Page 76 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

“Hey. I have to go keep my sister from my father’s evil clutches, but I wanted to say hi.”

Before she could do anything else, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a chaste kiss. “That’s how we say hi.”

Val looked past him to see his father and brother watching them and cleared her throat. “Well, now that we’ve caused a scene and my father is no doubt having a heart attack, I’d better go.”

“I’ll find you after.” He released his hold on her and she went to find her seat, the skin-crawling sensation of everyone’s gaze on her making her feel naked.

What was wrong with greeting your lover with a chaste kiss?

She sat down next to her sister, ignoring her father’s seething.

When the pastor took the podium, Ellie leaned over and whispered, “Dude, you are my fucking hero right now.”

Val tried to hide her smile, but as she looked up, she saw Justin turn in his seat, grinning. He waggled his eyebrows, and she coughed, smothering her laugh. When her father’s attention was once more on the pastor, she blew him a kiss, and he held up his hand like he was catching it.

Though she shook her head at the silliness of it, it didn’t stop their silent flirting. They were like two kids being naughty under their parents’ noses, and suddenly, her mood shifted. Glancing at the clock, she couldn’t wait for the service to end so she could kiss him.

What has gotten into you?

She didn’t have an answer; the best she could come up with was happiness. Happiness had finally gotten into her.

And it was all tied up in the sexy man currently making a duck face at her.

“Mr. Silverton, do you need some help with something?”

The preacher’s voice jerked both of them to attention, and Justin called out, “No, Pastor Guzman.”

The preacher smiled. “I know I’m not as pretty as Miss Willis, but I’ll try to keep you entertained.”

Val groaned as every eye turned their way, and her father muttered several choice curses.

On the bright side, he’d probably never want her to go to church with him again.

THE SERVICE ENDED and Justin stood up, following his dad and brother toward the exit, anxious to get out and find Val. And as if the thought had conjured her, he suddenly saw her standing with her father and sister by the open doors, looking bored as Edward talked to a couple of men at the front of the church.

Breaking away from his family, Justin snuck up behind her and grabbed her hand. When she turned startled eyes his way, they slowly gave way to sparkling joy. “Hey.”

“Shhh. Come on.”

Justin glanced over her shoulder toward her dad, who had his back turned, before leading her down the stairs of the church, smiling as they passed a few worshippers.

He couldn’t wait to get Val in his arms.

They’d just rounded the toolshed behind the church when he backed her against the wall and kissed her. Her hands held onto his waist as he explored her mouth, wishing he didn’t have to stop, ever.

He whispered against her mouth between breaks for air, “I was going to head over to your place after church, but since you’re already here . . .”

“Mmm . . . you can still come over, if you want.”

His hand slid down her back and snuck up under the hem of her skirt until he gripped her ass, pressing her against his aching hard-on. “I think that’s probably a good idea.”

“Hey, Justin!”

He pulled away from Val with a curse at his brother’s warning call and smoothed her skirt back down. “We’re about to be interrupted.”

She giggled, and Justin took her hand, leading her out of hiding to find his brother waiting for them.

“Valerie Willis, this is my brother, Everett. Everett, this is Val.”

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