Page 126 of The Soldier

I knew she did. Call it intuition. A man just knows when a woman falls in love with him. The eyes don’t lie.

One morning, a few weeks after we got together, Trina woke up at some ungodly hour and climbed on top of me. She shook me awake.

“What? Fuck.” I reached for my gun.

“Stop.” Trina slapped me. “I have to tell you something.”

“Now?” I groaned and fell back on the pillow.

“Fine, I won’t.” She grumbled and went to climb off me. But I liked her on my cock, so grabbed her, keeping her right where she was.

“Speak,” I said and ran my hands over her soft curves.

“Don’t make this sexy.” She slapped me.

“Baby, I need sleep. What’s wrong?” I’d had a long day the one before and was already drifting off. Even with her sitting on my cock, so that says something.

She sunk down onto the bed beside me and snuggled as I wrapped her in my arms. Both of us were facing one another.

“I just wanted to tell you that I love you.”

Fuck me.

My eyes few open wide, and let’s just say, my cock got what he wanted. I sunk so deep inside my girl after kissing her face off, I wasn’t sure I’d find my way out.

Everyone starts singing “Happy Birthday” while Briar, Alice, Cassy, Savannah, and Scarlet do some weird little jig.

I’d say it was a drunken dance—probably a TikTok trend—but Savannah isn’t drinking. Her and Ryder announced they were pregnant a few months ago. And Briar is having twins anytime soon.

Plus...well, that’s not my story to tell.

I focus back on my plans. Trina’s mom winks, then waves for everyone to be quiet. She fails so Josh puts his fingers to his lips and whistles loudly.

“Goddamn, Josh.” Scarlet slaps his arm. “You trying to blow out my ear drums.”

I grab Trina’s hips and turn her to face me.

“What’s happening?”

Then I sink to one knee.

“Marsh! Oh my god,” she cries as a bunch ofholy hellssound around us.

I grin. I think I actually have surprised her.

“I’m better with a gun than I am with words.” I shrug and pull out a four-carat solitaire diamond ring.

Trina gasps, her hand going to her mouth.

“But here goes. You’re the one, darlin’. The one I want to spend every hour of every day with. I love your smart mouth. I love the mess you make in our house.”

“Well, that’s not true.” She frowns, but her eyes sparkle and I laugh.

“I love the way you brush your teeth while watching my every move, even when you think I’m not watching.”

“Because you’re hot. Hurry up.” Scarlet rolls her hand around in the air as if I’m some commercial.

“Excuse me?” Cole mutters.

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