A Marine’s Proposal (3 page)

“What's that?” she asked, eyeing what he carried when they met downstairs.

“What does it look like?”

“Why do you have a picnic basket?”

“Wait until we get outside.”

As they left the barracks, a disturbing thought entered his mind since it revealed an underlying motive to his proposal.

Once you’re technically married and living together, maybe she’ll see you as more than just a friend.

No, he couldn’t think that way. He’d been clear to Caitlyn about his reasons for wanting to get married officially. If she knew he was deceiving her, trying to trick her into falling in love with him, she’d despise him and walk out of his life forever. That wasn’t his motive all along, was it? It couldn’t be. Regardless, he had to hide his true feelings. She couldn’t ever know how he truly felt.

Then what the hell are you doing, buddy? What do you expect to come out of this arrangement. Looks like the only possible course of action is that your plan will end up blowing up in your face.

As they walked to his car, Slade wrestled about what Caitlyn’s acceptance meant in the long run, focusing on the practical elements. He had to leave the barracks to get any studying done, but the library was only open a limited number of hours and closed early. He had to get out of the barracks and Caitlyn was his ticket out of there.

It could be worse—he could be deployed in a war zone right now, being thankful even to be alive every night. But he wasn’t, and while he served in the Marines, he wanted to prepare as much as possible for his career. He wasn’t sure what it was just yet, but he didn’t think he’d be a lifer in the Corps.

Slade went to college for two years and lived the dorm life before enlisting. Once he enlisted, he realized how much he wanted to finish his degree and go on to law school. Working long days and taking classes at night left little time for homework or a social life, but it was something he was determined to do.

It was funny how being just two years older than most of the guys in his rank gave him a higher level of maturity. Or maybe he was just different. At least, with him ranked a Lance Corporal, he wasn't at the bottom of the chain of command anymore.

Now if he could just stick to the practical points of his plan and follow his script, nobody would get hurt.

Or was it already too late to avoid that?

****

As they drove off the base, Caitlyn asked again, “Since when do you have a picnic basket?”

“Since I'm going to propose to you today by a romantic picnic outside the castle—for official purposes.”

“Oh. So I guess this is part of the story?”

“You've got that right.”

As they drove up Highway 58, Caitlyn asked, “Anything else I should know?”

“We're going to have to come up with a starting point for when we fell in love. I'd say two months ago, after Sgt. Ryan's New Year's party.”

“And why would I suddenly fall in love with you then?”

“Because when we kissed at midnight, you realized your true feelings for me.”

Caitlyn thought back to that moment after the countdown to the new year, a moment she’d replayed in her mind almost every night. The way his eyes darkened a shade and lips parted. The agonizing seconds that dragged on for hours and she anticipated whether he would actually kiss her. The elation that shot through her body when his lips finally touched hers. She peered down so he wouldn’t see the sappy grin on her face.

“Why did you suddenly fall in love with me?”

“Come on, everyone thinks I'm in love with you already. We won't have to do much concocting there.”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened. “They do? Why?”

“Because you’re hot. So they can't imagine that we could be friends without me wanting you.”

Caitlyn beamed. Sometimes she wasn’t sure Slade even noticed she was a woman. Not only did he notice, but he found her attractive. “Like friends with benefits?”

“Exactly,” Slade said. “Plus, you're one of the few American women on this island, and you’re blonde. You see the guys ogling you? You remind them of the girls back home. Or they just notice your looks. Trust me. I see it all the time. So with all these guys wanting you, they'd never assume I'd be any different.”

But you are,
Caitlyn thought and slightly grinded her teeth. He was right, she was hit on often, but never by the one she wanted. The paradox killed her.

****

They ambled around Nagakusuku Castle, ancient castle ruins they'd been to a few times before, and talked about other minor details.

“It's not going to be that difficult,” Slade said. We know each other so well, so it's not like I have to find out about what your favorite color is, what your siblings’ names are, or anything like that.”

“What
is
my favorite color?” Caitlyn asked out of curiosity.

“Blue.”

“Wrong,” Caitlyn said. “I don't have a favorite color.” She tried not to think about the magnificent mix of blues and grays in his eyes.

Slade shot her a skeptical look. “Yes, you do. You just don't know it. Look at your wardrobe. Most of your clothes are a shade of blue.”

Caitlyn glanced down at the light blue tank top she was wearing.

“This doesn't prove you're right, you know.”

“I don't need proof, I know it.”

“I know what yours is.”

Slade shook his head and grinned. “Please inform me of your astute observation skills.”

“Khaki, of course.”

“Khaki?” Slade smirked. “I don’t think so.”

“Yes, if we're going by what colors dominate our wardrobes and rooms, it's definitely khaki. You're a walking jungle safari.”

“Very funny. Actually, my favorite color is black.”

“Now you're wrong,” she said with a wide grin. “If my favorite color is blue, then yours is khaki.”

After a couple of hours of strolling around the castle grounds, Slade grabbed the picnic basket from the car, spread out a blanket in an open space near the castle, and poured a couple of glasses of white wine.

“Okay, now remember this part. Everyone always asks about the proposal part.”

Caitlyn snorted, “Yeah, girls do, but guys don't care about stuff like that.”

“We need the pretense in case a
girl
asks you.”

Slade got down on one knee and took Caitlyn's hand in his. Caitlyn saw the serious expression on his face and broke out into laughter. She knew that Slade was just playacting for a story and the whole picnic setting suddenly seemed utterly ridiculous to her.

“Stop laughing, Caitlyn, this is serious.”

“No, it's not,” she said between giggles. “I can't believe you went to all this trouble. Why couldn't you just tell me to say you proposed at a picnic and tell me the details?”

“This way is better. It's harder to get tripped up in a lie if it really happened. See, now it's not a lie. Now can we get back to business?” Slade asked with impatience.

“Okay, okay,” Caitlyn said. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

“Caitlyn, you know that I love you and I don't ever want to lose you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

His expression was so earnest she almost believed him. She
wanted
to believe him, but it was just part of his script.

When he pulled out a gold ring with a solitaire diamond surrounded with an ornate filigree band and put it on her finger, she gasped. He went to all this trouble for a fake marriage?

“Yes, Slade, of course,” she said wishing it was real.

“Perfect.”

“Where did you get this ring?”

“It was my grandmother’s. My grandfather bought it for her when he was in Vietnam. He said while he was over there seeing his buddies dying, he realized how short life was and however long he had he wanted to spend with her. Did I ever tell you he was a Marine, too?”

She nodded as she tried to hold back tears, swept up in the story they wrote as they went along.

“Now jump into my arms,” he directed. “Like you’re thrilled.”

She followed the directions and wrapped her arms around his neck as if overjoyed. It wasn’t hard to fake, she loved the feel of her body pressed against his. When she inhaled his alluring outdoorsy scent, she almost ceased to breathe.

“That was perfect,” Slade said. They rolled back onto the blanket and laughed. When Slade ended up on top of her and searched her eyes, Caitlyn couldn't speak. For a moment, she was paralyzed. She wanted him to kiss her. The anticipation she’d felt on New Year’s Eve was dwarfed by the intensity of her escalating desire. Slade didn't say anything. His blue-gray eyes grew darker, filled with a smoldering intensity and—what was it—lust? For her? He leaned closer and his eyes lowered. Caitlyn's heart pounded so hard she was sure he could feel it against his chest.

Maybe he was going to kiss her. She couldn't help but close her eyes, waiting, hoping, praying for his lips to touch hers. Her entire body stiffened, agonizing over the distance still between them. And then, they were there. His lips grazed hers for a blissful moment that shot sensations through her aching body. She wanted more of him, needed more. But his lips were gone so soon.

Just a part of the script.

“Great job,” he said, pulling himself off her. “I couldn't have planned it any better.”

Disappointment flooded through Caitlyn, replacing the flames that had reached every aching nerve a moment before. He was only acting for the sake of their story. A part of her wondered if she made a mistake by accepting this proposal. If she was going to keep getting her hopes up only to get them shot down, she would be deluding herself.

What was she thinking? She
was
deluding herself. This was a phony marriage. Slade didn't love her and he never would. A phony marriage wouldn't change anything.

“What's wrong?” Slade asked, noticing her sour expression.

What could she say? A part of her hoped this whole stupid plan they’d concocted was real? She’d fantasized about him sexually for so long, but now her feelings were becoming more complicated.

No, she couldn’t go there. Not now. Not with this new plan put into action.

“Nothing, Slade, you're right. That was perfect.” She forced a smile. “We'll fool everyone.”

Slade turned back to the picnic basket and pulled out various items. “I'm surprised you haven't dived into this picnic basket yet with that insatiable appetite of yours,” he said.

If he only knew. She resisted a flirtatious retort that would only complicate her already confused emotions all the more. They were friends. Only friends.

“What have you got there? I'm starving.”

“Like that's a big surprise,” Slade said. “Let's see. We have some French bread, Brie cheese, grapes, apples, bananas, a couple of protein bars. Oh yeah, and a sausage roll.”

This time she couldn’t let the reference get away. “I hope so.” She raised an eyebrow. “Or this would be a very unsatisfying marriage.”

Slade stammered, something she’d never seen him do before. “Don’t, uh, uh, kid around like that, Caitlyn. It just makes things—harder.”

She burst into laughter.

“Caitlyn, this is serious!”

“Sorry. You set yourself up for it. Both times.” She nibbled at some grapes. “Why are you being so stuffy? We always joke this like.”

“Because I want this to go off without a hitch.”

She lifted a protein bar. “This doesn't fit into the whole romantic picnic thing, does it?”

“No, but I like them on hikes. Why don’t you grab my Swiss Army knife so I can open the Chardonnay.”

“Mmm, it's really good wine. I can't wait to try the bread and cheese.”

“Hold on, I'm cutting it as fast as I can.” Slade sliced the bread on a tiny cutting board he brought along.

Caitlyn smirked on seeing how prepared he was. He brought everything. Always practical.

“Don’t forget the sausage,” she teased.

He kept his eye on the cutting board, but she saw a smile creep from the corner of his lips.

“Careful, I have a knife, O’Neill.”

She watched him as he sliced off another piece of bread.

“Slade, were you ever a Boy Scout?”

“Yes, an Eagle Scout. Why?”

“You’re very—prepared.”

“Very observant. Here's your bread,” and he threw a piece of French bread at her.

****

Her playful mood darkened as she spread some cheese on the bread, contemplating their impending marriage. Caitlyn was quiet throughout the rest of their picnic as an internal debate tormented her. Should she really set herself up like this? Was it wise to enter a phony marriage with someone you were attracted to who did not feel the same way about you?

No. And no.

“Want to walk around the castle again?” Slade asked.

“Why not? Burn off some of the feast.”

Slade held her hand and led her through the castle. The enclosure of her hand in his sent a spark shooting up inside her. Why was he suddenly being so affectionate? So they'd appear more like a couple? She didn't care as long as he didn't stop. She basked in the glow of simply strolling with him hand in hand. If this was a taste of what it was like to be married to Slade, she would happily climb on board, even for just a little while.

Caitlyn loved coming to Nagagusuku Castle. It dated back to the fifteenth century, ancient by her standards. Despite its age, the brilliant limestone castle was remarkably well-preserved and perched on one of the highest points in Okinawa. With a spectacular view, they viewed the grand Pacific Ocean on one side and the glorious East China Sea on the other.

As Slade pulled her to the highest part of the remains, Caitlyn almost gasped when she saw the view. It never ceased to amaze her. This was one of her favorite places in all of Okinawa. Here she was reminded how far from home she truly was, on the other side of the world from Portland, Maine. She was in a timeless place; one whose culture dated back thousands of years. She was on a different continent, living in a different culture—far different—from what she was used to.

“I can't believe this castle still exists,” Slade said as he ran his fingers sensuously over the ancient rock. “There's nothing cementing the limestone together. No mortar, no cement. It's almost a miracle.”

“You would think that after coming here all this time that you'd have accepted it by now,” Caitlyn teased.

“Have
you
seen any architecture this old before coming to Okinawa?”

“Of course not, neither have you.”

“Then you have to admit that it's amazing.”

“Oh, I do. I just think it’s funny how you can't get over the limestone construction.”

Slade turned to her and grinned. “This is great, Cait. We already sound like an old married couple.”

“We’ll fool them all,” she added.

Maybe even herself.

****

Slade watched Caitlyn as she stared out towards the ocean, her tawny hair reflecting the sunlight as it was tossed about by the light ocean breeze. Her skin was bronzed from the Okinawan sun; so soft, so kissable. Her dark eyelashes framed her pale green eyes, a color he saw in the jade trinkets in the souvenir shops that always reminded him of her. While she was distracted by the ocean, he was grateful he could admire her surreptitiously.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a camera. She snapped photos of the landscape around him while he took the opportunity simply to watch her. This woman would become his wife. This beautiful, kind, loving woman. So what if it was on paper only. For now, he didn’t care about any of those technicalities. He admired her natural beauty. Peeking at her profile, at her small straight nose, he thought they gracefully stepped aside to allow her sensuous eyes and lips to capture the most visible attention. Her lips were naturally pink and pouty. She didn’t wear lipstick, but she often applied a cherry lip gloss in a slow steady movement that tormented him. He’d been aching to taste the flavor on her lips. The small pecks in the past only teased him, leaving him unsatisfied. He wanted more.

She wore light makeup in uniform, maybe some gloss and mascara, but she never wore it to the beach. He thought she looked even more alluring without it with a light smattering of freckles showing, so young and healthy.

Thinking about her at the beach reminded him of her killer body. Although she seemed almost to disappear in camouflage, she had plenty of round, sexy curves that just begged to be touched. She was a full head shorter than his six feet making him feel even more protective of her. Although she wasn’t petite, she was small enough for him to feel masculine and protective, yet at the perfect height to kiss. To kiss. What he would give to kiss those luscious lips. Not just a peck, but to savor them, caress them with his own.

His future wife. His entire body beamed with pride. His. No more guys hitting on her all day long to drive him insane. They still would, but at least he could tell them to piss off. His one concern since they had grown so close was that Caitlyn would meet someone else, fall in love, and leave him. What would he do then? She was everything to him. He couldn't imagine living in Okinawa without her, while she sauntered around with another man. The idea usually strangled him with jealously, coiling like a viper inside him. But for now, she was his, all his.

A small voice nagged at him.
She isn't really taken, Slade
,
She'll only be your wife in name only. Don't fool yourself, buddy. You already told her she could see whoever she wanteddiscretelyafter you're married. You even told her she could end the marriage when she fell in love and wanted to marry someone else.

Caitlyn turned and snapped a photo of him, while he was lost in his thoughts staring at her. Busted. He had to get rid of it. He must have let his stone face down while he admired her. Were his true feelings showing on his face? In his eyes?

“Delete that, Caitlyn.”

“No way. I need a picture of my future husband on the day we got engaged. I can show it to people, you know?”

The very idea horrified him. Although it would definitely sell the idea that he was in love with her to others, it would also reveal his feelings to Caitlyn. She’d feel betrayed, lied to.

“Let me take some of you then,” he said with a casual tone he didn’t feel.

She handed him the camera. When he saw the photo of him staring at her like a love-sick fool, he deleted it.

“Oops, I deleted it.”

“Hey!”

“Relax. Smile. Remember this is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life.”

“I’m taking more of you then.”

Through the lens, he saw her smile illuminate her face. Her eyes lit up and almost took his breath away. He was grateful he had the camera shielding him right now. Without it, who knows what his face would have revealed.

Slade, get yourself in check. Remember, this is a marriage of convenience. Nothing else. If you try anything otherwise, you're going to get screwed. So watch it.

He had to keep his wits about him. This was business, all business. If Caitlyn found out about his true feelings after she consented to marry him, she would think he duped her with this whole marriage of convenience idea to get what he wanted. She would think he was no better than the rest of them.

“You look beautiful,” he said, encouraging her to keep posing. “Very happy.”

No, he couldn't ever let her find out the truth. To do so would ruin everything. Not only would he lose her as any sort of romantic interest, but he would lose her as a friend as well. He would lose her for good. The thought was unbearable. He would be completely alone the way he'd been in the Marine Corps before Caitlyn came into his life. Totally alone.

That was it, she would never find out the truth.

“My turn to take some photos of you,” she said. “And then the two of us together.”

He forced himself to remember he was a hard core Marine and he had to put on his game face for the situation at hand. Wiping his real emotions off his face, he took a deep breath.

Appear happy, not like some deranged stalker.

He smiled casually and let her snap away.

On the drive back to the base, Slade said, “So let's do it on Monday. Go down to City Hall, get married.”

The way he said it made Caitlyn think that it was no more than grabbing a bite for breakfast. Technically, she supposed it was. It was only supposed to be an arrangement.

“Slade, there's one little snafu in this little plan of yours,” she said.

Slade appeared astonished. “What?”

“We both have to work. In case you didn't realize, we're in the Marines. It's not like we can call in sick or anything.”

“Damn, you're right. I wasn't thinking about that,” Slade said, his jaw clenching. Then regaining his enthusiasm, he said, “Friday. We'll just have to do it on Friday. We can both put in for leave that day.” Caitlyn began to think he was talking to himself more than her. “That's even better. We can have our honeymoon over the weekend. Perfect.”

Slade pulled his Camry in front of the barracks and they climbed the stairs to the third floor. Outside her door, he gave her a paternal kiss on the forehead, something he had never done before. Why now? Since they were getting married, correction fake married, did he feel that he had to show some sort of affection? Caitlyn looked at him quizzically.