A Marine’s Proposal (8 page)

She should stop this now, before they went too far. She should, but…

She purred, “Yes, don't stop.”

His lips found the generous mounds pushing up over the top seam of her dress. As he kissed and licked her skin, she pressed her body up, eager for more. When he ran a hand up from her knee over her thigh, she thanked the gods for the balmy Okinawan weather. If she had been wearing pantyhose, the extra barrier keeping her from Slade would have driven her insane.

He ran his hand over her lower leg and she was thankful she applied a silky lotion earlier. His fingers reached the scar.

“Please, not there,” she pleaded.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed about. It’s a part of you. Beautiful, like you are.”

“No, you’re just saying that. Let’s not talk about it now. Please.”

“Of course. But one day I’ll make you see how beautiful you are. All of you.”

His hand moved from her scar and traveled higher, so high he must have felt the fiery heat coming off her. When he finally touched her there, she almost cried out. How long had it been since she’d been touched there? How long had she wanted this to happen with him?

Damn her panties!

“Take them off.”

“You sure?” He sat up and watched her with concern. “You didn't just have too much to drink?”

“No, I'm fine,” she barked. “Please. Now,” she said, her voice turning into a low plea.

Slade kissed her lips and she felt his hand climb under her dress, tugging at her panties. She arched up to help him with this mission and he slid the thin fabric down over her legs. Caitlyn kissed him with a feverish intensity until she felt his fingers graze over her heated mound, at which point, her body froze with want and anticipation.

Slade kissed her neck as his fingers found their way into her slickened folds.

“Holy shit, you're wet. I love it.”

When he probed her more deeply, Caitlyn gasped.

“Want me to stop?” he asked.

“God, no!”

She let out a sigh of protest when he pulled away.

“I just want to get this off.”

He pulled her sundress up over her waist and she arched up, and then moved into a sitting position so he could pull it over her head. Her full breasts spilled free and Caitlyn was so glad she opted for a dress with built-in bra cups.

Slade's mouth dropped open as his eyes raked her sun-kissed flesh. “God, you're beautiful, Caitlyn. Just stunning.”

Pleased that he liked what he saw and emboldened to continue what they started, Caitlyn said, “Take this off.” She tugged at his shirt. “I want to see you. Touch you.”

Slade pulled his shirt off and Caitlyn greedily ran her fingers over his chest and then the indentations in his abs, tanned to a rich sienna. When she reached the top of his pants, she unfastened it and pulled them down over his hips.

“Let me,” Slade said. Her eyes followed as he revealed inch after inch of skin, easing the pants and boxers down. Then he stood before her, fully erect, and Caitlyn knew her hottest fantasies hadn't done him justice.

“I know we should stop this now, Slade, before we take it too far, but my God, I don’t want you to stop. You’d kill me if you stopped now.”

“I know, baby. I want you so bad, nothing could stop me. Except you.”

She pulled him by the waist and they fell back onto the bed. Slade's hands caressed her breasts, his heated mouth worshipping one nipple while his fingers nimbly touched the sensitized peak at the other. Both were pulled into tight hardened buds, impatient for his touch and tongue to pay attention to them.

But the yearning deep within her focused in between her legs. Why couldn't she have him everywhere at once? She reached down to touch his erection and could barely fit her hand around his girth. Caitlyn guided him into her warmth, the epicenter of her desperate need for him, slickening him with her excitement.

“Oh God, Slade. I can't wait any more. There's a condom in my bag.”

He smirked when he sat up. “Were you planning to seduce me tonight?”

She turned red and tried to hide it in a haughty tone. “No. I'm a woman of the 21st century. We have to be prepared for the unexpected.”

Then he laughed. “I have one in my pocket.” He reached down to his discarded pants.

“Who's seducing who?” she said indignantly, and then said, “Who cares. Just put it on. Quick!”

Caitlyn counted to five slowly as she watched him roll the sheath over him. She bit her lip as she considered how well-endowed he was. She hadn't had sex in a long time.

But when Slade pressed himself into her hot entrance, she relaxed. Her body welcomed him in initially, but once he penetrated deeper, he met with resistance. He slowly worked his way deeper until he was fully inside her.

“You're so tight. You feel so good.”

Caitlyn was wound so tight with need for him that once he entered her, she thought she would climax. She told herself to stay calm. But once they began moving in unison, her body responding to his deep thrusts, her admonition evaporated. She rose up with him with each intense movement until she lost all reason and cried out her passion, clinging her nails into his shoulders.

He slowed the pace, allowing her to recover. Once he began their dance again, the far away tingling stirred up again. She climbed even quicker this time, calling out his name as she exploded with even more intensity.

“Yes, Caitlyn, yes!” He rammed into her three more times before spilling his seed and then collapsing on top of her.

They didn't speak for several moments as they caught their breath.

Slade rolled next to her and pulled her into him so they were spooning. “That was amazing.” He kissed her shoulder.

All sorts of conflicting emotions rushed through Caitlyn's mind as she recovered, but she forced them away. She wanted nothing more than to lie here in Slade's arms and bask in the afterglow of what she'd wanted for so long.

Slade cupped her breast, kneading the full tender weight, while he kissed down her arm and over her hip. Although she was still coming down, the fire awoke inside her again. She rolled onto her back and ran her fingers over the smooth planes of his face. He then peered at her with such tenderness, it hit her in her core. He licked around her bellybutton, teasing her.

“That tickles,” she purred.

“I found another spot,” he said in triumph.

He kissed and licked down to her thighs, renewing her need for him once again. She relaxed into the pillow. While he spiraled designs on her sensitive skin with his tongue, all rational thought left her.

She'd deal with the ramifications tomorrow.

In the early stages of waking up, Slade pulled Caitlyn closer, leaning in to inhale the clean scent of her hair. He could never place the aroma that reminded him of her, but in the shower he saw her shampoo was described with orange blossoms, whatever they were. He pressed his hard-on against her delicious rear before he was fully conscious, wanting to get inside her warm tightness again. She pressed back against him although she still appeared to be sleeping.

Flashes of the night before came back to him, images of them making love, the taste of her, her gentle and eager touch, her tight wet grip. He reached for her breasts, eager to rediscover the wondrous mounds he had tasted last night, and nuzzled the back of her neck.

When Caitlyn sighed, the gentle noise jolted Slade awake.

Oh shit! What had he done?

What had they done?

Slade pulled his hand away with reluctance and rolled away slowly so as to not rouse her. He climbed out of bed and turned his gaze toward her. Caitlyn’s hair fanned out over the white pillow and she appeared so peaceful, breathing deep enough that he was certain she had fallen back into a deep sleep. It took all his self-control not to climb back into bed with her and hold her longer. And then wake her up slowly with a slow sensual exploration of her body.

In the shower, Slade balled his hand into a fist and pulled back, wanting to punch the hard tile. Letting his hand drop to his side, he instead repeated, “Shit, shit, shit.”

He blew it. Caitlyn was going to hate him. He took advantage of her and completely ruined her trust in him. How could he explain his actions? Apologize for them?

He hesitated getting out the shower and facing her. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, but he'd better say something.

When Caitlyn woke, she heard the sound of the water running. Slade must be in the shower. She pulled a pillow tight to her and replayed the amazing night. Making love to Slade simply had no rival in her memory. What was it about his touch that set her skin on fire? She ran her hand down the front of her body, tracing the path his hands and his lips had gone discovering her body. No matter how many times she had fantasized about him, her fantasies didn’t compare to the exquisite reality of his caress. He was unlike any lover she’d ever known, tender at times, rough at others, and knowing what she craved almost intuitively.

She touched her folds, already wet for him. She wanted him to touch her that way again. Now.

Maybe she should surprise him in the shower. Climb in with him and sponge him down, lathering the soap over his chest, his back, his toned butt. And his amazing cock. It deserved to be in a category all its own. Never had she experienced someone so large before. After the initial pain when he entered her subsided, it gave way to a heady sensation, filling her to capacity and driving her passion to a feverish intensity.

Yes, she definitely wanted more of him.

Caitlyn fantasized too long to act on her shower surprise because Slade had turned the water off.

Oh well. I'm still here, naked, and waiting. I'll have to draw him back to bed.

She fluffed up the pillows and sat up, trying to arrange her tangled hair into a neater, more seductive frame. Then she pulled the sheet up over her breasts and practiced a come hither smile.

When Slade left the bathroom fully dressed, her expression changed to furrowed brows. Why was he already dressed?

“I'm so sorry about last night, Caitlyn.” He ran a hand over his short hair, and focused on the neutral hotel rug. “I don't know what came over me. The whole night…I don't know…everything just…happened.” He threw his hands out to the side. “I apologize. I broke your trust. I will never ever do that to you again.”

“What?” Caitlyn said. “What?”

“It was a careless mistake,” he said, staring at the rug again as if studying the pattern. “Too much alcohol. The dancing. I hope you can forgive me and we can still be friends.”

Caitlyn felt as if she was hit by an anvil. This was not how she was expecting to start the day. What the hell had just happened?

She didn't know how many moments passed before she recovered from the blow.

“Of course. That was a bad idea. What the hell were we thinking?” She forced a smile.

Slade searched her face with an imploring expression. “So do you forgive me?”

“Of course. I'm just as guilty.” Then tension in the room was too thick, making Caitlyn squirm at the awkwardness of the situation. She had to lighten the mood. “It's been too long since I've been with a guy, I guess. How could I resist?” She tossed an arm to the side.

“Me, too,” Slade said with relief in his voice.

“It's been too long since you've been with a guy?” Caitlyn teased, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Shut it, O'Neill.” He picked up a pillow and tossed it at her. “You know what I meant.”

Caitlyn laughed.

“Throw on some clothes and let's get out of here.”

“Where are we going?”

He glanced at the bed. “Anywhere but here. How about breakfast?”

****

Slade was quiet for several minutes while they ate breakfast at the hotel downstairs. But when he noticed her unusual lack of appetite, he asked, “What's wrong? You've barely eaten your eggs.”

Caitlyn's mind was on other things besides what was on her plate. “Still full from dinner last night, I guess.”

“You didn't burn it all off from the dancing and…” His voice trailed off and he stared down at his plate, leaving Caitlyn to finish his sentence in her mind. Sure they must have burned off quite a meal during their many sexual encounters during the night. Her face burned.

Caitlyn scanned the diners in the restaurant around them and noticed the abundance of couples and small families. To the outside world, they might appear to be a couple, but it was nothing but a sham. This whole marriage idea was a sham and however she had idealized it in her mind, the reality that Slade regretted their one and only night together hit her with a blow harder than any of the challenges she'd faced in her Marine Corps career to date.

“Listen, Slade, I'm sure you have the day planned out and all, but do you mind if I go off on my own today?”

He had taken a sip of coffee, but froze as he appraised her from over the mug.

“What's up?”

I'm feeling like an utter jackass
, she thought.
I’m confused about what the hell happened and how I feel about it.

“I just need a breather. The past day—and night—has been intense. I figure I'd go lose myself shopping or something.”

Slade put down his coffee mug slowly and stared at it as if it was a fragile piece of glass he had to take care of. Then he caught her eye. She quickly looked away, not wanting him to see through her with that penetrating gaze that would disarm her right now.

“Sure. I get it,” he said. “You're right. I have my snorkeling gear in my trunk. I'll keep myself busy.”

“I'm sure you will.” She smiled with relief. “Thanks.” Although she would love nothing more than to spend the day exploring Okinawa with Slade, even if it involved snorkeling, she needed some space. Maybe a walk along the East China Sea would do her good.

“Do you want to get together for dinner later?” he asked while eying her as if she was a caged tiger.

“Sure.”

****

Slade trudged down the beach to where the concierge had told him was a good snorkeling spot. He had barraged the concierge with questions about the beach and the conditions down to minute detail about the type of fish he was likely to see. The concierge patiently answered the ceaseless questions until Slade finally ran out of them. That's when his mind was flooded with what he was trying not to think about. Caitlyn.

He toed the clear water, which greeted him with a sharp coolness initially. Then he put on the flippers and waded in deeper. After he submerged himself fully, the cold slipped away to provide a more welcoming warmth.

How could he have slept with Caitlyn?

Not that he hadn't wanted to since he met her, but it wasn't fair to her. The second she let her guard down, he pounced on her like any other horny guy.

Some friend he was. A great way to blow his plan for them moving in together.

He trudged deeper into the water while memories flooded him. He thought to when they first met back in training. He noticed her right away—what male wouldn’t notice a hot woman in the group—but he kept his distance, not wanting to be yet another guy pursuing her. To his surprise, Caitlyn came up to him while they cooled down from their morning physical training, or PT.

She had said, “Mind if I walk back with you?”

“Of course not,” he replied.

“Cool. I’m not in the mood for the boy banter with the others I always seem to find myself in the middle of. You’re not like them. You’re more quiet.”

He’d laughed. “Don’t they say it’s always the quiet ones you have to worry about?”

“I’ll take my chances.”

On their walk back to the barracks, they told each other where they were from, how they ended up in legal, and the other talk Marines discussed when they first met. And once they found they’d both be deployed to Okinawa following training, their friendship escalated. It was difficult enough to connect with someone, let alone in the military with people coming and going all the time. 

She had told him he was the only guy she thought she could talk to without him having an agenda. “I'm tired of putting on this tough front all day. I like hanging out with you. I feel like I can let my guard down and be myself.”

Slade had interpreted her words that she did not want to have to deal with him hitting on her so he promised himself to keep their friendship platonic. Although at times it was more difficult than others, he’d stuck with doing the honorable thing and respecting her wishes.

Until last night.

Enough. He fitted on his snorkeling mask and dove beneath the surface scanning the underwater world. He searched for signs of fish or for coral or rocks that might provide good hiding spots for them.

Several feet ahead on the right, he saw some small things glistening by so he swam toward them. A school of silvery-black fish swam by, oblivious to his presence as they went on their way. He admired the world from down here. An entirely different one from the one above. So quiet and peaceful...

The thing was, he'd sort of taken it upon himself to think he was Caitlyn's protector. As if he was shielding her from all the testosterone that attacked her from all angles. And then
he
was the one with testosterone and the attack.

It's really because you're jealous. You wanted to protect her because you didn't want anyone else to have her.

That wasn't true, was it? Why was he thinking about this now? He was supposed to be taking in the peace and beauty of the underwater world, one without the problems of human relationships and unrequited love.

Flashes of her naked body appeared in his mind. The soft, full curves. The satin feel of her skin. Her scent that always reminded him of things clean and wholesome, not overdone with perfumes like so many women he'd met.

The way it felt inside her, so warm, so velvety soft. She was like no other woman he’d ever been with. The way she grabbed at him, wanting more, just the thought threatened to induce another erection despite the refreshing waters. And her unforgettable low sexy moans burned onto his memory for eternity. Would he ever want someone as much as he wanted her? Why was a night that felt so perfectly right so wrong in the light of a new day? 

Wait, she
did
grab at him. She had said she didn’t want it to stop. Was it just in the heat of the moment? Or could she possibly have feelings for him?

The vision of her half-naked body greeting him when he came out of the shower came back to him. He hadn’t noticed her expression, having been so full of turmoil and trying not to get hard again, he hadn't paid attention to her initial reaction. Was she thinking
what the hell have I done?
Or
damn, you rocked my world with the best orgasms of my life. Take me for another ride, stallion.

No, that was wishful thinking on his part. She made it clear that she wanted to spend time alone today. Most likely trying to get some distance from him. Because as he had proven, he was just like every other guy on the island trying to get into her pants.