A Marine’s Proposal (2 page)

“No yoga,” he hissed.

“My point exactly. Calm down.” She took a few moments to consider Slade's proposal. Then she said, “You don't have any doubts about such a,” she searched for the right word, “an arrangement.”

“No.”

She thought about his proposal again then said, “You're very sure of yourself, aren't you, Masters?”

“I'm a Marine.”

“So am I, but that doesn't mean I have to strut around like a peacock.”

“Oh, Caitlyn, trust me,” he mocked. “You strut.”

She half-opened her mouth to protest, then thought better of it. “Well, just don't get too cocky on me. I hate cocky guys and I definitely wouldn't marry one.”

Slade shook his head. “When have you ever seen me cocky?”

“There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, my friend.”

“What does that mean?” Slade said with a twinge of impatience. “Do you want to get married or what?”

Caitlyn gave him a good, hard look. If this conversation revolved around any possible romantic entanglement between them, she might have jumped into his arms and said yes, kissing him wildly. But, Slade said this marriage was nothing about love, nothing about romance. He made that clear when he said she could date whoever she wanted without it bothering him one bit. This was simply a business proposal.

“I'll think about it,” Caitlyn said.

“Don't think too long about it,” Slade said. Then he strode towards her door.

“What about dinner?” she said when she realized he was leaving. As usual, she was thinking of her stomach. That and spending the evening with Slade.

“I'm not hungry anymore. I can't sit around and wait while you decide. You're on your own.” He rushed out of her room, closing the door behind him.

“That was a bit harsh,” Caitlyn said to the closed door. It wasn't as if she could just jump up and say yes without considering everything. She stared at the door for a full minute after Slade had left. The indignant expression disappeared as it transformed into a smile that belonged on the face of a Cheshire cat. Imagine that, Lance Corporal Slade Masters just proposed to her.

****

Slade couldn't sit still in his room while he waited for Caitlyn's answer. Why was she taking her sweet ass time thinking about it? It was a perfect idea. He glanced at the clock. Only seven minutes had passed. Was it too soon to go and ask her what she decided? Probably. He didn't want to scare her away.

That was the problem in this situation. He knew any guy on the base would want to be in his shoes and have the opportunity to propose spending time with Caitlyn without her turning him down flat. And here he was proposing a hell of a lot more.

He noticed a photo of the two of them together in front of Hiji Falls, one of the hiking trips he convinced her to come on. Of course, he had to promise her dinner in town, he grinned at the memory. It ended up being a great day. Her dark blond hair was rustled by the wind. How many times had he been tempted to run his fingers through it?

She didn't realize how beautiful she was, which made her all the more alluring. She had a carefree smile on her face. Her features were soft and sweet. Even though she was a hard-ass Marine, she still had a sweetness within her that was visible in her warm, caring, pale green eyes.  He knew Caitlyn had that tough inner core, but she could be so tender, at least to him. She didn't take anything from anybody else. He didn't know how he got away with half his crap.

Then he glanced at himself in the photo. His arm was wrapped protectively around her waist. It was a natural reaction. He had to watch himself for gestures like that, never sure if he was going too far. They weren’t a couple, they were friends, and he had to respect the boundaries.

He observed his face. Although he knew he often appeared intense and foreboding, he sported a wide grin. Something about Caitlyn’s carefree nature brought out a lighter side of him. Although they might appear as opposites to the outside world, somehow they complimented each other.

He sat up and gaped at the woman in the photo to whom he had just proposed in a roundabout way. He’d had it in the back of his mind for a couple of weeks, and had fantasized about being with her for months, but he never actually intended to suggest it. Once he saw the commercial on the screen, it popped out of his mouth. He ran with the idea, trying to convince both her and himself it was a practical idea and nothing to do with his desires. His eyes ran over her inviting curves in the photo.

He put the photo down.
No.
He fought his growing erection as he tried to control his primal urge to touch her. Run his fingers over her tanned cheek, down her soft full lips tasted them, over the perfect combination of curves he longed to touch.

His conscience irked at him as he paced in his small room across the hall from Caitlyn. It was deceptive and not the way he was used to operating. He’d be marrying a woman for convenience rather than love. But then he rationalized it. Why not? Everything he’d said had made sense. They’d technically save the Marine on housing costs, wouldn’t they? If they’d married others not in the military to do the same thing, it would cost more—two households with dependents rather than one without any. And since they both were among the few to sign up for a longer deployment when the Marines wanted volunteers, they technically saved the government money on transportation costs. Most Marines wanted to do their year and get it over with to get back to the States. Very few volunteered for a longer deployment.

Why shouldn't they share a place? Besides, he didn't hide anything from her. She was a grown woman and she could make her own decisions. However, there was no guarantee that she would say yes.

Slade groaned aloud when he thought of her refusing. He had it with living in barracks with immature guys partying every night. Not all of them, but enough to make it impossible to study without interruptions. One day, he'd be out of here. Until then, he was stuck in this zoo, which was no different from a dorm hall. Not to mention how much her rejection would sting.

He glanced at the clock again. Only eleven minutes had passed. That's it, he had to go for a run and burn off some of this restless energy, followed by a cold shower.

****

After Slade left, Caitlyn put her sneakers on to go for a walk. She needed some fresh air to clear her head. After all, it wasn't every day that she was proposed to.

The Okinawan sun blared down, which was great for the beach. Too bad she hadn’t agreed with Slade’s idea to get takeout and hang out on the sea wall. The sunset would be breathtaking as it always was.

She should have brought her hat, but she was too surprised by the proposal to think of practical matters. She reached into her bag and found her sunglasses. Ah, that was better.

It was a calm day out on the ocean with a very light breeze coming from the East China Sea. Despite the obstruction of the barbed wire fences and ghastly military buildings in her view, Okinawa was a beautiful island. Once she left the base, it was like leaving the country. The drab military buildings gave way to chaotic architecture on Highway 58. Tiny shops and stores piled up one on top of each other to capitalize on the limited space on the island that was only two miles wide at its narrowest point. You didn't have to drive long in either direction before you reached the water. On one side was the majestic Pacific Ocean and on the other was the East China Sea. Every inch of the coastline was picture-worthy and Caitlyn snapped hundreds of photos while she was here. Okinawa wasn't known as “Japan's Hawaii” for nothing.

Ah, she reached her destination—the donut shop. This little donut shop reminded her of home and her family. When she was younger, her father used to take her to one with similar decor for a treat on Saturday mornings.
Thinking about her family made her homesick for a minute. Then she thought about Slade. Since they arrived on Okinawa together nearly four months ago, he was the closest thing to family she had.

“Coffee, please,” Caitlyn said. “And one of the new donuts.”

She came here to think and there was no better way to think without coffee to keep her infused with caffeine and a sweet treat to keep her happy. What was she going to do about Slade's proposal?

She pulled out a notebook and pen from her bag and figured out that she would have to attack this rationally. That's what Slade would do. A purely emotional creature, she jumped at ideas on the spur of the moment. Thinking things through was one
thing she learned from him, although he could loosen up a little bit with a little help from her. He did have the tendency of being
too
stiff and rational. But, now she would follow his lead and base her decision on reason, not feeling. It was a huge decision, after all, this getting married idea. The best way to do that was with a pro and con list. Caitlyn scrawled some ideas.

Pro:

Being married to a super hot guy I like

Living in an apartment rather than the barracks

Living in an apartment off base with Slade

Con:

Fake marriage

Slade isn't into me

Dishonest

Could get both of us in serious trouble

Caitlyn didn't like the turn of things with the cons outweighing the pros.

To hell with reason. It's my life, not up to the fate of some stupid list,
she thought as she pushed the notebook aside.

After drinking some of her coffee and eating the donut, she decided to try once again.

Think rationally, Caitlyn, rational.

Pulling back the notebook, she tried to think of two more pros to outweigh her cons list. She couldn't. Well, then she would revise it:

Pro:

Being married to a super hot guy I like

Living in an apartment rather than the barracks

Living in an apartment off base with Slade

Con:

Dishonest, fake marriage because Slade wasn't in love with me

Could get me in serious trouble

There, now she had it! And she made her decision using reason to boot.

I like this list thing
.

She practically skipped back to the barracks an hour later. While she struggled not to appear too giddy, she knew she sported a ridiculous grin on her face.

I'm marrying Slade Masters.

She thought whether she should change her name to Caitlyn Masters. Maybe she should keep her name as Caitlyn O'Neill so she didn't have to deal with all the paperwork for a temporary marriage or change the name tags on her uniforms. Or maybe she'd be Caitlyn O'Neill Masters...

Her inner critic warned her not to get too excited; it was just a short-term marriage in name only, and she could get hurt if she got too involved.

Stay rational,
she reminded herself once again.
This is purely a business proposition, not personal.

Easier said than done.

When she got back to the barracks, she avoided Slade's door, which she passed on the way to her own. No need to let him rest easy yet. He'd have to wait until tomorrow. Besides, she should probably sleep on it. It wouldn’t be the first time she changed her mind overnight.

****

The run and the cold shower didn’t help much. He’d listened to a Killers playlist, replaying songs that echoed his possessive streak. Slade tossed in his bed contemplating his proposal earlier when his roommate Cortez stumbled in.

“What did you do tonight, Masters?” Cortez asked when he noticed Slade was still awake.

“Nothing much. Went for a run. Hung out on the seawall. Came home.”

“You should have hit the town with us. Tons of hot Okinawan women dancing in the clubs.

“That’s okay. Not my scene.”

“Were you with O’Neill?”

“Yeah, earlier. Why?”

Cortez smirked. “Nothing, man.”

“No, really. What?”

“You two are just nuts. Just sleep together and get it over with already.”

“It’s not like that, Cortez. I’ve told you a dozen times we’re just friends.”

“Then why do you look like you get your panties in a twist whenever I bring up her name?”

“I’m going to sleep,” Slade said, rolling away from Cortez. “Try not to be too noisy.”

Slade closed his eyes and pictured Caitlyn across the hall sleeping in her own bed. He pictured her with a peaceful expression. Only two doors separated them, which he thought of every night since she’d moved into the barracks. Two doors. She was so close. So agonizingly close every single night. He could knock on her door and she’d invite him in. He’d touch her cheek before he leaned down and pressed his lips on hers, gently at first. As she responded, his kiss would become more demanding. He’d run his hands down her curves, curves he’d yearned to touch every single day and agonizing night. Having her so close was driving him insane with need.

He grew murderous when he thought of the all the other guys on the floor thinking the same thing—how they wanted Caitlyn as well and all the lewd thoughts that would flood their mind. They didn’t deserve her! They didn’t care about her the way he did. It wasn’t just sex for him and she wasn’t theirs to fantasize about.

She’s not yours either.

But maybe one day, she will be.

What was he saying? Caitlyn didn’t show any interest in him other than a buddy, a platonic relationship, and if she knew how often he fantasized about her, she’d say he was no better than the rest.

What was she wearing right now? Cotton pajamas so thin in the tropical Okinawan climate he could see the outline of her breasts and her nipples poking through? That was one thing he had the other guys didn’t. He was the only one she was comfortable enough around to hang out in pajamas.

That’s because she doesn’t see you in any sexual way, dumb ass. You might as well be her brother.

****

A knock woke her the next morning. When Caitlyn opened the door, Slade’s eyes raked over her with what she almost pegged was desire. But when she heard his question, she knew she was reading more to his bold glance than warranted.

“Nice PJs.” He gave her a lopsided grin. 

She wore her favorite cotton pajamas depicting various types of teapots and flavors, such as Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and English Breakfast.

“Thanks,” she said, ignoring his sarcasm. “My favorite, you know.”

He was dressed in khaki shorts, a blue athletic shirt that hugged him close enough to show his cut torso, and tan hiking boots as if he ready to hit the wild outdoors. His usual choice of outfit off-duty. Caitlyn often teased him and said he appeared ready to try out for one of those survival reality shows. This shirt clung closer than the others and it did nothing to stifle the erotic images still lingering from the dream she had about him. Her eyes lingered on his chest, noting all the areas the fabric highlighted his cut physique.

“Have you thought about it?”

True to form, Slade was raring to go bright and early that Saturday morning. When Caitlyn heard the knocking, she knew he'd be the only one up that early while many of the young Marines on their floor tried to sleep off a hangover.

“Slade, it's not even 8a.m. We have the day off. Why are you bugging me so early?” Caitlyn said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“So have you?”

“I'm not going to talk about this before having any caffeine. It's too early to talk business,” she said and crawled under the covers, a light-blue comforter she bought in Naha on a shopping excursion with Slade.

“Well, get up and get out of bed and let's go to the chow hall,” Slade said, pulling her from her bed.

“Sla-a-ade,” Caitlyn said almost whining. “Leave me alone.”

“Come on, get up. We have plenty to do today. But first we need some sustenance.”

“Uh oh, I don't like the sound of this,” Caitlyn said while splashing cold water on her face.  “Who calls food ‘sustenance’ to begin with?” she added.

“Chow hall offerings can rarely be called ‘food.’” He smirked. “Don't worry, you'll love my idea.”

“I hope so. I know all about you and your adventures. Somehow I always get dragged along.”

“Stop whining, O'Neill. Come on, get dressed.”

“You're such a pain in the ass.” She slammed the bathroom door harder than she intended.

She exited the bathroom just in time to see Slade jump and let out an unmanly yelp as he stared at something on the floor.

She followed his gaze to see a tiny gecko dart by.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby. They’re all over the island and they’re cute.”

“They’re not cute at all,” he said with pure disgust visible on his face. “Like shrunken dinosaurs.”

She laughed. “For a big, bad Marine, these things really freak you out.”

“I can have my one thing. Everyone has an irrational fear. That’s mine.”

She shook her head. “Irrational is the key word there, baby.” 

****

While they filled their trays with the least offensive food from the chow hall, Slade glared at a group of Marines turning their heads to check out Caitlyn and whispering. He didn’t blame them for looking, but the whispering triggered a defensive impulse.

“You’re doing it again, Slade,” Caitlyn pointed out.

“I can’t help it. I don’t like seeing guys stare at you like that and as a guy, I have an idea of what they’re saying. It’s a natural reaction wanting to protect you from it.”

“More like an alpha male one,” she teased. “I can take care of myself, Slade. I have my lines and when someone crosses it, I let them know. But I’m not going to get upset every time a guy looks at me.”

“And whispers,” Slade added.

“Slade.” She raised her eyebrows. “You can’t throw blows every time somebody looks at me.”

“I only hit someone once. He deserved it and I don’t regret it.”

“Let it go,” she pleaded. “If something bothers me, trust me, I’ll take care of it myself or I’ll let you know.”

No wonder everyone thought they were a couple. He acted like a jealous boyfriend and they weren’t even together.

He changed the subject away from his jealousy to the matter at hand. “So have you decided?”

Caitlyn’s eyes scanned the chow hall. “Not a very romantic setting to discuss your proposal, is it?”

“Caitlyn, stop stalling. If it's no, just get it over with.”

“I've given this some considerable thought.” Slade noticed how he had leaned forward, showing his eagerness, and he straightened his posture.

“I even made a pro and con list,” Caitlyn continued. “So my decision is—wait, where are you planning on dragging me today?”

“O'Neill,” Slade gritted his teeth. “Stop stalling.”

When she grinned widely, he asked, “Why are you smiling like that?”

“The way you slip from calling me by my first name or last name reflects your mood or level of annoyance with me. You're so impatient I may already regret saying this, but my answer is yes. We should get married. I think it's a great idea.”

Slade almost knocked over his chair, “All right! Finally I'll get out of that hell hole.” Then he turned back to Caitlyn, “I mean 'we.' Thanks, Caitlyn. I promise it is a good choice. You know I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't.”

“I know, Slade. So now where are we going?”

“To get married, of course.”

“Today? Ugh, you knew I'd say yes, didn't you?”

“Of course, Caiti Scarlett,” he said in an exaggerated Rhett Butler accent. “You see I do give a damn.”

“That accent is brutal.” She laughed while raising her hands, pretending to cringe. “The worst impression ever! Funny how a guy from Austin, Texas, can't pull off that Southern accent.”

“Funny—I’m getting critiqued on accents from a girl from New England who can't pronounce her Rs.”

“What do you want? I’m from Maine.”

“I’m just glad there are no Rs in ‘I do’ so whoever marries us will be able to understand you.”

Caitlyn shot him a look and then said, “Let’s move before I change my mind.”

As they exited the chow hall, Slade couldn’t help but stare back at the table of Marines who had been gawking earlier. Just as he’d suspected, all eyes were watching Caitlyn walk away. He raised his chin and smirked victoriously.

“We can't actually do anything until Monday,” Slade said. “So I figured we'd walk around Nakagusuku Castle and come up with our story.”

“How sweet,” Caitlyn said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Come on,” he said. “I need to get something from my room.”

Slade exhaled in relief. She said yes! Finally, they'd get out of the barracks.

And why not? They were together all the time anyway. Why shouldn't they live together? They practically did in the barracks. They were technically in the same building, but had separate bedrooms, same as they would be in an apartment.

Peace and quiet at last. Since boot camp, he'd lived with absolutely no privacy, first in a squadbay packed like sardines with seventy other men. Then in training, crammed in small rooms with other Marines. Now, he only had one roommate, Cortez, who wasn't so bad. Out of all his roommates, he was definitely the least invasive, but he was young, away from home for the first time in his life, and liked to party. Too often, he stumbled into their room in the wee hours of the morning.

One thing Slade discovered about himself since enlisting was how much he enjoyed seclusion. Growing up an only child, he learned to entertain himself at an early age. Now he found he needed solitude to recharge his batteries. Being around people all day drained him.

Except for Caitlyn. He glanced at the beautiful woman walking at his side into the barracks. Something about her drew him to her where he was so often trying to escape everyone else.

“I’ll meet you downstairs,” she said, and turned to her room.

He could spend hours with her. Some of his happiest moments on the island were their weekend hikes. He could escape the military world and lose himself recharging in nature, while at the same time, spend time with her.