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Category: Romance
Description: Four extraordinary men will do anything for the women in their lives. A Kiss on the Lips by Giselle Carmichael. Marine Staff Sergeant Cree Novak has one objective in mind, winning back the love of Jaxon Alexander, the one one woman he can't forget only to have his career get in the way one more time. Alana Mitchel is turning thirty and feeling depressed. Best friend Kellan travers decides to show her that being more than friends is just what she needs in Fight For Me by Kelley Nyrae. Pamela Leigh Starr's Collide undercover DEA agent Yancy DeWolf is after Ambria Soublet when she grabs a Mardi Gras trinket that plunges her into danger and Yancy has to save her. Mardi Gras in New Orleans will never be the same again. Reese Green applies for a Big Brother for her son and gets more than she bargained for when martial arts expert J.T. Austin shows up at her doorstep in Champion by Eve Vaughn.
eBook Publisher: Parker Publishing, Inc./Noire Fever, 2010 2010
eBookwise Release Date: March 2010

31 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [336 KB]
Words: 78335
Reading time: 223-313 min.

A Kiss on the Lips

CHAPTER ONE

Marine Staff Sergeant Cree Novak parked his Ford F-150 outside the Landon Key Civic Center and shut off the engine. Picking up the invitation in the passenger seat, he read it again and just like the first time, anger like he had never known overcame him. He leaned back in his seat trying to bring his emotions under control. He allowed his thoughts to wander back to a month ago. He had been notified of his next assignment, one that would guarantee a promotion to Gunnery Sergeant, a big feat for someone twenty-eight. But with one trip to the mailroom everything had changed.

He had sat on his bunk staring at the black script type with disbelief then anger had consumed him at the audacity. Finally he was left to face some real truths about himself and his life. He had convinced himself the Corps was all important and the rest would wait; however, the invitation had placed everything into perspective. He had immediately returned to his office picking up the telephone making a decision. Calling in every favor he had coming, as of yesterday morning, he was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. The sudden decision and the swiftness of his actions had surprised all those who knew him, or thought they knew him. His buddy, Jared Lighthorse had stared with disbelief when he returned from Afghanistan, back to the base and told him of his decision to be released early from his extension.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jared had asked. He had stood stiff and a bit pensive.

"Very sure." He had continued to shove the last of his things into his duffle bag. He had glanced around the room of his temporary living quarters one last time and spotted the invitation on the desk. Walking over, he picked up the white envelope.

"Is that it?"

"Yeah."

Jared had pulled the envelope from his fingers. He stood there reading what was printed on the card inside. When he concluded reading, he had looked at him a bit angry and a great deal disappointed. "Do you realize you're throwing away a career not to mention a well deserved promotion?"

Cree turned on him, nailing him with a stare. "I've defended my country honorably for ten years. I went when and where they wanted me, no questions asked, and no thought for anyone else. It's my time now. Time for me to fight for what's important to me. That promotion won't keep me warm at night."

"Is that what you're worried about? I can call up a few ladies to keep your bed warm any night of the week."

Cree rolled his eyes and stomped across the floor to retrieve the envelope. "There's only one woman I want warming my bed."

"Yeah, don't I know, but is she worth you throwing everything away? Hell man, she split right after you left."

"Yes, she's worth it, and a great deal more. She is everything to me. I didn't realize that before, but I do now."

It was amazing how clear things became when you were close to losing them. Throwing open the truck door and stepping out he had no intention of losing. One thing the Marine Corps had taught him was how to establish an objective, strategize, prepare, and implement a plan of action, and now was no different. Losing wasn't an option. Closing the door, he easily slipped into fighting mode, the objective front and center in his mind. His emotions were of no use here as they would distract, and cause him to be careless in action. A warrior didn't win by being careless. He had to make every word and action count if his plan was to work.

Walking across the parking lot he was well aware of the numerous cars. The event was obviously well attended and in full swing. He stepped onto the sidewalk realizing this was the most important mission of his life. Pulling open the door, he placed his hat under his arm and followed the sound of music to the open doors of Ballroom One. Taking surveillance of the room, he recognized several familiar faces, a majority of those he called friend. He knew his presence would cause a commotion, but it was unavoidable. He moved through the crowd passing an old classmate. A quick nod in the man's direction and he moved on searching the room. Loud male laughter drew his attention. A quick survey of the professional dressed men, he zeroed in on one in particular, knowing he had identified the enemy. He was the rooster with his chest stuck out. Ignoring his special forces training of taking out the enemy before being detected, he gave the man one final glance before moving on.

A few more casual nods then a familiar sensation similar to radar directed him to the right. Standing with three very familiar faces was the woman he was searching for. His heart did what it always did when she was near. It thumped heavily against his ribs, sending blood rushing to his groin. His nostrils flared as though scenting her, and the room fell away as he stood there looking at her.

She had changed since he had last seen her. The long hair he remembered running his fingers through was gone. A halo of springy auburn curls framed her round dark brown face now, an extreme change that was sexy as well as mature. She had always looked younger than she was and the new style helped her to look her age of twenty-eight. Expressive chocolate brown eyes stared back at him, sparking with a mixture of longing and anger. God, he had missed her. His eyes dropped to her small stubborn mouth painted in a dark cherry lipstick that would stain his cock. The idea had him growing heavy. The square neckline of the cherry-wine dress fell temptingly across the swells of her lush breasts and his mouth watered. He remembered the taste of her small nipples on his tongue. He ran his eyes down the length of her body before returning to her face. It was then he noticed her defiant dimpled chin hike higher. She was pissed, probably had a good reason to be so, but he was overjoyed to be back home. Two solid years in the desert with no leave time was the only thing preventing him from coming back to her, especially after his phone calls went unanswered or returned. His emails were deleted unread and the gifts he had mailed were left at his mother's home. But he was back now and God help anyone that got in his way.