Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 13471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 67(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 67(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
“You don’t know what it means. Maybe he got out. All done. It’s been over a year now, and I remember you told me he had a year before he retired. That was when you first started writing.”
Her words bring me some comfort. But why didn’t he tell me he was leaving? Give me a new address or something, a way of getting ahold of him? Or maybe, like I was dreading, as he’s no longer in the Marines, we’re done.
That doesn’t hurt as much as the other possibility, but it still cuts deep. Deeper than I ever thought possible.
“Katie!” Tammy pulls back from our hug, grabbing my shoulders in a firm hold. “That man is not done with you. Trust me. Think about it. You know him better than anyone. You have to with as much as you two write back and forth.”
“You’re right.” No way would he just stop communication. He wouldn’t do that to me. He may not have feelings of love for me like I do for him, but we had a deep friendship, not one that could easily be tossed aside.
“I’m sure you’ll hear something in a few days.” She drops her hands from my shoulders and runs her eyes down my body.
“You look sexy.”
“Sexy? Really?” I don’t think sexy is a word that can be used for me, but I have to admit I stepped a little out of my comfort zone tonight with my dress. It hugs my breasts but flares out at the bottom, showing off more of my curves than usual. It’s white, but I paired it with a red necklace and earrings that match my hair. Tammy helped me pick out the jewelry.
I even put on a little make-up and got my nails done. I tamed my wild hair, opting to leave it down tonight.
Since I started talking to Mark, I’ve noticed my confidence has gone up and a little bit of my shyness has slipped away. I don’t know if it’s the compliments he’s always giving me, or the fact that I feel sexually charged for the first time in my life. I find myself thinking about sex more than I ever have. Before, it was a passing thought here or there. Now I find myself lying in bed every night thinking about Mark next to me and all the things he’d do to me.
“Sexy sweet. We’re going to have a good time tonight.”
Tammy talked me into going to some ladies’ night. It’s the day before Valentine’s Day, so a local bar is holding some anti-Valentine’s Day party. And since it was a Friday night, I thought why not. Like I said, I’ve been coming out of my shell more lately, and I have Mark to thank for that.
“I could really use a drink now,” I say, dropping the letter on the counter and picking up my purse. There’s nothing I can do right now to try to find out anything. It’s already 7 P.M., and I don’t even know where to begin in my attempts to locate Mark.
“Or three.”
I laugh, nodding my head. “Three sounds good.”
“Hubs is going to drop us off and pick us up. We could really have, like, five.” She pushes me playfully as we make our way towards to door to head over to her place.
When I open the door, all the air leaves my lungs, and I hear Tammy’s exclamation. “Holy shit!”
He’s okay.
He’s here.
I can’t seem to find words, and neither can he because his mouth crashes down onto mine.
He’s okay, I tell myself. Relief pours through me. I latch on to him tighter, wanting to get closer and to prove to myself that he’s okay. That he’s really here.
Then I seem to be in his arms, my feet no longer touching the ground. I feel his hands go to my ass as he picks me up easily, and I feel my back hit a wall. His tongue pushes into my mouth, soft and sweet, making my heart clench.
He suddenly pulls away, and both of us try to catch our breath.
“You taste like sugar. I knew you’d be sweet, but damn.”
I hear his words, but it’s all so much. He’s here. At my house. I’m in his arms, and my legs are wrapped around his waist.
Holy shit.
“This was the wall thing I was talking about,” Tammy says, and I can’t help the burst of laughter that escapes my lips as my face turns cherry red.
Chapter Eight
Mark
“Yeah, I’m gonna go ahead and leave. You two kids have a great night. Nice to meet you, Mark.”
“You, too, Tammy,” I toss over my shoulder as she walks out the front door, closing it behind her.
Katie told me all about her, but we have plenty of time to discuss that later.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to do that.” I look down into her tear-filled eyes. Her cheeks are flushed from our kiss as our bodies cling to one another.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to have you do that to me.” A little tear rolls down her cheek, but she’s smiling from ear to ear.
“I wanted to surprise you, but damn if you didn’t surprise me. Where you going all dressed up like this?” I look down at her cleavage, wanting to taste it. I lean into her neck, burying my face there. I smell her sweet scent and taste her skin. I never imagined she would feel this good.
“Nowhere now,” Katie moans, and pulls me closer to her. “I was so worried. I got my letter returned to me today.”
I pull back, looking into her eyes. “I couldn’t tell you when I was leaving. It was a security risk. Then I had to wait on paperwork so I could leave Parris Island. Believe me, baby, I got here as fast as I could.”
She reaches up and cups my face, and I lean down, kissing her lips. This time it’s just as intense, but I feel her shock melt away into desire.
Leaning back, she looks up at me, and I move to take her mouth again. I can’t seem to stop myself from kissing her. I pull her to me and carry her upstairs.