by Ryan Michele
One that I blamed for years.
Until now.
Until joining the Marines.
Having two tours under by belt and another starting in a couple of days, I now understand the meaning of the word, and it no longer holds the negative connotation I’d given it only years ago.
Now, it means everything. The bond. The trust. The commitment to one another. That feeling that no matter what, these men have my back. It took me coming here to finally understand.
“Tugger, you about done?” Malcom calls from the other side of the room where he’s getting his ink covered in goop and plastic put around his shoulder. Chase Malcom is a man I trust with everything. He’s had my back time and time again, even pulled me out of a dangerous situation that could’ve easily killed him.
Looking down at my side where the tattoo artist is working, there only needs to be a bit more shading to the Marines emblem, and my ink will be complete. My third tattoo, when I always swore I’d never get a single one. This one is the eagle, globe, and anchor, the tired symbol of the Marines.
The eagle is the symbol of the United States. The globe signifies the worldwide commitment. The anchor represents the both land and water.
“About twenty.”
Malcom nods and looks over to Dryerson, who is talking it up with the sexy woman behind the counter. “You comin’ out with us? Or are you covered?”
There’s teasing in his tone and a chuckle escapes me. Dryerson will go to the back, fuck this woman, and be ready to go to the bar and have five more, one after the other. When he’s on leave, his dick doesn’t dry.
“Ten,” he calls out and grabs the woman’s hand on cue as he leads her to the back.
“Fucker!” Malcom laughs as Camden, Samsun, and T-Boe follow suit, and Dryerson flips us all the bird.
“Alright, boys, we have sixteen hours before we’re due back.” Malcom rubs his hands together. Tonight is going to be one to remember.
2
Cyrus
Cyrus the virus.
The words drift through my head as the amber liquid flows down my throat, burning the entire way down to my stomach. Those three little words haunt me at every turn in life. I swear my father named me Cyrus just to use the phrase to torture me.
Each time is like a slash of a blade marring my skin. If I could erase them, I wouldn’t hesitate.
“Cy, cheer up!” my best friend Ari screams over the music thumping through the bar while she hip checks into me. When my body jolts pulling me from my thoughts, she laughs. “You were miles away.”
She has no idea how far from a cramped bar I was. Shaking it all off, I answer sarcastically, “I am cheered.”
Her eyes roll. “Whatever. You’re not getting lost in your head tonight. We’re here to have fun and relax.”
She’s right. We both needed tonight after the hell of a week. On a smile, I call over the bartender. “Two bourbon and Sprites.” He nods with a wink and moves off.
“Why, are you trying to get me drunk?” Ari asks in a sing-song tone.
“Fuck yeah. You’re funny as hell drunk.”
We laugh as our drinks come and down them quickly. She grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s dance!” She yanks my arm, as I toss down the last of my drink. On her smile, she pulls me out to the crowded dance floor.
It takes so much energy to get those stupid little words out of my thoughts, it feels as though I’ve already danced the night away. Alcohol gives me a small bit of reprieve. Add in the music, my best friend and finally, I’m able to shut it down, feel the music and let my body move. My hips sway, arms in the air, and I let the music take me away.
I get lost in the moment, Ari dances up on me as we bump and grind one another. The men love to watch two women going at it with no holds barred and that’s exactly what we do. While it isn’t for them, it’s an added perk to feel desirable.
It’s the only time I actually feel free.
Freedom isn’t something I take lightly. No, more like I clutch on to it with both hands and never want to let it go.
3
Micah
Dryerson slaps me on the shoulder, grabbing my attention. “The redhead is mine,” he says as he stares out onto the dance floor where several men and women grind and sweat. My gaze lands on her instantly.
Hands in the air, smile on her face, curves for days dancing like that floor was put in just for her pleasure. The fire of her hair draws every man on the floor to her. I watch as two different men from different angles try to dance up on her, but she’s skilled at maneuvering herself away from them, not giving them an inch.
The woman has moves that’s for damn sure.
My lips tip as men and women alike attempt to interact with her, but the only person she gives the time of day to is a blonde woman who appears to be with her. That dismissal makes her a temptation that every single person in this bar wants to conquer.
Dryerson has game, but this one isn’t going to happen. For two reasons. One, she’ll catch on to him right away and will dismiss him because she’s not easy. She likes a challenge too. It’s in her eyes. Second, she’s mine tonight. There is not a single doubt in my mind about it. I fucking love a good challenge, and she’s too hot to pass up.
“Go for it,” I say taking a long pull off my beer as Dryerson smiles and takes off to the dance floor, weaving through the people to make it to the women.
“Fuck, they’re hot,” Malcom says seeing the two women as Dryerson reaches them, dancing to his own beat.
The blonde sees him immediately and a wide smile comes across her face. Dryerson has eyes locked in on the redhead, though. Unfortunately for him, the blonde steps between him and the redhead, grinding her body on Dryerson, and in a millisecond, he’s not thinking of the redhead who has maneuvered, once again, away from him. His attention is swept away pretty damn quick by the blonde, and he’s all in. This isn’t uncommon. When it comes to women, his attention span is that of a gnat.
“Damn!” Malcom and T-Boe say at the same time through laughter, and I join them. “Fucker got burned.”
“Doesn’t mean he won’t tap it after,” Camden announces and he speaks the truth, except when it comes to this one. I feel it. It’s in her presence, aura, whatever in the fuck you want to call it, but she doesn’t want him. Hell, doesn’t appear like anyone has caught her eye. Or she doesn’t want anyone to. That will be changing.
The blonde turns her back to the redhead, and it doesn’t take long before the redhead is dancing by herself. Several men try to take over where the blonde left off, but red is having none of that. She looks up to the ceiling then heads toward the bar.
“That’s me,” I call out, getting up from the stool and making my way through the crowd, hearing my brothers behind me. Their teasing about failing like Dryerson makes me want to laugh.
They know better. I’ve learned. Failure isn’t an option.
4
Cyrus
I’m going to kill Ari.
Once again she found a man, and he’s the only thing on her radar. Just when I was starting to loosen up and have fun, she does the dick ‘n ditch.
Siding up to the bar, the bartender comes up with a wide, flirtatious smile on his face. One in which I return leaning into the bar top and getting close. “Rum and diet.”
The handsome man with long hair winks. “Sure thing, beautiful.” He takes off as a deep breath tries to come in, but it feels shallow like the sigh was more in my head than actuality.
Even with all the noise around me, thoughts begin to invade as my drink appears, and I down it quickly needing the escape. “Another.”
“You alright?” he asks me, and I want to punch him, but that would damage his pretty face. Just because a woman drinks doesn’t mean a damn thing is wrong with her.
“Absolutely.” His gaze lingers longer than it should before he takes off to make my drink.
A tap comes to my shoulder, and my annoyance heightens. I’ve been blowing off men all night.
The downfall of coming to a bar. Turning my head slowly, a man on the shorter side stands next to me with a goofy as hell grin. “Go away.” The order comes with an eye roll.
He’s might be a good guy, but just from one glance at him, I know he’s not for me. Whatever happened to the men who were strong and dominate? The ones who take what they want and make a woman feel like she isn’t so alone in a world of chaos. I’ve yet to find one, so maybe they don’t exist.
The guy starts to talk, but it’s the deep baritone on the other side of me that catches my attention. Turning to him, my breath catches for a moment, and words won’t form on my lips. It’s as if I’m suspended in time, unable to do nothing but stare.
Pull your shit together, Cyrus! Since when do you get tongue tied when it comes to a man?
“Just ignore him,” he says to me as my brow quirks, my voice coming back after clearing my throat.
“Now, why would I want to do that?”
The hunk of a man’s face is very well defined with solid angles and planes, giving him an imposing look. When his lip tips in a smirk, my panties instantly dampen. It’s one of those a woman will never forget in her entire life. One that makes you stop and take notice. One of those that is burned so deep in a woman’s mind, it never escapes.
Of all the men today, none of them made me feel even a speck of whatever this is.
The eyes are his other weapon, deep brown with layers upon layers pulling me and captivating me completely.
“No answer?” I jab wanting to hear more from him and curious what his story is. Everyone has a story. Some aren’t so pretty. While others are intriguing. I wonder which he is.
“You’re the sexiest woman I’ve seen in years. You think I’m lettin’ you go?”
To this, I throw my head back laughing. “Flattery will get you everywhere. What’s your name?”
“Micah, you?”
“Cyrus.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
To this I laugh full out. “Beautiful name? No. More like a life sentence.”
He leans in to my ear. “Sexy Cyrus. Yeah, I think it’s damn perfect.”
My belly did a small flip, and my heart rate picks up. Fuck, I’m in trouble.
5
Micah
Sexy as fuck.
That’s exactly what Cyrus is. Every curve I want to explore, lick, touch and taste. As she leans into me, the smell of her perfume pulls me in deeper. It’s floral, but not overpowering. Subtle. Nothing like the woman herself. She’s a siren. One look and you’re hooked. Fuck, I’m hooked.
“Let’s dance,” I say holding out my hand to her. She stares down at it like it’s a live wire. I wait.
“You want to dance?”
Leaning in again, my lips brush her ear. “You can tell by the way a man moves on the dance floor how he’ll be in bed. Trust me. You want to know.”
She shivers as lust spirals around her. I can actually smell it, and it’s tantalizing.
“Lead the way. See if you can keep up.”
Lacing our fingers together, we move through the throngs of people and with my bulk, a spot clears. The song is upbeat and perfect. Wrapping her in my arms, I turn her so her ass is lined up with my cock, and we move.
Seeing her out here earlier is nothing compared to being side by side with her and feeling her lush body move with ease against mine. The first song turns into four, and by this time we are both a sweaty mess. My cock is aching, and she’s looking at me with lust-filled eyes.
“You wanna get out of here?” I ask after spinning her around so she faces me. Her eyes are the color of bright emeralds and sear onto my brain.
“Where would that be?”
My hips press harder against her so she can feel what she’s done to me. “My hotel.”
She studies me for a moment, contemplating. Her eyes dart over to her blonde friend who Dryerson has completely occupied. “I’m texting my friend so you can’t kill me.”
“Never can be too careful.”
The following moments are a blur, and the next thing I know the hotel door is slamming against the wall as we enter. Her legs are wrapped around me and lips attached to mine. My cock rubs against her heat just begging to get attention. Moans escape her as she feels the grind of my hips.
Her legs release, fall to the ground, and she kicks off her heels, lowering her a couple inches, my lips following.
Hands grip my shirt and pull it from my body, her hands trailing down my chest. Each touch makes something inside me come alive. This is beyond the physical … there is just something about Cyrus.
Too bad we only have one night. It won’t be enough to satisfy my hunger for her, but it will have to do. Time to make the most of it.
6
Cyrus
My body is on fire from the tips of my toes to the top of my head, everything coming to life. My body. My head. My heart. My soul. How in the hell is that even possible?
The core, though, is my always on repeat in my thoughts. They have shut down, and all I can see, feel, and think is Micah. It’s a feeling that I’ve never experienced to me in my life. No one has been able to take me away.
Micah picks me up, tosses me onto the bed and is in a frenzy, ripping his and my clothes off so quickly that he doesn’t give me any time to appreciate his build. The man is hard in all the right places, and the ink on him is sexy as hell. The clear plastic on this side shows the Marine symbol. It must be where he gets his strength.
He’s on top of me quickly, lips attacking mine and hands all over my body.
The passion between us is electric and sparking everywhere, igniting the room.
His lips trail down my neck, collarbone, then to the V of my tits. His hands grip them hard, his teeth taking turns nipping and sucking my nipples. Each movement has my core sizzling. I try to move my body, but his holds me down in so many delicious ways leaving me unable to find my friction.
Fingers enter me and my back bows off the bed. Micah moves down my body, his eyes coming up to meet mine.
“I’m eating this pussy until you can’t breathe.”
There is no comeback, because his tongue flicks my clit, then sucks it in deep. My entire body explodes in a crescendo of pleasure. I have zero control over my body as it bucks and bends letting the orgasm wash over me.
Micah doesn’t stop as my screams take over, and my body shakes.
His lips leave mine, but I’m out of energy, and I sag into the bed.
Vaguely, I hear the sound of a foil packet tearing. “Don’t give up so soon.”
My head pops up at his challenge. Challenges. They’ve always been my downfall. It’s like a dare when I was younger. I had to do them. This is no different.
“Show me what you’ve got,” I throw down my own. Micah’s sexy grin returns as he grabs my knees and pulls my ass to the edge of the bed. In one solid thrust he’s deep inside me, thrusting so hard the bed shakes.
The low curl spirals up again. His cock is so long it hits my cervix repeatedly. Micah flips me over to my stomach, grabs my ass, and pushes deep inside once again.
This is even deeper, and after several thrusts this feeling comes over me. It’s deep in my core clenching my abs. My fingernails dig into the bed as whatever the hell this is bursts, literally out of me.
A gush of fluid pours from me as my cries are muffled in the sheets.
What in the hell was that?
7
Micah
We lay on the bed. Our breaths are labored as we come down from the most incredible high I’ve ever thought of.
“You seem surprised,” I ask with my arm over my eyes.
“I’ve never…” Her breathlessness has my cock hardening once again. I did that to her. I caused it.
“Squirted?”
I feel her head nod next to me. “Yeah. That was a first.”
Rolling into her, I pull her into my arms. “Glad I was a first.”
Her laugh is as beautiful as she is. It�
��s something I store inside my head for those long nights ahead of me on tour. Add in her body and I’ll have enough to get me through another year. Yes, there is something special about her.
“Don’t tell me you’re done for the night?” She starts, but I have her on her back once again, arms pinned over her head as I and lock our lips together. Slipping the condom on, I thrust inside her once again. She feels like heaven wrapped in silk. The only thing better would be feeling her ungloved, but that shit will not happen.
The bed bangs against the wall as her cries intensify. Her hips raise meeting mine with every movement. Fuck, she’s perfect.
Each second I memorize. Each sound, touch, and taste I store deep inside me. These things I will never forget. The woman doesn’t know it, but she’s captured part of me that will always and forever be hers. Something I swore I’d never give another woman. Somehow, in one night, she made her way in.
Her walls tighten around me as I release in tune with her, letting everything around us fade away but us. Fuck yes.
We pass out, her head resting on my chest.
Jolting awake, the sound of my alarm rings. Fuck. It’s time to head out.
She lays soundly, the rise and fall of her chest the only thing I feel. It was a damn good night, but that’s all it was. One night together. While I’d love to have more, time is our downfall. I’m due back and will be on time.
Slipping out of the bed, she lay with the sheet around her waist, her bare skin creamy. I can still taste her on my lips each spot I kissed and licked.
I watch her as I get dressed. Feeling my phone in my back pocket, I take a quick picture of her. Maybe I’ll have enough time to get it printed before we need to report. One can hope.
