Captured Pleasure: The Chasers, #5

By Tanya Sands

**All royalties from the sales of this book to be donated to Honor the Sacrifice, an organization that aids military veterans and their families.**
Bradley Michaels moves to the west coast to be closer to his family. Through a military commitment he meets a young woman who immediately grabs his interest. Thinking they have a connection, he is shocked when he sees her with someone from his past.
Kellee Drake snags a great opportunity to not only be part of a great charity fundraiser for Honor the Sacrifice but a chance to get her name out there. Through this gig she meets two guys and is instantly attracted to both. Thinking the worst of herself, it isn’t until the three of them are together that things get curiously interesting.
Ayden Jones lost his best friend in high school over a relationship. Or rather a lack thereof. But the suggestion freaked his friend out. Years later a simple photo shoot brings them together.
Can Bradley and Ayden mend their friendship and find love with Kellee? Can Kellee come to terms with her feelings for both men?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tanya Sands
• Release date: Jan 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386735328

Tanya Sands

Tanya Sands is the pseudonym of a stay-at-home mom who, having written but not published short stories for years, finally took the leap and published her passion. When she’s not writing she’s raising her 2 young boys and 3 furbabies while her husband supports them all by driving all over the country as a long haul truck driver. She is the youngest of 6 and a proud vet of the US Air Force.

Book preview

Chapter One

Captain Hill, I’m thrilled Honor the Sacrifice would choose me for this project. If you could get me the list of the twelve men and women who were chosen to be showcased, I will get right on my travel arrangements to meet with them and get the shots I need. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

Kellee Drake barely controlled the squeal as she spoke to the liaison who was assigned to the project Behind Daily Uniforms. Men and women from different branches of the military were chosen to be in a calendar that would be sold to raise money for the well-known military/veterans charity organization empowering veterans and their families.

She had heard about the calendar project from a friend of hers, whose time constraints wouldn’t permit him to participate. Jerry had taught her everything she knew about being a ‘shutterbug’ and was a good friend to her. Kellee had made a name for herself by a stroke of luck. Now, despite her young age of twenty-four, she’s sought after for her knack of getting the shot most photographers would give a left nut for.

Kellee had wanted on this project so badly she could almost taste it. Honor the Sacrifice had helped her only uncle. Her dad’s brother, Steve was her favorite person. Though she was close to her parents, Uncle Steve was always her hero. Whenever he left for deployment it devastated her, yet it made her want to make his homecoming as special as she could. But when he came home from his last tour he had been changed. He was withdrawn and surly—snapping at her and her parents—if he acknowledged them at all.

The sight of him constantly cleaning his gun scared her. But it was when she heard him late one night—when she was supposed to be sleeping—telling her parents he and they would be better off if he weren’t around any longer. Though his words were generalized, it was his tone that worried her. She remembered going online and finding out suicide among veterans was rampant, that a movement called 22 a Day was circulating.

Somehow she came across the website for Honor the Sacrifice. Kellee immediately could feel hope build in her. She had wondered if he would be willing to contact them. She remembered printing out pages from the website and leaving them where he slept and had been encouraged when he gave her a sly smile, waving those same papers to her the day after she did it. Soon after Uncle Steve had her and her parents sit down and talk to him. He told them how he had contacted HTS and his help was in its infancy, but he already felt a glimmer of hope building. Because of HTS’ intervention, Uncle Steve hadn’t become a statistic.

And that was why having been chosen meant so much to her. And why he was the first she would call. Hearing his voice, she felt pride in herself for finally having a way to help the organization that gave her uncle back to her. 

Well, hello there, Lolly.

That nickname always made Kellee smile. Uncle Steve was always telling her she was sweet as a lollipop. No matter how old she got, she would always cherish that nickname.

Uncle Steve! I’ve got news. Like really big news.

Yeah? Hit me, girly.

Kellee could tell this might be one of Uncle Steve’s down days. He had them, though they weren’t as debilitating as they were before HTS got involved. Everyone had bad days now and again. It made her news that much more important to her.

I’m going to be doing photo shoots for a calendar.

You gonna do a kitten calendar? ‘Cuz you know those little furballs are so fucking cute. Ooh, or maybe puppies. Tell me you’re gonna do puppies.

Kellee laughed at his even-toned voice, coated with underlying humor. She began to tell him about the project and what it would involve. She told him about the concept, the men and women she would be photographing and the different locations. Her excitement in the whole thing was obvious.

Lolly, that is fantastic. I’m so proud of you. I’ve been telling you for years how you’ve got a fuckin’ eye for things.

She smiled to herself. Uncle Steve had, in fact, been telling her and anyone who would listen about her photos. Most of the time she believed him, but there were times she doubted her talent, doubted herself. Was lonely, even. She had to harden herself and not allow anyone to think of her as a shrinking violet, and so far, she’d succeeded. What she lacked, though, was a social life. She’d not had any kind of male company in quite some time. One night stands were just not her thing and her concentration was on making a name for herself in the industry, so dating was out. She had made do with her BOB or battery operated boyfriend for so long and convinced herself the right man would come along when the timing was right.

Having hung up from her talk with Uncle Steve—the room quiet as a library—she was startled by her Basenji yodeling at her. Yes, a yodeling dog. She’d not had a choice when she got her service dog, but since receiving Sukari, which meant sugar in Swahili, the yodeling had become endearing to her. The dog had been trained to pick up the subtle scent differences when her sugar levels were off. Before getting Sukari, Kellee had several instances where her sugar level was so far off and she was found unconscious or having a seizure.

Kellee’s dad had been a foreign diplomat and was able to get her the service dog through his contacts. Since her dad’s friend, a former Army Ranger like him, owned a company that trained the dogs, Sukari was trained in his off time so the training had been free. But knowing how so many suffer from the debilitating disease, her dad donated enough money to ‘Uncle’ Mike’s business so that a few very needy diabetics could have the same advantage as she did.

What’s up, baby?

An answering warbled yodel had Kellee pulling out her lancing device to prick her finger. Sure enough, her sugar levels were a bit high. She had to be careful because stress can push her right into a high blood sugar level. She’d have to watch that very carefully. She’d been informed by her doctor as long as she kept her weight to a healthy level and followed a strict diet, she wouldn’t have to be dependent on insulin. And since Sukari came into her life it was just an added defense against any serious episodes. She just wished that strict diet helped her slim down, but it hadn’t.

Kellee grabbed a handful of raw almonds and started munching. Within fifteen minutes or so Sukari had left her side and lay where she could still keep an eye on her mistress. Too excited about the upcoming calendar, Kellee picked up her phone and dialed Jerry. She hoped she didn’t catch him at a bad time. She just never knew with him.

Hello? Breathless and laughing softly, Jerry answered his phone.

Jerry? Did...am I interrupting anything important?

Baby girl, if I were to go into detail about what you are interrupting, your beautiful sun-kissed face would blush like a nun in a strip joint.

She heard another male voice and couldn’t make out what was said, but both men laughed suggestively. Jerry O’Connor and his husband, Alan, were vacationing in Hawaii. Kellee was jealous, but Jerry so deserved it. He had the love of his life and a very successful business, the vacation was a long time coming. Alan had been patiently waiting for years for Jerry to have the time. Of course, Jerry had done his own waiting since Alan had just finished his internship at UC San Diego.

Jerry? I got news today. She held her breath wanting to drag it out.

Sugar, if you don’t tell me now, Alan and I won’t bring you back the souvenir we got you. And I know you’re going to love it, so think before you tease me.

You’re bringing me back a present? From Hawaii? Please tell me it’s a local guy with bulging muscles and thick hair. I could really use one of those.

Kellee and Jerry had met when she had answered his ad for an assistant. Well, actually the ad had been worded as ‘someone to fetch, not say a word unless asked, and overall do whatever the hell I say’. She had contacted him to agree he could use and abuse her as his assistant all he wanted if he also allowed her to be considered his intern. Luckily for her he agreed and a special friendship formed along the way.

"Do not change the subject, girly. Spill it. You said you’ve got news, so tell me or I’m hanging up and your surprise gets given to the first tourist I see." As he sarcastically answered she heard a ding on her computer.

Laughing, she couldn’t hold it in any longer, I got it! I got the calendar project!

"Well now, toots, was there any doubt? I told them if they couldn’t have the best—yeah, that would be me—then they needed the next best—you! After all, I did teach you everything I know. Congrats, babygirl!" She heard Alan in the background shouting the same.

After hanging up, she walked to her desk, and remembered the message. With excitement coursing through her, she saw the email from Captain Hill. Clicking it open, she noticed the locations of her subjects and that two of the guys were actually in her general area. Quickly, she fired off an email to the first on the list who seemed to be further out, a Bradley Michaels. With only a two and half hour drive up the coast to L.A., she could make a day of it. She hadn’t been to L.A. in so long. Awesome! She would be part of a great project and she’d be able to be close to home when she’s done.

***

Brad looked at his watch and cursed. His TMO or transportation moving officer said the truck would be there that day to load up his things. And yet, the crew hadn’t arrived yet. He was due to get on a plane for California tomorrow and his place was all packed up, ready for the move. He was going to buy a condo in D.C. where he was currently stationed, but his long standing transfer request for the West Coast came through. He’d put in for a California base a while ago and had held no hope of it happening. Just as he was about to sign the mortgage papers on a condo in D.C., his orders came through. Thankfully he’d not put any kind of a binding bid down.

Feeling his phone buzz in his back pocket, he pulled it out and saw he had an email. Sent from a ‘[e-mail]’. Sighing, he sat on the step outside his apartment and clicked on the email to open it. At first the email made no sense. Something about scheduling a photo shoot? What the hell was going on? Then it clicked. Damn! About three months back he’d been approached by his commanding officer about a calendar of military members. All those involved would be volunteers which would prevent any loss of revenue for the project, allowing for more to be given to Honor the Sacrifice.

What the hell was he going to do now? He’d said he’d do it because his mom taught him to help whenever possible, because time is free to give, at least for some. Besides, he wasn’t one to back out of something he agreed to do, even if he forgot about it. He had no family other than his mother, the dads, his brother and sister-in-law out in California. When he wasn’t on duty and wasn’t at the gym he had time, so yeah, he donated it.

So now a photographer would need to be cleared at the shelter he arranged to volunteer at. All for the sake of some damn calendar. He immediately felt bad for thinking like that. Hell, if it were within his power, he’d do anything for a brother/sister in arms. He shocked even himself when his CO mentioned the project and he jumped at it. Of course, at that time he had forgotten his transfer request. Oh well, it would be something else for his brother to bust on him about. He just hoped this guy didn’t make him undress too much. Although he doubted the military would allow anything too risqué.

So now he had to think about reporting for duty with his new CO. They’d give some time to adjust and get settled but not as much as he’d like. It would have been awesome to go to San Diego and see his mom, but he wouldn’t have time to do that for a while, until he’s really settled. Which reminded him, he had to contact the director at the facility he found close to the apartment that was being held for him.

He hadn’t told his mother or brother of his assignment or the significance. He had applied and been accepted to the AFOSI, Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Granted, as a lieutenant and new to it despite his legal background, he’d be at the bottom of the ladder. He had no problem gaining the experience and climbing that ladder, though. Goals are good for a person.

With all the preparations for his move, a very important thing he made sure he took care of was his connection with a shelter. Hell, it’s the reason I’ve got to do a photo shoot. Mentally he rolled his eyes. More than likely what he’d have to do is be followed around by some guy with a camera catching every damn move.

With a sigh, he looked at the email he got from the Drake guy to see what he had to say.

Lt. Michaels,

I received your name from Capt. Hill, my liaison for Honor the Sacrifice, in regards to the calendar they have planned. He has informed me you are assigned to the Los Angeles Air Force Base. I am about two to three hours from you and would like to make arrangements for at least a day to get the shots of you and your downtime activity.

If you could please contact me at your earliest convenience, that would be most appreciated.

K. Drake

Well hell, he thinks I’m already in the L.A. area. He’s going to have to wait, though. Bradley’s priorities were his responsibilities to the Air Force, his family, his volunteering. Then, and only then, would he meet up with this Drake. Making sure he was at his best physically, mentally and all around was important to help make sure his part in the calendar was the best he could give.

***

Ayden Jones stepped outside the building at his new base. He’d just left his CO’s office and was given a bit of leeway since he wouldn’t have a new class starting until the following week. With the transfer to Camp Pendleton, close to San Diego, he’d had mixed feelings. He’d arrived a couple weeks prior and had been going through orientation to the base and his new MOS or military occupational specialty. In other words, his job.

As a kid he grew up in the San Diego area. He’d graduated and had expected to enlist with his best friend at the time, Bradley Michaels. While he did indeed enlist, he lost touch with Brad. He remembered exactly why and when things got awkward. They’d been inseparable in middle school then into high school, liking the same kind of music and sports. The biggest commonality was, despite the other guys their age chasing the slender cheerleaders, Ayden and Bradley had pursued the curvier girls in junior and senior class.

One particular girl had both of their attention. He remembered coming upon Brad kissing the girl. For a bit all he could do was watch. The need to join in hit him hard. To feel her body sandwiched between theirs. Neither he nor Brad were gay, at least as far Ayden knew Brad wasn’t gay. Not that it mattered, his friend could have been bisexual and he wouldn’t have cared. After he had seen the two together he and Brad had talked. When he told Brad he saw them, his friend merely smiled and said she was hot. Agreeing, Ayden took it one step further by confessing he’d have joined them if they both were into it.

Brad had turned red and at first had a confused look on his face, then he backed up a step and said he wasn’t gay. With an uncomfortable, short laugh, Ayden said not in that way, but to be with the girl at the same time as Brad. The look in his friend’s eyes when he alluded to sharing gave him hope, until it was shot down like a window being slammed shut and Brad tersely said he wasn’t into that.

Looking back, sure the whole sharing thing had come about because of his teenage hormones, but the more he thought about it the more it became a desire to share a life with his best friend and a woman who could love them both.

With a shake of his head to disperse the memory, he went to his motorcycle and rode home. He’d enlisted in the Marines right after high school and ended up deploying overseas almost right away. The things he saw were horrific, but it was his duty to his country. He was able to take classes when he was back stateside and it helped with his moving up in rank. His hard work paid off, reaching Warrant Officer or WO and now a Range Officer—which wasn’t a rank but a job title. All those years, though, all he could think and wonder about was what would have happened if he and Brad had shared a woman.

Back home, his phone chirped and he opened up his email. There was the email his commander had told him to be on the lookout for. He’d been kind of embarrassed about being asked to ‘volunteer’ to do a photo shoot, but when they told him where all the proceeds would go to he agreed. He had a couple of friends who had been injured when he served overseas and HTS worked really well with them. To know all he would have to do was get his photo taken for a calendar to help out, he was okay with it.

Beer in hand, he sat, boxes still stacked waiting for him to unpack, and read the email:

WO Jones,

I have received your name from Capt. Hill, my liaison for Honor the Sacrifice, in regards to the calendar they have planned. From the information given to me, you are stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. I'm not far from there and would like to schedule a time to meet up with you.

If you could please contact me at your earliest convenience, that would be most appreciated.

K. Drake

***

Kellee was checking the list over and figuring out what her plan of attack would be for her travel. She was hoping the two guys here in California wouldn’t mind going last. It might be nice to just come home after their shoots. She would be travelling all over the US to get the other shoots done. And since this project had cooperation with the DOD or Department of Defense, all branches of the military would be involved.

She would be hitting so many different regions, some states she’d never been to before, which made this project even more exciting for her. She planned on spending a few days in each location to be able to ensure she got the shots she needed and to even give her a chance to play tourist. When she looked back at the detailed email from Captain Hill she saw she had a six-month deadline. Which meant she would have to start making arrangements within the week.

This was going to be so awesome. Good for HTS, maybe good for the military member—depending on how they looked at it—and phenomenal for her career, even though that part for her was minor. Thank goodness she could afford all this travel. Sure, everything would be a tax write off, opportunities like this hardly ever came along for most, and for her it probably wouldn’t at all if Jerry hadn’t talked to the committee and recommended her.

Chapter Two

Bradley was on the back deck watching Colton and Ashley play with the twins. Beer in hand, he was deep in thought. He had arrived a couple of days prior to reporting for duty at his new base and when he found out he wouldn’t report right away, decided at least a day trip to San Diego was in order. Only unpacking a few things, he left most of the boxes as