“What?” Her whole body stiffens. “You just got back! Can they do that?”
“Apparently, they can.”
“For how long?”
“I don't know,” I admit, “Sarg is hoping it won't be long, and is going to try to have me be the first one sent back. It’s short-term deployment, but there are no guarantees.”
“When do you leave?” she asks. Here goes.
I squeeze her but don't answer right away. “When?” she whispers again.
“Wednesday.”
“What?” she yells and struggles for me to release her. I don't at first but loosen my arms, and she moves away. “Chase! That's in four days!”
“I know.”
“What the actual fuck? When were you planning to tell me?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh my-” Her lip quivers as she starts to cry.
“Please, please don't cry.” I pull her to me. I can feel my heart break. “I'm so sorry.” I squeeze her, and she wraps her legs around my waist, hugging me back like her life depends on it.
“I don't want you to leave,” she whispers.
“Believe me, I don't want to leave either.” I kiss her shoulder.
“Will you be able to call me?” she asks.
“Yes, if that's what you want. I'll call you every chance I can.”
“What do you mean if that's what I want?” She pulls back to look at my face. ” Of course it is!” My body instantly fills with relief.
“I wasn't sure if you'd want to continue our relationship.”
“What?” she whispers.
“You're young and beautiful. I can't expect you to wait for me. I don't know how long I'll be gone,” I admit to her.
“I don't care about anyone else or dating anyone else.” I like those words way too much. A tear slips from the corner of her eye, and I stop it from traveling down her face with my thumb. “I'm so sad.” her lips tremble, and I cup her face with my hands.
“I'm so sorry,” I whisper, then place a small kiss upon her lips. “I wouldn’t have started seeing you if I would have known this.”
“I would have,” she says quickly. “I wouldn't change a thing. You are the best thing to ever happen to me.”
I smile at her words, “You are the best thing to happen to me,” I repeat to her. The tears start to pool in her eyes. “Please don't cry. We'll be fine. We’ll be great.” She nods her head and gives me a weak smile. She pulls me to her and wraps her arms around my neck. We stay like this for a while--quiet--knowing there's not much else to say. It has, unfortunately, dampened the mood. I place light kisses on her skin, leaving goosebumps andher body shivers despite us being in warm water.
“Why don't we head inside and watch a movie,” I suggest.
“Okay,” she whispers but doesn't release me. I laugh, and instead of removing her body that's wrapped around me, I stand with her. I slowly maneuver us out of the hot tub, and quickly take us inside the room, closing the doors behind us. I grab a towel that's placed on a dresser and wrap it around us both. I rub my hands up and down her back, hoping that helps warm her up.
“Do you want to take a shower?” She shrugs at my question. I laugh, “Okay, well let's get you dressed.” I move us into the small living area and grab her bag, then walk to the bathroom and place the bag on the sink. I tap her butt, and she slowly removes herself from me. She’s sliding her body down mine, and that makes my body quiver this time. “Get dressed.” With one last look at her in that sexy little bikini, I close the door and grab my bag to get dressed in the bedroom.
With You
Chase leaves me standing in the bathroom and I allow myself to peek at the barely-there bikini. Freakin' Taylor. I'm slightly disappointed at the restraint Chase had, but he's made it clear that he didn't make this about sex. I internally laugh at myself. I'm such a contradiction. Part of me wanted him to not be able to keep his hands off me, and the other part is grateful for his respect. I sigh, then decide to take a quick shower. I reach behind the curtain and turn the handle to hot, then untie my bikini and peel it off my skin. I hang it on the hook behind the door.
I step under the stream of steamy water and allow it to bead down my body. To the right is a small inset box; a small basket with little wrapped soaps and bottles sits on the ledge. The soaps are in an array of colors that look like flowers and I decide on a pink one. As soon as I rip open the clear wrapping, the smell of roses engulfs the shower. Rubbing the soap between my hands under the water, I get a good lather and begin rubbing my body. I get my arms, my shoulders, down to my chest, over my stomach, and lower. I do this without thought because my mind is elsewhere. I wash my hair with the provided shampoo and conditioner, thinking about how perfect this evening is. It would have been even better without the news of his deployment. It would have been pure bliss.
His deployment scares me--for numerous reasons. A million and one questions plague my thoughts. What if he's gone for another year? What if he meets someone else? What if he gets hurt? Or worse, what if he doesn't return...alive? I don't even want to think of that scenario. The tears blur my vision, and my heart hurts. I rub at my chest; not that it helps relieve the pain I'm feeling. I want to curl up in his arms and never leave them. With that thought, I turn the water off and open the curtain. I grab the white towel that's hanging on the rack and wrap it around my body, pulling another one off to wrap around my wet hair. I take my time drying off, and subconsciously imagine Chase's hands moving over my body. His hands--what they could do to me--and what they've done.
I wonder if Taylor packed any sexy underwear. I bite my lip in thought and move towards my bag on the sink countertop. For once, I hope Taylor was thinking of sex because I am now.
As soon as I have the bag open, I search through the contents and my hand touches something lacy. A large smile greets my lips, and I pull out the underwear. They're black, lacy and very...cheeky. They’re perfect. I look back in the bag for a bra or bustier, but I see a black box with gold lettering. Magnum. I lift the box out of the bag and laugh. Condoms. A dark blue box grabs my attention, next. This one reads ‘Pleasure Pack’. I laugh and shake my head...freakin’ Tay. I silently thank her for this before I dive back into the bag--looking for a top. I feel the lace before I see it, as the black blends in with the bag. I pull it out and stretch it out in front of me. It looks like a halter but has a small keyhole area between the cups; it's all lace. Thankfully, it’s simple to put on. I place it around my neck and snap it in the back like a bra. It's sexy as hell and makes my boobs look amazing. I'm euphoric. I can't wait to see Chase's face. I pull on the underwear and turn to look at my butt in the mirror. I am not disappointed--it looks amazing.
I remove the towel from my head and quickly dry my hair with the dryer hanging on the wall. I run a brush through my length and look at myself in the mirror. I take a deep breath, grab the condoms, and open the door.
“What are you in the mood to watch?” I hear Chase yell from the bedroom. “Comedy? Action? Thriller?” he lists different genres, and I take slow steps to the bedroom door. It's still dim. I take another deep breath and stand in the doorway, my left hand holding the boxes behind my back. Chase is laying on the bed in sweats and a tee, one hand behind his head and the other holding a remote pointed towards the TV.