by S. J. Sylvis
“I’m right, aren’t I?” he asked again, raising his eyebrow. His eyes looked so different out here. Maybe it was the darkness of the night or the fact that we were having a conversation that wasn’t entirely awful, but they looked strangely comforting.
“Why do you care?” I asked sharply. I cringed immediately when the words left my mouth. “Wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out bitchy.” Did I just apologize?
“I don’t care. I was just wondering.”
And here we go again, back to our normal encounters.
“Well, thanks for not caring,” I retaliated.
“It just makes sense, that’s all.” My forehead wrinkled. “Just why you don’t date Marines. You were obviously hurt by one.”
Probably not in the way he was thinking, so I sighed, “It was my brother.”
He nodded his head and looked up at the stars. It gave me a good angle to stare at. His jaw was so straight and defined, just like his nose. He barely had any scruff on his face, like he had shaved right before he came over. I watched as his chest rose and fell so softly, as if he was relaxed out here with me and no one else.
We didn’t say anything else for a few minutes. We both just sat there in silence, evening out our breathing and staring at the twinkling lights above our heads.
When he stood quickly, I jumped in my chair. I glanced up at him towering over me and stared right into those green sea-glass eyes.
“Saying sorry doesn’t really make it any better.” He was right. It doesn’t.
He was still staring down at me when his voice hesitated. “But I am sorry that it happened to you.”
I kept my face cool, calm, and collected but on the inside, I was burning up with nerves. The moment was tense and full of emotion that neither one of us wanted to show. He swallowed and licked his lips, looking down at mine and then back up to my eyes. For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. That’s how intense and electric the air was around us, but then he gestured towards the door.
“I have a redhead in there calling my name for the night, so I’ll leave you be with your ‘no Marines’ rule.”
Then he walked away and shut the door behind him, leaving me feeling utterly jumbled and angry. He acted like the moment we’d just shared wasn’t completely out of the ordinary, and like it was entirely inconsequential. I’d thought he was going to kiss me, and holy shit…I was going to let him.
The next couple of weeks were increasingly annoying but also interesting, especially when I would run into Luke. The first run-in with him was shortly after our encounter on my deck. It was mid-morning, and he was outside, washing his Camaro. He was blaring music from its speakers, and I was trying to sleep. I know, most people don’t sleep during the day, but I did. I had to, or else I wouldn’t be able to function at work.
Finally, after hearing enough of the song, “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” by Bad Company, I shot up out of bed and stomped all the way to my front door. I swung it open and stormed out onto my porch, glaring in the direction of Luke. He didn’t have a shirt on and his muscles worked swiftly with each movement of the big, yellow sponge.
“Turn your music down!” I yelled, crossing my arms over my tank top.
Luke swiveled around mid-scrub and stared at me. His mouth formed into a thin line at the same time that he rose one eyebrow. I gulped as my eyes trailed down his toned stomach, and then I shook my head angrily at my lack of discipline.
“Seriously, turn that shit down!” I yelled again.
But this time, Luke smiled. My heart flip-flopped at the sight of it. He slowly turned around and walked over to his car, opening the driver’s side door. I thought, thank God, he’s turning it down, but then his long body leaned inside and he turned his head toward me. He was barely visible from the soapy water on the windshield, but I could still see the devil-like grin form on his face. Instead of turning the music down, he blared it even louder. Naturally, this made me even more angry.
I stomped my way down the steps, bare feet scraping against the cool sidewalk and stalked over to him. He slipped out of his car in a leisurely fashion and grinned. The second he took a step to the left, I jolted around his body and dove head-first into the driver’s side, slamming my fingers on the buttons to silence the ear-splitting music.
Luke snickered at me, but I was totally high off beating him at his stupid little game. Unfortunately, that high ended abruptly, because as soon as I exited his car, a blast of cold water struck me head-on. The water was freezing on my barely-clothed skin. I let out an awful scream, and Luke laughed his ass off.
I stood there, frozen in my spot. I couldn’t believe he’d just sprayed me with water. I could not believe it. My eyes glanced over to the blue bucket filled with soapy water, and I felt myself inching closer to it, but as soon as I stepped over to grab it, Luke slid in front of me.
“Nice try.”
I scowled, which was followed by a shiver. I was freezing. The only thing I had on was a skimpy tank top and a pair of shorts; after all, I had been sleeping.
I still felt like I’d won our battle, though, because as soon as I shivered, I saw Luke’s gaze trail down my body. His eyes paused when he reached my chest. My nipples were as hard as stone, and they were definitely protruding through my wet tank top. I watched him gulp and when his eyes reached mine again, they were undeniably heated. I smirked at him, and he knew he was caught. It was written all over his face.
Since that moment, I’d felt like I had the upper hand on him. Except for the following week. Usually after working all night, I’d go for a light run through town before everyone woke up and things got hectic. But, guess who also liked to run in the morning before heading into work? That’s right, Luke, who I couldn’t help but notice seemed to have an issue with commitment, as I have seen more than a handful of girls at his house since he’s moved in. They’re never repeats, either.
That morning, I threw on my black running leggings paired with my neon pink shoes and walked outside. I pulled my hair up to a less-than-attractive ponytail on the crown of my head and placed my headphones in my ears and took off running down the street. I’ve always kept my volume down, just enough so that I could hear if someone came up behind me (I obviously watched way too many crime shows). But that’s when I heard it. Pounding footsteps behind me. I increased my speed, heart thumping even louder than before, palms sweaty and ears on alert. My tennis shoes slapped against the pavement and the nice morning air wrapped around my body like a blanket. But it didn’t matter, because I was literally shivering on the inside. I knew I should have gotten a dog, but that would only remind me of Alex, because we were going to go to the dog shelter when he got home from Afghanistan. I was still waiting on that to happen.
The eerie feeling of someone following closely behind me continued until I reached the front steps of the grey-stoned courthouse. I knew if I stopped there, the psycho wouldn’t attack me. There were cameras all around the building; no one could be that stupid…right?
At the last second, I jerked my body to a standstill, and he tumbled into me causing us both to fall to the ground. I knew it was a he because any woman would know not to secretly run behind another woman for a long period of time because it would be creepy, and weird, and… stalker-ish. As soon as I pushed the dense body away from mine, grating my hands on the concrete, I stood up and pulled my leg back to kick him right in the stomach. Before I could, though, he grabbed my foot with a strong hand, and I screamed bloody murder.
When I finally stopped screaming, because I realized my attacker was laughing hysterically, I studied his face and my shoulders slumped. When he let go of my foot, I almost kicked him again. The mere sight of his face flooded my body with rage.
“What the hell are you doing?” I shouted.
“Jesus, you are crazy.” Luke stood up quickly, straightening the ball cap on his head, and laughed even harder.
“I’m crazy? You’re the one who is freaking stalking me! Why are you followin
g me?!”
I was full on panting and trying really hard not to focus on his very, very toned arms peeking out from under his dark green t-shirt.
“I’m not stalking you. I was going on my morning run and it just so happens that you run the same route that I do. And,” he stopped and looked me up and down with heat lingering behind those clear eyes. I scowled at him in return, almost letting out a growl. “You have really good stamina. You never once wavered from your pace. I’m impressed. I wonder…” He brought his hand up to his chin and tapped on it with his finger. “I wonder if you have that much stamina in bed…?”
My eyes almost fell out of their sockets. I reached my arm up and smacked him right on the head, which only made him laugh harder. So hard, in fact, that he had to bend down and place his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Anger sparked through my body and my cheeks instantly felt hot.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I retaliated, turning on my heel and running the rest of the way back. I turned my music up loud this time, because I didn’t even want to know if he was behind me or not.
After that, every day that I came home to run after work, there was Luke in his black Nikes on the bottom of his stairs, about to start his run. He would flash me his pearly white smile as he passed me, and it made my heart skip a beat every time. I blamed it on my annoyance with him, but I knew better. His smile did things to me. Unspeakable things.
I would purposely wait until he started his run, to start mine. I didn’t want him watching my ass the entire time, and I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but I liked to watch him. I actually liked to look at him. It was his mouth and manners that drove me up the freaking wall.
Just like right now, with him running his mouth on the baseball field. I wasn’t sure how I’d gotten roped into volunteering here. Oh wait, yes, I do. It was JoJo. It always ended with JoJo; she knew she was my soft spot. She’s all I had left in the world.
Being here, volunteering on base, wasn’t the real reason that I was so bothered. What was bothering me was the actual thing we were all out here on the baseball field for. The Marine Corps partnered up with the hospital every year to throw a fundraiser for FLB (Families Left Behind).
Families Left Behind has been around for many years, even before I was born. All the money raised for FLB went to the families who had lost someone due to war. That was why being here hurt so much…because now that I was on the other end of this whole military thing, where you actually have to deal with losing a family member to war, little reminders like this stung. I knew how it felt now, after losing Alex. It was like stepping on a bumblebee in the soft grass on a hot summer day; it stung you so fast that you didn’t even realize what had happened.
“Why are you staring over there like that?” JoJo whispered behind me, causing me to jump up so fast I placed my hand over my heart.
“Yeah, I was wondering the same thing…” Becky said from beside me.
Becky and I were the two running the donations table, along with handing out the free water bottles a local store had donated. The other volunteers from the hospital were at other tables, handing out flyers and giving informational talks about FLB. JoJo was only over here because she didn’t want to sit alone on the bleachers to watch the extremely boring baseball game.
“I’m not staring like anything,” I shot back, gaining side glances from the pair of them.
Becky’s gaze landed on Luke. “He’s very good-looking. I definitely approve.”
“There is nothing to approve of. He’s a jackass.”
“A jackass with a nice ass,” JoJo snickered.
I needed to change the subject before my reddening face gave me away.
“It’s really not fair that you get to look so cute and I have to wear this volunteer shirt,” I said quickly, knowing it would lead JoJo into a full-on tangent about fashion. It was her weakness; I knew she’d take the bait.
JoJo was wearing her tight skinny jeans and a super-cute white baseball jersey. I would probably look like a complete idiot in it, but somehow she made it work. Her black hair was in luscious waves and her oversized sunglasses sat perched on her nose; she looked cute and fun. Then there was me. My blonde hair piled in a high ponytail and my skin looking rather pale against my dark navy t-shirt. At least I was able to pair my volunteer shirt with my best jeans. I had that much going for me.
“There’s my number one fan!” Ryan exclaimed, sweating profusely as he jogged over to the table. I looked around the field and realized the baseball gods had finally answered my prayers. The game was officially over. I was ready to get the hell out of here and back to my cozy home so I could throw on some sweats and put on Netflix, while casually drinking a glass of wine…that would no doubt turn into the entire bottle.
Right as I was putting the water bottles back in their case, someone snatched the very one I was holding right out of my hand. Its plastic casing crunched as it was jerked out of my grasp, and I was ready to smack whoever it was for being so incredibly rude.
A cool voice flooded my ears.
“Hey, Cammie.”
I rolled my eyes and stared right into his clean-shaven face. Sweat was dripping down his forehead, all the way down to his grinning mouth.
“Luke! Here’s some water to quench that thirst of yours.” I pretended to hand him an invisible water bottle. “Oh, that’s right. You just snatched it out of my hand without so much as a grunt of appreciation.”
He ignored my comment.
“Soooo, whatcha got planned for tonight?”
I stared at him in disbelief. What?
He looked up at the sky, tilting his head back.
“I was just wondering because, I’m concerned.”
“Concerned?” I placed my hands on my hips.
He looked down, gracefully, then back up at me.
“It’s just, I’ve noticed you don’t have much of a social life, and that’s not healthy for a woman your age…”
“What are you doing? Peeping out your windows at me?” He was totally embarrassing me, on purpose. Concerned, my ass.
“Nope, it’s just pretty obvious that you don’t really do much other than sit out on that porch of yours and watch me and my dates every single night.”
“I do not!” I yelled defensively. It was pretty freaking hard not to notice. “Just because my eyes happen to wander over to your annoying, squealing little minions doesn’t mean that I willingly do it. It’s hard not to glance over when it sounds like there’s a hyena next door.”
I heard a few laughs from around us and noticed out of the corner of my eye that a crowd of sweaty men in their camouflage uniforms had gathered. I didn’t dare let my gaze waver from his, though, because I knew if I did, I’d see that his uniformed sleeves were rolled up to his round biceps, and it would make my mouth go dry. Once you saw a man as attractive as Luke wearing a uniform that only enhanced his already impressive muscles, you were doomed for life.
I scowled.
“You’re a pig! You have a different girl at your house every night; it’s disgusting.”
I stifled a laugh when I heard grunting and oinking from some of the younger Marines. Luke whipped his head in their direction and glowered, causing me to laugh out loud.
Luke’s gazed landed back on mine.
“Well, apparently women love it when I act like a pig. They certainly do while they’re in my bed…”
Then he winked at me. My core went into flames. Goddammit. I clenched my teeth so hard that they might have cracked.
I felt a small flush creep up from my neck, and I retaliated, “Well, I have a date tonight anyway. So thankfully, I won’t have to hear any of your snorting!”
I briefly heard JoJo whisper, “You have a date?” And then to Becky, “Who does she have a date with?”
Becky answered, “Some really hot doctor,” just loud enough for Luke to hear. Thank you, Becky, for being on my side.
“Well, I can’t wait to meet him tonight!”
“Wha
t? You are not meeting my date!” I exclaimed, as I placed my hands back on my slender waist.
“Yes, I am,” he said casually, but I heard the sharp tone lingering at the end.
I snarled, “No, you are not.”
“You get to meet all my dates, so it’s only fair that I get to meet yours.”
“I don’t meet your dates! Plus, I wouldn’t even want to. They’ve gotta be some type of crazy to be going out with you.”
The laughter from the group beside us got louder, and I smiled on the inside. That’s right, take that!
“I’ll see you later, Cammie.” He smiled the most conniving smile that I had ever seen in my life.
As soon as he was out of earshot, I looked over at JoJo’s furrowed brows.
“Get me a date tonight. I don’t care who; just get me a freaking date.”
I bit my lip and watched as Luke sauntered away towards his incredibly sleek car. The younger Marines trailed behind him, like he was the freaking Pope.
“Whatever you say…” she said.
I craned my head back towards her.
“When I said ‘I don’t care who,’ I meant anyone but the caveman.”
JoJo laughed and her eyes twinkled with mischief.
This ought to be interesting.
Six
When I opened my front door to two beautiful, crystal blue eyes, I couldn’t breathe. I blinked my eyes rapidly, expecting some giant flaw to pop out from this guy with his hands in the front pockets of his tailored blue suit, but nothing stood out. He was hot. Like, on-freaking-fire-hot.
“Cammie?” he asked, raising his dark eyebrows.
I stuttered, “Uh, yes. Hi.”
The man’s wide smile filled his face, and then he leaned in and kissed my cheek. He smelled amazing, like aftershave and cologne. Oh my God.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jason.”
“Hi,” I said again, feeling flustered.
JoJo had outdone herself. This guy was infinitely better looking than all the other blind dates I’ve had put together. I mean, I think my mouth was literally watering. If he asked me to sleep with him, right there on the spot, I wouldn’t even have to think about it. Yes. The answer would be yes.