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.
“Which way?” I ask, when I get to the top. My voice is breathy, but I need to find a bed and lie with her. Even if we don’t do anything, I need to hold her in my arms.
“To the right.” Her cheeks flame with her blush, but she leans in to kiss my neck and nibble on my ear. It’s all I can do to keep my legs steady as I carry her to her room.
When I get to the bedroom, I climb onto the bed and lay her down. I lie on top of her.
Looking into her eyes, I brush a few strands of her gorgeous red hair away from her face. “We don’t have to do anything. I just need to look at you.”
She nods at me, still giving me the biggest and brightest smile I’ve ever seen. “I can’t believe you’re here, Mark. This is insane.”
“It is.” I feel myself get serious. I need her to know what I feel. “I don’t want you to think I’m here for some quick hook up. I came here because there’s nowhere else I want to be.”
“I was worried you didn’t want me anymore. That maybe you were out and we were done. But then I realized that you wouldn’t do that to me. What we had, what we have, it’s special. Right?”
I feel relief in my chest, because I wanted to know if it felt that way for her, too. “It is, baby. Over the past year, you’ve come to mean more to me than anyone ever has. I fell in love with your heart and your words long before I even heard your voice. But when I did, I knew for sure that this was it.” I rub my thumb along the side of her face, wiping away stray tears. “I love you, Katie. I just needed to come here and tell you that. So if you need more time or want to try normal dating for a while, I can go slow. Whatever it’s going to take to keep you. I can be patient.” She laughs, and I clear my throat. “I can try to be patient.”
More tears fall as she laughs, clinging to me and running her hands all over my body.
“I love you, too, Mark. You’ve brought out the best in me, and I don’t ever want to let that go. You’ve made my life come alive.”
I take her lips, claiming her mouth and laying some of my weight on her. Her legs wrap around my waist, and her fingers lace through my hair.
I move from her lips and kiss down her neck. I nuzzle her cleavage and lick between her breasts. “My God, you’re fucking gorgeous. I just need to look at you.” I sit back a little, looking down at her. “You’re like some kind of pinup model from the forties sent to inspire World War II servicemen.”
She blushes deeply but wiggles a little under me. “And am I inspiring you?”
“Lady, if I didn't just retire, I’d sign up again just to follow you on tour.”
“I think it’s time you let me get a good look at what’s been protecting our country all these years.” She pulls at the hem of my polo shirt, and I help her take it off, along with my undershirt.
Once I’m shirtless in front of her, she runs her hands all over my hairy chest. A chill runs down my back as her fingertips gently brush my nipples and move down my stomach to my belt.