Saved By A Soldier (Love Conquers Life Book 1) by Alison Mello Page A

ready for my date and nervous as heck. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date.
    He was so sweet the other night. I smile as I recall us leaving the dinner in his Jeep to go for coffee. He was a complete gentleman, opening doors and buying me coffee and a muffin. We chatted a bit about everyday life and kept the conversation light since it was late and we had both had a long day. The way he looked at me when I spoke was like he was truly interested in what I had to say and he wanted to hear more. I thought it was so sweet that he kissed me on the cheek before ushering me into my car so he could make sure I got off safely.
    My thoughts are interrupted when the buzzer to my apartment rings. I’m so deep in thought it makes me jump. I get up and answer it. “Hello?”
    “Hey, it’s me,” Carter says, and I buzz him in. Minutes later he’s knocking on my door.
    I open it to find him smiling at me with a small bouquet of flowers in his hand. “Hi, these are for you,” he says, handing them to me.
    “Thank you, they’re really pretty. I’ll just put them in some water and we can go.”
    “Cool. I thought we would go to Jake’s. Have you ever been there?”
    I turn to him with a smile that shows how happy I am about his choice. “Yes, I love Jake’s. How’d you know?”
    “I didn’t. I just figured after getting dressed up this weekend it would be nice to have a casual, relaxing dinner.”
    “That’s perfect because to be honest, I’m not a fan of getting too dressed up. I do it to please my mother.” I put my flowers in water.
    “I’ve had the…pleasure of meeting your mom on a few occasions.”
    “If I know my mom, I’m sure it was no pleasure.” I laugh. “I’m ready if you are.”
    “Sure, I’ll drive,” he says, opening the door for me and we make our way down to the car hand in hand.
    Being the gentleman that he is, Carter opens the door to his Jeep for me so I can climb in. I’m sitting there fidgeting, my leg jumping, when he gets into the driver’s seat. I don’t realize I’m doing it until he places his hand on my leg. “Relax,” he says. His strong, warm hand feels good on my leg. His touch sends goosebumps all over my body. I look down, biting my lip as I’m blushing.
    He puts his key in the ignition and starts the car. As he drives off I can’t help but wonder what this incredible man sees in me. I glance over for a moment while he’s focused on driving. His car is filled with his musky, minty scent and it’s intoxicating.
    He senses me staring so he looks over. “A penny for your thoughts.”
    I can’t answer him right now. Turning my head, I look back out the window. “Trust me, you don’t want in my head.”
    “Oh, but I do,” he says.
    A minute later we pull up to Jake’s. He finds a spot immediately and gets out of the Jeep to open my door. I’m nervous and my clumsiness has me practically falling out of the Jeep and into his arms. My body instantly warms as he catches me and looks into my eyes. We stay like that for what feels like forever, but we are broken from our trance when a lunatic screeches into the parking lot.
    “Let’s go eat,” he says. “I’m starved.”
    When we get inside he gives his name and we’re instantly seated with two menus and water. I love Jake’s because they offer breakfast all day and I love having breakfast for dinner. Carter picks up his menu, but when he notices I’m not really looking at mine he says, “Let me guess, you know what you want.”
    “I do. I love their breakfast and always have it when I come here, no matter what time of day it is. I’m having the special. It’s two eggs, two pieces of bacon, home fries, and a pancake.”
    “That sounds good. I think I’ll have the same thing.”
    “I can never finish it but I get a little of everything I love.”
    He closes his menu and leans on the table to start a conversation when our waitress comes over. “What can I get you two tonight?”
    “I would