Out of Time: A Military Romance Page 8

  "Yeah, I do," she said.

  "Well, let me show you a little bit more of Christmas Eve."

  He held open the door of the truck. She got inside willingly, ready for her adventure.

  17.

  Even from a distance Asha could see the lighthouse, straight out of the movies. It was tall; she gauged it to be at least fifty feet in the air. It had a black and white checkered pattern. And the light was on. The big light beam swung around, casting its rays in every direction across the sea.

  The truck stopped.

  "Wow, that is so pretty."

  "I thought you'd like to see it," Ice said. He got out of his truck and came around to her door. He opened it and helped her step out. He made sure she was steady on her feet. The snow flurries fell over them and she could swear he was like some hero from one of those Hallmark movies she watched at Christmas time. He pulled up her fur-lined hood to protect her head. And then he zipped up her coat.

  "Thank you, Ice," she smiled.

  "Can I have a kiss?" he asked.

  "What?" Her smile dropped.

  "A Christmas kiss," he teased.

  "I don't know you."

  Ice stepped back. He extended his arms. She crossed hers. He smiled and waited. "I'm your Christmas guardian. Every time you give me a kiss an angel gets it wings."

  Asha shook her head, smiling. The flurries that fell were large, fluffy drifts. In the snow and moonlight he looked like an angel. She nodded that she agreed. She stepped forward. She grabbed his arms and rose on her toes. His head bent and his lips brushed hers first. She gave him her version of a friendly peck on the lips.

  Ice chuckled. "Magic."

  "You're a good kisser too," she said.

  He arched a brow. "Have you ever kissed a man before?"

  "Of course I have! I just did."

  Ice smiled. "Come on." He took her hand. He walked her out toward a dock. There was a small 12 footer boat parked there.

  "Are we..."

  "Going to the lighthouse. It's just three miles out," he said.

  "In this? I mean, it's snowing."

  Ice chuckled. "You're in good hands. Trust me."

  "Okay," she said. After all it was better than being taken to his apartment, where she would have the awkward conversation about waiting until marriage for sex. Considering her age, it would make her sound more inexperienced and juvenile than she wanted to be.

  Ice went onboard first. He then reached for her. Asha stooped a bit and leaned in so he could carry her over like a man would a child. He was just that strong in the arms and chest to hold her. She liked that.

  "Put this on," he said and got out a preserver from a closed hutch. She did as he told her and he started up the boat. The lights turned on like those of a car. The covering on the boat was just for the passenger and driver. She walked over and sat next to him as he detached them from the dock and then steered them out to sea.

  "Are you a swimmer?" she asked.

  Ice looked over at her. "Who told you that?"

  "Tiffany said Thatch was a swimmer and so were his friends."

  "Friends? We're more than friends. I'm not a swimmer."

  "Oh? Okay. What is a swimmer?"

  "A rescue swimmer. He's the guy we send in the water to get a survivor, I'm the guy who flies the bird."

  "A pilot!" she screeched.

  He glanced over to her and smiled.

  "Wow! Holy wow! That is... so... um, cool," she said. What she wanted to say was the idea of him being a pilot was sexy. She could see him in a flight suit with wrap-around Ray-ban sunglasses and one of those helmets that had a microphone clipped to the side, flying in and saving the day. Tiffany had given her a real prince of the sky.

  "How long have you been in the Coast Guard? As a pilot?"

  He squinted as if considering the question. All the while he kept the boat gliding over the water to the sandbar. "Joined the army in 1999 to pay for college. Got into flight school after 9/11. Did a tour in Afghanistan for a few years, and then enlisted in the USCG. So about three years now."

  "Wow? From the Army to the Coast Guard. So cool."

  "Hold on," he said. He started to bring the boat to a slower speed. He swerved in the water and drove it up to a pier. He dropped what she thought was an anchor and then climbed out. He attached the boat and she watched. A real life pilot. Asha removed her preserver and put it back and then let him help her step up. The wind was far worse here. And the lighthouse was spectacular. She rubbed her hands together and tilted her head back to stare up at it. The tower was taller than even she imagined. And she could hear the loud, whirling whistle of the moving beams.

  "You cold?" Ice asked and stepped behind her.

  "Yes!" she shivered.

  "That's the keeper’s house over there. Come on, I can make you some coffee or cocoa. It's warm."

  "Is anyone here?" she asked.

  "We are," he said.

  "Really? But what if a ship needs rescue? What then?"

  Ice chuckled. "That's not the purpose of this place."

  "Who runs it?" she asked.

  "I'm staying here until I find a place close to the outpost."

  She stopped. "Here? You?"

  Ice nodded.

  "Wow, oh, wow. Okay." Asha looked around. Unknowingly she was isolated. On a lighthouse sandbar with a man almost ten years older than her. In what scenario did she think this was safe? But when she looked over at Ice, she couldn't be too alarmed. He was a better gentleman than the frat boys who tried to trap her in their rooms after studying for groping and kissing.

  "You're safe with me," he said and took her hand again.

  "I know. I believe it," she mumbled.

  He walked her to a brick one-story house. It had a nameplate on it, but she didn't bother to read it. She went inside to the warmth and wanted to shout out her joy. Immediately she felt at ease.

  "This is cute, like a log cabin without the logs," she said. First she passed through what looked to be the washroom, with a washer and dryer. Then she entered the kitchen. From there she could see a tiny living room. There were no decorations. But the television was left on. And so was the heat. The place was nicely warmed. She shed her coat immediately. She heard Ice inside the kitchen.

  "So you're off duty?" she asked.

  "I am; it's my turn."

  "Oh, okay." She sat on the sofa. "Why didn't you go home to your family?"

  "I go every other year. Was there last year when my sister gave birth. Figured I'd just relax here."

  "But it's Christmas. Time for family."

  "You aren't with yours." He looked up.

  "Yeah, for the first time. And it feels weird. I'm trying to send my parents a message."

  "What kind of message?" he asked.

  "The kind that says I'm an adult and they need not treat me like a baby."

  "Don't look like a baby to me," he smiled. He came out of the kitchen and removed his coat and skull cap. She stared up at him. He had brown hair that was trimmed low around his nape and ears, with flat baby curls that were smashed to his head.

  He walked over and picked up the remote. He turned the television to a cable station that had a Christmas movie on.

  "I love Christmas," she said.

  "I gather that," he said. "At midnight we can go up to the lighthouse and see Christmas Eve in Port Smith. Maybe Santa Claus will be doing a test run out there, too."

  "Are you making fun of me?" Asha frowned.

  Ice paused. "Nah, beautiful. I’m not making fun of you. Sorry."

  "Okay," she said. Then she smiled after Ice gave her a sly wink. He was teasing her but not maliciously. Suddenly she wanted to be taken seriously.

  "About that kiss," she said.

  He took a seat in the chair across from her.

  "It was nice. Thank you," Ice said.

  "You didn't think it was a real kiss," she said.

  He stared at her.

  "You don't think I know how to kiss."

&
nbsp; "Do you?" he asked.

  "Do you want another?" she asked.

  Ice didn't speak or blink. He stared at her. It was not the reaction she expected. He sat forward, and those eyes of his were on her hotly. "Should I come over there to get it?"

  Asha scooted over. The sofa was big enough for two people, even three. Ice got up and turned off the television. When he came toward her, some of her courage slipped. He hadn't even touched her and she felt the nervous energy trembling within her. Ice sat back in a slouch and extended his arm across the top of the sofa. She rubbed her hands over the tops of her thighs and sat back with him. She looked over at him. Ice smiled.

  "Do I make you nervous, Asha?"

  "A little," she said with a shaky laugh.

  "Why?" he asked.

  "Don't know. I guess it's just your eyes."

  His eyes stretched. "My eyes?"

  "They are so pretty."

  "But?" he asked.

  "Well, they’re kind of deceptive in their beauty. They’re cold. Like ice," she said.

  Ice’s slow grin was filled with devilment. The tension was broken. She turned her face to his to steal a kiss but he moved right in and claimed it. It was good. Not much tongue, which always felt like a slimy slug wiggling in her mouth. It was lips and tongue lashes. And then his mouth withdrew from hers. And she touched his face to bring his lips back. She liked it. Ice moved in, his arm going around her waist and sliding down her hip and thigh. He lifted her leg and brought it over his lap as he enticed her with a deeper kiss. She loved the touch of stubble on his jaw. She loved the glide of his tongue over hers now. She felt the excitement in her boots to the top of her head. And then came the tingling in her sex, when his large hand rubbed over her thigh.

  It had to stop. She knew the boundaries, and this had to stop. She pushed at his chest. "I'm sorry, Ice, but we have to stop now."

  He withdrew and looked at her. She moved her leg off him and scooted away. "I can't."

  "What's wrong with kissing, sweetheart?"

  "Nothing. I like it. But... we just met."

  "So?"

  "I'm not into casual sex," she confessed.

  He laughed. Asha crossed her arms in defiance. "I'm serious. I plan to save myself for marriage."

  "Whoa... okay, I get it," he said and sat up with a deep sigh.

  "Get what?" she asked.

  "I didn't bring you here for sex. So it’s cool."

  "Liar!"

  "I didn't. I wanted to show you the lighthouse," he said.

  "Liar," Asha said.

  Ice smiled. "Okay, maybe I did. But you're not into it. That's fine. Shit. Forget it. We're done."

  "Well, sorry to disappoint you. I take my faith seriously. You have a cross on your neck. You should too!"

  He chuckled and looked down at his cross. "This rosary kept me alive in some tough shit. It's my good luck charm."

  "It's a cross, it's Jesus. He kept you alive, not good luck."

  "Okay, like I said. I get it. I can take you to Thatch’s. Everyone's there. You'll have a good time." He stood and started to collect his things. Asha felt such a deep, profound disappointment in the evening ending she stood up too.

  "Wait," she said.

  He paused.

  "We don't have to go. We can watch movies. Drink cocoa. How about that?"

  Ice stared at the beauty in his web. He wanted sex. He wanted sex with her. He was a man, not some lovesick teenager. But she was young and sweet. And so damn fine. He wasn't used to having to delay this kind of passion. Most women became his after a kiss. One fucking kiss. And now she wanted to sip cocoa. Fuck, he kissed Candice on the cheek and she offered him pussy.

  "Please?" she said.

  "Can I have a few more kisses?" he asked.

  "Yes, if you behave," she said. "No touching below the waist."

  "Above the waist?" he asked.

  She gave him a shy smile. "A little, okay."

  Ice groaned. He walked back into the kitchen and she picked up the remote to turn on the television. It was “A Christmas Carol.” He'd seen it as a kid but never really paid much attention to it. He came back out with her cocoa and brought it to the table. He sat the mug down. He'd put marshmallows and a cinnamon stick in it.

  "Yummy," she grinned.

  He chuckled. "Can I ask you a question?"

  "Sure," she said and cupped the mug with both hands. She sipped.

  "Are you a virgin?" he asked.

  She continued to sip and then set the mug down. She glanced over at him. "It's my choice. I know you might think it's silly or because I'm nineteen. But it's not that. I'll be one until I'm thirty if I have to be. I want to wait. Save it for the man I love. I want us to have something special. Something that belongs to us."

  "Should the man be a virgin too?" he asked.

  "It would be nice, but I'm not putting that requirement out there. I want him to be a good person, a God-fearing person. Like my father and uncles. A man my children can look up to."

  Ice nodded.

  "Does that make you uncomfortable?" she asked.

  "Nope. I think the man who meets that standard is going to be really lucky to have you."

  "Thank you, Ice," she said. She scooted back and he put his arm around her. They stared at the television. "I love this. Scrooge. Love Tiny Tim. How can anybody ever hate Christmas?"

  Ice shrugged. He didn't care about Christmas, one way or the other. But he liked hearing her talk about it. After the movie ended he woke to find her asleep with her head resting on his lap, and her feet curled up on the sofa. At some time she'd removed her boots. She wore Christmas socks. He liked that too. It was another touch of sweetness. Ice checked his watch. It was three in the morning. He reached for the phone and called Thatch.

  "What's up, bro?" Thatch asked in a groggy voice.

  "Time for me to return my Christmas gift, isn't it?"

  "Nah, Tiffany said they are staying. See you in the morning. Be here around seven."

  The line disconnected. Ice sighed. He looked down at Asha. He touched her hair. He liked the texture. After a reflective minute he decided to make her more comfortable. He lifted her and she woke.

  "Ice?"

  "It's cool, I'll take you back in the morning," he said. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. He stood. She looked up at him, dazed, as if she'd fall over asleep again. He reached down and swept her up into his arms. And she didn't seem to mind. She put her arms around his neck and rested her face on his shoulder. He carried her the few steps from the living room to the bedroom. He put her down on a full size bed. He turned to get her an extra blanket.

  "Anyone every tell you, princess, that you taste like butterscotch?" he asked.

  "No," she smiled.

  "You do, delicious." He turned off the light and turned and to leave.

  "Lie with me," she smiled.

  "Nah, I can take the couch."

  "Ice, it's okay. It's Christmas."

  He smiled. He picked up the blanket and shook it out over her. Then he fit his tall, long frame in the bed with her. They both had to lie on their sides to fit comfortably. She brought his arm around her waist and settled in. He scooted in close and enjoyed the soft curves of her backside pressed into him.

  He was mindful not to touch her breasts. But he wanted to. Ice squeezed his eyes shut and tried to think of dead puppies to keep his erection from forming. But he lost the battle. He knew she felt it. But she didn't say anything.

  "Merry Christmas," Ice said to the back of her head.

  "Merry Christmas, Ice."

  Chapter Seven

  Past - 10:30 A.M. December 24, 2009

  Brooklyn, NY

  The cab driver stopped. Ice paid him. "Merry Christmas," the driver said.

  "Same to you," Ice said before he got out. He brought out his duffle bag. The brownstones were actually apartment homes. After a year in school, Asha’s parents were able to give her the money for the deposit on a rental. She got a part time job and used some
of her scholarship money to afford to move here.

  He was proud of his girl.

  Asha came to visit him and he visited her as often as he could, which wasn't often enough. But it was a year of back and forth that had him wanting her above all other women. They weren't officially a couple. She was dedicated to school and he was just the kind of guy who couldn't tie himself down to a virgin who wanted marriage. Or so he thought. The more he tried to find satisfaction with other women, the more he went to sleep dreaming of Asha.

  "You're here! You're here!" she yelled at him from the top step. Ice could do nothing more than smile. Asha wore jeans and a red and green sweater. She had her hair in a ponytail and big furry slippers on her feet. When he walked up the step to her, she leaped on him. He caught her and dropped his duffle. She kissed his face and hugged him. "I was so worried they wouldn't give you the time."

  "I called in some favors," he said and kissed her.

  "It's cold, come in, come on," she said and opened the door for him. He grabbed his things and went inside. He hadn't seen her apartment since she moved. Now he would stay the next three days with her. Asha walked ahead of him and up the stairs.

  "You moved upstairs?" he asked, his eyes trained on the heart-shaped swell of her ass. The way it shook when she climbed the stairs.

  "Oh, that's right, I didn't tell you. Last week my dad and brother moved me upstairs. I will never live downstairs again. People walking above your head and the freaks and weirdoes who knock your door. Nope."

  It stung that things were happening in her life and he didn't know. He would have driven down to help her move. After climbing three flights of stairs they arrived on her floor. She waited for him and took his hand.

  "You miss me?" she asked.

  "I call you almost every day," he said.

  "Yeah, but you aren't my boyfriend; you probably call those skanks too," she said.

  "Skanks?" he chuckled. "I don't know any skanks. Only my princess-baby church girl, who I had to give up more than you know to get these three days to be with."

  Asha stopped and looked at him. She smiled. He knew she tried to play it off. He could tell she had some kind of feeling regarding his lack of commitment.