Page 1 of The Marine

CHAPTER ONE

AIDAN

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Aidan.

The sound of my name whispered on her lips haunts me every night.

Every fucking night.

In my dreams. As I lay awake with my hand sliding reluctantly over my cock—I say reluctantly because I don’t deserve to feel pleasure when it comes to Briar Sutton.

When I was working.

Even when a gun was pointed at my head, I saw those haunted green eyes staring back at me from across her boss’s, Savannah Sinclair’s, driveway.

Me.

Her monster.

Now, Savannah is getting married to one of my best friends and it’s as if the gods have cursed us and brought us back together for punishment.

More punishment.

Like the first time wasn’t enough.

“So, I said to him, no that’s not how the law works, and if you want me to get disbarred, then sure I’ll do that. But of course, I told him to get out of my office.” The brunette playfully smirks at me from across the table.

I’m not in the mood to play.

I haven’t been for months.

I want to hunt.

I want to catch.

I want to fuck...Briar.

Yet here I am, date number thirty-five hundred, or something close to it, since walking away from the woman I can’t seem to ever forget. I’ve been trying for over a decade.

Ten damn years.

“Good.” I reply, lifting my bourbon to my lips. I take a second sip immediately after because I have nothing more to add.

When Claire, the brunette, smiles, I meet her eyes. Her smile is cocky, but it has a layer of pity, as if she knows something I don’t.

“Nervous?” she asks.

Jesus.

I should never have chosen a lawyer. I thought the brains might help alleviate my boredom. Boobs and brains. Always a hot combination.

Instead, I wish she’d just shut up.

If you want to pity me, darlin’, just leave. Don’t start with the therapy talk.

Christ.