Page 27 of Salute, To Bravery

Jessenia

“S hit.” I glance at the clock for the tenth time since I got out of the shower.

I’ve been staring at my bed, which is covered in about every piece of clothing that I own, trying in vain to decide what to wear as time passes.

If you don’t get dressed and leave in the next ten minutes, you’re going to be late.

“Fuck it.” I drop my towel and grab the black slip dress.

It’s a little tight around my belly, and I lament the loss of my abs.

The built-in bra is a lifesaver, and the slit that comes halfway up my thigh is sexy in an everyday flirty way.

I slip my feet into flat sandals and rush through my basic makeup routine, leaving my longer-than-normal blonde hair to air-dry into natural waves.

I stand in front of my mirror, looking at myself with a critical eye.

Maybe I should grab a sweater?

My fingers trace my bare left shoulder in thought when my alarm rings. I snatch my clutch and keys before turning the shrill noise off. It’s half past seven, leaving me exactly thirty minutes to arrive, and I pray that traffic is light tonight; otherwise, I’ll be cutting it really close.

Relax, Jess!

I try to calm my nerves on my way outside to the parking lot.

What’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like War can punish me now.

That makes me giggle as I start my Jeep and pull out onto the main road.

I follow the directions on my screen, and less than twenty-five minutes later, I’m pulling into what looks to be an abandoned warehouse near the docks.

The sign above the door is just a neon red Y.

“Strange.” I glance around the parking lot.

It’s fairly full, so I shrug and get out, locking the Jeep. As I make my way to the entrance, I start to read the plaque on the door.

WELCOME TO YEARN

A 21+ only adult venue where anything goes.

Check all your inhibitions at this door and give in to all your YEARNINGS.

“What the fuck?” I look the building up and down again and wonder if I got the address wrong.

I pull out my phone to text War but yelp as the door opens and I’m suddenly standing in front of the man in question.

“You’re late.”

I shake my head and glance at my phone. Jesus, how long was I standing out here gawking at the sign?

“Jess?”

My name snaps me out of my trance.

“Yes, sir,” I whisper, trying to control my heart rate.

“Just War now. Remember?” He smiles at me, and all the breathing in the world isn’t going to help me calm down.

I feel my thighs rub against each other as I shift nervously, and I gasp.

I never put on underwear!

My cheeks go red instantly as I take a step back from the man wreaking havoc on my libido, who apparently invited me to a sex club. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I point at the door.

“Does that mean what I think?” It comes out like an accusation, and I gulp at my tone.

“I’d love to hear what you think you’re going to see inside.” His smirk disarms me, and I fucking swoon.

“Woo, easy.” His hands grab my bare shoulders, and it’s too much.

“I can’t go in there!” I yell as I shake off his hold.

His posture goes from relaxed to tense as he takes a formal stance in front of me. “Fair enough. However, I didn’t take you for a coward.”

My eyes narrow. “Coward?” Is he fucking serious?

“You wanted to learn how to live again, or did I misunderstand our conversation from earlier?” Wow, he isn’t pulling his punches tonight.

“Low blow,” I hiss as my arms come around my middle in defense.

“It hit its mark. They may have been harsh, but you get my point. You’re never going to move on from hiding. All I’m asking is for you to keep an open mind and trust me.”

He offers me his hand.

I chew on my lip and look back and forth between the door and his face.

I trusted him with my life and spent weeks being tortured, almost dying in the process. I shake my head at my thoughts because they aren’t fair. He couldn’t have known what would happen. We were all just following orders.

War must take it as a no because his hand slowly falls away.

“I understand,” he says, turning back to the door.

“You don’t.” I grab his shoulder and turn him back to me.

“There’s no way I could ever make you understand how sorry I am for my part in what happened…” he begins, and I put a finger on his lips to shut him up.

“I do not blame you, and I do trust you.” I drop my finger and grab his hand, twining my fingers with his.

“Show me.”