Page 16 of The Marine

CHAPTER FIVE

AIDAN

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“These are fine.” Isay, running my hands down the side of the pants.

We’ve been in here for an hour and I’m not sure who’s enjoying themselves more, the tailor who likes my ass or Briar who keeps trying to hide her smile at my discomfort.

“Let me just check the inside leg once more,” he says, crouching.

I lift my brows and glance over at her.

Briar covers her mouth with her hand. She’s sitting cross-legged and resting her elbow on her knee.

Help,I mouth, and she chuckles silently.

My heart leaps at seeing her so happy. It’s at my expense, but I don’t care. Honestly, the guy could give me a blowjob if it would make this woman smile.

I’m joking.

If he doesn’t keep his hands in the right place, I’m going to point my fucking gun in the middle of his forehead.

No, she mouths back, shaking her head.

Then she lifts her phone and takes some photos.

“Delete those.” I growl playfully.

“Hell no, I’m sending them to Ryder.” Briar giggles.

“Great. They’ll end up on his damn Instagram.” I roll my eyes. “Or the dartboard in the lunchroom.”

“You have a dartboard?” she asks.

“Yes. Why? Do you want to put my photo up and throw darts at it?”

She shrugs. “Who says I haven’t already?”

I smile again as I glance down, keeping my eye on Sir Hands-A-Lot.

I don’t trust Ryder—one of my best friends— with photos of a man standing between my legs. Fuck, he couldn’t trust me with an arsenal like that, either. But if this makes Briar happy and connects us, then I’ll damn well strip for her.

After this dude leaves.

“I’m joking,” Briar says, and I smile over at her.

“That you sent it or that you’ve used my photo on a dartboard?”

I want to keep this playfulness going. I like teasing her. She’s ten years older and a thousand times more beautiful. Her face has matured, her hair is longer, and there is a depth in her eyes that speaks of the kindness and compassion I know she has inside her.

Along with pain and suffering.

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