A Million Wishes Read online

  She followed suit and began eating too, moaning when she tasted the delicious home cooked food. “Mmm your mom makes the best country fried anything that I’ve ever tasted.

  He nodded and laughed. “I know. She’s planning on fattening me up, says I’m too skinny. I told her she can’t make me too fat or I won’t be able to wear my prosthetic anymore, and I don’t think I can hop around at 300 pounds.

  Miki giggled and nodded. “I’ll probably gain 5 pounds this weekend just eating dinner here. Not cool.”

  He grinned and reached over and touched her cheek. “You would be gorgeous still so it wouldn’t even matter if you gained 20. You’ll still be my perfect Miki girl.”

  Blushing she took a sip of her tea, reaching over to touch a place on the left side of his neck. “What’s that from Noah?”

  He absently reached up and touched the scar, running his hand over hers, bringing it to his lips and kissing her palm.

  “Shrapnel from the IED, I have a lot of those marks all down that side of my body.”

  Unsure of the right words to convey how she felt she simply nodded, leaning over and kissing the scar gently. She didn’t stop there though. Her lips moved slowly up his neck, nibbled along his jaw until she reached his mouth and kissed him. When she broke the kiss he cleared his throat and growled.

  “If a scar gets me a kiss like that I can show you all the others I have and claim each kiss I deserve…” His grin was wicked and made her laugh.

  “Noah Cane you are a rascal through and through, shame on you for teasing a sweet girl like me.” He laughed and cupped the back of her head in his hand and kissed her again, only breaking away when she whimpered. The sexy sound was enough to make him instantly hard and he wanted very badly to toss her over his shoulder and take her to bed. Bad thing was, he couldn’t. How was he supposed to sweep her off her feet when he had crutches to maneuver with? It was just another thing to add to his frustrations, to add to the list of what he couldn’t do for her, at least not for a while.

  Licking over her kiss swollen lips she nodded at the food. “If you’re done I’ll put this up. I’m saving room for Vivi’s peach pie.” Grinning at him she brushed her mouth to his once more.

  “Mmm yes, I think two dinners is enough for one night, now I’m just hungry for dessert.” He had that lopsided grin again that melted her into a puddle. The innuendo was clear, he wanted her for dessert, and it thrilled her he was flirting with her like that.

  Rising, she took the dishes of food into the kitchen and covered them, smiling at him when he came in carrying their plates and putting them in the sink running hot soapy water in it. Everything stashed away, she took down two bowls and put a slice of peach pie in them, warming them in the microwave while she got out the ice cream. Watching him from behind Miki felt a sense of pride as he leaned against the counter and washed their plates and forks. He was strong. He wouldn’t let anything hold him back. If it was at all possible she fell even more in love with him. They were quiet while he dried the plates and put them up and she scooped ice cream. Next thing she knew he was coming up behind her, his arms wrapped her waist and he pressed tight against her and she purred, laying her head back on his chest.

  He leaned his head down and took her mouth with his, licking over her lips and rubbing his hands over her stomach, squeezing her to him. His hips were pressed to her bottom and she could feel his thickness nuzzled against her softness. Instinctively she pushed her bottom back against his groin and rubbed, loving the way he growled and rubbed back. Turning in his arms she tip toed up and kissed him harder, deeper, biting his bottom lip like he kept doing to her until he growled and pushed her back gently but firmly, abruptly turning to lean against the counter facing away from her.

  “You are young and innocent Miki but you are playing with fire babydoll. Keep doing that and you’ll find yourself flat on your back, naked, getting fucked like you’ve never even dreamed of before.”

  She gasped and bit her bottom lip, his words both setting her on fire and nearly frightening her at the same time. Unsure of what to say she just whispered. “I’m sorry Noah. It just, it just felt so good. I've missed you so much.”

  He groaned audibly and turned to her, picking up his bowl and walking back into the dining room, leaning heavily on his crutches. Quickly she put the ice cream in the freezer and followed him.

  Sitting next to him she bumped him with her shoulder and took a bite. He smiled and bumped her back. It was something they had done many times and it usually ended up in a playful wrestling match. This time she elbowed him and he missed his mouth and smeared ice cream over his chin and she started giggling until he grabbed her and pulled her to him and rubbed the sticky sweetness on her mouth and cheek. His eyes darkened then and his tongue slid over her sticky skin licking off every bit of the mess and kissing her deeply, teeth scraping her lips. This time it was her that pulled back. He thought it was to stop the intense kisses, it was too much too fast, but he very nearly died when her pink little tongue darted out and licked his chin, flicking over the corner of his mouth, and then tracing his bottom lip. For a moment his heart stopped but her giggle snapped him out of it and he remembered to breathe.

  “You little vixen.”

  She laughed then and picked up their bowls, heading for the kitchen with an added sway to her hips. He knew then and there that she was trying to kill him. He could survive Navy SEAL training, he could survive war and losing his leg but Noah wasn’t sure if he could survive his Miki girl flirting so wickedly, wiggling her hips and licking his mouth like that. At least he’d die a happy man. So what did he do? What any self-respecting man in love did, he followed her like a puppy.

  “Is your bag in your truck babydoll? I can go get it while you finish up in here.”

  “I can go get it when I’m done Noah. It’s just my book bag and an overnight bag.”

  “Just because I lost half my leg doesn’t mean I’m not capable of going to get it for you either.”

  His voice came out gruff and startled her. “Noah I didn’t mean that. I know you can do it.”

  He turned from her and stalked out returning a few minutes later. “Mom fixed the red room up for you; I’ll just take this in there.”

  “Thank you…” she said but he was already halfway down the hall, walking into her room. Following him she nearly ran right into him at the doorway as he was already coming out.

  “There are towels in the bathroom if you want a shower or anything. I’m going to head to bed.” He moved past her and she touched his arm. “Noah, thank you for getting my things, I appreciate it.”

  Nodding he looked away a minute, knowing damn good and well he was acting like an asshole, but he hated feeling like he couldn’t give her what she needed or wanted because of his disability.

  “Look Miki I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just…just still getting used to this.” He pointed at his leg and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry ok babydoll.”

  “You don’t need to apologize to me Noah. It’s ok, really.”

  “Sweet dreams babydoll. I’ll see you at breakfast.” He gave her a soft hug and kissed her cheek.

  “Night Romeo.”

  He grinned at her and turned to walk down the hall to his room.

  Chapter 10

  Warm dreams of wanton kisses and loving so intense she woke up purring; Miki stretched languorously and felt a hard body behind her. She turned her head and smiled as Noah’s arm curled around her waist and pulled her back against him.

  “Good morning babydoll.”

  “Mmm, good morning Romeo…do you always sneak into women’s bed after they fall asleep?”

  He grinned and kissed her nose. “Nope, just yours.”

  Her heart thumped and her cheeks flushed. “Hmm, I admit I’m glad it’s just my bed you’re sneaking into, but since we’re at your parents’ house do you think that’s a good idea?”

  His laugh was wicked and he nipped her ear, whispering “Mmm I’d
risk my Mother’s preaching just to hold your warm little body against mine any day.”

  Laughing she turned to face him and slipped her arms around him, nuzzling her face into his neck, kissing him there. His lips brushed her forehead and he absently reached down rubbing his stump. Her eyes drifted up to his, seeing his eyes closed in a grimace with that little furrow between his eyes.

  “Does it hurt all the time Noah?” Her voice was soft and curious.

  “It’s not as bad as when I first woke up but yeah, sometimes it’s pretty damn uncomfortable. I need to re wrap it. I have to do that 3 or 4 times a day. Since I got my temporary prosthetic it’s been staying sore from getting used to trying to walk on it, keep my balance and strengthening my muscles again.”

  He sat up and started to move off her bed.

  “You don’t have to leave just to re wrap it Noah.” Sitting up she put her hand on his arm.

  He stopped and looked her in the eye. “It’s still pretty ugly Miki.”

  Her heart broke seeing the unsure look on his face. “It’s ok baby. I don’t think there could be anything ugly about you. Your scars are a testimony of you fighting for your country. If anything it makes you even sexier Romeo.” She grinned at him and leaned close, brushing her mouth over his, reaching for his leg and gently sliding the sock off his stump.

  “I want to learn how to help you and what needs to be done to help you heal.”

  He watched her starting to unwrap the bandage. Emotion was thick in his throat because she so sweetly wanted to take care of him. He just gave her a nod and lifted his leg enough so she could finish unwrapping it. Just like each time the pressure of the bandage was released the stump throbbed and made him wince some, reaching to massage down his thigh and over the newly forming end. The point of the bandaging was to form the straight cut and help round it off so you fit a prosthetic better, something to do with balance and all that. He was a strong man, he could handle pain but when her delicate little hands gently stroked down his thigh and rubbed his aching limb it brought tears to his eyes. She was watching his hand and mimicking his movement, trying to sooth away the pain. She didn’t grimace or turn away from the scars; she didn’t look disgusted or show any of the other emotions that others had when they saw it. It was obvious to him then that his Miki girl was only concentrated on making him feel better, not on the ugliness of his wounds.

  “Thank you babydoll.”

  She looked up at him, surprised a little. “For what?”

  “For not running scared or giving me pity, for loving me anyways, despite my injury, and for not looking at me differently.”

  “I admire you, not pity you. You’re a fighter. I just want to help make it better if I can.”

  He nodded. Not trusting his voice just yet. Grasping her hand he kissed it, then scooted to the edge of the bed, reaching for his crutches.

  “Where you going?”

  “I have to get clean bandages to rewrap this with from my room.”

  She crawled out of bed and put her robe on. “I’ll go with you.”

  They made their way to his room and after he sat on the edge of his bed she knelt down on the floor in front of him. With a firm but loving touch she began kneading his thigh muscle again. “Like this? I don’t want to hurt you.”

  He pressed against her fingers, showing her the amount of pressure he needed “I’ll let you know if it’s too much babydoll, thank you baby.”

  Tilting her head forward she kissed his tense thigh, resting her cheek there for a moment before pressing light little kisses across his scars. It was so sweet, so loving that he felt his throat clog up with emotion. Thick fingers threaded through her long red locks caressing her scalp adoringly.

  “You are precious to me Mikayla.”

  She looked up at him and smiled, her eyes damp with emotion. Not trusting her voice not to crack, she just went back to massaging his thigh and knee, her touch turning tenderer when she stroked her hands over his stump. He relaxed and let her care for him. It was amazing how much this tiny little spitfire of a woman could sooth his body, heart and mind. With her around, the darkness wasn’t always in the forefront of his mind. Her light and sweetness overpowered the negativity he had been letting eat at him. Reaching for his ace bandages he showed her how he had to wrap it, crisscrossing it tight but not too tight, rounding it out and slipping the sock over it before putting on his temporary prosthetic and standing, pulling her up with him and wrapping his arms around her waist kissing her tenderly.

  The scents of coffee and bacon frying surrounded them until he groaned, pulling his mouth off hers and grinning.

  “This is tough. Coffee and bacon or more Miki kisses…hmmm decisions decisions.”

  She smacked his chest and took his hand laughing.

  “I vote for coffee.”

  “Ah, a woman after my own heart, how lucky can a guy get?”

  He swatted her behind and followed her down the hall towards the kitchen, stopping and turning back.

  “I forgot something, be right there babydoll.”

  She shrugged and went to the kitchen, hugging Vivi from behind as she flipped bacon and walking over to Matthias and giving him a hug as he read the morning paper.

  “Good morning Mikayla honey. Did you sleep good last night?”

  “I did Vivi. Slept like a baby. Coffee smells so good.”

  Miki got down two mugs filling them to the brim and lacing them with sugar and fresh cream.

  “There’s my handsome boy, how are you feeling today Noah?”

  Vivi hugged and kissed him, smiling and patting his cheek.

  “I slept good Mom. It must be the fresh country air and being surrounded by pretty ladies.”

  They laughed and Miki handed him his coffee. He took a sip and groaned.

  “Elixir of the gods I tell ya. I’ll be outside for a minute babydoll.”

  He kissed her cheek and headed outside.

  “What’s he going out in the cold for? Miki asked, going over to the window and looking out to see if she could spot him.

  “Vivi won’t let him smoke in the house so he’s probably sitting on the porch Mikayla.” Matthias said.

  “What? Smoking? When did he start smoking?” She responded, obviously surprised since Noah had always been a health nut, very conscious of what he put in his body and staying athletic.

  “I think it was after those men died on his watch. It’s not easy dealing with losing your brothers in war. Surviving isn’t easy Mikayla.” She knew that Matthias was speaking from experience. He himself had lost many brothers in war.

  Still yet it irritated the hell out of her that he had picked up the habit. She had lost an aunt and an uncle to lung cancer so seeing anyone she cared for smoking…just set her off. As soon as he walked back inside and sat at the kitchen table and sat his pack of smokes down while she glared over at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you picked up such a disgusting habit?”

  He rolled his eyes at her and shook his head. “Don’t even start with me about that Mikayla.”

  She could tell she hit a nerve and walked over to him. “Don’t even get an attitude with me over it Noah.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest, staring into her bright green eyes that showed her temper flaring up.

  “Pick your battles carefully little girl, this is not one of them.”

  “If you are trying to intimidate me it’s not working. Why are you smoking? Are you just trying to kill yourself now or what? I mean, you survived an IED just to pick up a habit that can give you emphysema or lung cancer so you die a slow death instead of a quick one? Really Noah?"

  “Miki, stop, we aren’t having a conversation about this. I’m a grown damn man and if I want to smoke a damn cigarette I will smoke a damn cigarette!” As he spoke his voice got louder and louder.

  “Oh really, is that so? We aren’t having a conversation about it huh? Well alrighty then. We just won’t talk about it.” She was grinning. He should have known she was up to so
mething when she snatched up his pack of smokes and took off for the kitchen sink and turned the faucet on.

  “Mikayla Johnson don’t you dare!” His voice was gruff and he was quickly making his way too her.

  “Noah Cane you know damn good and well I don’t back down from a dare!” She proved it by sticking the pack under the faucet and smiling sweetly at him. When he grabbed her up and reached for the cigarettes that were now sopping wet, she didn’t relent, but arched her arm and chunked them right in the trash and laughed. “I win!”