You'll Think of Me

By Wendi Zwaduk

The man of her dreams finally came home from the war, but is he still the man she remembers or have his demons changed him forever?

Melanie Roberts loved her best friend more than she could ever imagine, and for longer than she wants to admit. Though once lovers, she's resigned herself to being no more than his best friend and roommate. On the eve of his return from deployment in Iraq, in order to keep her heart from breaking, she decides she's moving on—after one last sexy night.

Cade Nicholson has come to a decision. As he comes home damaged in both body and soul from his latest deployment, all he wants is to find comfort in Melanie's arms. Unsure and unsteady in expressing his love to the only woman to hold his heart, he has to find a way to convince her of his true feelings.

Can two best friends overcome their demons to prove their love for one another before past decisions come back to haunt them and it's too late?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Nov 22, 2010
• ISBN: 9780857153418

Wendi Zwaduk

Wendi Zwaduk is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to BDSM and LGBTQ themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com and the former AllRomance Ebooks. She also writes under the name of Megan Slayer. When she’s not writing, she spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Page

You’ll Think of Me

ISBN # 978-0-85715-341-8

©Copyright Wendi Zwaduk 2017

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright October 2017

Edited by Jess Bimberg

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2017 by Totally Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, UK

Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 2.

YOU’LL THINK OF ME

Wendi Zwaduk

The man of her dreams finally came home from the war, but is he still the man she remembers or have his demons changed him forever?

Melanie Roberts loved her best friend more than she could ever imagine, and for longer than she wants to admit. Though once lovers, she’s resigned herself to being no more than his best friend and roommate. On the eve of his return from deployment in Iraq, in order to keep her heart from breaking, she decides she's moving on—after one last sexy night.

Cade Nicholson has come to a decision. As he comes home damaged in both body and soul from his latest deployment, all he wants is to find comfort in Melanie’s arms. Unsure and unsteady in expressing his love to the only woman to hold his heart, he has to find a way to convince her of his true feelings.

Can two best friends overcome their demons to prove their love for one another before past decisions come back to haunt them and it’s too late?

Dedication

To CM for the endless hours of critiquing.

For Kevin, so I owe you another one…

To JPZ, You’ll Think of Me as long as I’m thinking about you—forever.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Formica: The Diller Corporation

Lear: Bombardier Aerospace

Hallmark: Hallmark Cards, Inc.

NASCAR: NASCAR

Diet Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

Chapter One

I’m still his housemate, not his personal chauffeur.

Melanie Roberts stood by the ticket counter at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport for her friends to arrive. Waiting by the gates ensured she’d see them faster than if she stayed on the lower level by the baggage claims. She mumbled to herself as she gazed at the empty gateway. I don’t know why I let him talk me into this. A woman turned, glaring at Melanie, who shrugged. Who am I kidding? I can’t wait for Cade to return.

The air in the terminal enveloped her in a personal sauna. What had happened to the high-dollar air-conditioning system mentioned in the local newspaper? She fanned herself, trying to remember whether she’d put on deodorant this morning. Beads of sweat trickled between her breasts and dampened her bra. She blew out a puff of air and tucked her humidity-frizzed hair back under her hat.

An announcer interrupted her private sweltering. Flight two-two-three-three from Dulles is on a thirty-minute delay due to heavy thunderstorms. Repeat, flight two-two-three-three from Dulles is on a thirty-minute delay.

Melanie removed her ball cap. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. Her ruby ring caught on a few strands and she cursed under her breath. She replaced the tattered hat and tucked her hair under the frayed edges. Her heart thudded, making it hard to breathe. Her boys, Cade and Rhett, weren’t on that particular flight. She checked the nearby screen. Flight one-five-two-seven from JFK International Airport—their flight—was already on the ground and in the process of debarking.

Any time now, guys…

In the distance, someone’s cell phone played an old country tune, He Loved Me, and took her back to a time when things had been much simpler and her heart hadn’t been broken. She hummed a few bars and scanned the crowd once more.

The image of Cade and the words to the song stuck fast in her mind. If he hadn’t cheated, he’d still be mine… She fidgeted with the ruby ring and fought off the anxiousness that naturally came when she waited for him to return from a deployment. Nervous energy sizzled through her veins as she cracked her knuckles. She didn’t know what else to do with her hands when she couldn’t watch the world through the safety of her camera lens.

Where were they?

A barrage of laughter rang in Melanie’s ears and a shimmer of excitement slipped through her. She knew that baritone—Staff Sergeant Rhett Ione.

Give me sugar, Melanie!

Opening her arms, she turned. Rhett! How’s my guy?

Crushing her in his grasp, he whirled her around. You make coming home a blast, little girl!

When he plopped her back onto her feet, she continued to clutch his biceps. I missed you, but where is Cade? I thought you got leave together?

Rhett tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. Leave, yes. The same flight, no. Cade flew out of Germany and I came straight from the Gulf.

Embarrassed by her lack of tact, she averted her gaze. Rhett tipped her chin. Hey, I know you missed me, but you have a thing for him. But I’m still one of your best friends and only passing through. Chill. He’s due to land—he glanced at his all-weather watch—in a moment or two.

Melanie sighed. She opened her mouth to speak, when a voice from behind interrupted her.

Excuse me?

Ginnifer Larkin stood a foot away and narrowed her green eyes. Are you here to give them a ride? She folded her arms and shifted her weight. The pale yellow sundress clung to her slender figure and accentuated her pert breasts. Her silky caramel-colored hair fell around her shoulders.

Why the hell did Cade’s fuck-friend have to show up? Melanie forced a smile to her lips. I’m taking them home, yes. Speaking under her breath so no one but Rhett would hear, she mumbled. Just like an ex would…

Ginnifer chewed her ruby-red bottom lip. We never broke up, you know. Her eyes lit up and a smile brightened her heart-shaped face. You’re home!

When Melanie tried to turn, a pair of strong arms enfolded her and restricted her movement. Warm breath tickled her cheek and the scratch of day-old whiskers abraded her neck. While her legs turned to jelly, her heart raced. Desire pooled low in her belly.

I missed you, Mel, Cade said.

Melanie shivered and let his bass voice rumble in her ears. Every nerve ending in her body stood at attention as his woodsy scent wrapped around her. She turned to stare into the most intense set of chocolate brown eyes. She’d wait an entire lifetime for this picture-perfect man. Cade Nicholson, she whispered.

Someone taped Melanie on the shoulder. Excuse me.

Melanie recognized the voice and ignored Ginnifer. She was too lost in Cade to care. He cupped her jaw, giving her his famous crooked grin that never failed to make her blood pressure surge and her nipples harden. How’s my girl?

Shoving between Cade and Melanie, Ginnifer planted crimson lip prints all over his cheek. I’m fine, Cade. I missed you, too. I’m so glad you’re safe.

As he caught Ginnifer in a one-armed hug, Cade never took his eyes off Melanie. He clenched his jaw. Hi, Ginn. You didn’t need to drive all the way out here to see us, but I’m glad you did.

Heather James said she heard you’d be coming home. Ginnifer giggled. Her voice came out in the high-pitched squeak of a child. "I wanted to see you. The newspapers said you were nearly killed. I couldn’t let you come home to no one. I’m the welcoming committee. Your special welcoming committee."

Stepping back, Cade released Ginnifer. His brows wrinkled. He wiped his cheek with the heel of his hand. But, Ginny, we split over a year ago. You told me you couldn’t love a man in uniform. Did you change your mind?

Tears moistened her cheeks. Ginnifer fluttered her hand in the air. It just scares me when you go away. I’m afraid you’ll be hurt or killed and I’ll never see you again.

Melanie groaned. Ginn would have to show up expecting immediate attention. Damn the man’s need for so many lovers.

Rhett sauntered up to Cade. I heard you tell him those exact words, Ginn. I thought you two were over.

Ginnifer smoothed her hair away from her face as she pressed her lips together and stepped up to Cade. She shoved her breasts out, rubbing her turgid nipples on his chest. Well, I didn’t mean it. But why didn’t you tell Melanie we’re patching things up? I mean, she drove all the way out here for nothing.

Cade exchanged a confused glance with Rhett, who gripped Melanie in a tight hug. I wasn’t sure if we were getting back together. I’m sorry.

Rhett kissed Melanie’s temple and whispered, Ignore her.

How? Melanie clamped her mouth shut. If she said anything, it’d be something she’d regret. But ignoring Ginnifer-I’ll-screw-anything-in-pants-Larkin wouldn’t happen.

Inching toward her, Cade clasped Melanie’s hand. Ginny, how was I to know your feelings, unless you told me? I planned to spend time with Melanie and Rhett.

As she backed away, Ginnifer dropped her hands. Well, when you’re ready to come back to me, I might be there, but then again, I might not be. Who knows? She flipped her highlighted tresses over her shoulder, spun on her heel and strode away.

Cade closed his eyes and scrubbed a hand over his face. I’m sorry you witnessed that, Melanie. Although I’m not sure why she showed up. We had some good times, but nothing too thrilling.

Melanie wriggled from Rhett’s grasp. She wrapped her arms around Cade’s waist. She keeps calling and looking for you. I sort of expected her to butt in.

Rhett folded his arms. Ginnifer has shitty timing, Cade. What you saw in her, I’ll never know.

Cade stroked Melanie’s jaw with the pad of his thumb. Look, I’ve had a long ride home. I’m whipped and don’t feel like dealing with much of anything. Let’s head home.

Melanie grasped his T-shirt. You’re right. We should get moving. I have a big surprise for you.

So let’s put the truck into drive. Rhett’s muscle-corded arms curled around her, pressing her tightly into Cade’s solid chest. I haven’t had a good threesome in years. You, me and Mel. What do you say?

Without thinking, Melanie spoke Since you asked, good idea.

Cade’s lips hovered