by Stormy Glenn
I blew out a heavy breath then headed for the door.
"Got any beer for me?"
I froze, then swallowed tightly before turning to look at the man standing at the bottom of my steps. I crossed my arms over my chest and ground my teeth together before replying. "I'm surprised to see you, Jack. I thought you'd run for the hills."
Or at least back to the world he was used to, the straight world.
Jack winced as he lower a large army-green duffel bag to the ground then walked up a couple of steps until his face was even with mine.
This was what happened when you were short.
"I didn't leave you, baby. I always planned to come back."
"Nice of you to let me in on your plans."
"I couldn't."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Wait." Jack held up a hand. "I went back to base because I had to if I wanted to turn in my packet, which I did. They—"
"Packet?"
"I'm leaving the Marines, Kaito."
"Why would you do that?" I asked. "You love the Marines."
"I love you more."
My heart took a perilous leap. "If you loved me, then why haven't I heard from you in the last month?"
Jack grimaced. "I meant to call you, Kaito. I swear I did, but my supervisors were not thrilled that I decided to leave. They gave me two options. I could go on a mission they had for me right there and then, or they would drag out my discharge as long as they possibly could. I figured going on that mission and getting out and coming home to you was better than being fucked with by the military."
"And you couldn't pick up a phone and tell me this?"
"Baby, there are no phones where I was out."
"Siberia?"
"No, they have phones in Siberia. I was infiltrating a Taliban rebel faction in Afghanistan. They were holding three of our servicemen, and I'd been tasked with going in with a unit of Marines and getting them out."
Damn.
"Did you?" I asked.
"Get them out?"
I nodded.
"Of course."
I glanced down to Jack's feet then back up again. "Were you hurt?"
"No, just a few scratches, but nothing too damaging."
"Good." I doubled up my fist and punched Jack right in the face. The man's mouth dropped open even as he took a step back.
"Damn, baby, what'd you do that for?"
"Next time, find a damn phone."
Jack grinned as he took the last couple of steps and wound me up in his arms. "I love you, too, Kaito."
My toes curled when Jack's lips met mine. It felt like forever since he'd kissed me last. I wanted it to go on for eternity, but all too soon, Jack was pulling back. I whimpered and tried to chase his lips with my own.
Jack chuckled. "I hear we're having pizza and beer for dinner. Why don't you show me your house before it gets here?"
I grabbed Jack's hand and started pulling him toward the front door. "Our house."
Jack grinned at me. "I can live with that."
He'd better because I wasn't letting him go again.
Jack McDermott was mine.
THE END
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