Page 86 of Stone

Friday night, we went to a pool bar, and I met Spence and his pretty, sweet, red-haired girlfriend, Ally. Saturday, the four of us spent the day at the beach. Ally and I sat in our bikinis, watching the guys kick a soccer ball around with their shirts off.

It was glorious.

At sundown, the guys went off to find food, and we stayed at the beach and ate dinner together. A small group of college students hung out a few feet from us. They shared their campfire, and we toasted marshmallows for s’mores.

Spence kept us entertained with his dry wit. I clutched my sides half the night at his stories of boot camp and how their sergeant kept catching them at inopportune moments—usually when they were up to no good.

We rode around on John’s motorcycle, and I loved it, mainly because it connected us physically, and I could wrap my arm around my man while I plastered myself to his back. There was no feeling like the one of his body shaking with laughter whenever I tipped my head back, feeling the wind whipping my cheeks and letting out a loud whoop.

It was the best weekend of my life.

Sunday morning, John left me in bed while he went to the store to stock up on snacks and soda. After that, we only moved from the bed to the shower, and even that was together.

We only had the day and night left. John had to be back on base at 07:00, and my flight left just before noon. The thought of losing this, of losing him again, made me ache, but I pushed it to the back of my mind to concentrate on the here and now. I didn’t want to feel the hurt, not until after, anyway.

The weight from John’s arm pinned my waist, and I sighed contentedly.

We’d never slept together before, not for the entire night. Now I had two under my belt and another one to come later. There was something intimate about sleeping next to the man I loved. Waking up to his magnificent heat, smiling as he played with my hair and circled patterns on my shoulder, was something I knew I’d cherish forever and never take for granted.

“Babe,” John whispered, nuzzling my nape from his position behind where he spooned me. His hand delved into my hair, and he pulled my face around, touching his mouth to mine.

I melted, every bone turning to mush. Slowly and languidly, I turned my body until I faced John head-on, never once breaking our kiss. My fingers slid up his chest to his shoulders, and I held on tight.

His lips released mine, and he pulled back slightly before dropping his forehead on mine. Strong fingers played with my hair, and he angled my face up, staring deep into my eyes.

“The world’s gone bonkers, Duchess,” he murmured. “Chances are, I’m gonna get caught up in the craziness for a while. I’ve made provisions for you, just in case.”

Darkness slid through my chest, and my lungs seized. “Don’t say that, John.”

“Babe,” he crooned. “I’m a Marine. We gotta have these conversations, and I need to tell you everything. I’m not sure you’ll like what I have to say, but I’ve gotta be honest ‘cause God knows I haven’t been entirely truthful up to now. I was tryin’ to protect you, but you don’t need protectin’ as much as you need the truth, so here goes.” He paused, relaxed his shoulders, and continued, “My new MOS is part of the Infantry, but it goes further, too. Remember I told you my instructors were impressed with my shooting skills?”

I jerked a nod.

“They singled me and Spence out to join another department. I’ve trained to be a Scout Sniper. Do you know what that means?”

My eyebrows drew together. “You’re a marksman?” It was more a question than an answer.

“Yeah,” he confirmed. “But a specialized one. Me and Spence are trained to take people out. He’s my spotter, and he supports my position when I take individuals out.”

A pain curled in my belly, my eyes darting between his questioningly. “Is it dangerous?”

One side of his mouth hitched. “No more or less dangerous than being any infantry Marine. Our military is the best in the world. Our technology, our firepower, and our know-how have caused the face of war to change. It’s not like ‘Nam now. Our skirmishes are more tactical and thought out.”

My forehead furrowed as I tried to get my brain around what John was saying. “When do you start this job?”

He studied my face. “Two weeks ago. So far, Spence and I have undertaken three missions since then. All successful. We get put in, we watch, we learn, we take them out, and we get the fuck outta dodge. It’s highly organized, and we’re well looked after.”

Suddenly, his words all came together, and everything became clear. “You kill people?”

He nodded decisively.

My hands found his, and my fingertips trailed over his thumb. It dawned on me what these hands could do, the destruction they wrought, and the lives they took. It seemed far removed from John, like fire and ice. These hands that gave me so much love and so much pleasure also wreaked death.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I inquired softly.

John shrugged. “The pass rate in training is forty-four percent, and it would’ve been pointless if I failed. Then I succeeded, and it wasn’t something I wanted or was even able to talk about over the phone or in letters. I got you out here to see you and to tell you everything. If things kick off in the Middle East, I want you prepared for all eventualities.”

“Okay.” I lifted my knee, rolling up on top of John until I straddled him. “Thanks for telling me.”

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