“Go. I’ll clean up.”
“Okay. I’ll be fast. We can leave together.
“Sounds good, baby.” With that, I watched as she sashayed out of the kitchen, her hips making my mouth water as she headed toward her bedroom. I had to count to ten to force myself not to follow her and make her really late.
Once the dishes were done, I grabbed my shoes and my dirty shirt and went out to her drive to grab a clean one.
She stepped out dressed for the day in the sweetest sundress. My mouth watered as she made her way to me.
“You cannot wear that,” I rumbled, loving the way she laughed.
“Why not?”
“You look way too fucking sexy. Like that sweet teacher who you wanna dirty up.”
“Mmm,” She bit her lower lip as she pressed her front against mine. “Maybe you can do that to me later?”
“After the animal park.”
“Or we could just…” She wagged her brows. Fuck, she was tempting.
“No,” I croaked. “Gotta take my girlfriend on a proper date. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t?”
Her eyes softened, and she stood on the tips of her toes, her hands at my abs as she reached my lips and kissed me.
“Did I agree to being your girlfriend?” she sassed. I chuckled, nodding as I held the back of her head with my hands.
“Hell yeah, you did,” I growled, sealing it with a kiss.
I walked and opened her door and made sure to remind her to text me she got to school safe and sound before I got in my own car and drove back to my place on base. I felt like I was on top of the world.
But it all came to a halt when I saw my buddy and teammate Rowdy Hawkins at my door. I knew what that grim look on his face meant without him having to say another word.
“Hey, man, I know you’re on leave—"
“But you guys need me?” I guessed, and when he nodded, a sinking feeling hit my gut. I have to leave. “When?” I asked, my voice strained.
“We’re wheels up in two hours.”
“Shit,” I cursed, running my fingers through my hair before unlocking the front door to my place. He followed behind me.
“I know it’s last minute.”
“It’s the gig, right?” I asked, looking over my shoulder.
“That it is, man.” He nodded.
“Let me get my shit.”
“You seem different.” He frowned, and I rolled my eyes. “Better now?” he asked as I stepped into my bedroom, grabbing the duffle I always had ready to go in case of these kinds of circumstances.
“What do you mean?” I shouted back.
“You seem… I don’t know… less assholish.”
“Assholish?” I repeated, shaking my head. “Is that a word?” I teased.
“Dude, pretty sure, you look it up, your face is one there as an example,” he joked back. I laughed roughly. He was probably right.