Page 4 of The Marine

“That’s pretty much what I sounded like all Saturday night,” Trina says, nodding slowly.

The coffee almost sprays out in front of me, but I’m not about to waste the liquid gold. You’d think I’d be used to the things that come out of her mouth by now.

“TMI. Jesus.” Alice laughs as she shakes her head.

These two girls are my best friends. We’ve known each other for years now. Not long enough that they know about...well, my past, and I’d like to keep it that way.

Then mypastshowed up, and unless I quit my job and never speak to Savannah, my boss and friend, again, he’s likely to remain in it.

Aidan Black.

It’s taken all my energy to outthink everyone’s movements and dodge him for two months. Trust me, it takes a lot of mental chess playing.

When we are in the same vicinity, we simply ignore one another.

Okay, that’s not true. Aidan’s eyes bore holes into me, and I grit my teeth and pretend I don’t know him, and I’m not affected by his six-foot-three muscular frame and square jaw.

The same body which made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world ten years ago.

The man...who should have stayed in my past along with all the pain.

Savannah Sinclair is the hottest actress in Hollywood right now; I’m her PA. We’ve become close friends since she lost hersupposedbest friend—who shot her. So the last thing Savannah needs is to lose me. Plus, I don’t want to quit my job. I love what I do; I meet interesting people, and we have a lot of fun.

Savannah needs me.

I figure once the wedding is over and she settles into her new life with Ryder, his friends and work colleagues will be around much less.

Meaning Aidan.

He’s the co-owner of Black Hawke Security—of BHS—where Ryder works. They’re all paramilitary, and if I was in the market for a hot guy, well, that office would definitely be one big supply source.

“You’re just jealous.” Trina snickers as she sips her green tea.

She hates coffee.

Me? I like it black, white, whatever...as long as it’s strong.

“I am.” Alice sighs and flops back into her seat. “It’s been seventy-five thousand years since I had an orgasm.”

“Dude. Get a vibrator.” Trina shakes her head.

Alice glances at me, then back at our friend.

“Dude?” she deadpans. “Anyway, I was exaggerating. I have a purple rabbit. Still not the same.”

“True that.” I nod, almost inhaling my coffee.

I missed lunch because I knew Ryder was visiting Savannah and didn’t want to risk seeing Aidan. Occasionally they drop by together or Aidan visits the security team that works at her Hollywood mansion. So I made a doctor’s appointment and sat in his office making up health issues.

I know. Desperate, right?

“Speaking of dicks, what’s happening with Kael?” Trina asks.

Kael.

My ex-husband. Technically, we’re still married but not for much longer if I can help it. Forever if Kael has his way.

I shake my head. “It’s a process. My lawyer said if he gets violent, call the police.”

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