by Dahlia Rose
“Cherish, this is not the first time I’ve dealt with a baby,” her mother said firmly. “You and Aidan go on and have a night on the town.” She looked down at Marcus who was looking up at her. “Me and my grandson are going to watch Dancing With The Stars and vote for our favorite.”
“Come on, sweetheart. Your mom has it covered.” Aidan took her hand and led her to the door. “Did I mention you look gorgeous?”
“Okay, okay. See you later, Mom. Call if you need us. You have the number.”
“Yes, Cherish, I have the number and everything will be fine.” Her mother gave her a look that Cherish knew meant her patience was wearing thin.
Aidan steered her out the door and closed it firmly. Outside, the night air was sweet and warm. Sometimes she swore that the weather in Charlotte skipped spring and went straight to summer. She didn’t even need a coat or a wrap as they walked down the street to where Aidan was parked. He helped her into the car and she looked at him when he slid behind the wheel of the car. He looked good in a pair of dark jeans and a printed short sleeved loose T-shirt. His strong muscled arms flexed as he drove and she stared appreciatively. The man had an amazing body.
It seemed it had only been a few minutes before he was parking at a small secluded club. It was Wednesday night and The Loft was a sleek, new entertainment spot that boasted live music and had low, romantic lighting. It featured a two story balcony with red leather seats shaped unusually. Hand in hand they took the elevator up and was ushered in by one of the bouncers at the door. Music filled the air and people sat talking, laughing or just being close. Cherish loved the ambiance of The Loft and she loved being there with Aidan even more. They found one of the little circular booths open and claimed it before another couple could.
“I’ll go grab us something to drink. What will you have?” Aidan asked.
“A Shirley Temple.” She smiled. “No alcohol until I’ve weaned Marcus to the bottle completely. You get a beer. I can be the designated driver tonight.”
“Trust me. I plan to be stone cold sober when we hit the hotel room.” He winked at her and she laughed.
After he left to get their drinks, she looked around the room. Her eyes spied two men who were standing nearby kissing. She was going to look away quickly, but the one standing closest moved and she gasped. It was Jose, Aidan’s slime ball friend who had caused all the problems between them in the first place. Holy crap, he’s gay! She dropped her head low in case they saw her, and her mind reeled at what she saw. It all began to fall into place—the way he had acted that night. He was a soldier who was living a lie and trying to live up to it as best he could. How would Aidan react? She felt as if she was caught with a secret that she certainly didn’t want. She was gnawing on that bit of information as Aidan walked back over with their drinks and her gaze flew to where Jose and his partner were talking. If Aidan saw them would this turn into some big scene? Aidan didn’t strike her as the type who was intolerant of other lifestyles but after what Jose did, who knows how it could play out.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Are you still worrying about Marcus?” Aidan asked as he took a seat beside her. “We can go home if you want, baby. We don’t have to stay.” He put the drinks on the table and slid hers in front of her.
“Um, no. No, I’m fine. I mean, I know my mom will be fine taking care of him.” Cherish took a deep breath. “Look over to the left, closer to the door and you’ll see what I saw.”
“What?” He turned his head to look just as Jose’s friend pulled him in for another long kiss. Aidan’s eyes widened. “What the hell? Is that Jose?”
Cherish nodded and clutched his hand nervously. “Don’t make a scene, Aidan.”
He looked at her. “Why would I?”
“I don’t know. I mean, he’s a marine who’s obviously gay. I didn’t know how you’d feel about that,” she admitted.
“How I feel about it is that I don’t care who a soldier sleeps with, man or woman, as long as I can trust them to watch my back,” Aidan replied. “He’s been lying all this time and caused a rift between us, almost making me lose out on my child. Jose being gay is not the reason I would make a scene. But I would punch him in the face for almost ruining my life with you.” Aidan sighed. “This explains a lot though. Now I understand the reason he is the way he is. It has to be hard living a lie. I have to go over there and talk to him.”
“Um, okay, I can wait here,” she said. She didn’t know if she should intrude on a friendship that had been around longer than her and Aidan’s relationship.
Aidan stood and held out his hand. “No, sweetheart, we’re together on this. He did it to you too.”
She silently took his hand and they crossed the floor. She saw the exact moment Jose caught sight of them coming; fear and alarm were written all over his face. He looked around as if he thought he could make an escape but then seemed to resign himself to the confrontation.
“I didn’t think I would see you here,” Jose said.
“Obviously,” Aidan said.
Jose turned to his friend. “Can you excuse us for a minute?”
The man nodded and walked away, and then tense silence ensued and she wished she was anywhere but there at that moment.
“You had the baby?” Jose directed his question at her.
“Yes, a little boy. His name is Marcus.”
“He’s mine if you’re wondering. I didn’t want a paternity test but Cherish insisted,” Aidan said pointedly. “After what you pulled, I couldn’t blame her.”
Way to put it out there, she thought and put her hand on his arm. “Aidan…”
“No, he’s right. I fucked with your relationship,” Jose said. “You have every right to out me for it.”
“Jesus, you think that is why I came over here? To out you?” Aidan demanded. “I want to know why you did what you did, especially if you know this is who you are?”
“Because I saw the way you looked at her and how it just clicked between you two.” Jose snapped his fingers. “I was jealous. You were going to be yet another friend who moved on and got married, and I’m still stuck and can’t be who I really am. I wanted to pull her away from you, and trust me, she was not budging. Then you got on that plane looking so fucking happy and the words just came out. I hated myself for it, but then months went by and I left it alone until you told me she was pregnant. I know I fucked up big time and you have every right to want to smash my face in.”
“You don’t have to hide who you are or who you love anymore,” Aidan said. “That law has gone down the drain. A lot of soldiers have opened up about their sexual orientation.”
“Yeah, and they’re still being shunned for it,” Jose replied angrily. “Everyone thinks it’s okay, but you don’t see the message board where soldiers are being shut out of bathrooms because guys don’t want to shower in the same room with a gay guy, or they end up being jumped from behind when their deployed.” The anger rolled off him in waves. “Half the stories of lesbian women who are fondled or even raped in deployment are not even reported. And if it is, then it’s quietly swept under the rug. They want it to look perfect in the news, but that pretty surface you hear about, that’s all it is: the surface. It’s better—safer—to keep your mouth shut until your time is up and you leave the damn corp.”
“I didn’t know it was so bad,” Cherish admitted. “I completely hate what you did, Jose. Jealously is an awful thing, but I do understand things from your point of view.”
“You almost cost me my kid, man, and you know how my life was, how I felt about family,” Aidan said.
“I beat myself up for what I did to you and also because I lost a good friend,” Jose said. “But I’ve decided that I can’t hide anymore, and I don’t want to. I’m gay and a marine and anyone who wants to mess with me because of it is going to get a fucking fight.”
“I’ll stand at your back, man.” Aidan held out his hand. “I can’t see you fighting a battle alone even after what you did.”
Jose clasped his hand and looked at both Aidan and Cherish gratefully. “Thanks, man, and after all I did, you’re a bigger man than me. But you don’t have to. There won’t be a fight with our boys. I signed those transfer papers and I’m heading to California. Paul, my partner, is from that area and we feel it will be good to make a fresh start there.”
“That’s good, and I wish you both the best of luck. But you need to apologize to Cherish. She was hurt in this too,” Aidan pointed out.
“I’m so very sorry, Cherish,” Jose said, and she could hear in his voice that he meant it.
She still felt wary of Jose, but if Aidan could try to forgive him so could she. “It’s fine, Jose.” She took Aidan’s hand. “We found our way back to each other. That’s all that matters.”
Jose’s friend made his way back and he introduced Paul to them. They talked for a few more minutes before she and Aidan went back to enjoying their night out. It all felt very surreal talking to Jose and finding out about his relationship with Paul. No matter what happened, she mentally wished him a happy life and hoped that where ever he ended up, he wouldn’t feel the need to hide his true self from the world.
She turned her attention back to the man that held her in his arms while they danced. His hard, lean body was pressed against hers and everything felt right. This was where she was meant to be.
After a few more slow dances, they were heading to the hotel. It seemed that Aidan had packed a little something extra in the overnight bag because when she came back to the room after filling the ice bucket, the room was dark except for the glow of tea candles he’d placed around the room. He called her over with a crook of his finger and she moved towards him like a magnet drawn to its mate.
“You look amazing by candlelight,” he said and tipped her head up to his with one lone finger under her chin. “Cherish, I love you so damn much. It terrifies me that I almost lost you.”
“But you didn’t, Aidan. I’m yours,” she whispered. “Let’s leave that in the past. Our future begins now.”
Aidan bent low to take her lips and as they kissed he lifted her off her feet. The onslaught of his lips and tongue devouring her mouth made her want to rip his clothes off. He walked over to the bed, and they toppled together on the soft mattress and she giggled. Cherish sat up quickly and stripped off her dress, leaving only a scrap of lacey material covering her perky breasts.
“You make me tongue-tied when I look at you,” he said.
“Let’s find something else for you to do with that tongue then,” she said and pulled him back in for a kiss.
She loved the taste of him. The clasp of her bra opened easily under his fingers and her full breasts spilled free. Aidan groaned and bent his head to taste them and Cherish moaned as his tongue laved her nipples. Her man had an expert mouth and an expert touch that did delicious things to her.
“Did I mention how much I love your breasts?” Aidan murmured. He sucked a nipple into his mouth and she held his head to her breast.
“More,” Cherish begged, and her head fell back in pleasure.
Aidan obliged and took the other nipple into his mouth. She cried out in agonized pleasure and felt his cock jump in response.
“I want you,” Cherish said breathlessly.
“Not until I make you scream,” he replied.
That made her pant with anticipation as he kissed his way down her stomach and pulled off her panties as he went. His eyes never left her as he stood and undressed. Candlelight flickered over his muscled body and hard cock.
“Spread your legs for me, sweetheart. I want to see you all wet for me,” Aidan said softly.
Cherish bit her lip and did as he requested. He said her name almost reverently and ran a lone finger along the swollen lips of her pussy. She moaned his name and parted her legs even wider in a silent plea for him to slip his finger inside her. Instead, he raised the digit to his lips and licked it slowly. He bent his head between her legs and his tongue replaced the action of his finger. Cherish arched upward at each flick of his tongue and held his head to her. Aidan groaned and delved between the soft folds of flesh to suck her clit.
The sensations rolling through her were driving her to the to the edge of reason. Her head thrashed back and forth on the bed as she felt reality slipping away and she plunged deeper into a pleasure-filled haze. Her excitement was building and she knew he could see it, maybe even feel it. He gave her what she needed and slid his finger deep into the warm caverns of her pussy.
“Yes!”
The soft scream escaped her and she pushed her hips against his hands to take more of his fingers until she came. He didn’t stop and oh, God, she couldn’t control the wanton feelings that coursed through her. He brought her to climax again and it was so fierce her body arched off the bed.
“Oh, baby, that was so good. I love seeing you come for me,” Aidan crowed. “One more, sweetheart. Let me see you let go.”
He was driving her crazy with the constant movement of his fingers that it quickly sent her spiraling into another round of ecstasy. Her juices dripped and she pumped against his hand trying to savor the last waves of sensation. She opened her eyes and looked at his face. His deep green eyes had a look of passion and intensity that enthralled and aroused her all over again.
“I’ve got to taste you again,” he muttered.
He held on to her thighs, pulling her closer to him and burying his face into her pussy once more. His tongue burrowed deep inside, tasting her flavor.
“Aidan!”
The action wrenched a cry from her lips as her hands grabbed his head and pulled his face deeper into her soft wetness. She could tell he was excited by the guttural moans that came from between her legs. His tongue furiously penetrated her wet pussy; flicking, tasting, and thrusting until she was delirious with the pleasure of it all. Cherish lost control and pressed against him, riding his face, smearing her juices across him. Aidan knew just how to make her come again. He slid three fingers deep inside her while still tasting her. Cherish bucked as she pushed him deeper and her body convulsed and tightened as she felt the warm gush of her release.
“Now, Aidan,” she cried out. “I want your cock inside me.”
He gladly obliged and sank deep inside her as her legs wrapped around his waist. His groans were long, low and primal. They moved together in unison, thrust meeting thrust, her hips lifting towards his, trying to take more and give more all at the same time.
“Tell me you’re mine forever.” Aidan’s voice was a harsh whisper by her ear.
“Always, Aidan,” she answered. “Only you and always you. I love you so much. Oh, baby, I’m going to come.”
Even as the words left her lips, Cherish began to tremble and her pussy clenched tightly around his cock. He pulled her to him and he took her nipple in his mouth. Cherish cried out as the pleasure inside her crested and flowed over her in waves. Aidan followed and let himself go. He fell into the abyss with her and she heard him repeating her name over and over again. The aftermath of their coupling was hot, slick bodies lying together with tangled limbs and entwined fingers. He kissed her closed eyelids and then her nose, making Cherish smile.
“I love you.” He said the words and kissed the top of her head. “I fell so hard for you on that first night, baby. Nothing else mattered after that.”
“I love you too, Aidan,” she replied and sighed. “Even in those months when I thought I’d lost you, I still loved you.”
He turned on his side and faced her. “In that case, Cherish Walker, will you marry me?”
“Why, Gunny Sergeant Brooks, a proposal. I don’t know what to say,” she teased.
He cupped her face and kissed her hard. “Say yes and make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Yes, a thousand times, yes,” Cherish answered. There could be no other answer for this man she loved.
“I want you and Marcus to be close to me,” he said. “We can buy a house close to base,” he said hurriedly. “I don’t mean you ha
ve to give up your place here. I know you have your boutiques in town and you’ll need to be here sometimes—”
Cherish placed a finger to his lips to stop his words. “I think it’s a fine idea. I have an assistant who manages just fine in the store here, and she would love the promotion and pay raise. How about we find a place close to Charleston and I can open another store there? Chic can do with an expansion.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re very agreeable. I thought I would have to convince you.”
“Hmm. I’m in the arms of the man I love after he just did amazing things to me. I can expand my business and buy a house with a large backyard for our son to run around in. Everything sounds like perfection to me,” Cherish replied.
“And along the way, maybe a little girl and another little boy.”
She laughed. “Anything is possible, my love.”
“There might be a chance that I will be deployed again. I don’t expect to, but nothing is certain until all the troops get to come home,” Aidan explained. “I’m going to change my MOS to recruiter or trainer but nothing is definite when it comes to the military.”
Cherish stared into his eyes. “You don’t have to explain, Aidan. I know what I’m signing up for. If that happens, you know we’ll be here waiting for you and you’ll have to keep yourself safe to come home to us.”
He kissed her. “You’re my peach. You know I’ll love you forever, right?”
“Yes, because I feel the same way.” Cherish smiled.
“I’m not looking forward to going back on duty and not seeing you and my boy as much as I want,” he said. “These past few weeks have been amazing.”
“Well, I guess we’d better get to the house hunting part so we won’t have to be apart for long. And you know, Marcus told me the other day that he would like to see where his daddy works so we should probably go with you for a few days so he can have a look around,” Cherish said solemnly.