Free Lips Are SEAL'ed (BBW Contemporary Military Stepbrother Romance) by Ava May

Lips Are SEAL’ed
     
    Chapter 1
    Charlie
    Charlie hung up the phone and nibbled her lip. She hadn’t seen Ash Shelby since her father married his mom. He was off in the military doing whatever it was that he did. His mom was very hush-hush about it, and she figured it was because she didn’t actually know anything. As far as Charlie was concerned what happened in the military stayed that way. Now he was coming home for his short leave. He’d be home for the next three weeks, and apparently there was a family dinner to welcome him home.
    She wasn’t sure how to feel. She remembered meeting him, getting close to him before he shipped off. She had been devastated when he left. Ash was two years younger than her, but most people didn’t know that based on his size. Even at 19 he had been huge. She remembered feeling the tingle of attraction for him during those few weeks he was home before being shipped off. She had quickly stomped it out. He was her new stepbrother. She was happy her dad had found someone to make him happy, and then the cancer came. It came hard and was unexpected. Ash’s mother had been a godsend. If it weren’t for her love and support and everything in between, Charlie wouldn’t have made it. That’s how she felt anyways.
    Her own mother had passed away from the same disease when she was ten leaving her to grow up without a mother and without a clue she’d end up with the same problem years later. Charlie thought she was going to die, but somehow she got through it, and after three years she was cancer free and finally looked like her old self.
    Now she’d have to face Ash, and apparently Diana had never mentioned her sickness to him, and he was pissed. She didn’t understand why. He was off serving his country. Why worry him? Charlie didn’t want anyone knowing. She was about to hide it for months before the whole town found out.
    “Miss Charlie, Miss Charlie,” a little voice said and tugged at her tee shirt.
    She looked down at the little person who sounded like it was the end of the world and smiled down at Missy. “What’s wrong, Lil’ Miss?”
    The little girl stuck out her bottom lip and pointed behind her. “There’s a man here.” Then she waved her closer and Charlie leaned down. “And he’s really scary,” she whispered.
    Charlie kissed Missy’s cheek and shook her head. “It’s all good, Lil’ Miss. I’ve got this.” When she turned around, she didn’t see anyone, but Missy grabbed her hand and pulled her to the front. She allowed herself to be led until she saw him standing in the waiting area and froze. She’d just gotten off the phone with his mother and he was already at her work.
    “I know she can’t leave her kids—but why can’t I go to her then?” He sounded pissed, and she heard the tenseness in his tone. He hadn’t noticed her yet and Stacey’s eyes were wide
    “Sir, I have to send someone to replace her, and then she can come to you. You’re not authorized to be back there.”
    His fists clenched and his jaw tightened. “Fine, I’ll wait.”
    Charlie was still frozen. He was even bigger now. More muscular, taller. He still looked really young but he was a man now. Oh boy was he. When he spun to sit down he noticed her then. Missy hid behind her legs tugging her back as if she wanted to protect her from the angry man.
    He smiled and all the anger left his face. His smile made her heart flutter. She held up a finger through the open doorway. He nodded still smiling and sat down. Stacey mouthed ‘thank you’ to her, and Charlie went back to the large play area. When Jessie came and took over for her she smiled and winked at Missy and made her way into the waiting area.
    “Stacey, I’m taking my lunch. I’ll be back.”
    Stacey smiled and kept her eyes on Ash. “Take your time, sweetie.”
    Charlie shook her head and walked over to Ash. He stood and, without asking, he pulled her into a hug, wrapping his strong arms around her curvy frame.