Page 78 of Her Marine
“Right here?” Killian questioned with a smirk before placing his lips to her ear and whispering, “In front of everyone?”
Journee swatted his chest. “Foosball. Play foosball with me.”
Killian kissed below her ear before moving back. “You have to be specific, baby,” he told her with a mischievous smile.
“Even when I am, you have a talent for spinning it,” she replied, grabbing her wine glass, and slipping off the stool.
“It’s a gift.”
“Yes, it is,” Journee agreed as she led him to the table. She figured doing something active would help shake some of the fatigue out of her.
Afew minutes before midnight, Journee stood outside with Killian behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist. The party had migrated outside for the countdown to midnight. Axel and Kaydence sat beside them, and Slate and Talia were off to the side, talking about something. What? Journee wasn’t sure.
Maximus started the countdown, and everyone else joined in as he, Ace, Jax, and Matteo moved to the fireworks they’d set up beforehand. When the crowd yelled happy new year, the four men set off the fireworks, and Journee watched them soar into the sky before spattering the night with brilliant bright colors.
Killian turned her in his arms, and his lips descended on hers as the fireworks played like background music. The others around seemed to fade away while their lips moved in sync, bringing in the new year with the taste of one another.
When they pulled apart, the others were already trickling back inside, and they followed suit. She wasn’t quite as tired as she had been an hour prior, so she mingled more with those who hadn’t left a few minutes after bringing in the new year.
Come one in the morning, she was stifling yawns again. By this time, there weren’t too many people left outside of those she knew.
“Go get ready for bed, Tigress. I’ll be there in a bit,” Killian stated after her third yawn.
Journee wouldn’t argue because the day was catching up with her. She bid everyone goodnight and went to the guestroom Maximus had given them. She retrieved her sleepwear and toiletry bag from her suitcase and entered the attached bathroom. It was shared with another bedroom, and she ensured the door on that side was locked before turning on the shower.
When she finished her shower, she unlocked the other door before she gathered all her things and walked out. She pulled out her moisturizer and packed everything else back. She’d just sat on the end of the bed when Killian walked in.
“Did the other guest leave?” she asked.
“Everyone that isn’t staying here, yeah,” Killian responded, pulling his shirt over his head.
She watched him grab what he needed from his bag before he removed the rest of his clothes as she rubbed moisturizer into her skin. Journee allowed her eyes to follow him until he disappeared into the bathroom. She finished her task, repacked her container, and slid under the comforter.
Journee was drifting off when Killian stepped out of the bathroom. He turned the light off and joined her in bed. He pulled her back into his chest, draping his arm over her waist, and she allowed the warmth of his body to lull her into a deep sleep.
«-•-•-•-•-•-•-»
Killian sat up in bed and stretched. He grabbed his phone, checked the time, and found it was a little after nine. Kaydence had come and gotten Journee almost an hour ago. Her slipping from his arms had woken him, and he’d listened to her move around the bathroom, but he hadn’t gotten up, deciding to lay around for a little longer.
He went into the bathroom to relieve his bladder before washing his face and brushing his teeth. He got dressed and exited the bedroom. His flight wasn’t until five that afternoon, and Journee would be riding home with Axel and Kaydence after they dropped him off at the airport.
Killian entered the open living spaces. To the left, he saw Slate, Axel, Maximus, and Ace sitting in the living room. To the right, he found Journee, Kaydence, and Talia moving around the kitchen. He entered the kitchen, walked behind Journee, and placed his hands on her waist.
“Good morning, Tigress,” he greeted, leaning down to kiss her neck.
“Good morning, baby,” she responded, looking over her shoulder at him, and Killian pecked her lips.
“Good morning, ladies,” he then greeted.
“Good morning, Killian,” Talia responded.
“I thought we were invisible for a minute there,” Kaydence teased.
“Please don’t act like Axel didn’t come in here and do the same thing,” Journee stated, and Killian chuckled, releasing her.
“Yeah, yeah,” Kaydence responded. “Killian, if you want to hang out with the other men, we’ll call you all in a few minutes.”
She was politely telling him to get out the same way he was sure they’d done to the others. He entered the living room and sat in one of the chairs.
