Page 40 of Never Always
“Those too. I’ll protect you from everything.” He pulls my back against his front and his lips drop to my head.
We’re talking about dumb things, but I’ve honestly never felt so safe. I believe him. I trust him. The vulnerability that comes with this kind of trust feels enigmatic. Like I can take on the world. Also like a light wind could knock me into a riptide.
When I shiver, he holds me tighter.
Chapter Thirteen
Tennyson
ON MY LUNCHbreak instead of eating, I met Maeve at the small strip mall in town and she helped me pick out a bikini. As much as I love my trusty, black one-piece, I wanted something more… seductive for a date that requires a bathing suit. It’s still black, but my boobs are covered by triangle scraps and the bottoms tie on the sides. I don’t even think Sue-Ellen owns something this scandalous. All of her suits are pageant approved, and this isn’t anything except sexy approved. When I tried it on, it made me feel like I was wielding my sexuality like a weapon. A new feeling for me. It’s erratic and beautiful to experience all these new feelings at the same time.
Maeve pulled me to the lingerie section and also helped me select a few things there. I didn’t object, and she was more than happy to give me advice when I asked for it. Like, do I just pop out of the room wearing it like a jack-in-a-box? Do I have to strip to make the effect bold? She didn’t make fun of me. If anything, she was happy to help me and seemed pleased that she was able to offer advice at all. Her friendship is something new as well and it’s another thing I can count on.
I’m at Harbour Point SEAL base, at the main gate, calling Grange to come meet me. The gate guard is looking at me like I’m a terrorist trying to pull the wool over his eyes. Grange’s cell keeps ringing and I remember he gets crappy service. I readjust my ponytail and smile. “He’s coming. I’m a little early,” I tell the guard. He looks less than pleased. “I’ll just wait over here.” I point to the gate.
He gives me a droll look and turns his focus back to the computer in front of him. Checking my watch, my nerves ratchet up even more. Even if I understand why this base is so secure and scary looking, to keep the precious bodies inside it safe, a scary chill prickles my spine. I adjust my backpack as Grange makes his way out of a side door, jogging toward the security checkpoint, hair soaking wet.Thank God,I think. He gives me a little wave and then signs something the guard gives him and takes a little plastic card.
The guard nearly snarls as he hits the button to unlock the gate I’m in front of. Grange, again clad in grey sweatpants and a black hoodie zipped all the way up, rushes to greet me. “Sorry, I was busy planning and lost track of time.”
I was early, but I’m glad he’s early as well.
“It’s fine. I was kept in great company,” I deadpan, making an exaggerated look back at the guard shack.
“What, Bizzy? He’s harmless,” Grange says, smiling. “Rough around the edges is all.”
“Harmless like a great white,” I mutter.
Corrick pulls me close to him. The large parking lot to the right is empty but for several cars parked next to the main office. “We’re going this way,” he says. “Office staff will be here for a while longer, but no one will be in the pool. Not tonight.”
“We’re going swimming in your pool? Like the one you do training in?” You can see it in old photos online, but I’d never think I’d be allowed—that any civilian would be allowed in one of their training facilities. “Is this against the law? Before I take another step.” When I stop, he stops.
“Of course not. I cleared it. You think I’d do something to get myself fucked the first day back?”
“When you put it that way, in that self-centered way, I believe you.”
“Come on. No one loves Grange more than Grange.”Should I tell him that I’m in love with him?No. That’s not wise. Not now. Never before he’s said it first. That is Sue-Ellen’s rule. “I can’t wait to see what you think.”
He opens the door for me and it leads down a dark hallway. There’s light peeking out from underneath a door at the end of the corridor. When we get there, he opens it and I’m met with an enormous pool, about seven times the size of the one at my apartment complex. The pool is black, it looks like oil. Not just because it’s dark in here either, which it is save for a couple lanterns sitting on a folding table next to two chairs. The deck is empty but for those things, but that’s not what catches my eye and lets me know exactly how much trouble he has gone through. There are hundreds, maybe a thousand, cracked glow sticks in the black pool. Each stick illuminating a small orb of water surrounding it. My mouth drops open.
“It’s beautiful, Grange,” I say, losing my breath. He did this for me. I glance at him, and he’s watching me intently, his blue eyes serene.
“I thought you’d like it. The black pool simulates the ocean at night. It’s saltwater. Well, the glow sticks give a bit of light in case pitch black seems scary.”
I swallow hard and tears prick my eyes. “For someone so awful, you sure are thoughtful.”
“I know. You wearing your bathing suit under that muumuu or do you need to change?”
Shaking my head, I say, “It’s a teddy bear sweater, Grange. It’s warm. And yes, I have my suit on under my clothes.”
He tells me the water is warm and then confirms that there is in fact over a thousand yellow glow sticks in the water. He strips off his clothes and jumps into the shimmering water in a… Speedo. An American flag Speedo. It does great things for his body, so I’m not complaining, but that visual is all it takes to wake up my senses. He calls out to me, “It’s warm, Fire. Hurry up!”
Putting my stuff in the chair next to the lantern, I take my clothes off slowly. Not because I’m trying to give him a sultry show, because I’m wearing a damn bikini and I’m mentally preparing myself for his reaction—his jokes.
I walk up to the edge of the pool, adjusting the black triangles so they cover my average-sized breasts. Grange surfaces at the edge of the pool beneath me. Looking down, he looks like a merman or a fictional character made for carnal activities. He wraps a hand around my ankle. “What are you wearing?”
I hold my arms out to the sides. “A bathing suit.”
He blows some water off his thick lips. “For me?”
