Page 21 of A Triple C Ranch Christmas Wedding
“Marines can party hard. We fight hard, party hard, and love hard,” he said. “Marines can be jerks, and some are not good guys. But most of us won’t treat our women with disrespect. I’ve had plenty of time to run around and party with the guys. Now, I’m choosing you to marry and start a family, and I will honor and respect you. I’m no frat boy. That never was my style. So, you never have to worry about me pulling a stunt like that other guy. Even on a bad day. Okay?”
“Okay,” she said, giving him a smile.
“So, here’s what we need to do from now on,” he said. “When something has you worried, you tell me. Then we talk it over, figure it out, see if we can fix it. Sound good?”
“Yes, it sounds good,” she said. The relief she felt was immense.
“That’s how we need to handle things going forward,” he said. “I hate that you’ve been worried about this for so long. You remember when I told you that I’m happy when you’re happy?”
She nodded.
“So, when you’re not happy, how can I be happy?”
She watched him and thought about what he had just said, not sure what to say now.
They really hadn’t been together all that long. Extreme circumstances had thrown them together and quickly created a closeness she’d never had with anyone else. But they still needed to learn how to be together, as a couple, and how best to communicate with each other.
“Communication, baby,” he said, as if he’d just read her mind.
Which she knew he couldn’t do, though he’d come close on many occasions.
“Promise to talk to me next time,” he said. “I promise I won’t bite.” He paused. “Much. Maybe just a little nibble, because you taste so good.”
She grinned. “I promise.”
“Now, come here and kiss me,” he said, narrowing his eyes.
She laughed. “Bossy man.”
But she scooted over, closer to him, and let him wrap his arms around her.
His kiss was soft and gentle, at first, and then with a growl, he nibbled at her lips. “Told you that you taste good,” he said, in between nibbles which moved across her jaw and down her neck, giving her goosebumps. His kiss and his touch warmed her up, even though his truck was now turned off, and no heat was coming from it anymore.
When he’d warmed her to the point where her mind was thinking all kinds of naughty things, like where they might find a quiet place right now to get rid of all the bulky clothes that were in their way, he pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. “All better?”
“Mm-hmm,” she replied. “All better, except now I want you really bad.”
“Baby, we need to go check on all those wedding doodads on your list, so you can relax,” he said. “And then, I want to take you home for more of this, because I want you really bad right now, too.”
“Okay. Let’s hurry,” she said.
He laughed and opened his truck door. “Wait for me to come around for you,” he said. “It’s icy in this parking area.”
“Okay,” she said, sounding a little breathless.
He seemed to have sent her into that place of fewer words and more kissing and touching, which he was so good at. But the cold air coming in from outside was bringing her back fast.
“You be careful, too,” she said.
As he was coming around the truck for her, she could feel her happiness welling up inside again. It was that floaty kind of happiness she should have been feeling for the last two months, but she’d let her worry creep in to steal some of it.
But now it was back, and she could not hold back the glow she felt coming from inside.
When he opened her door and reached to help her down, she smiled at him, feeling that warmth expand.
He placed her on the ground then shook his head. “Oh, baby. Keep looking me like that, and we’re never going to make it inside the lodge.”
She giggled while her cheeks flushed with heat, then placed her hand in his and said, “Let’s hurry inside then and see to the decorations and things.”
