‘He just got choked by you yet again” he groaned “And where the hell did you learn to shoot like that?”
“Oh you saw?” I smiled
“Yes I saw and wow”
“You’ve seen the ink I’m a Snipers girl I was 8 the first time I got the perfect head shot which pissed Ryder off no end” I smiled at the memory “He decided his goal was to beat me and become like Dad”
“Well I’m impressed” Ryne nodded “You ever thought of enlisting?”
“Hell no I’m good as the Marine brat” I shook my head “I’d get in too much trouble”
‘Yeah there is that?” Ryne nodded his hand reached out across the table and touched the angel wing bracelet “So what are you doing with your life other than waiting tables at the pool hall”
“I’m in school?”
“For what?”
“Business and design”
“Okay too way different things there” he smiled
“Yeah I want to work with my Mom”
“Okay what does she do?”
“She designs jewelry and is damn good at it” I smiled “This was my first attempted at designing something a couple of years ago and she had it made for me for that Christmas”
“Nice” he nodded “So did you decide on if you’re riding back with me after the graduation ceremony or are you going to wait for Brit to get done with Marek”
“I don’t know… you think we can do a five hour ride without killing each other?”
“We can try?” He reached his hand out and moved the bracelet again “if we argue then we can pull over and fight it out.. or kiss it out"
Chapter 49
SEXUAL TENSION
The conversation was as easy as it was the night before. Ryne talking about growing up in Central America with his family, I told him about some of the crazy shit we’d all gotten up to growing up Marine Brat in 4 different countries.
“Okay so we haven’t had the slightest sniff of an argument in…” He checked his watch “Oh damn we’ve been in here talking for three hours”
“Wow that must be a record for us” I laughed “You want to head across the street and have a game of pool?”
“Sure” he reached for the check
“I thought I was the one taking you for dinner?”
“Yeah… well I’m a gentleman and I did ask you out first”
“Sorry you said Gentleman” I started to laugh “Dude you’re a Marine”
“Yeah and I have manners and I know how to treat a girl”
“Okay I’m not rising to it” I held up my hands and got off the seat. Ryne rubbed his hand over his face and took a deep breath.
“Did you where that dress on purpose?” He smiled I looked down
“I don’t know what you mean” I smiled walking to the door “You coming” he walked after me. His hand brushed mine making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end and my insides started to throw a party… Maybe Brit was right about the sexual tension.
“You look lost in thought” Ryne chuckled as we crossed the street
“Sorry I’m thinking about something Brit said earlier” I smiled at him. My phone rang as we walked into the pool hall.
“I’ll get some drinks you go play with some balls” he winked walking away from me
Me * Ryder this is getting really annoying
Ryder * I was checking in with you
Me * okay who’ve you been talking to?
Ryder * No one well Doug?”
Me * as in my Boss?
Ryder * yeah apparently there was some guy asking about you?
Me * when?
Ryder * earlier today, and from what I can gather the boots and the hat sort of made him stick out like a sore ass on a monkey.
Me * Justin
Ryder I’m guessing was he blond around 6 feet
Me * yep
Ryder * look I’m not trying to ruin your night or anything but I thought you should just watch your back when you get home.
Me * thanks… hey do you think it’d be better if I came home with Ryne?
Ryder * what about your truck?
Me * I think Brit would rather spend a few days with Marek and she could bring it home with her
Ryder * I’d be happier knowing you’d be with someone that could have you’re back… and before you go off I know you can take him but please I don’t want this guy anywhere near you again and I can’t do much about him right now.
Me * Okay I’ll be home late tomorrow and Ryder thanks for the heads up
Ryder * it’s okay… so how’s things going with you and Ryne
Me * it’s going I have no idea where but… it’s strange
Ryder * okay then I’ll let Mom know you’ll be back tomorrow
Me * okay… love ya
Ryder * love ya too
I hung up the phone and looked at Ryne who was waiting leaning on the pool table
“So if the offer’s still there then I’ll take you up on it” I smiled picking up the cue and taking the first shot
“What offer?” he tipped his head “Sorry you distracted me bending to take the shot” he grinned
“The offer for me to ride you back to Lejeune” I took another shot as Ryne choked on his beer.
“Okay as thrilling as that sounded…” he started my hand went to my mouth as it dawned on me what had actually come from my mouth
“I meant to ride in the truck with you back home” I gabbled damn my gutter level mind
“I liked the first idea better” he grinned, “I think we’d be pretty…” his phone buzzed. “Excuse me” he walked away a little to answer it.
Okay God you need stop laughing dude why did you not give me the sense to use my brains and my mouth at the same time when I need them the most? I groaned in my head. How the hell could I get home riding him, well maybe with a bit in his mouth and a saddle…. I could feel the smile on my face spread, forget the saddle it was always more fun bare back… oh there goes the bad naughty thoughts again damn I’m way to much of a Marine kid and know way too much about horny Marines.
“Okay so that smile is looking like you’re planning something that you shouldn’t be” Ryne appeared back in front of me.
“Sorry I had this picture of you looking something like Semper” I turned back to the table.
“Okay you’ve lost me” he shook his head.
“Have you ever ridden?”
“I have been but if we’re talking horses then no” he shook his head.
“What time are you on duty Sunday?”
“That was my boss and I have the night shift so 8pm” he shrugged I walked over to him
“Okay then Sunday your ass is mine for a while” I laughed taking the shot.
“Not faIr when does your’s become mine”
“Well we’ll have to see how you cope on Sunday” I teased I couldn’t help myself the thought of him in the saddle… I shuddered.
“Okay you can have your wicked way with me as long as you kiss me” he walked over to me and put his hands on my hips.
“Oh I think that can be arranged” I smiled pecking him on the cheek “See there you go”
“Oh that’s mean”
“I’m ready to go when ever you are tomorrows a long assed day” he nodded and reached for my hand I linked my fingers with his, Yep definite something something in the air between us, nither of us said anything until we got outside of the house. Ryne got out and walked round and opened the door for me and put his hands on my hips leaning his back against the door and pulling me to him.
“Okay so this time how about a kiss more like the ones last night” I could make out his eyes twinkling in the darkness. I didn’t say anything but put my arms round his neck and kissed him. The air felt a lot thincker and heavier the deeper the kiss. I pulled back.
“I didn’t think you had that side arm with you” I groaned as his hands toyed with the hem of the dress
“Concealed weapon carried at all time Ma’am” he murmur
ed “You know you’re driving me crazy” His lips brushed the side of my neck “I don’t know what it is with you” Step Back Aly my mind screamed or you’re going to get caught doing this marine where you shouldn’t. I stepped back
“Maybe because with this dress Underwear is a no no” I smiled “Good night Hollywood” I walked up the path leaving him standing with his mouth open and his weapon primed
Chapter 50
Heading home
I walked up to the bathroom and turned on the shower and pulled off the boots and the dress and stepped under the icy water and braced my hands against the wall, it was doing nothing to quell the tingling of my skin where Ryne had touched me. I turned off the water and wrapped a towel round me and went across to my room.
“Okay you might as well have started humping him in the driveway” Brit laughed flicking on the light “Damn girl his hands were on your ass” I sat on the bed and pulled the brush through my hair.
“You” I pointed a finger at her “You planted the damn seed about me and him bumping uglies” I groaned flopping back “and every time I looked at him I just wanted to bite him” Brit sat up and started to laugh
“Wow you’re fall…”
“No… don’t you even say those words” I sat up and shook my head. “I got a call from Ryder while I was out”
“Nice subject switch” she clapped her hands I cocked my head and reached for my shorts and T-shirt before getting in to bed.
“Justin is round Lejuene” Brit stopped smiling and became serious “He’s been asking in the pool hall about me”
“That son of a bitch”
“I know… I feel better knowing he’s going to be way out of his comfort zone but knowing that mental case is there is freaking me out a little” I hugged my knees to my chest
“What’s Ryne said about it?”
‘I didn’t tell him” I shrugged
“And why not?” she threw a pillow at me
“I don’t’ know” I shook my head and chewed my lip “I’m leaving right after graduation tomorrow?”
“But…” I cut her off
“I’m leaving you with my truck and you can come home when you’re ready” I threw her the keys “I’m riding home with Ryne”
“Tell him about Justin being around Al” she begged “and don’t go off base without someone with you”
‘Oh yeah easier said than done, you’re here with Marek, Jacks deployed and Ryder is hobbling round on crutches” I lay back down and turned off the lamp “I’ll be fine”
“Yeah I don’t like it Aly I really don’t”
The graduation ceremony was amazing as ever watching the faces of the proud parents to this graduating class of Marine was one of the best feelings ever we were standing with Marek’s family. His Aunt and Mom were treating Brit like a member fo the family which made me feel a whole lot better about her staying here with them for a while.
“Oh I almost forgot” Imi turned to me “You said yesterday that youre brother had been shot” I nodded "get him to rub this cream onto the wounds twice a day it’ll help him heal faster and help repair the muscle under the skin as well” she handed me a tub of it “It’s okay the Marine Corps are trying some of our holistic stuff in a couple of the field hospitals”
“Thank you I’ll make sure he does it” I smiled “anything to get his ass back out on the front line”
“I’d like to met him sometime” she nodded
“Oh I’m sure you will” I hugged her
“Good morning Ladies” we looked round as Ryne walked over in his uniform Hot Damn. “And Miss Tanner” he stood next to me
“Good morning Marine” Imi nodded “You look like you didn’t sleep to well”
“No I was a little wound up ready to blow” he shot me a sideways glance “But I’m sure I can remedy that soon” he smiled at her Brit nudged me and moved her mouth to my ear
“Okay you need to give that boy some relief because it’ll only be over way to fast if you wait too much longer” I Gibbs slapped her “Ow”
“Sorry I thought there was a bug on you” I glared at her, he’d be over way too fast I don’t think I’d be much better either I looked back to the parade ground.
We waited for the Marines to be released and stepped back while the family hugged and made a fuss of Marek before he pulled Brit into his arms and whisprerd something in her ear making her blush beet red and press her lips to his neck
“Oh I so hope that they don’t get metal tangled” I giggled out loud Ryne looked at me
“Metal?”
“Yeah” I nodded “I’m sorry” I turned to face him I was inches from him and could feel the heat radiating off him the fait smell of his uniform assaulting my senses. “I was a little out of line last night” he folded his arms over his chest and tipped his cap back a little “I shouldn’t have…”
“Oh you should have” he smiled “you gave me a lot of sweet images in my head this Marine will be happy when he’s deployed with those pictures” I felt my stomach drop as well as the smile fall from my face. “What?”
“You’re getting deployed” I murmured as the happy chatter surrounded us
“Why would you be bothered?”
“Of course I would” I snapped a little too quickly making Brit look round “It bothers me when any Marine deploys let alone when it’s one of my Marines”
“Yes” he chuckeld
“Yes what?”
“I made it to be one of your Marines” he smiled rubbing my arms “But no I’m not deploying as far as I know but you know that that can change faster than lightning strikes” I felt my cheeks flush I turned away from him
“That was mean”
“What was mean? All I did was point out that when I do get deployed you’ve already given me some awesome mental pictures to take with me” he turned me back round “So you’d miss me?”
“I’m going to congratulate Marek” I swallowed hard and stepped away from him, the next hours was everyone chatting and catching up. Uncle Logan came over with my Bag I’d put in his truck that morning.
“You drive Safe Marine you have my Great Niece with you”
“Yes Sir” Ryne nodded
“I’ll call you when we get back on base” I hugged him “Thank you for letting us stay with you”
‘Any time honey you know you’re more than welcome here anytime” he kissed my forehead “Tell your Mom she needs a break from Ryder then she can come down here?”
“I will” I nodded Ryne took my bag while I said my goodbyes to Brit making sure she checked in with me. Ryne was waiting by his truck by the mess hall for me.
“Ma’am” he smirked opening the door for me
“Thanks” I got in and fastened the seatbelt as he walked round, we headed off the base in silence
‘You never did answer me” he looked over at me as we pulled onto the interstate “Would you miss me?”
“Yes” I nodded “I’d have no one to fight with” I smiled “I’ve gotten used to you being around like an annoying puppy”
“Oh thanks… but mind you I guess I’m sorta puppy cute… I’d miss you as well you know?” he settled back more in the seat his eyes on the road “I look forward to seeing you on base and the time you were gone after I first met you I tried to go everywhere I thought you might be… because no one told me you were out of state” The breath caught in my throat
“When we were out last night the call I got was from my brother” I ran my hand through my hair “He told me that the guy from Texas was at the pool hall asking after me” I felt the truck swerve a little
“The Cowboy?” Ryne’s voice was edgy and raw
“Yep”
“Oh that guy’s got some nerve” Ryne rested his one arm on the window ledge and rubbed the back of his neck “Well he must be really dumb thinking he can come to your stomping ground and see you after what he did” he looked at me “He’s going to at least get through this Marine first” He shook his head “Wi
ll you do one thing for me and stay on base while I’m working?" He moved his left arm back to the wheel and reached his right to my hand and linked his fingers with mine “I want to know that you’re safe” something in his voice made me just want to hug him to me, all I could do was nod.
Chapter 51
Home
The rest of the journey back to Lejeune was filled with a slight edge of tension in between the talking. He kept his fingers linked with mine almost the entire journey.
“So I have to check in with my C.O. and then go show my face to my Sister” He said looking at me as we pulled up to the gate and he handed over his I.D. “And then I was wondering if you feel up to going to the boardwalk”
Silent Ranks Page 19