Page 6 of Wicked Union

My last bedroom was smaller than the closet and had a twin bed and a dresser. Military housing had no frills, and my dad kept things simple. The Colonel believed in only bringing what you need.

We exited the closet, and he opened the French doors to the patio overlooking the bay. The salty air floated into my nostrils, along with a cool breeze that rustled my hair.

“I’m right down the hall if you need me.” Cole pointed his finger. “Last door on the left.”

He was five balconies from mine.

“We’re not the type of family that eats every meal together when we’re home,” Cole said as we entered the bedroom, closing the doors behind him. “My mom is usually busy with charity work. The twins rarely are home during the summer. And my dad tends to hole up in his office, drinking and trying to find ways to take over the universe.”

I couldn’t tell if he was kidding about the last part, but I laughed.

He nodded at the desk with an intercom. “If you get hungry, dial one for the kitchen.”

“What can I order?”

“Anything.” Cole slid his hands to his hips, a blank expression on his face, so I couldn’t tell if he was serious until he said, “We have chefs on-site who can make any dish you want to eat. It doesn’t matter what time of day. Someone is always working.”

“Wow,” I mouthed and let my gaze fall over the room fit for a queen.

“I’ll let you get settled in before dinner.” Cole flashed a killer grin that made the dimple on his right cheek pop. “Welcome to Fort Marshall, Grace. I hope you like your stay here.”

ChapterThree

GRACE

My first few weeks at Fort Marshall were a lot of the same routine. Breakfast in the dining room with Cole. Sometimes, his brothers got out of bed to join us. But it was usually just the two of us.

Most days, we had lunch by the pool under the cabana. Today, we ate a burger and fries before I dipped my feet into the infinity pool. Living with the Marshalls was a dream, like something from a movie.

I would have grown up like Cole if my grandfather had been decent. The life I had before Fitzy was charmed from what I remembered. We lived in a big house with a dozen bedrooms. My parents had money and spoiled me.

Life was good once.

I leaned back against the pavers and soaked up the sun. The water was warm and felt amazing. This was the best summer vacation I’d ever had. Maybe even the best weeks of my life. I couldn’t recall when I felt happier than I did at that moment.

Cole spotted me staring and closed his book, dropping it onto the chair as he rose to his full height. With a cute smile, he strolled toward me, his perfect body teasing me with each step. He was thick in the chest, with chiseled abs and broad shoulders holding up his big biceps.

Cole waded through the water, grabbed two floats, and passed one to me. “We can’t stay in much longer. Maybe another thirty minutes.”

As I attempted to hop onto the float, it glided across the pool, slamming into the wall. Cole moved behind me, his long fingers digging into my hips, setting my skin on fire. And when his hand cupped my ass to help me onto the float, I gasped.

I plopped onto my backside, breathing hard as our eyes met. His chest rose and fell faster, and I could tell I had the same effect on him. Cole’s eyes lowered to my cleavage for a second, which spilled out from the red bikini top. I didn’t have big boobs, about a handful, but enough for him to notice.

My foot brushed against his inner thigh, and I felt how hard he was for me. Biting my lip, I stared into his eyes, hoping he would make a move. So when he didn’t, I leaned forward and let our lips brush. He breathed harder but wouldn’t open his mouth for me.

As if it were too painful to continue looking at me, he stepped back and slapped the water. ‘Those fucking bikinis,” he mumbled under his breath, not thinking I could hear him as he turned his back to me and effortlessly climbed onto the float.

Cole covered his raging boner with his hand and drifted away, gazing at the sky. It was as if nothing happened. Like we weren’t about to kiss.

“The boys are not to touch you,” my grandfather had said on our way to Fort Marshall. “They are under strict orders to keep their filthy hands to themselves. And I expect you to act like a lady.”

To spite him, I wanted to get my first kiss and ditch my virginity by the end of the summer. But it was clear Cole wasn’t going to break the rules.

He walked away or turned his head whenever he stared at me for too long. Then things got awkward between us.

Like now.

I floated in the shallow water while Cole was already in the deep end, lounging on the raft like a spoiled prince. His muscles flexed when he moved, water rippling off them. Even from a distance, I could make out every detail of his body.

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