Page 86 of Her Marine
As they had dinner, the conversation shifted around what everyone was working on in their careers, how Kaydence was enjoying married life, and how Journee was dealing with being in a long-distance relationship. Aariah also asked Journee to remind her to talk to her about something later.
They bypassed dessert, and as they waited for the checks to be brought to them, Journee was handed gifts from each woman. Her sisters and friends knew her well, and she received a couple of pairs of shoes, a bracelet, some earrings, and an incense waterfall set. Alivia even gave her a card with a gift card, which Journee was sure was because she’d given the other woman one for her birthday and would use it for the first round of drinks for everyone at the club.
When the checks were brought, Journee reached into her purse so she could pay hers. Only for her hand to be smacked, her handbag snatched from her, and two light kicks to her shins. She glared at her sisters on either side of her before glaring across the table at Kaydence and Talia.
“You didn’t have to kick me,” she told them.
Talia rolled her eyes. “And you didn’t have to act as if you didn’t know we would pay for your food.”
“You don’t need to do that,” Journee countered.
“But we’re going to,” Kaydence responded, and Journee decided not to argue. She couldn’t since she hadn’t let them pay for their birthday dinners either.
“I swear little sisters can be so stubborn sometimes,” Talia stated, grabbing Journee’s check, and handing it back to the server along with her own and her card. Journee passed out mints as they waited.
After the bills were settled and her little sisters helped her gather her gifts, they left the restaurant. Journee placed everything in Aariah’s trunk except the gift card and got into the passenger seat.
She wasn’t sure which club they were going to. She didn’t prefer one over another and just wanted to dance. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot ofVibes. They met with the other women as they approached the building. The bouncer checked their identifications, letting them in.
They found a table that would fit all of them and ordered their first round of drinks. Journee moved in her seat to the music as they waited, listening to Nova talk about a new house she was selling for a client. She wanted to show it to Axel and Kaydence first because she knew they wanted to buy a home. They’d decided to sell both of theirs and purchase one together.
After her drink, Journee decided to take to the dance floor. Talia, Aryah, and Zuri joined her. She moved her hips to the music as Zuri intertwined their hands and danced. Halfway through a second song, Journee felt hands on her hips. She immediately began to shake her head, turning to speak over the music.
“No, I’m—”
He leaned down and spoke against her ear. “Mine. Yes, I know, and aren’t I lucky?” Killian pulled away and smirked at her, his eyes roaming over her. Leaving simmers in their wake.
Journee’s arms went around his neck as his circled her waist, and they moved to the music. “What are you doing here?”
“What kind of question is that? You know it’s your birthday, right Tigress?”
Journee swatted him playfully on the chest. “I know that. I thought you were in charge of training drills this weekend.”
“I was, but I got someone else to do it.” Journee smiled at him, and Killian leaned down, placing his lips on hers and leading her in a kiss that mirrored their movements. “I have a birthday gift for you.”
Journee shook her head. “You being here is enough,” she protested, even though she knew he’d still give it to her.
When the song finished, Journee led them to the table to find Axel and Slate had joined the others. Killian sat in the seat she previously occupied, pulling her down onto his lap. Journee glanced at Slate and Talia as he whispered something in her ear, and she wondered how long Talia would continue to claim they were just friends. She’d gone with him to Maximus’ New Year’s Eve party, and he’d visited to celebrate her birthday.
Journee didn’t have to ask Killian how he’d known where they would be. She was sure Kaydence had given him the information he needed. After all, they’d stated it would just be them for dinner. They hadn’t said anything about after that.
“Well, it looks like I don’t have to tell on you after all,” Aariah stated with a smirk. “You see what she has on?” she directed to Killian.
Journee turned on his lap to face him, and he looked her over as if he hadn’t done so already. His attention then went to Aariah.
“Yeah,” he stated with a shrug. “But I can fight, and I have excellent aim.”
The women at the table laughed before Kaydence and Axel volunteered to get more drinks for everyone. Journee leaned back against Killian as she watched Aryah check her blood sugar. Her attention was pulled from her little sister to her lap when she felt Killian’s hand on her exposed thigh, drawing circles. It wasn’t unusual for him, but if he decided he wanted to tease her, Journee was prepared to show him that two could play that game.
«-•-•-•-•-•-•-»
Killian sat Journee on the end of her bed. They’d just gotten in from her birthday celebration. She’d removed her shoes somewhere along their ride to her house, and he carried her inside after thanking Aariah for dropping them off.
“Do you want your gift?” he asked, going to his bag. Before Kaydence and Talia had gone to meet the other women for dinner, Kaydence had let him in to drop his bag off before he, Axel, and Slate went to have dinner themselves.
“I can wait,” Journee stated, and he turned to look at her. “I want something else right now.”
Killian retrieved the box of condoms from the side of his bag before returning to the bed. He had every intention of giving her what she was asking for after giving her gift to her, but if she wanted it now, he wasn’t going to deny her.
