My Kenna: A Military Romance Read Free Page B

me.”
    Kenna fidgeted with her napkin. “Well there was no line at the bathroom so…” Just then Kenna heard her purse buzz and buzz and buzz. Her stomach dropped. Even though she’d changed her number Caleb had found her again.
    How was he doing that?
    She eyed her purse, an overwhelming feeling of sadness engulfing her.  
    “Who’s texting you, Kenna?”
    Kenna’s eyes shot up to Butch. “Why do you want to know?” Panic and paranoia crept along her skin. It was foolish to think Butch had anything to do with Caleb, but then she’d been tormented by him for so long all her thoughts orbited around him. Caleb had become her black sun.
    “I saw the texts,” Butch said somberly.
    “You went through my stuff?” Kenna was mad. The thought of someone snooping through her stuff made her angry, but more than that, the fact that he knew her deepest vulnerability had her scared. She would rather be angry than scared.
    She was so tired of being scared.  
    “I didn’t mean to, Kenna.” Butch reached a hand out for Kenna but Kenna moved away.
    “I’m sure you didn’t,” She replied bitterly. A waiter appeared with their dessert. A hot, molten chocolate cake. Kenna watched the liquid chocolate drain down the sides, no longer hungry.  
    It was nice, even if it was just for a few hours, to be hungry and happy.  
    Now she was sad again. Disinterested. Worried. Scared.  
    “Tell me about him,” Butch pressed.
    “Why do you care?” Kenna nearly shouted, but lowered her voice at the last minute.  
    “Because I care about you Kenna!” Butch raised his voice. “Is that so hard to believe?”  
    Kenna glared at him. It was hard to believe.  
    “His name is Caleb Grayson and he is my ex-boyfriend. He cheated on me, manipulated me, beat me, and has been stalking me for the past six months.” Kenna went in to the long, sordid story of Caleb Grayson. Butch listened, his attention rapt. Neither of them touched the molten chocolate cake. By the time Kenna finished, the cake was cold, the chocolate was in a pool on the plate, and Kenna was near tears.  
    Butch folded his arms. “You’re going to stay with me.”  

Five

    After hearing Kenna’s story, there was no doubt about it. Kenna was staying with him. He had a small apartment on base. What was safer than a military base? Where was safer than with him?  
    Kenna protested at first and Butch didn’t want to force her, she’d been forced enough. He spent the next thirty minutes convincing her. She had to stay with him.  
    “I would stay at your place,” Butch said, “but I have to stay on the base. Please, Kenna. It’s not safe for you. At least until we get this shit-head dealt with. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
    Kenna had reluctantly agreed. They’d gone and gotten a few essentials from her place and then driven back to the base.  
    Now she was here, in his apartment, fondling his trinkets and looking at his photos. Under any other circumstance Butch would have wrapped her in his arms and taken her to bed, but she was so fragile, like a bird fallen out of the nest.
    “I like your place,” Kenna said.  
    “Thanks.” That was the last thing they said to each other before going to bed in separate rooms.  
    Butch woke with a start, his ears listening for sounds of disturbance. Was that prick Caleb here? His eyes adjusted to the darkness, seeing black and grey shapes. To his right something moved and he sprung up, pinning it against the wall.  
    “Sorry!” Kenna’s voice broke through his sleepy fight or flight instinct.  
    “Kenna! I’m sorry. I thought you were an intruder.” Butch let her go and stepped back. “Why are you up?”
      “I just…” Kenna’s small, soft hand touched the bare of his chest. He only slept in boxers. Butch was starting to wonder if that was a bad idea. Maybe he should have slept in a burka. She started tracing small lines down his pecs and abs.  
    God, but her hands felt so good. He wanted to feel her