Page 80 of The Soldier

I need to tell her I’m aware of how what I do impacts the people in my life.

I’ve lost friends. I’m fully cognizant of how worried my family has been over the years. Never knowing where in the world I was at times or when I was coming home. It’s a burden every soldier carries while protecting our country. I’ve missed birthdays and Christmas and at least two Thanksgivings.

Shit, imagine missing the birth of your child. Or your anniversaries.

These are reasons I left. I want to be present for those things when I finally get married.

I don’t want to see tears in my wife’s eyes, or the fear I saw the night Trina stepped around Ryder in the hospital. Those round saucers peered at me showing me more than she ever had.

Then it vanished.

So, I’m well ahead of her when it comes to understanding the impact being enlisted has on loved ones.

Now I work for the BHS team and intend to stay focused on fucking influencers and risk entrepreneurs. Heck, I get to sleep longer, have more flexibility in my daily schedule, don’t have to salute to anyone, and have said goodbye to the fight-or-flight mode.

Mostly.

That day I saw Trina Thomas climb out of Briar’s car my cock almost leaped out of my pants, and I’ve never smiled so big.

The sassy little wolf sneered at me with her startling blue eyes and full lips, and I think I might’ve fallen in love right there and then.

Love?

Jesus Christ. I swipe a hand over my face.

Yeah, that’s not what this is.

Is it?

I guess it could be.

IfTrina would stop pushing me away. Tonight, the ghosting stops. I’m dragging those walls of hers down and forcing her to open up.

Then those pretty thighs again.

––––––––

“SOMEONE GET THE wounded a seat.” Ryder calls out over my shoulder.

“It’s my arm not my leg, you dork. I’m fine.” I shake my head as Briar races off. “Come back.”

“Tell your woman to stand down, Marine.”

“Briar! Get back here. Marshall is fine. If he falls over then we’ll put a blanket over him and use him as another seat.” Aidan calls out.

“Adian!” She gasps while I laugh.

They are all idiots.

Anyway, I’m not falling over anywhere. I need my height so I can see over everybody and watch my sexy girl walk in the room.

For the past hour I’ve been impatiently waiting.

My girl.

The door swings open and my heart slams into my chest when I catch a glimpse of Trina’s long dark hair which she’s twisted into curls.

She flings it over her shoulder and then holds the door while my gaze slides down her body and the extremely short red dress she’s wearing.

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