Read Online A Marine’s Proposal by Lisa Carlisle - Free Book Online Page B

Slade checked his watch and said, “Ready to check in to the hotel?”
    “Sure” Caitlyn said. “For the night? It's still kind of early.”
    “No. We'll check in, rinse off, and go out for dinner.”
    “Ooh, I like the way you think, Mr. Masters.”
    “I bet you do, Mrs. Masters.”
    She giggled. “I'm not changing my name. Too much trouble for a sham marriage.”
    “Fine. But we're still Mr. and Mrs. Masters to the world.”
    As they stood up and picked up their belongings, Caitlyn slapped him playfully on his butt.
    “I can live with that.”
    ****
    While Caitlyn took a shower in the hotel, Slade paced the room, exhaling from time to time. Picturing her naked body lathering up with that body wash that made her smell so sweet behind the closed door tormented his psyche in ways he couldn't control.
    This was a bad idea, man. Look at you. You're a wreck. How are you going to pull this off? It's bound to implode.
    Stay cool. You've controlled your feelings for this long now.
    When she walked out of the bathroom in nothing but a fluffy white hotel towel, he almost lost his stoic reserve.
    “Your turn,” she gleamed a radiant smile.
    “You're naked under there,” he said flatly, not meaning to reveal his thoughts.
    “Duh,” she said. “I need to get dressed. That's why I said the shower is yours.”
    When Slade stepped under the steaming flow in the shower, he thought she could have brought her clothes in to the bathroom with her. Was she deliberately trying to tease him? Or did she have a legitimate reason for not bringing her clothes into the bathroom with her? What did he know about women getting dressed and ready—nothing. And now he was thinking—or hoping—she was trying to turn him on? Time to check his ego.
    His ulterior motive of marrying her to get closer was backfiring. Nothing had changed for her—she even admitted how she didn’t feel any different now that she was married—and that included not feeling any different about him. He, on the other hand, had turned as hormonal as a high school boy. Marrying her had increased all his desires—to protect her as fiercely as a loyal dog—and to be with her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, first, in that tiny bikini, and then in the towel with nothing on. He reached down to stroke his raging erection. He should take care of himself before they went to dinner. He wouldn't want to be tempted to jump over the table and take her in the restaurant.
    But no, he'd see her right after he stepped out of the shower. Would he be able to look her in the eyes knowing how he'd just fantasized about her?
    That was a chance he had to take. He wouldn’t be able to focus on a conversation at dinner if he was fantasizing about her sexually. Besides it wouldn’t be the first time he had to take care of himself thinking about her.
    ****
    Caitlyn wore a yellow sundress to dinner that showed off her tanned shoulders.
    As he led her to a low table with a hibachi for them to cook their food on, Slade said, “You look nice.”
    “Just nice?” She pouted. “I was hoping for dazzling at least.”
    “Dazzling? What guy would call his dinner date dazzling?”
    She cocked her head before she sat down on the pillows surrounding the low table. “Wife, remember?”
    “Fine. You look dazzling. Happy?”
    She beamed. “Absolutely. Especially since I’ve proven you wrong, see? One outfit that’s not blue.”
    Throughout dinner, Caitlyn tried to keep a goofy smile off her face. How long had it been since she'd been on an actual date at a restaurant as nice as this? The dark setting with soft, flattering lamps and sconces, and cushions strewn about low tables lent a romantic element to the evening. Sure, it wasn't supposed to be romantic, but being here with Slade—being newly married to Slade—in this romantic setting did nothing to quell her delight.
    “How are your classes?” she asked.
    “Good. Tons of reading, tons of cases, but that’s normal for a law