“Does Joe know you got his badge?”
“Shut it, Larry. You glare at people and don’t talk,” she fires back and I shake with laughter while Larry goes back to glaring at us.
“I’ll help you ladies find it.” A man steps in front of us and he looks to be about my age. He’s dressed casually, so I don’t know if he’s at the fair for fun or working it. Doesn't matter, he knows where the fried batter is.
“Did he call us ‘ladies’?” Kayla whispers loudly to me.
“This is trouble,” I whisper back.
“But it’s for funnel cake.” She makes a good argument. “We'd be delighted if you showed us the way.”
The man laughs, thinking we’re joking around as Kayla puts the badge away. “It’s right this way. My friend actually makes them.” He motions for us to follow him.
“You work for the fair?” I ask, making small talk.
“Yeah, for a few years now.” We follow him through the crowd of people. “Best part of a fair is the food. I’m going to treat you both to funnel cake.” He winks at me but maybe it was grass or something in his eye.
“You can just have funnel cake whenever you want. You’re living the dream.” Kayla lets out a long dreamy sigh.
“You know if you want you can make it at home. It's somewhat of a mess, but it can be done.”
When we get to the funnel cake stand there’s no line.
“I don’t need that kind of power or knowledge,” Kayla says, as serious as I’ve ever heard her.
The guy grabs two plates and hands each of us one. I pull off a piece, digging into mine, and Kayla does the same.
“This is so good,” I moan around my bite. “I love powdered sugar.” I shove another bite into my mouth while it’s still hot and gooey.
“I bet you taste like sugar.”
I don’t really catch what the guy says at first since my mind is focused on sugary goodness. Then his hand comes up to brush a hair off of my face and I freeze. Before I can step back a strong hand grabs the man around his wrist and I stare in shock. I know that hand.
“Don’t touch my wife,” Shaw barks as he flings the man’s hand back at him so hard he almost falls on his ass. Then Shaw looks down at me. “I can’t leave you alone for twenty minutes?” He puts my coat over my shoulders before he fishes out a twenty and drops it on the table next to the stand.
“They’re free,” Kayla informs Shaw.
“Nothing is free,” Shaw replies, and I see Joe in the distance.
“Here comes Joe,” I warn.
“Crap.” Kayla shoves the funnel cake into her mouth faster.
“Get lost,” Shaw barks at the man, who is still standing there. He jumps like he’s been electrocuted and takes off. The girl making the cakes laughs.
“I’ve never seen Sean strike out before.” That doesn't help the tic in Shaw’s jaw.
“Bunny,” Joe barks, and everyone else jumps but her.
“I’m eating.”
She doesn’t look up at him as Joe pulls her in his arms. “We’re leaving because I’m going to be eating you.” His voice is low but I still manage to catch his words.
“You’re knocked up with a ring on your finger and men are still trying to get at you,” Shaw complains as he directs me away from the funnel cake stand.
I fight a smile because I love that Shaw thinks everyone wants me. It’s adorable because no one could ever beat Shaw. He’s a perfect husband and the man really is a hero in every sense of the word. He’s given me my happily ever after. Mine wasn’t in the pages of a book but in the arms of my man.
* * *
THE END
General Joe
Kayla may have pulled on the tiger's tail one too many times. She’s been in love with Joe her whole life, and when he leaves for the military she has the bright idea to send him dirty letters and pictures the whole time. When he comes back from his time away, he makes it clear he’s coming for her. But has she gone too far?
Joe has been teased by Kayla for years and it’s about time she made good on her filthy words. He’s been counting down the days until he can make her his…and now the wait is over. She’s going to admit to him and herself that this is what’s right. No matter their age difference or their time apart.
Warning: He’s a great American hero coming home to claim his reward. Don’t worry…it’s the dirty happily ever after we know you want!
Prologue
Kayla
I don’t know why I’m nervous. I’ve told Joe every fantasy I’ve ever had and sent him all kinds of dirty pictures of myself. He never returned them when I sent them, but he never responded either.
Except once.
The day I got to the post office too late and they’d already closed, so I had to drop the letter off the next day. I made a point to send something every day because I wanted Joe to know I was always thinking about him. Thinking about him in the dirtiest ways.
On that one day he didn’t get a letter he called me.
I was shocked he had my cell number, but it wouldn’t have been that hard for him to find it. We live in a small town where everyone knows everyone and my dad is the chief of police. Not to mention he and Joe shared a few beers back in the day when I was too young to be fantasizing about him. It never stopped me because it isn't something I can control.
I’d answered my phone even when I didn’t know the number, and the second I heard his voice I knew who it was. The deep rumble of his voice was one I’d never forget and it didn't matter that it had been years since I’d heard it.
You forgot my letter. Don’t do it again.
It was all he said before he hung up and I didn’t get the chance to respond. He gave his order and he expected it to be followed. It should have made me mad that he was bossing me around since he never asked me to write to him to begin with. He didn't even tell me he was leaving town even though I knew he was a Marine and would be called up at some point.
Everyone in the Bierman family served in the armed forces for a few years before they came home to run the family business. But Joe doesn’t have a family anymore since he’s now the last living Bierman. Until he comes back and gets married and makes his own. I push that thought as far away as I can because I’m too young for Joe. It doesn't stop me from sending my letters and packages and all the naughty thoughts. I have no idea when he’ll be back and maybe he never will be.
I prop my phone up so it points at my bed and get ready to make the video. It’s the first I’ve ever done and I’m going to put it on a USB to send in the package with my letter today. I’ve gotten bold over time and I think more than anything it’s because I’m trying to get him to snap. I want him to come back to town and have his way with me even though I’m not sure it will ever happen.
Over a decade separates us but I hold out hope because of that one phone call. He’s been reading the letters and opening all the packages. I know without a doubt he’s looked at the pictures I’ve taken of myself, but I never show too much. The last thing I need is for someone to get ahold of a naked picture of me, but I don’t leave much to the imagination either. Each time I get a little bolder because I don’t care anymore. I want him to see me and want me, and maybe this video will do the trick.