Free The Wounded by Eden Winters, Parker Williams Page B

the shower and gave Jase a lingering kiss, stroking the hardened flesh, causing Jase to groan loudly.
    “I’ll finish that for you when we get down to Atlanta.”
    Jase rolled his eyes. “You suck.”
    Mark’s eyes twinkled. “I will later.”
    Jase finished his shower, lingering longer than Mark thought was necessary. He understood that his husband was nervous. Terrified, really. The anxiety
    medication he’d been taking for a month didn’t seem to alleviate his fears of being around people. Jase held his emotions in check most
    of the time, but Mark could see the tremors when there were people Jase didn’t know. The attack on his base made Jase leery in most surroundings,
    as if he was waiting for it to happen again.
    Mark sighed. Maybe he was putting too much pressure on Jase to do this. Maybe they should stay home. He could always call up his brother and offer
    to babysit the twins so Eric and Shannon could have some time to themselves. Mark startled when Jase cleared his throat and spun to find him decked out in
    his Army blues.
    “You clean up nice,” Mark murmured.
    “Thanks.” Jase gave a cocky grin, leaning forward to capture Mark’s lips. Mark groaned and pressed into the warmth. Jase
    brought his arms around Mark, holding him tightly. “I love you, Marky. I want to do this for you.”
    Mark stepped away from Jase’s embrace. “Don’t do it for me. Do it for you. This group, The Wounded, they’re people
    like us. Some who gave everything to their country and those of us who love them. Jay, the guy I’ve been talking with? His lover is like you.
    He’s afraid in new situations. He has nightmares and flashbacks. He didn’t lose a leg, but he has PTSD. It used to be so bad he
    couldn’t leave the house. During the Fourth of July fireworks, Jay has to take him to a movie or out somewhere that he can’t hear them.
    You’re not the only one.”
    Jase’s brow wrinkled and Mark knew he was weighing the words. Jase sighed and picked up a suitcase. “What are we waiting for? I want to
    get down there so I can change into some real clothes.”
    Mark felt love and pride swell his chest.
    “Atlanta, here we come.”

Chapter Two
    “Nice room, isn’t it?” Jay flopped down on the queen-sized bed, donning his most seductive smile.
    Michael shrugged. Oh, not good. Their first out-of-town trip since they’d met, and Michael appeared to have checked any semblance of a good mood
    at the state line. That didn’t bode well for a possible Christmas visit to Jay’s folks this year.
    He’d do what it took; hell he’d never leave their county, if it would help Michael. But it wasn’t helping. While the man had
    come a long way in three years, lately he’d begun standing still, and even going backward, losing hard won ground. In another year he’d
    graduate college. What then?
    “You don’t like it? I can look for something else, but I’m sure most hotels are pretty much booked by now, due to the parade
    tomorrow.”
    The corner of Michael’s mouth lifted, more of a grimace than a smile. “No, sorry, Jay. The room’s fine. I’m just
    feeling a little out of place here.”
    Oh shit. Instead of splurging on the Marriot Peachtree, maybe he should’ve booked the Holiday Inn. Only, the Holiday Inn wasn’t hosting
    The Wounded and giving huge discounts to veterans.
    Michael sat on the edge of the bed, eyes downcast. “I know what you’re doing.”
    Jay’s heart lodged in his throat. Please don’t let Michael insist on going home. He needs this, we need this. He has to know he’s not alone.
    “What am I doing, Michael?” The next moment could make or break all of Jay’s carefully laid plans.
    The bed shook when Michael flumped down, his blue-eyed gaze capturing Jay’s own. His hand, callused from helping out on his grandpa’s
    farm, cupped Jay’s cheek. “You’re watching out for me, just like you always have.” Jay closed his eyes and breathed
    out a sigh of relief a moment before his