CHAPTER FOUR
MARSHALL
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I’ve been to Flame before with Ryder. I’m almost certain Josh has too, but I can’t recall.
In any case, the moment I heard Trina say she wanted come here, I knew she was up to something. There’s no way she’s into a creep like Nick Mariano. The way she responded to my little nip on her juicy lips tells me I’m right.
At least I think I am.
It might not be a sex club, but it’s pretty close and one of the hottest spots in Los Angeles where the rich and famous hang. For those who can afford the three-figure entrance fee.
Inside, the monotone décor is broken up by millions of lights giving it an ethereal feel. From the lights set in the floor to the enormous crystal chandelier above the dance floor which throws shards of light off every surface.
They might be impressive but they’re a challenge when you’re on the lookout for blades or a flash of metal.
Everything behind the bar is top shelf and at least a thousand dollars a bottle. Live performers entertain from a small stage in the middle while barely dressed patrons writhe to the music.
It’s amazing how quickly full-length premiere gowns can turn into the skimpiest little things after midnight.
I stand behind Savannah and Ryder with Josh to my right, and watch as Trina leans her gold clad hip against the bar and tosses back what looks like a tequila shot. Nick fucking Mariano is gazing down at her like she’s his dessert.
I have bad news for him.
Let’s just say, I licked her so she’s mine.
“Fucking dick,” I mumble as he holds out the lime and slides it over her lips.
Then does again it again.
A growl leaves my lips as she starts wiggling her booty to the song that just started up. Nick’s eyes dip between her breasts appreciatively.
I get it bro.
The famous actor can have any other woman here tonight, and he would be wise to spend his time on them. Trina is not available.
“You going to do something about that?” Josh asks.
“What?” I turn to him, frowning, wondering if I’d missed a threat to Savannah. Which is dumb because Josh would act, not ask.
He nods at Trina, and I spin back as Nick hands her another lime and drops it down her cleavage. I almost laugh when I see the split-second fury cross her face. Then she glances at me and does this fucking stupid giggle, slapping Nick on his arm.
Nice try, little wolf.
The guy is an excellent actor and I like his films, but tonight I’m no fan. If she doesn’t do something about this whole act, I’ll be forced to. But not before I watch her dig a hole she almost can’t get out of.
If Nick makes a serious move, it will be interesting to see who stops him first. I might not know her very well, but I’d put money on her slapping his confident ass before he was able to cop a feel.
In all fairness he’s an excellent actor.
“Trina can take care of herself.” I cross my arms.
“I’m sure she can—” Josh’s mouth falls open at the same time mine does.
Nick makes his move, and we stand watching as Trina pulls some jujitsu move on him, twisting his wrist and pushing him up against the bar.
My feet started moving before I know what I’m doing.
“I think the lady wants space.” I say roughly over the music.
“The fuck Marshall! She just broke my wrist!” Nick cries as his bodyguard takes a step but side-eyes me, not sure what to do.
Nick smartly waves him back. They both know Trina is under protection by the BHS team, and really, what were they going to do?
If they’d laid a hand on her, things would be going very differently right now.
Trina snorts. “It’s not broken, you big baby. Touch my lady garden again without permission and next time I will break it.”
Lady garden?
She lets him go.
Nick groans as he nurses his arm and glares at her. “Jesus, Trina. The fuck? I thought you were—”
“Don’t finish that sentence.” I cross my arms.
“And you”—Trina’s head swivels my way, and I lift a brow—“I’m not some damsel in distress so go find some other princess to save.”
Nick leaves with a shake of his head, his bodyguard following him.
I’m not as easily scared off.
Uncrossing my arms, I move closer to the bar and prop my hip against it, tilting my head. “Where’d you get those moves, wolf?”
“None of your business.” Trina tosses back the last remaining tequila shot and lets out a moan.
Jesus. What I wouldn’t do to hear that sound as she took my cock down her throat.
“And stop calling me wolf. I’m not a dog and we aren’t friends. If you hadn’t worked it out yet, I don’t date men in uniforms.”
Is that right?
“Never asked you out on a date.” I smirk, as irritation flashes in her eyes. “And I don’t wear a uniform.”
I know I’m driving her crazy and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I would stand here all night bantering with her if she’d let me.
“You’re a soldier. I know who you are and what you did,” she says, but I see her eyes flicker to the side. Another tell. She’s not as confident in her knowledge as she’s making out.
A fact...because only those with high level clearance know what I have done.
“Oh yeah?” I move closer. “What exactly did I do?”
Her blink is yet another tell.
“I don’t know the details. But you go around telling everyone that you were a Green Beret.” Trina snaps.
She’s sort of correct. I’m not bragging, it’s healthy banter between me and the guys.
“It doesn’t matter. Army, Navy, Coast Guard. No thanks.”
I’m intrigued by her strong resistance to the military given she is happy to hang out with us all. Although she has been clear a couple of times that it’s specifically about dating.
I know there’s a story behind this and I’m going to find out what it is.
“Someone break your heart, little wolf?” I ask, nodding to the bartender for a beer. I clocked off the moment we left the premiere party and should’ve gone home, but there was no way I was doing that. Not when the games were just getting started.
After that brief taste of her lips, I am not going anywhere.
Trina rolls her eyes. “Please. Do I look like the kind of girl who’d fall for a hot guy in uniform and fall in love?”
Yes.
Also, no.
“So, what’s your story then?” I sip my beer, sliding a twenty across the bar.
I won’t get any change.
“Water please.” Trina orders.
Thank fuck. I’ve been counting her drinks and estimating when I’d be coordinating with the guys to call the driver.
“My story is...read the room and leave me alone.” Trina gives me the bird, takes her water, and walks away.
I smile, lean back against the bar, and watch her.
God, she’s beautiful.
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AN HOUR LATER, we are all back in one place and Trina wobbles. While standing still. The girls start giggling like a bunch of hyenas. Snort laughing. Which makes them laugh even more.
“Jesus. Time to go,” I say, nudging Josh.
Some moron decided to get a couple rounds of Kamikazes—basically, vodka and Triple Sec. Apparently, it doesn’t blend well with tequila and champagne.
We round them up and into the limousine, then endure twenty-five long minutes of Taylor Swift and Kenny Rogers car karaoke.
Don’t ask me why.
That’s what they sang.
Ryder joins in, and Josh groans but doesn’t look all that unhappy when Cassy climbs on his lap with an invisible microphone. A related instrument to the air guitar.
Obviously.
“Your turn!” Savannah cries out, pointing at me. “What’s your song Marshall?”
“Nope.”
Josh and Ryder look way too happy about the attention landing on me.
“Oh, come on!” Cassy claps her hands. “Sing, sing, sing.”
I lift my brow and glance at Trina. Her damn dress is all twisted around her body and half her thigh is exposed. She twists her mouth cheekily and I know what she’s thinking.
“Toy soldier can’t sing,” she slurs.
That. That’s what she’s thinking. So, like any red-blooded man who’s challenged by a beautiful woman, while his friends respond with ooh ooh, I rise to the occasion.
I clear my throat. Then...
“There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold,
and she's buying a stairway to Heaven,” I sing and everyone goes silent.
That’s right fuckers, I can sing.
Well, enough to silence these drunk assholes, in any case.
After the next line, Savannah’s face lights up and joins me in singing the Led Zepplin classic.
“Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to Heaven.”
By the next chorus the entire cab is singing, even the driver I think. The girls are swaying, and the guys are doing air drums on their thighs.
I can’t keep my eyes off Trina as I pound out one of the last lines. “Dear lady, can you...your stairway lies on the whispering wind?”
Those deep blue eyes glisten and when she smiles at me I almost reach across and kiss her. Right here. In front of everyone.
Then she swallows, her eyes darting drunkenly away, and we all sing the end of the song as one.
Two more songs, then Cassy and Josh climb out at their house. Then Ryder and Savannah. Finally, Alice.
“Want to stay with me?” Alice asks Trina as she climbs out.
“Um...” Trina glances at me.
“I’ll make sure she gets home safely,” I tell Alice.
“Message me.” She nods to her friend.
Jesus. I’m a personal bodyguard. I’m hardly going to...well, I might eat her. If she asks nicely.
We pull away from Alice’s house and head to Trina’s. I nestle into the seat and enjoy the peace. I stifle a yawn, looking forward to my bed after a long week.
“Wait, you don’t live in this area, do you?” Trina asks.
I shake my head.
“Typical. I should’ve known. I’m not fucking you.” Her head almost rolls off her shoulders as she attempts to do a drunken eye roll.
I almost laugh but my patience is almost running out. I’ve spent hours diverting sleezy guys from groping her all night.
I climb off my seat and sit next to her, then tug the gold material of her dress to cover her thighs.
She slaps at my hands. “Didn’t you hear me?”
“I’m dressing you, not undressing you.”
“You wish.”
“What?” God she’s drunk. “I’m making sure you get home, Trina. Enough. I’m tired.”
Josh gave me a heads up earlier today that I have my first black op coming up next week. I thought I was ready but I’m not.
“Aww, little toy soldier is tired,” Trina yawns, then her head falls onto my shoulder, and she tucks her legs under her.
I hear a little sleepy snort then silence.
Unbelievable.
She’s sassy right up to the second she crashes.
I grab her purse as we pull up to her house, take out her key, and lift her into my arms.
“Ten minutes.” I tell the driver.
“Yes sir.”
The door opens easily enough—she needs better security and I make a mental note to sort it out next week—and I carry her sleeping form upstairs.
I find her bedroom, which isn’t hard given how often I’ve watched her, like the obsessed stalker I am, then place her on the bed. Tugging off her shoes, I put her phone beside the bed so she doesn’t freak out in the morning and stare down at her beautiful drunken state.
Frowning, I eye her tight dress and decide she’ll either tangle herself up in it or be furious come the morning because it’s some vintage fucking thing.
I head into her walk-in closet and find a T-shirt. Then, lifting her head, I try to rouse her quietly. “Little wolf.”
“Mawowahumba.”
I snicker, then try again.
“Wake up for me, sweetheart. I need you to put this on.” I brush the hair from her face but she just licks her lips, smiling in her sleep.
Christ.
I’m going to have to do this on my own.
Bad move. It’s like wrestling a wet octopus getting the cotton T-shirt onto her body and unzipping the dress without grabbing any of the fun parts. While I’d love to see this gorgeous woman in all her glory, I want it to be on her terms.
I want her to give herself to me.
And when she does—because she will—I’m going to savor every inch slowly. That is, after fucking her hard and fast the first time. I’m a man, not a saint.
I drag the dress over her legs, consider her panties and shake my head. That’s way too far. I’m not that strong.
Carefully arranging her back on the pillows, I go to stand as two arms latch around my neck.
“Jesus!” I yelp, as if a dead body suddenly came to life.
“You smell so nice,” Trina mumbles.
“Yeah?” I smile and lean back, taking in her blurry blue eyes.
“Kiss me.”
Shit.
“Ask me when you’re sober, little wolf.” I cup her face and rub my thumb over her cheek.
“Kiss me.” She purses her lips. “Come on soldier, you mow do wamp too.”
Fuck me.
Her lips press against mine and my cock turns to granite.
Do not kiss her back.
“Go to sl—”
Then her tongue drags along my bottom lip and my control slips. My mouth crashes down on hers. Sliding my fingers through her hair, I lift her face and take what’s not mine while savoring the heat of her body as she arches into me.
I’ll spend the rest of eternity feeling like an asshole but I’m not stopping this kiss. Hungrily we lick and lap at one another, as the familiar fire and desire we’ve been taunting takes control.
“Marshall,” she groans in my mouth and my cock lurches, wanting out.
Wanting inside her.
Shit . I can’t do this. I won’t. Not when she’s drunk as hell and barely conscious.
I’m not that guy.
I pull back. “Wolf. Stop. If I kiss you again, I’m fucking you. And I want you sober and, shit, fully fucking conscious.”
“No. Now. Fuck me.” Trina licks her lips and tugs on my hair as her hips arch, pressing into my rock-solid erection.
“You’ll hate me tomorrow. No.”
I’ll hate myself.
And I’m not going to say it, but she’ll be a terrible fuck right now. I want to see her in all her glory. I’m not foolish enough to know I’ll get one night with this woman.
“I hwate you now.” She grins drunkenly.
I unlock her arms from around my neck and hold them above her head with one fist.
My eyes drift over the short T-shirt where I can now see her little lace panties, then drag my gaze back up past her hard nipples.
Maybe I am a saint.
“No, wolf. I don’t think you do.” My smirk hits just before I kiss her one more time. Deep, hard, and demanding.
I brush the hair off Trina’s forehead as I release her mouth and arms.
“Tell me when you’re ready to be fucked like the wild wolf pup you are, and I’ll make sure it’s a night you never forget.” I climb off the bed, tug the covers over her, and watch as her eyes flicker as she mumbles something incoherent.
Then falls asleep.
So fucking beautiful.
After locking up, I climb into the back of the limo and let out a long sigh.
Goddamn. That took about ten lifetimes of self-restraint, but it will be worth it when I finally have her.
Trina is going to hate that she played her hand tonight and told me she wants to fuck me. Silly girl. I already knew.
Now she just needs to ask me to fuck her when she’s sober.
It’s going to be fun watching her fight it.