In the general locker and shower room there were people walking around naked as they chatted about one thing or another. Brian saw me and whistled to get my attention. “Where did you go? The whole team lost track of you until the commander received a message that you were already on the ship.”

  Stopping next to him, I said, “The marines wanted to ask some questions is all.”

  “And I am guessing they want to keep whatever it was about hush hush?” at my nod he must have noticed something because he smiled. “Are you in a rush to go somewhere? Maybe to see someone special?” His eyebrows wiggled as he finished

  My face felt like it was on fire, and I was fairly sure I was as red as a tomato. A towel flew out from somewhere behind me and smacked him in the face. “Stop teasing him.” Queen said from behind me. “Go to your girl. I will deal with this joker.” She walked to him, her hips swaying invitingly.

  Pulling my eyes from her, I mumbled, “Thanks,” and took off. I did not need to see those two going at it. The memory of walking into my bunk room to the two of them on the floor had been scarring enough, thank you very much.

  Quickly making my way out of the room, I turned down the hall. Twisting and turning to avoid clumps of people as I jogged for a mile. Navigating the halls to the crew bunks. There were lifts but I felt the need to run a bit.

  Her door was open for me as I approached. Hearing the pattering of my shoes on the floor, her head popped up from where she was laying in bed. Blue green eyes and vivid purple hair contrasted against her ghostly pale skin. None of which caused my heart to stop. No that was her smile. The smile that covered her face radiated as she caught sight of me. Every time I saw it, I was blown away. The fact was, she could probably choose any man on the ship, and they would fall on their knees for her. But, for some reason, she was willing to take our relationship seriously.

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  “Hi,” I said as I entered her team’s cabin. My lips hurt from how hard I was smiling. Instead of responding, she lifted one hand and crooked her finger at me. Slipping out of my shoes as I went, I climbed into her bunk.

  Body against body as we moved to fit the both of us on the bed without crushing one or the other against the wall. She ended up on top of me, her legs straddling mine as her eyes bore into mine. My hands rested on her hips as hers wrapped themselves around the back of my neck.

  “Just kiss and fuck already.” Came a cry from across the room. Michelle was the one who had pushed the two of us together. She was also the person who kept pushing for us to take the next step. Something about not holding back on a relationship before going to battle. Apparently, it was bad luck? Who knows?

  We both chuckled while she reached up and pressed a button at the lip of the bunk. The sounds of the rest of the ship vanished as a panel slit into place. Looking into her eyes, I asked her, “Are you sure about this?”

  She nodded and leaned forward. Her lips meeting mine softly, tentatively. I could tell when she finally released herself. The soft tender kiss ended as our lips crushed together and her tongue pushed mine apart. I let it part way in before challenging it with my own.

  My hands lifted up her shirt as they explored her body. Slowly I moved them further up her body. To my surprise, she was only wearing a thin shirt. I found this out when my fingers brushed across one of her breasts. The motion was accompanied with a soft gasp from her.

  From there, my mind turned off as we explored each other. We ended up lying on her bed, sweaty, tired, and feeling blissful. Our clothes were around, somewhere. Her head was on my chest as we both tried to catch our breath.

  She was the first to break the silence with three simple words, “I love you.” My heart felt like it stopped as soon as I heard that. My brain locked up as I tried to think of what to say in reply. I know that anyone could say those three words, but I wouldn’t, not to her, not unless I was sure. She knew that which is why she wasn’t pushing me to say them.

  After trying for a while, I gave up and kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. Settling with a simple, “Thank you,” and I meant it. She was probably the best thing that had happened to me since joining the military.