She hoped the distance apart wouldn’t cool the passion that had sprung up between them or the unexpected love they both seemed to be feeling.
* * *
“You’ll make sure she’s okay, right?” he asked his father, worried about how Maggie’s intervention in their relationship was going to affect her scholarship and her job.
“I will. I have to confess that she shocked me with her challenge this morning. I knew she had . . . spirit. It was one of the reasons I chose her for the scholarship, but what she did this morning . . . It took real courage. I admire that, son. I admire the courage you’ve shown in following your own path.”
“It’s thanks to you and mom that I had that courage, dad. You were good role models,” he said.
His dad shook his head vehemently. “Not lately and I’m sorry for that, Trevor. I’ve wasted too much time being without you.”
While he didn’t disagree, he didn’t want to end this reunion on a sour note. Especially as he glanced at his watch and saw that it was almost time for him to go. “There will be lots of time in the future, dad. I know you had always wanted me to come work for the company and if that’s still the case – ”
“Yes, yes it is,” his father emphatically jumped in.
“I’d like to work with you when my tour is done. I know it’s several years away – ”
“Whenever,” his father said with just as much vehemence.
He smiled. “Thank you.” With a slap of his hands against his thighs, he shot to his feet. “I need to finish dressing and get my things.”
“I’ve got a car waiting downstairs. Maggie and I will take you to the airport,” his father said.
He walked over and hugged his dad. “I really appreciate that.”
As he snagged his uniform shirt and slipped it on, Maggie came out of the kitchen. She stopped short for a moment as she noticed him getting dressed, then she hurried over, brushed his hands away and buttoned up his shirt. As she had before, she smoothed her hand across the shirt as he tucked it into his pants and then grabbed his jacket.
He yanked it on and once again, she helped him get ready and he had to admit to himself that he liked the feel of the almost wifely task. “Thank you.”
“How about your hat?” she asked and looked around for it.
He jerked his head in the direction of the foyer. “You never wear your cover inside.”
She jauntily saluted him and said, “Ooorah.”
He chuckled and took hold of her hand. Tugged her toward the foyer where he snagged his cap and his bags, but she took his knapsack from him.
“Damn, this is heavy,” she said with a grimace.
“Wuss,” he teased, but then his father came up to her and took the bag. “Let me, Maggie.”
“Thanks, Samuel,” she said.
Together they headed out of the apartment and into the elevator, silent as they rode down to the lobby and out to where a car was waiting for them.
Trevor jammed his cover on as they walked to the car, but as they went to climb in, his father hesitated.
“I think you might want some time alone,” he said.
His brain went into overdrive as to what Maggie and he could do on the ride to the airport, but from the corner of his eye, he caught Maggie’s surprised look. “We appreciate the thought, Samuel – ”
“Yes, we do, but I think we both would like you to come with us,” he said, totally in sync with Maggie.
His father looked between the two of them and reluctantly nodded. As he stepped into the car, he tugged on Maggie’s hand and kept her from going in.
“I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”
“Like I said before, just come home safe and sound.”
“I’ll be home before you know it and in the meantime, I’ll video call you. Maybe you can help me with the apartment? Make things more comfy,” he said.
“As long as you don’t make me change the couch. It has good memories for me,” she teased and stroked the side of his face.
He grinned and the heavy weight in his heart at the thought of leaving her lightened considerably. “For me, too. Agreed, the couch stays. And the bed. Everything else is game.”
“Totally. Call me as soon as you can so we can plan,” she said and kissed him.
So we can plan.
He liked the sounds of that, grateful that his one last night had turned into so much more.
More about the Take a Chance Series
When I was first invited to contribute a novella for an erotic romance anthology, it was a real challenge for me. While I like sexy stories, I also know that I need for the characters to really find love along the way. For that to happen in one night only, the theme of the anthology, seemed like a difficult task, but as the story idea came to me for Jase and Nickie’s story (JUST ONE NIGHT), I realized I loved the challenge and the idea of what could happen if two people just took a chance when the unexpected happens.
That first novella inspired these two other stories, ONE SPECIAL NIGHT and ONE LAST NIGHT. I hope you have enjoyed finding out what’s happening with the characters from the earlier novellas and sexy stories that are packed with emotion and romance. I also hope you are looking forward to more stories in the series in the future.
Look for STAY THE NIGHT, the story of Navy Seal Rafael Castillo and his estranged wife in November 2014.
Other Novellas in the Take a Chance Series:
ONE SPECIAL NIGHT, a New Adult Erotic Romance, August 2014
JUST ONE NIGHT, a New Adult Erotic Romance, June 2014
Acknowledgements & Dedication
Many thanks to Dan Force, Chief Petty Officer, USN, Retired, for providing me information about Marine and Navy uniforms and awards for valor. Any mistakes regarding those issues are strictly mine.
Thanks to my friend Samantha H. for helping to name the heroine of this story!
As always, this novella is dedicated to my daughter Samantha who brings such love and laughter into my life.
Copyright Notice
Sale of this book without a front cover may be unauthorized. If this book is coverless, it may have been reported to the publisher as “unsold or destroyed” and neither the author nor the publisher may have received payment for it.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by Caridad Piñeiro Scordato
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of Caridad Piñeiro Scordato.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
Visit Caridad’s website at www.caridad.com.
ONE LAST NIGHT Cover design ©2014 Caridad Pineiro Scordato
Manufactured in the United States of America
About the Author
NY Times and USA Today Bestseller Caridad Pineiro is a Jersey Girl who just wants to write, travel, and spend more time with family and friends. Caridad
is the author of over 40 novels/novellas and loves romance novels, super heroes, TV and cooking. Caridad writes dark and sexy romantic suspense and paranormal romances for those who live to love on the edge. Her sweet, but still naughty side, Charity Pineiro, writes contemporary romances packed with emotion and humor. For more information on Caridad/Charity, please visit http://www.caridad.comor http://www.rebornvampirenovels.com. You can also find Caridad/Charity on:
Twitter at https://twitter.com/caridadpineiro
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author
Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/caridadpineiro/
Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/Caridad_Pineiro
Caridad also sends out a newsletter to her friends! To subscribe, please visit http://bit.ly/CaridadNews.
Additional Books by the Author Writing as Charity Pineiro
NOW AND ALWAYS June 2013 ISBN 1490362770
FAITH IN YOU July 2013 ISBN 1490412697
TORI GOT LUCKY December 2013
THE PERFECT MIX March 2013, also available as part of the LUCKY 7 BAD BOYS CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE Boxed Set
TO CATCH HER MAN April 2014
Additional Books by the Author Writing as Caridad Pineiro
Books in The Gambling for Love Romantic Suspense Series
THE PRINCE’S GAMBLE November 2012 ISBN 9781622668007 Entangled Publishing
TO CATCH A PRINCESS August 2013 ISBN 9781622661329 Entangled Publishing
Books in The Sin Hunter Paranormal Romance Series
THE CLAIMED May 2012 ISBN 978-0446584609 Forever Grand Central Publishing
THE LOST August 2011 ISBN 978-0446584616 Forever Grand Central Publishing
STRONGER THAN SIN November 2010 ISBN 0446543845 Forever Grand Central Publishing
SINS OF THE FLESH November 2009 ISBN 0446543837 Forever Grand Central Publishing
Other Novels by Caridad
THE FIFTH KINDOM July 2011 ISBN 9781426891885 Carina Press
SOLDIER’S SECRET CHILD Dec 2008 ISBN 0373276109 Silhouette Romantic Suspense
Novellas
GHOST OF A CHANCE, paranormal short story November 2012 ISBN B00AUGV89G Caridad Pineiro Publishing
HER VAMPIRE LOVER October 2012 ISBN 9781459242289 Nocturne Cravings Novella
NIGHT OF THE COUGAR June 2012 ISBN 9781459231153 Nocturne Cravings Novella
THE VAMPIRE’S CONSORT April 2012 ISBN 9781459222731 Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Novella
NOCTURNAL WHISPERS February 2012 ISBN 9781459221437 Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Novella
AMAZON AWAKENING December 2011 ISBN 9781459282766 Available Harlequin Nocturne Cravings Novella
WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING novella in A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS October 2011 ISBN 0373776446 HQN
AZTEC GOLD January 2011 ISBN 9781426891045 Carina Press Novella
Crazy for the Cat in MOON FEVER Oct 2007 ISBN 1416514902 Pocket Books
Books in THE CALLING/THE REBORN Vampire Novel Series
VAMPIRE REBORN, April 2014
DIE FOR LOVE, December 2013, Entangled Publishing
BORN TO LOVE, November 2013, ISBN 9781622663705 Entangled Publishing
TO LOVE OR SERVE, October 2013, ISBN 9781622663477 Entangled Publishing
FOR LOVE OR VENGEANCE, September 2013, ISBN 9781622662937 Entangled Publishing
KISSED BY A VAMPIRE (formerly ARDOR CALLS) October 2012 ISBN 9780373885589 Harlequin Nocturne
AWAKENING THE BEAST Collection featuring HONOR CALLS October 2009 ISBN 0373250940 Silhouette Nocturne
FURY CALLS March 2009 ISBN 0373618077 Silhouette Nocturne
HONOR CALLS February 2009 ISBN 9781426828362 Nocturne Bite
HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE December 2007 ISBN 0373617763 Silhouette Nocturne
THE CALLING COMPLETE COLLECTION October 2008 ISBN 9781426807657 Silhouette Includes Darkness Calls, Danger Calls, Temptation Calls, Death Calls, Devotion Calls, and Blood Calls–as well as the online read Desire Calls.
BLOOD CALLS May 2007 ISBN 0373617631 Silhouette Nocturne
DEVOTION CALLS January 2007 ISBN 0373617550 Silhouette Nocturne
DEATH CALLS Dec 2006 ISBN 0373617534 Silhouette Nocturne
TEMPTATION CALLS Oct 2005 ISBN 0373274602 Silhouette Intimate Moments
DANGER CALLS June 2005 ISBN 0373274416 Silhouette Intimate Moments
DARKNESS CALLS Mar 2004 ISBN 0373273533 Silhouette Intimate Moments
Romantic Suspense Series
SECRET AGENT REUNION Aug 2007 ISBN 0373275463 Silhouette Romantic Suspense
MORE THAN A MISSION Aug 2006 ISBN 037327498X Silhouette Intimate Moments