Page 8 of A Very Grumpy Marine

“Thanks,” I say once we reach the trail that I came up on.

Lilou had dropped off her car for me to use early this morning. I had tried to tell her that I would be fine without one, but she didn’t want to leave me stranded.

I start to make my way towards the car when Camden tugs me back.

“Where are you going?” He asks gruffly and I frown, hooking my thumb over my shoulder to the car.

“I need to get back to Milo’s place.”

“Who the fuck is Milo?” He growls, and I bite back a laugh.

He’s so jealous. He actually looks pissed that another man’s name ever left my lips.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I sass him and I can see him grinding his teeth at my answer.

Gunner runs up to us and I jerk my hand free of Camden’s and bend down to pet him.

“It was nice to meet you,” I coo at him, and he licks my cheek.

“Gunner,” Camden says in warning when the dog tries to jump up and lick my face again.

He bends over to grab Gunner’s collar, and I hurry over to Lilou’s car and climb behind the wheel.

Or I try to anyway.

I make it halfway into the car before an arm wraps around my waist and hauls me back. Camden takes a seat in the car and places me in his lap.

“Why do you drive such a little car?” He complains, and I choke back a giggle as I watch him try to maneuver his big body behind the wheel.

He has to push the seat all of the way back and he’s still smooshed.

“It’s not my car.”

“Whose is it?” He asks.

“A friend’s.”

“Milo’s?”He sneers, and I roll my eyes.

“You could get out and go to your own car,” I point out, and he shakes his head.

“No. Who is Milo?” He asks, and I close my mouth.

There’s no way that I’m telling him that Milo is my best friend’s fiancé. I’m having too much fun watching him get all jealous and worked up.

He curses under his breath as his hand reaches up and cups my cheek. He turns my head to face him and studies my face.

“Where are you from?” He asks. “I would have seen you around town before now if you were from here.”

“Maybe you just weren’t paying attention,” I retort.

“Baby, I would have noticed you.”

My mouth opens, but I don’t have a response to that.

“Where are you from?” He asks again.

“I’ve been all over,” I answer vaguely.

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