Come Back To Me Read online

  Table of Contents

  Playlist

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Epilogue

  Other Books by Aubree Valentine

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Come Back to Me

  Aubree Valentine

  Come Back to Me

  Copyright © 2017 by Aubree Valentine

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any medium, whether electronic, internet, or otherwise, without the expressed permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, locations, and names occurring in this book are the product of the author’s imagination, or are the property of their respective owners and are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, or persons (living or dead), is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  All trademarks and trade names are used in a fictitious manner and are in no way endorsed by or an endorsement of their respective owners.

  Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and offensive language and mature topics.

  Recommended for age 18 years and up.

  Cover Design—T.E. Black Designs; www.teblackdesigns.com

  Formatting—T.E. Black Designs; www.teblackdesigns.com

  Editing—Jenn Wood; All About The Edits; https://www.facebook.com/editingproofingbeta/

  Contents

  Playlist

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Epilogue

  Other Books by Aubree Valentine

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Listen On Spotify -

  http://tinyurl.com/ComeBackToMePlaylist

  Bad Boy—Miranda Lambert

  One Night Stand—JC Chasez

  Dirty Little Secret—The All-American Rejects

  Need You Now—Lady Antebellum

  All I Ask—Adele

  Tin Man—Miranda Lambert

  Better In Time—Leona Lewis

  Here Without You—Boyce Avenue

  My Angel—Kellie Pickler

  Fight Song—Rachel Platten

  Single—Natasha Bedingfield

  Wrong Side of Heaven—Five Finger Death Punch

  I Wish I Could Break Your Heart—Cassadee Pope

  Just Another Girl—The Swon Brothers

  In My Head—Brantley Gilbert

  I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No—Blackhawk

  Kiss You In The Morning—Michael Ray

  Love Me Like You Do—Ellie Goulding

  Come Home Soon—SHeDAISY

  Out of Hell—Skillet

  Prayer For a Friend—Casting Crowns

  Brave—Sara Bareilles

  Monster—Skillet

  Lead Me—Kip Moore

  Didn’t I—Montgomery Gentry

  Losing Sleep—Chris Young

  Body on Fire—Maggie Rose

  On My Watch Tonight—Mike Corrado

  Die a Happy Man—Thomas Rhett

  When A Hero Falls —Stephen Cochran

  Breathe—Anna Nalick

  Brothers—Dean Brody

  What I’ve Done —Linkin Park

  I Want To Live—Skillet

  Crazy As Me—Granger Smith

  I Was Made For Loving You—Tori Kelly, Ed Sheeran

  Outcast—Kerrie Roberts

  To the Moon and Back—Luke Bryan

  Strip It Down—Luke Bryan

  The Other Little Soldier—Josh Gracin

  Infinite Love—Sara Evans, Todd Chrisley

  To the men and women who serve our country, and to their families who hold down the fort at home.

  Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. May your loved ones always come back to you.

  Bad Boy—Miranda Lambert

  Bryce smoothed his hands over his shirt and made his way into Runaway’s Tavern for the second night in a row. The hot bartender that caught his eye the night before was behind the bar, slinging drinks and making small talk with her customers. Her easy-going attitude and warm smile lured him in. Drawing him to her.

  Lacey. Even her name insinuated sex, and he wondered if her bra and panties mimicked her name. God, she was something else.

  In his mind, he knew he should stay away, but her pull was magnetic. Even last night, in his booze-filled haze, he felt something stirring inside of him. Something that had been dormant for far too long.

  He could have his pick of women; never had a problem finding someone to get his rocks off with when the urge hit. This time, though, his sights were set on her. Her rejection the night before only spurred him on and something told him that all that sass on the outside would make her a hellcat in bed.

  Sliding up onto an empty bar stool, he waited for her to take notice and make her way to him. While he waited, he watched her. The way her hips swayed as she moved behind the bar. How her jeans looked like they had been painted on, and the form-fitting top with Runaway’s pulled tight over her tits. Tits he’d love to get his hands on.

  Lacey handed a beer to a woman two seats down before she finally approached him, wiping her hands off on the bar towel. “You again. Where’s your other half? I’m not going to have to take you boys back to your room again, am I?” she teased.

  So, he and his cousin Connor had been pretty damn blitzed the night before, and the spitfire insisted on seeing that they got home safely. Or back to the hotel, at any rate. And she still refused his advances to get her under him.

  “No, sugar. In fact, I’m hoping to take you home tonight.” Bryce winked and gave her a smirk.

  “Christ, at least take me on a date first.” She stood with her hands
on her hips, glaring at him.

  In all honesty, he was half-joking about taking her home. Sure, he wanted to have his wicked way with her, but he hadn’t expected her to say yes. Hell, he wasn’t even sure why he came back here, anticipating that she’d shoot him down again.

  He had a feeling she wasn’t actually offering him a date, but two could play her game.

  “Done. Dinner tomorrow. You tell me what time, I’ll pick the place.”

  If she wasn’t counting on him taking her up on the offer, she didn’t show it.

  “Fine. Six o’clock. You can pick me up at my place.” Reaching for a napkin, she jotted down her address and cell phone number, and slid it across the bar before she changed her mind. “Don’t be late. Text me when you arrive, and I’ll meet you out front.”

  Bryce smiled back at her; he’d won this round.

  “Now, can I get you a drink, or did you just come back here to try and get in my pants?’

  Throwing his head back, Bryce let out a chuckle. “I’ll take a Miller Lite, and one of your bacon cheeseburgers. Medium well.” The least he could do was stick around for a while. Play it off like he came by for more than another attempt to get Lacey. He didn’t want her thinking he was a complete manwhore, after all.

  ‘But he was. He was absolutely a ‘one and done,’ “find ’em and fuck ’em’ kind of guy. It was just easier. No baggage, no drama. He got his fix and he didn’t have to worry about someone waiting around for him at home, or expecting something more from him. He was committed to his career. To the Army. To his country. And he didn’t need a woman getting in the way of that.

  Even more reason why he should never have come back to the bar tonight.

  This wasn’t her. She didn’t do one-night stands and she could guarantee that was exactly how things would end with this guy. Lacey never did back down from a dare, though, and she was sure that Bryce was daring her to take the bait. So, she did.

  She could blame it on his piercing blue eyes or his tattooed, muscular arms. He had that whole ‘bad boy’ vibe going for him. His swagger, the air of confidence that oozed from him. He was literally sex on a stick.

  Usually she wasn’t swayed by a pretty face, but Bryce got under her skin. Something about him urged her to take a risk, throw caution to the wind, and have a little fun. Even if it meant only one night.

  Besides, what could be better than sex with no strings attached? After all, she wasn’t looking for anything more. Her life didn’t allow it.

  Lacey stared at her reflection again and shook her head in disbelief. She was going on a date with a stranger from the bar. It had to be the definition of insanity. What did she know about this guy, besides his name, the fact that he was in the Army, and he was likely responsible for a wake of melted panties everywhere?

  Nothing. She knew absolutely nothing about him. Maybe that was the true appeal.

  Checking her phone for the millionth time, she sighed. It was ten minutes till six, and she was beginning to sweat. Eloise was in the living room watching TV, and if Bryce didn’t follow her instructions about texting when he was outside – her grandmother would be intercepting him at the door.

  She should go wait outside. Yes, that was a better idea.

  One last glance in the mirror, satisfied that her skinny jeans and white tank under her favorite comfy sweater looked perfect, she grabbed her purse before sneaking out of her room. Eloise’s back was to her as she walked past the living room, so she waited until she was in the narrow entryway to call out her goodbye. Eloise responded, telling her to be safe, as Lacey stepped out the front door and onto the porch.

  A car made its way down their street and the butterflies in Lacey’s belly kicked up a notch. She watched as the car slowed, then stopped, right in front of her house.

  “Well now, I thought you were going to work.” Eloise’s voice made Lacey’s head snap back toward the house.

  Shit. Busted. Eloise was slowly making her way onto the porch, her nurse Holly right behind her. Holly shrugged an apology at Lacey.

  “Beautiful evening to sit out here on the porch and catch some fresh fall air, don’t you think?” her grandmother continued.

  A car door shut behind them and Lacey muttered another curse.

  “And who might this gentleman be?” Eloise questioned.

  “Good evening, ma’am.” Bryce stepped up onto the porch and reached for Eloise’s hand, raising it and giving her a gentle kiss on the back of it. “I’m Bryce Matheson.”

  Fuck! Now he was charming her grandmother. This wasn’t the plan. He was supposed to stay in the damn car and wait!

  “Well, I’ll say. Aren’t you a gentleman? I’m Eloise. Come, sit for a spell. Judging by my granddaughter’s appearance here, I’m assuming you two are going on a date. I’d like to get to know you a bit first.”

  Lacey watched Bryce as he smiled and followed sweet, innocent, meddling Eloise over to the porch swing. He held it steady while she sat down, then took a seat on the chair adjacent to the swing.

  “Tell me about yourself, Bryce. What do you do for a living?”

  “Grams!” Lacey protested, finally finding her voice.

  “What? It’s my job to make sure he checks out before you go gallivanting off with him.”

  Lacey took a deep breath and sighed. Eloise was going to be the death of her, she was sure of it. She would no doubt die of mortification before she even had a chance to go to dinner tonight.

  Bryce laughed at Lacey’s discomfort before answering her grandmother’s question. “I’m in the Army, ma’am. Lifer.” Pride rang out in his words and, for a split-second, Lacey questioned her sanity again. His words reminded her once more, that this would only be a one-time thing.

  “Oh, that’s nice. My husband was in the Army, too. Normandy. It was what you did back in my day. He eventually got out though, after I got pregnant with Lacey’s mom. Started working at the Hershey factory, fixing their machines.”

  “Grams, we really gotta go. I have somewhere to be later,” Lacey tried to interrupt. She shot Bryce a pleading glance, silently begging him to help.

  “Yes ma’am. We should get going. We’ve got reservations for dinner, and I’d hate to be late.” He took the hint and stood, saying goodbye to Eloise the same way he greeted her – with a gentle kiss on the hand.

  “You kids behave now! Have a good time.”

  Lacey leaned in and kissed her grandmother goodbye. “I’ll see you later, Grams.”

  Bryce placed his hand on the small of Lacey’s back and led her down the front porch toward his car. Opening the door for her, he waited while she slid inside and got situated before shutting the door behind her, then made his way around to the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel.

  “Your grandmother is a hoot.” Bryce smiled at her as they made their way out of her neighborhood.

  “Shut up, Bryce. You really didn’t have to put on a show for her.”

  “It wasn’t a show. I happen to be a gentleman, thank you very much. And I’m a little partial to sweet old ladies.”

  “Sweet, meddling, old ladies,” Lacey mumbled, causing Bryce to laugh. “Where are we going anyway?”

  “I figured we’d try Boomerang. The front desk at the hotel said it was decent. I hope that’s ok?”

  “I haven’t been there in a while. Sounds good to me,” she agreed. “But for the record, ya lied to my grandmother.” She laughed.

  Bryce shrugged and shot her a grin. “You acted like you wanted to get out of there. Speaking of lies… new hair?” He pointed to her blonde locks.

  “Nope. I’m a natural blonde.”

  “So, changed your hair color just for me?”

  “Oh my gosh, do not flatter yourself. I wear a wig at the bar. Eloise doesn’t know I work there at night, and I like to be as discreet as possible.”

  He said nothing back, only nodded his head.

  “Since we’re airing our grievances here… what’s with calling me a Yankee? Is my voice that di
fferent compared to yours? Because, to me, it doesn’t sound much different,” she said. The night that Bryce got drunk at her bar, he had called her a Yankee when she refused his advances. Something she hadn’t realized had bothered her, until now.

  “Hey hey, wait a minute now. I’m not complaining, the blonde is hot. It just caught me by surprise. As for that accent, what’s with the ‘ya’? Where are you originally from?”

  “I dunno, I guess I never really paid attention to it? I lived in Lancaster for a while, then moved out here with Grams.”

  “You almost sound, I don’t know… Amish, maybe? I’ve been all over the world; I guess I pick up on dialect easier than others.”

  “Could be. But, I think I sound like everyone else around here. Plus, again – the bar. I try to maintain an air of mystery. Where are you from?”

  “Got it. I’m from Milford, just outside of Philly. Not far from New York.”

  “Never heard of it.” Lacey wanted to ask about his duty station but thought twice. It was probably best to keep things as casual as possible.

  Conversation flowed freely between the two of them over dinner as well. Bryce had the ability to make her smile and laugh; something that she hadn’t done enough of lately. As they finished their meals, Lacey found herself wishing it wouldn’t end.

  “Dessert?” Bryce asked after the waiter cleared their dishes.

  “No, thank you.” Suddenly, Lacey felt shy and vulnerable. The sexual tension surrounding them had her out of her comfort zone.

  “Do you have plans for the rest of the night?”