CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
MARSHALL
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Despite doing a lot of sleeping, I’ve been bored as fuck this week. I’m not good at doing nothing. I tried doing a workout, but it just hurt my arm and I ended up cursing a lot, loudly. Then I walked around the BHS offices and annoyed a few of the guys who were trying to work so got told to fuck off at home.
Lovely.
Tonight is Aidan’s BBQ, so at least that’ll get me out of the house and break the boredom.
Plus, I can corner my little wolf and find out what is going on in her pretty little head. She’s ignored my messages, which didn’t surprise me.
With all my spare time, I’ve done a lot of thinking—overthinking—and I might’ve done a little digging online.
It turns out Trina has a few secrets. Her father was a lieutenant in the military. He died in combat when she was younger.
No fucking wonder she’s opposed to getting involved with anyone in the forces.
That would’ve been hard as hell.
I can’t even use the excuse that I’ve left the Army because I just went back into the field, and she figured it out. I spoke to a few of the guys who were at the office when Trina lost her ever-loving mind , as Josh put it, and while it gave my ego a bit of a burst hearing how much she was affected, now I fucking hate that she was so scared.
But it speaks to what I mean to her.
Even if she won’t admit it.
Knowing she felt like that while I was over there makes me fucking angry, and it’s another confirmation that I’ve made the right decision to bow out of any future black ops missions.
Trina doesn’t know that though.
Knowing she cares, and that her feelings were strong even before we slept together, tells me she is probably struggling right now.
I don’t know if space was the right thing to give her this week, or she’s run farther away. She might have. Heck, I’m still wrapping my head around what is happening between us. On some primal level I believe she belongs to me.
That she’s mine to protect.
And goddamn, I want to possess every inch of her sexy body. Lick by lick.
Thrust by thrust.
I just hadn’t caught my breath enough to ask if I want a girlfriend. Do I? There’s never been an urgency to settle down, but that’s not what this is.
It’s about not letting her get away.
We need to talk.
I need to tell her I’m aware of how what I do impacts the people in my life.
I’ve lost friends. I’m fully cognizant of how worried my family has been over the years. Never knowing where in the world I was at times or when I was coming home. It’s a burden every soldier carries while protecting our country. I’ve missed birthdays and Christmas and at least two Thanksgivings.
Shit, imagine missing the birth of your child. Or your anniversaries.
These are reasons I left. I want to be present for those things when I finally get married.
I don’t want to see tears in my wife’s eyes, or the fear I saw the night Trina stepped around Ryder in the hospital. Those round saucers peered at me showing me more than she ever had.
Then it vanished.
So, I’m well ahead of her when it comes to understanding the impact being enlisted has on loved ones.
Now I work for the BHS team and intend to stay focused on fucking influencers and risk entrepreneurs. Heck, I get to sleep longer, have more flexibility in my daily schedule, don’t have to salute to anyone, and have said goodbye to the fight-or-flight mode.
Mostly.
That day I saw Trina Thomas climb out of Briar’s car my cock almost leaped out of my pants, and I’ve never smiled so big.
The sassy little wolf sneered at me with her startling blue eyes and full lips, and I think I might’ve fallen in love right there and then.
Love?
Jesus Christ. I swipe a hand over my face.
Yeah, that’s not what this is.
Is it?
I guess it could be.
If Trina would stop pushing me away. Tonight, the ghosting stops. I’m dragging those walls of hers down and forcing her to open up.
Then those pretty thighs again.
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“SOMEONE GET THE wounded a seat.” Ryder calls out over my shoulder.
“It’s my arm not my leg, you dork. I’m fine.” I shake my head as Briar races off. “Come back.”
“Tell your woman to stand down, Marine.”
“Briar! Get back here. Marshall is fine. If he falls over then we’ll put a blanket over him and use him as another seat.” Aidan calls out.
“Adian!” She gasps while I laugh.
They are all idiots.
Anyway, I’m not falling over anywhere. I need my height so I can see over everybody and watch my sexy girl walk in the room.
For the past hour I’ve been impatiently waiting.
My girl.
The door swings open and my heart slams into my chest when I catch a glimpse of Trina’s long dark hair which she’s twisted into curls.
She flings it over her shoulder and then holds the door while my gaze slides down her body and the extremely short red dress she’s wearing.
Damn.
My mouth waters as I imagine tugging it up as she palms the wall, then sliding her panties aside, and slamming my cock inside her.
I think I can convince her.
A couple of kisses along her long neck as I sneak my fingers under the hem of her dress. Then take her lips and tell her she has thirty seconds to get in my car before I make her scream in public.
I’m just congratulating myself on a solid plan when my blood freezes. A man I never thought—or hoped—to see again walks into Aidan’s house.
Sergeant Miller.
Roger fucking Miller.
Then my mouth literally parts as Roger wraps his arm around Trina’s waist and leads her inside.
What the fuck is happening right now?
As if in slow motion I watch them smile at one another, laugh at something, and then turn back to the room.
Trina spots me first.
Her smile falters when she sees the anger lining my face. I couldn’t have hidden it if I’d wanted to. She catches herself and looks away.
My gaze moves to Roger who is shaking hands and looking as cool as a cucumber in a pair of black jeans and a pale blue shirt.
How the fuck is he back in the United States already? Was he discharged? His tour wasn’t over for another few weeks, I recall.
To be fair I paid little attention knowing the US Army would severely reprimand him for his actions.
That doesn’t explain what he’s doing here.
In my world.
In Aidan’s house.
With Trina.
“Something wrong?” Josh asks, picking up on my tension.
I watch for a moment longer as Roger says something and she laughs, throwing her head back.
Fuck. Does she like him?
“No,” I reply, but I’m a Green Beret, not just a jealous lover, so I meet Josh’s stare and lower my voice. “That guy was in Kuwait last week. The one who was intoxicated.”
His eyebrows shoot up.
“You are fucking joking me.” Josh sips his whisky and watches him carefully. I know he’s trying to connect the dots to Trina just as I am.
“Her father was a lieutenant,” I say, because while the world is a small place, I can’t think of any other way she could know Roger.
He grew up in Ohio before joining the Army. He went on and on about the place, that’s how I remember. I also know he’s never been based in California. I just can’t remember how I know that. Unless he told some fucking story.
But that eliminates him being some childhood friend.
Then again, Trina would have moved around.
It’s possible.
Josh keeps watching them.
“Could be a coincidence.”
I shake my head and watch Adian turn some corn on the grill. He’s going to burn those damn things, and what a missed opportunity it is, but right now I’ve lost interest.
All I can do is watch Trina with Roger fucking Miller.
“Or it’s not. How many people know—knew— you and Trina were dating?”
“Would we call it that?” I rub the back of my head uncomfortably. Even I wouldn’t stretch the truth that far.
Josh stares at his wife, Cassy, then back at me. “Listen, I might be overprotective, but if you think this guy is sketchy, then get over there. We’ve got your back if you need it.”
I know that.
I never need to second guess it. We might not have served together, but all the men and women we work with come from a military background. Loyalty doesn’t end when you hang up your dog tags.
Josh and Aidan are our commanding officers and the old leave no one behind mantra is embedded in our DNA.
But, as for fucking Roger, I don’t trust him for a damn second. What the hell is he doing with my girl? I mean, the fact he is here with her after what happened in the Middle East...something feels very off.
But I can hardly fly across the room and say that to her. She’d have my balls in a vice two seconds later. That and it’s classified information.
I pull in a breath.
There must be an explanation. I can’t leap to conclusions. For all I know he could be a friend or cousin, or some other neutral connection.
If not, am I going to stand by and let Roger have my girl? Of course I’m fucking not.
I drop my drink on the table, nod at Josh, and head over.
“Hey, darlin’.” I rasp.
Trina turns the moment she senses my presence.
“Hey, giraffe.” She smiles and a blush hits her cheek. Then she catches herself and turns to Roger. “This is—”
Shit.
What do I do here?
I can’t say I saw him last week. Or that he almost got me killed. And that between me and Rodriques we likely had him relieved of duty.
It could be why he’s back in the USA. But why California?
I smell a rat.
“Roger Miller.” He holds out a hand.
I hesitate, staring at his outstretched hand.
What is he up to?
The mission was classified but the fact we served together for a bunch of years isn’t and he knows that.
For some reason I’ll never explain, I decide to go along with it. Maybe it’s because I want to see what he’s up to.
“Hello Roger.” I squeeze his hand until I see it hurts. “Master Sergeant Adams.”
I know my full title, a rank or more above his, pisses him off. His lip twitching tells me it works.
“Just call him Marshall.” Trina rolls her eyes at me.
“You didn’t tell me your friends were military.” Roger glances around the room.
Trina shrugs, avoiding my gaze. “Former. Mostly. I’ve just met most of them.”
You were also just in my bed with my cock inside you. But semantics.
Roger rocks back on his heels. “Yeah? Well, I’ll get some glasses for us.” He holds up the bottle of wine and heads to the kitchen.
Not before shooting me a wink.
That fucking prick.
“Little wolf.” I take a step closer and Trina steps away.
“What?”
“You didn’t reply to my message,” I say roughly. “We need to talk. And other things.”
“Marshall.” She holds up a hand. “I told you where we stood. I’m... I’m here with Roger tonight.”
Her words are like an arrow stabbing me in the heart and I’m almost breathless.
Trina is dating Roger Miller?
The fuck you are, is on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t say it out loud.
My fist clenches, and body heat rises about ten degrees as a feeling I’ve never felt before comes over me. I’ve killed for my country but never wanted to commit murder because I hate someone.
Knowing this asshole could have slept with Trina. Had his hands, his mouth, on her. His dick in her, makes me almost lose my mind.
It’s only been a few days since she was arching as I filled her with my thick hard shaft. Either this is new, or she’s known him of a while.
“That quick huh?” My voice is low and dark.
Trina’s fingers tug at the material of her dress, then emotion-filled eyes lift to mine. “Like you said, I’ve done a few mornings after.”
We hold one another’s gaze while I remind myself kidnapping is illegal.
Then she swallows and walks off leaving me standing there with smoke pouring out my fucking ears.
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TRINA
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My plan is working. Marshall is keeping away. And by keeping away I mean leaning up against the wall across the room and staring daggers at me.
Actually, both of us.
I felt guilty when I saw his reaction. I’ve met some alpha males in my time, but Marshall looked ready to kill.
I’m seeing Roger at the moment.
Talk about stretching the truth.
Roger did message me and I met him outside Aidan’s house. It didn’t even feel like a date, but the moment we stepped inside the door his hands were on me.
I was a little miffed, but this was the whole point. To let Marshall know I’d moved on.
If Roger thinks I’m a sure thing at the end of the night, he’s wrong.
He’s proving a popular “date.” There is zero chemistry between us, despite enjoying some of our flirting the night before, but a bunch of girls are showing a bit of interest.
My eyes keep wandering over to my alpha toy solider. My god, the way he towered over me when he came over when we arrived, I wanted to melt into his big hard chest.
How he makes my body sing just by being near me is nothing short of magic. I could feel my nipples hardening and core clenching even as he was glaring down at me.
Truth is, I didn’t like seeing him so upset.
Roger, well he’s driving me a little nuts.
“Where did you meet him?” Alice asks. “He’s funny.”
Oh crap. I hope she doesn’t fall for him. That would be awkward as hell.
“At a bar after work last night. He’s new in town so I thought he might like to meet people.” I lie.
Alice is too innocent. Well, not really, but she’s an angel compared to me. Someone like Roger would chew her up, gargle with her goodness, and spit her out.
I won’t let that happen.
“Hey, let’s dance,” I say, tugging on his arm and separating them.
After all, he’s here to stop me running across the room and asking Marshall if his arm is sore. If he needs anything. If he could please kiss me again like I’m the only woman in the world. If I could fall asleep in his arms again.
But please don’t let me fall in love with you.
“This dress, goddamn it’s hot,” Roger says while we dance to an upbeat song.
He’s a good dancer. I’ll give him that. I spin around knowing my dress will lift a little and wiggle my brows.
“Thank you.”
“Let me guess. Marshall is an ex.”
I shrug and wiggle my hips. “Not really.”
It’s true. We haven’t exactly dated.
“He works for Briar’s boss.” Who he met earlier and had a long conversation with.
“Ah. The Marine.”
I nod.
“Are they all military here?”
I glance around at the fifty-something people at the party. Some I recognize, some I don’t. Actually quite a few I don’t. I spot Savannah, who is sticking close to Ryder, and her bodyguard who is in casual clothes. It’s so unnecessary with all the guys here, but then again, what do I know? I’m a sales rep.
So, I don’t know the answer but I suspect they are.
“I don’t know everyone but probably, yes.” I sing along to the song wondering why he’s so interested. “Hey, I haven’t asked. What do you do?”
I’m a bitch.
I only wanted him to come with me tonight as my date. My wall between Marshall and me. I should at least show some interest.
I tune out a little when he answers. Something about looking at a new career and might even do some different education.
My eyes flicker over to Marshall, the pull like the earth’s magnetic field. I’m struck by the anger rolling off him. It’s almost palpable.
Then his eyes dip down as a petite blonde with the longest and most beautiful hair I’ve ever seen stops in front of him.
My heckles rise.
Marshall’s face immediately brightens, and he gives her one of the smiles he saves for people who are important to him. Including me.
And I’m instantly furious.
I trip, and Roger catches me.
Fuck.
Next minute, Marshall’s arm is around her shoulder, and he kisses her cheek. Then they wander off into the kitchen together.
“The hell,” I mutter.
“Sorry?” Roger says and places his hand on my hips.
I slap at it.
“Hey!” I growl and then catch myself. But it’s too late and I catch Roger’s face which has turned red with anger.
He steps closer, grabbing my hip again, and snarls. “What the hell was that?”
Ah, what is happening right now? He’s turned into Jekyll and Hyde.
But even if he is a little unhinged I cannot let him leave now this girl has arrived.
No goddamn way.
“Sorry, natural reaction to grabby guys.” I shake my head and laugh. “Shall we see if there are any shots?”
Roger’s dark eyes study me and I shiver.
I think I might be in a little over my head here. At least I’m surrounded by all the guys.
It will be fine.
“Sure.” Roger finally nods, and we head in the same direction Marshall and his pretty girlfriend went.
The whore.