Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

knowing what I was thinking. "Well, I told you that I'm looking for something a little more permanent, I'm done with the one-night stand or picking up a trick just to get off. So I thought I'd use some different avenues to try and meet someone who was looking for the same things I was."
    "And he's what you're looking for?" Okay that was a little rude but it just came out before I could stop it.
    His lips formed a thin line and I could see his jaw muscle clench. Yeah, I had overstepped.
    "He's... a decent guy. I'm trying to give it a shot."
    "And that sounds like a ringing endorsement."
    "Adam."
    Even in the dark club, I could see the disappointment in his eyes. I took one last, deep drink of my beer and slammed the bottle back down on the bar a little louder than I'd intended.
    "Look, whatever makes you happy, Chase." I nodded toward his date, who was still giving us the evil eye. "So, good luck. I hope you have a good evening with Prince Charming over there. I, in the meantime am actually looking for a little something fun for tonight and I haven't quite found it yet, so I'm gonna keep looking. The night is still young." I waggled my eyebrows at him and walked away.
    I knew I had acted like an asshole to him, but I couldn't help it. Something just got under my skin, seeing him with that other guy. With his hand touching Chase like Chase was his. It made me sick and made me— aw shit . I was fucking jealous. I wanted to be the one touching Chase. I wanted to be the one whispering in his ear.
    Chase and I kept catching each other's eyes all night. He really didn't look very happy with this guy. Knowing he was watching me, I admittedly went a little over the top with my usual flirtations. Normally I played it a little more cautious and subtle, trying to pick just the right guy. But tonight, every time I saw Chase look my way I made sure I was touching or talking to someone different. I also drank a little more than I normally would.
    Eventually I found a guy who'd do for the night. He was tall, dark and muscled and, I realized later, looked a little like Chase, especially if I squinted my eyes just right and put earplugs in to drown out his voice. The last thing I remembered was the mournful look on Chase's face as I left out the side door with this guy.
    ****
    I blinked my eyes. There was light and birds chirping. Birds? What the— I opened my eyes further and sat up. I was in my truck, shirtless and buck naked with my pants and boxers undone and down around my thighs. I looked outside and realized there were trees around me. As my eyes adjusted more to being awake, I saw the bar in the distance. Shit. Had I been here all night? Slowly my memories started coming back. That guy and I left the bar... and we had obviously driven my truck back here, out of sight, thank God. We had started getting down to it, getting clothing off... he was on top, grinding against me... and he came too quickly! Yes! So he tried sucking me off and I couldn't keep it up and... I finally kicked him out.
    Christ . What did I just do? I've never done anything like that before. I always watched how much I drank when I was planning to pick up a stranger because I wanted my wits about me. And I'd never had a problem getting it up before. But I thought I knew what the answer to that was— although anonymous dude looked like Chase, he wasn't Chase. Shit.
    Realizing I was still sitting here naked in broad daylight, I quickly pulled my pants up and found my T-shirt on the floor. I started the truck and got the heck out of there.
    I was hoping I could sneak into my bunk, but Marines rise early even on a Sunday. There were whoops and catcalls from some of the guys who were up, when they saw me come dragging in. And Kowalski, who of course, had to get in on the action.
    "Shepherd, you look like hell, my man. Did some chick keep your dick too busy to sleep last night?"
    He was watching for my answer but I knew how to play the game by now. "Yes, she did. All night long." There were more hoots and hollers and I knew I had effectively passed the test enough with the other guys to shut Kowalski up for now.
    I didn't hear from Chase all week, and the more time that passed, the worse I felt. I had been such an ass that night; I didn't blame him for not speaking to me.
    I was trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do, when my brother called me. I had been so absorbed in what was going on with me and Chase, I hadn't paid attention to the calendar.