Authors: Ahren Sanders
“What the hell is happening?” Bryce finally blows up. “I haven’t seen my fiancée in eleven weeks. How did this turn into a fucking group convo?”
“I see you’re still as pussy-whipped as ever,” Quinn goads him.
The scowl on his face sends me into a fit of giggles. She joins in until his expression changes. “You wait, Quinn. Remember, I’ll be there for five nights next week. Payback is hell.”
“If you even think you’re going to spout all that love sick, ooey-gooey shit around here the entire time, I will throw up on you. I’ll give you a day, two tops, but then you better act like a civilized man as compared to a love-struck boy.”
“Shut it! I really don’t need visuals.” My brother’s mood changes instantly. “You all forget, this is still my little sister.”
The banter continues until the guys have to hang up. I discreetly blow Bryce a kiss, and he winks, mouthing, ‘
I love you’
.
My stomach flutters with excitement for the rest of the night. It’s almost time for me to start counting the hours.
*****
No way
, I think as I read through my email again. Is this for real???
Professor Grant sent me an email, informing me that the University Newspaper has chosen one of my papers for an October publication. They’re requesting a sit-down meeting with my whole team to ask some specific questions that will be used to complement my work. They’ve also asked me to provide at least five additional pictures. I squeal and grab my phone to send a group text to my family and Bryce.
Me: October - The University paper will feature moi’. Can you believe it? I’ll send more information when I can!!!
The messages come back instantly.
Mom: Bring everything to Rhode Island with you tomorrow night. I want to see it all!
Dad: Way to go, Devon!
Nate: I expect an autographed printed copy when available.
Bryce: Beautiful, there was never any doubt. Congratulations. Can’t wait to see you to celebrate.
Then the messages take a whole new tone.
Dad: Bryce, this is a family message. Not sure if you saw, but please refrain from talking about any kind of celebration with my baby girl.
Bryce: ** raising hands in innocence** Family friendly message. We’ll have a lot to celebrate.
Nate: Slapped him upside the head, Dad. No need to worry.
Yeesh! These men are ridiculous. A new text comes through only from Bryce.
Bryce: So fucking proud of you, baby. Seriously… can’t wait to ‘celebrate’.
Me: God, I miss you.
Bryce: Going into a session. Call tomorrow.
Me: Love you. Wednesday can’t come soon enough.
The door to the apartment swings open with a bang.
“Did you get an email?” Quinn yells, bouncing in.
“Yes! Did you?”
“November Edition! Gymnastics and Wrestling!”
“October—DIVING!!!!!!!”
I jump into her arms, and we dance around, talking over each other until we collapse in a heap on the sofa.
“We’re pretty awesome, aren’t we?” She tries to catch her breath. “I’m so glad you brought us here.”
“Me too, sista. Me too. Things really do work out for a reason.”
Her head falls back on a throw pillow, and she rolls over, shoving her feet in my lap.
“Dean is flying up this weekend. Sorry to bust up your love fest, but he insisted. We’ll try to stay out of your way as much as possible.”
“It’s okay.” Disappointment is clear in my voice.
“I blame it on Bryce.”
“Why him?”
“Because, apparently, Dean has decided to attend the ‘Bryce Randolph School of CRAZY’. He wants to come to the opening game and meet my cheer partner. I made the mistake of telling him about the campus article, and now he wants to meet Hank.
“In the course of a few weeks, my sweet, laid-back boyfriend has become a possessive giant! This is Bryce’s fault!”
“Still not following why you blame him. Maybe Dean genuinely wants to meet your friends.”
“Really, Dev? Let’s recap… He upsets me, which upsets you. You tell your overprotective, jealous, and extremely love sick buffoon fiancé. Next thing I know, we’re enjoying the day at a private spa, you are staying in one of the top five hotels in Atlanta, and now Dean is acting like a warrior? That is the result of Bryce Randolph!!!”
Her point is clear. “You think he maybe wanted to visit on a holiday weekend?” I ask unconvincingly.
She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh to myself. This has Bryce written all over it.
We sit in silence a few minutes until she pops up like a spring. “Oh my God! I have the best idea!”
“What the fuck! You kicked the shit out of me!” I massage the ache in my side.
“Let’s get tattoos.” Her eyes light up.
I nibble on my bottom lip nervously. “What kind of tattoos?”
“How many kinds are there? The ones that are inked into your skin, you
idiota
.” She smirks at her witty remark.
“I know that,
cadela.
” Take that bitch!
“
I meant, what should we get?”
“Something that means something to us. I think I have an idea for me, it’s a quote.”
As soon as we are in her car, it hits me. I know the perfect tattoo.
My knees bounce rapidly as I twist the program in my hands. Knowing Bryce is in the same building sets my excitement on overload. My whole body is buzzing with anticipation. Sheila and my mom keep looking at me with amused grins while my dad rolls his eyes. They can tease all they want. Due to a flight delay, I missed seeing him and Nate last night.
A pre-recorded message comes through the sound system, asking us to rise, and the door in the back opens. This is it! Goose bumps break out over my entire body as a large group of men and women march in, all dressed in their Dress Whites. When I finally find him in the crowd, my nose starts to tingle, and my eyes swell. As hard as I try to hold them back, tears fall freely. Sheila shoves a handful of tissues in my hands and sniffs softly. I stand between her and my mom, and we join hands when seated.
Nerves tingle through me during the entire ceremony. When Nate crosses the stage and salutes his drill instructor and Petty Officer, my mom gives a quiet sob. Dad wraps his arm around her shoulder and kisses her temple delicately. Pride beams on my dad’s face.
Several men and woman later, it’s my and Sheila’s turn to sob. Bryce looks so regal and pristine as he gives his own salute and silver dollar to the men in front of him. When he turns to walk away, our eyes catch for a brief second. The slight twitch of his lip is the only clue he actually saw me.
When the ceremony is over, I’m out of my seat and rushing toward the sea of white. Most of the men tower over me as I try to find either Bryce or Nate. There’s a soft tug on my elbow, and I turn to see Bryce standing in front of me. His beautiful blue eyes dance, and his face is lit with a huge smile. An embarrassing squeal escapes as I leap into his arms, slamming my mouth to his.
Immediately, I’m surrounded by his familiar scent, the warmth of his embrace, and the taste of him. Our tongues touch, and he cradles me closer, sucking me in. My blood burns with the need to let him know how much I missed him. Too soon, he breaks away and curls a hand on my cheek, locking our eyes.
“Hey.” I finally break the silence. “Congratulations.”
“Shit, it’s good to see you.” He pulls me back into a hug until a throat clears beside us.
I look back to see my brother with his arms stretched. Automatically, I go to him.
“I’m so proud of you, Nate,” I whisper though a cracked voice.
“Why the waterworks?” His warm hands rub my back gently.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion. The ceremony was quite impressive.” I reach around and tug Bryce into the hug. “That was entirely too long not to see you both.”
They share a look that I know well. Instead of reminding me that the distance will be a part of our lives, they stay quiet and give me a squeeze. Our families walk up, breaking us apart.
A few men and women join our crowd and congratulate the guys. Bryce has already explained that, after graduation, everyone disperses around the country. A lot of them will be stationed in Norfolk but not all. I finally get to meet the other two men Nate and Bryce shared their barracks with, Tommy Betts and Rick Plant. They both attended OCS to transition into officer roles.
Tommy Betts is an enormous, muscular black man with a completely bald head. As soon as Bryce introduces me, I’m swept off the ground and into his arms. I yelp at the surprise and brace against his chest.
“It’s about time. Can’t wait for my Nicole to meet you,” he booms.
I glance over my shoulder with wide eyes to see everyone smiling.
“Nicole’s his wife. She couldn’t be here because their baby is sick,” Bryce informs me. “And if you can’t tell, Betts is quite affectionate.”
He sets me down gently and squeezes my shoulder.
“We’re in Norfolk, too. I’ve told her all about you.”
“I’m Rick Plant.” The other man reaches out to shake my hand. “I’d give you a hug, too, but I’m pretty sure Bryce might punch me.”
“You’d be right. I’d punch Tommy, but I know he’d crush me.” Bryce tucks me back to his side and wraps an arm around my waist possessively.
Our parents introduce themselves, and the conversation flows around us about the last twelve weeks and what the guys will be doing at their stations. My eyes wander around the room and focus on a woman watching us closely. She doesn’t look directly at me, but her eyes scan the group and land on Bryce. Her gaze travels down him slowly until she sees his hold on me. Instantly, her head snaps up, and our eyes lock. A flash of something crosses her face. Anger? Sadness? Confusion? From the distance, I can’t tell, but her face goes hard, and she gives me an evil grin.
The entire exchange sends a chill up my spine. She looks away and starts talking to a man and woman who could be her parents. She’s also in Dress Whites, with her hair pulled back in an elaborate bun. I try to read her name badge, but it’s too far.
Bryce tightens his hand at my hip and leans down. “What are you looking at, beautiful?” he whispers and kisses my neck softly.
“Who’s that woman?” I motion with my head.
His eyes travel the room, and it’s obvious when he sees her. He swallows hard, and the tendons in his neck visibly tick.
“A woman who was in school with us.”
“She was staring at you.”
He shrugs, avoiding my eyes.
“Bryce, I recognized the look on her face. She’s interested in you.”
“Too bad for her, I’m fully taken. Did I tell you how exquisite you look today?” He nuzzles my neck.
“Your attempt to distract me is working. But we’ll talk about her later.”
“Nothing to talk about. And I can assure you, we’ll not be talking later, unless you count screaming my name.”
Heat rushes to my face, and I look around to make sure no one heard him. Nate scowls at us, but otherwise, no one is paying attention. I don’t mention her again, but the nagging feeling sticks with me.
*****
The minute we close the door to our hotel room, I’m in Bryce’s arms. His lips claim mine roughly as his hands fist in my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss is greedy, demanding that I give everything I have. Our tongues curl together urgently, soaking in the taste we’ve both desperately missed. He backs away for a brief second to look at me. His blue eyes glow bright with heat, desire, and primal hunger.
My stomach clenches when he crushes his mouth back to mine and moves his hands down my back, cupping my ass. Instinctively, I bounce into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, careful not to break our kiss. He walks backwards and turns when he hits the wall, leaning me into it.
“I want you right now.” He swivels his hips into mine.
“Yes, now.” My voice quivers.
His tongue licks down the column of my throat, tasting each inch of skin. By the time he reaches my collarbone, I’m panting. My body spasms with anticipation.
“I’m going to set you down, and I want you naked,” he commands.
When my feet hit the floor, I tear the sundress over my head and slip out of my panties. Luckily, my sandals slide off easily. I reach for my strapless bra, and the heat of his gaze stops me.
“Let me.” One hand reaches behind me and snaps the clasps effortlessly. Once it falls, his eyes turn liquid.
“Almost thirteen weeks. That’s how long I’ve dreamed about this—your naked body, your lips swollen from my kiss, your hair falling down your back, begging me to thread my fingers through it. Jesus, you bring me to my knees.”
Sexual energy surges through me, and I jump back into his arms, sealing my mouth to his. I try to pour every emotion I’m feeling into the kiss. My arms and legs crush him, never wanting to let go.
He moves again, and I feel the softness of the comforter on my back when he lays me down gently. We break away, breathing hard, and I loosen my grip.
“Need you,” is all I can get out.
I bat his hands away when he reaches for his shirt, wanting to be the one to pull it over his head. I’m grateful he changed out of his dress uniform before we went to dinner. The first touch of my hand to his hot skin sends us both scrambling. We can’t get him undressed fast enough, and we fight with his clothes. Finally, he hovers above me with his knees between my legs.
His eyes lock with mine, and I freeze.
“Tell me you love me, Devon.”
“I love you, Bryce.”
One hand plays softly with my hardened nipple while his mouth clutches onto the other. I bow off the bed into his touch, moaning at the sensation. He goes down my body, kissing slowly, until he gets to my pelvic bone and stops.
“What the fuck is this?” He stops, sitting back on his calves.
“Surprise.” My fingers run over the skin where the naval anchor is inked.
“Shit!”
“You don’t like it?”
“I love it. “
I scrunch my eyebrows, confused.
“I planned to take my time, worshiping every inch of you, but this tattoo is sexy as fuck. Now I can’t wait.”
He crawls back up my body with energy radiating from his hard stare. One finger slides down my stomach, stopping briefly to rub circles around my belly button. The lower he goes, the faster my pulse races. He finally touches me in the right spot, and I arch into him, groaning.