambrie said, tears pricking at her
eyes.

He looked
stunned. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”

“That
depends.”

He scowled.
“What the hell do you mean? Depends on what?”

“On whether
or not you’ll ask me. I didn’t hear you propose. Did anyone else?”

The crowd
chanted “no” while shaking their heads.

Miller
smirked and got down on his knee, pulling a ring from his coat pocket. Holding
it up, he stared at it then at her. “Cambrie Brasher, would you do me the honor
of walking down the aisle, taking my name, and keeping me in line for the rest
of my life? I love you and promise that love will be as strong when we’re
together as it’ll be when we’re apart. Marry me, Cambrie, and love me forever.”

“Will I still
be in your dreams nightly?” she whispered.

“Oh God,
baby. You
are
my dream.”

“Then yes,
I’ll marry you, Lt. Miller Daly, because I love you more than I could’ve ever
imagined possible. You were never just my pen pal. You are my other half, the
part that completes my soul. I love you.” Tears welled in her eyes. Happy,
long-awaited tears.

Miller
slipped the ring on her finger and stood. He lifted her into his arms and
kissed her. The crowd erupted around them with cheers and applause. His men
slapped at his back once he placed her back on her feet.

The general
yelled out. “Does anyone want to know who won the library grant?”

“Yes!” the
crowd screamed and then fell silent.

The general
faced Cambrie. “Miss Brasher, on behalf of the Veterans Affairs Department, I
am pleased to award the one hundred thousand library grant to Highland Library
for its fine example of how to support our troops and proving that patriotism
still exists today. There were selfless acts of kindness documented by Lt. Daly
that were not only orchestrated by Miss Brasher but supported by the entire
community, young and old alike. Together you have made a difference in the
lives of countless veterans with your donations. Congratulations.”

The crowd
cheered. Pride swelled within Cambrie. At her side, Miller squeezed her hand.

The general
continued speaking. “I have also included Miss Brasher’s signed petition in a
letter to Congress about supporting bills to increase all veterans’ benefits
instead of trying to decrease them with budget cuts. The overwhelming support
in that petition will hopefully open the eyes of lawmakers who choose to cut funding
for the very people securing their freedom to run for office and freely express
their opinions.

“Miss
Brasher, your new job will focus on the efforts you’ve begun in that petition.
I believe that, while you will have your work cut out for you, there is no one
better to defend our soldiers’ benefits.”

“Thank you,
general. And I look forward to the hard work,” Cambrie said, hoping it was not
all a dream.

Once again
the crowd erupted.

Miller and
Cambrie stepped over to her aunt. “Aunt Annabelle, thank you, ma’am, for your
permission to marry your niece. I’ll make her happy. I promise.”

Cambrie’s jaw
dropped. “You knew about this, Auntie?”

“Yes I did.
This young man came to me on his own asking permission. Why, I had to keep my
tongue in my mouth for far too long before he could get here to do the official
deed. But I must say you proved me wrong, Miller.”

“How so?” he
asked.

“I once told
my niece that today’s young people didn’t know anything about romance. You
certainly do, Miller. That’s why you got my blessing and because you make my
Cambrie smile like I’ve never seen before. Now excuse me while I go speak with
the general. He’s single you know.” She winked and wheeled herself off.

Cambrie
gasped. “Did you hear her? That’s not my aunt in that wheelchair. She would
never openly flirt with a man.”

“Maybe you
just never noticed that side of her,” Miller said, holding his arm at her
waist.

“Maybe. And
now we’re moving to Virginia. Wow.” Cambrie was still in shock.

“Thank you,
Cambrie,” Miller said. “The general tore up my retirement paperwork.”

“You were
leaving the military? For me?”

“Yes, even if
it’s the job I love, I would’ve found another. As long as I’m with you, baby
girl, that’s the only thing that matters. You were stuck here because of your
commitment to your aunt, which couldn’t be changed. I had a contract with the
Government that, while also a commitment, had more flexibility to change so I
could be with you. But your aunt had spoken to the general about trying to keep
us together once she learned of my plans.”

“She what?”
Cambrie would never under estimate her aunt again.

“Yeah, it’s
not every day a general gets involved in matchmaking, but my exemplary service
record caught his attention and between your aunt’s phone call, my request for
retirement, and your library winning the grant, well, he said it was a
no-brainer. He gets you as a great employee while keeping me and making the
acquaintance of your aunt. He told me on the ride here that he’s been widowed
for three years, so he knows something about loneliness. And Aunt Annabelle
said seeing you happy has given her a new breath of life.”

She clutched
his shoulders. “Wow. I never knew any of this was happening. I missed you so
much, Miller. I regretted not begging you to stay.”

“You won’t
have any reason to miss me, at least for a while. Not with us getting married
and the babies.”

“What
babies?”

“The ones
we’re going to have. I plan on enjoying your sexy body every chance I get.
We’ll make us lots of babies.”

“Kiss, kiss,
kiss,” his men chanted behind them.

“Oh God. Is
this what the wedding will be like?” Cambrie asked, thrilled with the turn of
events.

“I’m afraid
so. From what they’ve told me, they didn’t let Emma and Finn come up for air.”

Cambrie
laughed as Miller leaned in close to her ear. “But all you need to think about
is how fantastic the honeymoon will be, Mrs. Daly.”

Wrapping her
arms around his neck, she never planned to let go. “I can honestly say I have
no worries about that. Now kiss me before the crowd gets too wild and Mr.
Hackler has a heart attack.”

“I
love you, Cambrie Brasher.”

“I love you
more, Miller Daly.”

Her
lips met his and the rest of her life began.

Also Available

Operation:
Spank Me

by

Christina
James

What
begins as a sexy cyber affair quickly turns into the real thing when Lt. Finn
Coleman shows up on Emma Shield's doorstep to fulfill all her fantasies. When
Emma doesn't match the persona she presented online, he decides to seduce and
discover the sensual woman who claimed she enjoyed spankings and bondage. But
Finn is a career military man with a dangerous mission ahead.

All
Emma wanted was to live out her hottest fantasies with her luscious new pen
pal. She felt safe pretending to be a wicked seductress with Finn a world away.
Then he shows up, bigger than life and making even her wildest dreams seem
tame. All too soon, Emma realizes that more is at stake than her heart and
losing Finn is not part of the plan.

Prologue

MissionMan:
Tell me your
fantasies, Emma.

SexyLady4U:
Oh, there R
so many. U sure U have time?

MissionMan:
LOL. I’ll
make the time, baby.

SexyLady4U:
Gonna tell
the bad guys 2 behave while U play with me?

MissionMan:
Anyone
interrupts me right now-I promise I’ll shoot them.

SexyLady4U:
Finn! Don’t
even joke like that.

MissionMan:
Who’s joking?
My cock is hard as steel for U. The fool that interrupts us will suffer. OK.
Start telling me those fantasies of yours. And tell me what U R wearing right
now.

SexyLady4U:
Oh, I think U
would approve. White lace thong, matches my low-cut bra. Also wearing my thigh
length baby blue satin robe 2 ward off the chilly evening air.

MissionMan:
U know U R
killing me here.

SexyLady4U:
LOL. Then
don’t ask ?’s U can’t handle, tough guy.

MissionMan:
Go ahead. Be
naughty all U want now. I’m keeping notes. And if I were there, baby, U
wouldn’t need any damn frilly robe to keep U warm.

SexyLady4U:
Oh, yeah?

MissionMan:
Yeah! Pretty
hard 4 UR sexy body to get a chill with mine lying over it.

SexyLady4U:
U have such a
way with words. LOL. Got my long hair loose and just waiting 4 UR hands to pull
it.

MissionMan:
Mmmm. Love
long hair. Gives me something 2 pull U close. And keep U close so I can have my
way with U.

SexyLady4U:
Really? And
what way would that B, Finn?

MissionMan:
U tell me,
Emma. I’ve been asking 4 UR damn fantasies. Now tell me what U dream of me
doing 2 U.

SexyLady4U:
Maybe it’s
what I dream of any man doing 2 me. Still wanna hear?

MissionMan:
Hell, yes! I
know it’s me U fantasize about touching U. No one else.

SexyLady4U:
Ah, true.
There’s no other man. Besides, I think U R spoiling me 4 other men with UR sexy
attentions.

MissionMan:
Good 2 know.
Wouldn’t want 2 kill the bastard.

SexyLady4U:
Finn! Don’t
talk like that.

MissionMan:
Get 2 those
fantasies B 4 I have something else to spank U 4.

SexyLady4U:
When will U
learn that’s no threat?

MissionMan:
Emma.