A Marine’s Proposal (5 page)

Since she didn't have a full-length mirror in her room, she pulled over a chair and tried to get a glimpse of herself in the mirror above her sink. It was awkward with the heels and dress, but by maneuvering herself this way and that, she managed to piece together a full picture of what she actually looked like.

Then, as she was climbing off the chair, her heel caught in her dress and she tripped.

“Ahh,” she yelled as she lunged toward the floor, landing in a crumpled heap. So much for being the elegant bride.

Naturally, someone had to knock at the door to marvel at her distress. It had to be Slade. He had a knack for catching her at her most clumsy moments, such as when she tripped over a branch when they were marching in formation at military school and fell right into his back.

“Hold on, I'm coming,” Caitlyn said, trying to buy herself more time to smooth out the wrinkles she caused with her graceful swan dive.

Just before she opened the door, she put on her most enchanting smile she hoped would dazzle Slade. However, when she opened the door, she was the one rendered speechless.

Slade gazed down at her dress as if appraising a painting he was thinking about purchasing. “Very nice. Ready?”

She was momentarily disarmed by how handsome he appeared in a suit and tie. She was so used to him dressed in a Marine uniform or in his adventure garb, but never in a suit. He appeared fantastic in military dress, but now, he could have stepped out of the pages of GQ. His broad shoulders were accentuated rather than masked by the dark fabric. His steely expression radiated a confidence that reinforced his masculinity. A strong, vital male.

Man, was he a fine specimen of the male species.

“Uh,” she mumbled. “Yes.”

****

Slade was not prepared for how stunning she appeared in that dress. His eyes had lingered on her curves far too long as they raked over her luscious body. He didn’t dare peer into her jade eyes as he’d be unable to function. So he mastered his game face again and focused on the plan ahead.

Even so, he couldn't believe they were actually doing this. All night, he worried that Caitlyn would change her mind or at the last minute.

Hold on, Slade. You're not married yet. She can still bail on you, you know.

Yes, he knew all too well. A friend of his back home got ditched at the altar when his fiancée decided she was too young to get married. He would never forget the crushed look on his friend's face when he realized that she wasn't coming. To be humiliated like that in front of all his family and friends was unforgivable.

This was only a simple, civil ceremony. No frills, no audience. It made taking this plunge much easier. Even if Caitlyn did decide to play the part of a freaked out runaway bride, he wouldn't have to face an audience in a most dreadful moment.

But, he'd still have his hopes dashed.

Slade gauged Caitlyn for signs of flight in her body language. She did appear concerned, not scared, but not exactly confident and relaxed the way she usually appeared.

“Are you okay, Cait?” he asked tentatively.

“Yes, of course. I'm fine,” she said all too quickly. Then she flashed him a smile.

He knew that smile, it was a cover for nervousness. Slade squeezed her hand to show her some support. Her nervousness didn't bode well. He was hoping she'd be jubilant, in happy spirits, but she appeared conflicted.

Maybe she was going to run on him after all. He better find out sooner rather than later.

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

Automatically, Caitlyn replied, “Of course. Why do you ask?”

“You seem,” he searched for the word, “tense.”

“Oh, well, I'm nervous after all. Aren't you?”

I'm nervous you'll bail
, Slade thought. “No, why should I be?”

“Well, you've never been married before, have you?”

“No. You know I haven't.”

“It's just a little—scary.”

“Cait, there's nothing to be afraid of. After all, this is only a formality. It doesn't even mean anything. It's not real.”

Caitlyn forced the smile once again. “Right,” she said. “Come on, let's go.”

Slade automatically grasped her hand in a protective hold. It was a good idea, too, as no sooner had Caitlyn closed her room door behind her when the questions began in the hallway.

“Where are you two going all dressed up?” Private Fernandez asked.

“Wouldn't you like to know?” Slade said with a grin, leaving Fernandez hanging.

A few steps later, Lance Corporal Richards asked, “What's with the fancy duds?”

“We'd tell you–but we'd have to kill you,” Slade replied.

He felt the tension leave Caitlyn's body as her tight grasp on his hand loosened ever so slightly. Glancing over at her, he saw a slight smile forming at the corner of her mouth. His attempt to lighten the mood was working.

On the stairwell, another Marine asked, “My, my, my, where are we off to this fine Friday morning?”

“Top secret,” Slade said. Then in a mock-serious tone, he whispered, “Classified information. A need to know is necessary.”

That time Caitlyn chuckled.
This is good, Masters. Keep it light, and keep her from being nervous. She's less likely to run that way.

At the bottom of the stairwell, another Marine asked, “Has the Marine Corps Ball come early this year?”

“No, it's today, McNeel. Did you black out the date again?”

“Ha ha ha, Masters. You should be a comedian.”

The questions continued all the way to the car.

“What is this, the Miss America contest?”

This time Caitlyn jumped in, which Slade thought was a good sign.

“No, it's the Miss Okinawa contest, Rivers. Forget where we are?”

Slade chortled and Caitlyn barely stifled a giggle.

Then, after Slade opened Caitlyn’s door, another Marine asked, “Why are you two all dressed up?”

Slade forced a serious expression as he turned to the Marine. “Why
aren't
you dressed up, Stone? Didn't you know? We're
all
supposed to wear our finest clothes to work today in honor of the master of spiffiness, General Spiff.”

Stone scanned the parking lot to see if this was true; if others were dressed up as well. Then slowly it dawned on him that Slade was joking.

Behind him, he heard Caitlyn cackle and he couldn't resist joining in.

“No camouflage today, Marine. You better go back in and change,” Slade managed between breaths.

Stone shook his head with a grin. “What are you smoking, Masters? Can I have some?” he asked as he walked away.

As soon as they climbed into Slade's car and closed the doors, they both burst into laughter.

Caitlyn stammered, “General Spiff?”

Slade laughed.

“Did you see the look on Stone's face? Making sure he wasn't the only one wearing cammies?”

“Yeah, what a rock.” Then Slade asked, “Jeez, is this what you have to put up with every day, all the comments?”

“No, not usually,” Caitlyn responded. “It’s usually an all-out leer.”

“Yikes, I'm glad I'm not a female Marine.”

“It's a small price to pay for being one of the fewer and the prouder. Besides,” she continued, “you'd probably love it. Imagine being one of the few men on an island full of horny women.”

When Slade didn't answer her, she asked, “Slade?”

“Shh, I'm imagining...”

Caitlyn playfully slapped his arm. “Yes, I knew you'd like the reverse.”

“We have to restructure this Marine Corps,” Slade said with a grin. “Let's get the recruiters to start recruiting more women than men.”

“Just drive, will you?” Caitlyn said.

Highway 58 was clogged with traffic as usual as they fought their way to Naha's City Hall. When they finally pulled into the crowded parking lot, Caitlyn asked, “Did you remember to bring all the paperwork?”

“Of course I did,” Slade replied. “You're not going to turn into a nagging wife on me now, are you?”

“Oh, be quiet, you. I was just making sure.”

Once inside, they handed over the paperwork and waited their turn in line. Luckily, Slade knew enough Japanese and the clerk knew enough English so they could communicate. Several minutes and some paperwork later, the clerk said, “You are married.”

When they walked away, Slade said, “We did it. We’re married.”

Caitlyn replied, “We
are?
That was so quick, so, oh, I don't know—unromantic.”

“What do you want for a city hall wedding. You're in, you're out, it's like a fast food wedding.”

“I guess so.”

Caitlyn found the informal life-changing transaction utterly ridiculous. They were now
married
, but the transition was no more than signing some silly government paperwork. For a momentous, life-changing occasion, it seemed devoid of any sort of emotion. She was now a married woman, married to Slade Masters. So why didn't she feel any different?

Slade said, “We can't check into the hotel until three, so we have some time to kill. Anything you want to do?

“What?” Caitlyn replied, still incredulous.

“It's only mid-morning. We have a few hours to kill before we check into the hotel. What do you want to do?” Slade repeated.

“Oh.” Caitlyn forced herself to the here and now. “I can't think of anything we can do all dressed up like this on a Friday morning.”

This was ridiculous. This was their wedding day. They were all dressed up and had
nothing
to do. Where were all the festivities, the people, the dancing, the music, the food?

“We could always get something to eat,” Caitlyn suggested.

“How did I know you were going to say that?” Slade smirked.

“And maybe we can go for a walk along the beach after.”

“Yes, that's perfect,” Slade said. “Sounds romantic after all. Good for our story. Let's skip the fast food and go somewhere nice. Somehow I don't think a quick burger is appropriate for this occasion.”

“I certainly hope not,” Caitlyn agreed. “It's not every day that I get married.” Then, she turned to him, “Do you feel different at all?”

“What do you mean?”

“Different. Officially, we're married.”

Slade was quiet for a moment as he thought about it. “No, not really. It doesn't mean anything, it's essentially just paperwork.”

“I noticed,” Caitlyn said sarcastically. Then she said, “I know this isn't real or anything, but even so, I thought that the official act of getting married would make me feel different somehow. Do you know what I mean?”

“I suppose so,” Slade said. “But, it's probably better this way. If it doesn't feel like anything to you, it will be easier to play it off. Also, it will be easier when it comes time to end it. Just some more paperwork.”

Caitlyn cringed, but tried to cover it with a smile, then worried her twisted facial expressions might be making her appear to be a lunatic. Sure she didn't yet feel married, but she didn't have to be reminded that her marriage would soon be over, especially on her wedding day. A defiant part of her refused to agree. “Or maybe it hasn't settled in yet.”

Slade shrugged.

At their leisurely brunch, Slade ordered some sake. “We need a toast.”

“To making this marriage thing work,” Caitlyn said only half-referring to convincing others. The other half referring to truly making it work.

“Sounds good to me,” Slade said, clinking her cup.

They drank their sake, Caitlyn forcing the burning liquid down her throat. She only had it once before and it was much too strong for her. She was thankful they only ordered a glass, not a bottle.

****

After brunch, they meandered down to the beach. Caitlyn took off her strappy sandals and Slade took off his shoes and socks as they traipsed along the ocean, the sand filtering between their toes. They didn't say much as the radiant Okinawan sun warmed their bodies and they listened to the waves of the Pacific crash against the shore.

Caitlyn suggested, “We can swing by our apartment.”

“We could,” Slade said. “But there's nothing there. No furniture to sit on yet. What would we do?”

“Good point,” Caitlyn said. They continued strolling in a comfortable silence until she added, “I have my bikini in my bag. Do you have swim trunks?”

“Yeah. You want to go swimming?”

“Why not?” She spread her arms wide. “Another beautiful sunny day in Okinawa. We have the day off. And the water here is so warm and clear. You should experience how freezing the water gets in Portland, Maine.”

“Maybe one day you’ll invite me.”

Caitlyn gazed out into the ocean. Envisioning Slade back in her home town in the States was something she fantasized about, but they'd never spoken about their friendship continuing back in the U.S., once they were out of the Marines.

“Only if you take me to Austin,” she countered. “I've never been to Texas. It's hard for me to picture.”

“Deal.” Slade extended his hand and Caitlyn shook it.

“I'm going to change in the car,” she said. “You have towels, right?”

His challenging gaze answered before he did. “What do you think?”

“Of course. Slade Masters is always prepared.”

****

Caitlyn came back wrapped in an oversized gray beach towel and Slade couldn't help but stare at her, anticipating her removing the towel. He'd long since memorized the curves of her body from previous beach visits. He remembered one incident in particular he wished to avoid today. He had been swimming to the shore and she'd reached up to untie the strings of her top before laying on her stomach. He had to linger in the water waiting for his erection to go down.

“Your turn.” She threw the car keys to him and he caught it. “I'll be in the water.”

Then she threw off the towel and Slade inhaled sharply, hoping she didn't catch the sound. She sauntered to the water and he froze as he scanned her body from her soft sun-kissed hair and over her Okinawan tanned skin. She had flesh covering her bones, the way he liked it—not like some skinny woman with pointy bones that would prod into him. Even so, she was toned from their morning runs and defined from PT pushups. Her waist tapered in and then her body flared back out with her generous hips he found so sensual. His eyes lingered on her cheeks, the tanned sides visible on the sides of her blue and yellow floral bikini.

Technically, your wife
, he thought proudly.

She turned back and caught him gawking. “What are you doing, Slade? Stop staring at my big butt!” she cajoled.

Speechless, Slade ambled to the car to get changed.

****

Caitlyn met him as he approached the water. The sun caught on the delicate skin of her scar. Her lower right leg bore a deep pink gash, a remnant from a car accident when she was 15. It jolted her so much she never learned how to drive. That was fine, he didn’t mind driving them around. She had teased him saying he was a control freak and wouldn’t give up the wheel even if she had her license.

She hated the scar—thought it was hideous. But he considered it a part of her as well as a visible reminder of how he wanted to protect her. He quickly moved up to her face so as not to make her self-conscious.

“How about a race?” he proposed.

He beat her to the water without much effort.

“No fair,” she said. “You’ve competed in triathlons.”

“One day, you'll do one with me.”

“Never!” she exclaimed, her jade eyes widening.

“Oh, I'll convince you,” he said and swam under water to her, reaching for her legs.

She splashed the water as she tried to push him away, but it was too late. He gripped her thighs, stood up in the water, and threw her into the air. She shrieked before she went under.

“Oh! I hate you, Slade!” she exclaimed when she broke the surface.

He laughed and swam over to join her. “No, you don't.” He wrapped his arms around her so she was mere inches from his face. “You just married me.”

“A technicality,” she quipped. She tried to appear affronted, but he saw the corner of her lips twitch.

The arousal that shot through him minutes before when seeing her in a bikini was now dwarfed by the sensations shooting through him as he held her wet, nearly naked body. He marveled at how the sunlight gleamed off her hair, which had darkened to a shade of honey brown by the water and made her pale eyes appear even brighter. Her lips teased him, they were so achingly close. He should be able to pull her closer and kiss them. He should, but she'd probably sock him across the face if he tried.

“I'm going to lie out and dry off in the sun,” she said and wiggled out of his grasp to swim to shore.

Once again, he realized his erection would give him away. “I'm going to swim a couple more laps first.”

Slade lay in agony beside her on a beach towel. Although they'd come to the beach together a half-dozen times before now where he suppressed his desire for her, he found it impossible to control his heightened senses today. The closeness of her in that tiny bikini was too much.

What was going on? He had managed to control his desire up until now. Why was he so distracted today?

After what seemed like hours, Slade checked his watch and said, “Ready to check in to the hotel?”

“Sure” Caitlyn said. “For the night? It's still kind of early.”

“No. We'll check in, rinse off, and go out for dinner.”

“Ooh, I like the way you think, Mr. Masters.”

“I bet you do, Mrs. Masters.”

She giggled. “I'm not changing my name. Too much trouble for a sham marriage.”

“Fine. But we're still Mr. and Mrs. Masters to the world.”

As they stood up and picked up their belongings, Caitlyn slapped him playfully on his butt.

“I can live with that.”

****

While Caitlyn took a shower in the hotel, Slade paced the room, exhaling from time to time. Picturing her naked body lathering up with that body wash that made her smell so sweet behind the closed door tormented his psyche in ways he couldn't control.

This was a bad idea, man. Look at you. You're a wreck. How are you going to pull this off? It's bound to implode.

Stay cool. You've controlled your feelings for this long now.

When she walked out of the bathroom in nothing but a fluffy white hotel towel, he almost lost his stoic reserve.

“Your turn,” she gleamed a radiant smile.

“You're naked under there,” he said flatly, not meaning to reveal his thoughts.

“Duh,” she said. “I need to get dressed. That's why I said the shower is yours.”

When Slade stepped under the steaming flow in the shower, he thought she could have brought her clothes in to the bathroom with her. Was she deliberately trying to tease him? Or did she have a legitimate reason for not bringing her clothes into the bathroom with her? What did he know about women getting dressed and ready—nothing. And now he was thinking—or hoping—she was trying to turn him on? Time to check his ego.

His ulterior motive of marrying her to get closer was backfiring. Nothing had changed for her—she even admitted how she didn’t feel any different now that she was married—and that included not feeling any different about him. He, on the other hand, had turned as hormonal as a high school boy. Marrying her had increased all his desires—to protect her as fiercely as a loyal dog—and to be with her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, first, in that tiny bikini, and then in the towel with nothing on. He reached down to stroke his raging erection. He should take care of himself before they went to dinner. He wouldn't want to be tempted to jump over the table and take her in the restaurant.