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𝙎𝙄𝙓 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙎 𝘼𝙂𝙊

1700 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗦, 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗦

"I guess what I am wondering is what makes you believe so much?" Colton asked as we sat on his couch talking

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I replied with a laugh

"You may have a point there, but I just want to hear you out." He replied taking a swallow of his beer

"I grew up in church. I remember all those Sunday mornings my mom would get me out of bed, burn the hell out of my neck with the hot comb-"

"Wait, what it burned you? What the hell is that?" He asked beginning to laugh uncontrollably

"Yeah, it's this metal comb that she used to set on the stove eye to heat up and comb my hair to straighten it," I explained while laughing with him

"But every Sunday she had me in church, even when I began growing up and began getting annoyed with the fact I could never sleep in Sunday mornings. And one day she just called me into her room and asked me to sit there and listen to her tell the stories of the Bible..and I was so fascinated and amazed listening to her talk about a being who was of such power and was all good. So I began asking questions of my own and going to look for answers myself." I said beginning to play with my dog tag

"So that's the only reason?" He then asked looking over toward me causing me to face him and shake my head 'no'.

"My first deployment, my entire squad got killed by a tripwire except for me and another who took a hell of a leg wound. But long story short it took the Marines 4 days to get retrieve us from Iraqi territory and my mind was so scrambled after having to do and see so much evil on top of watching a lot of my men take their last breaths they sent me home with a Navy Cross, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. Then they booked me into therapy, which didn't help. I couldn't even sleep at night without thinking about all the men I killed to keep myself and my dying soldier alive. So, the day I did put that gun to my head, I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice that told me that I was forgiven. And that is when I knew for sure there was a God, Devil, Heaven, and Hell." I ranted looking back forward

"How long ago was this?" He asked softly still staring at me

"3 years," I said reaching over to take the beer from him before drinking some of it

"Hey, Church girl, you aren't supposed to be drinking alcohol." He joked causing me to laugh

"I see you know something but not enough, Jesus turned water into wine." I rebutted still laughing

"You weren't a Seal then were you?" He then asked

"No, I was a Corpsman. I was their medic that failed despite those medals." I replied wiping my eyes that had begun to water

"Hey..." Colton said while placing his hand on
my knee, "It wasn't your fault." He concluded as we began staring into each other's eyes

His phone then began to ring causing him to pick it up and put it on speaker, "Hey Princess! Me and the guys are down at the bar for our farewell happy hour drinks. Where are you and the best Seal team member?!" Ross said causing me to laugh

"We are on our way that's all that matters." Colton rebutted

"Well, you two hurry your asses!" Franks then added

"Noted," Colton replied before hanging up

"Duty calls?" I asked as we both stood up

"Duty calls!" He replied while slipping on his jacket

"How old are you, Dinah?"

"You first." I rebutted as we began walking out of the door

"You know what I've known you for a year and a half and questions can't come with simple answers?" He asked while laughing

"Nah."

"I'm 28." He then replied

"23 and a half," I said getting into his truck

"You saying that to mask the fact you're really young?" He replied causing me to laugh

"I wasn't that young when I had to throw you on your ass, Lieutenant," I replied causing him to laugh

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𝟭𝟵𝟬𝟬 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝘀, 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀

I stood back watching as Franks, Ross, Houston, and Banks played pool and drank their beers with Dinah.

"You like her a bit more than you thought you would right?" Boone asked now standing next to me causing me to laugh taking another swig of my beer

"Did you know she was a medic before she was a Seal?" I asked

"Yes. Now answer my question, Lieutenant, and that's an order." He answered while crossing his arms

"Ever since I invited her to stay with me after our first tour with her, I've found myself longing to see her smile every day," I answered truthfully causing Boone to smile

"Why haven't you told her? That was ten months ago now." He asked causing me to take another swallow of my beer

"Because I'm finally man enough to admit it out loud," I said beginning to walk towards the pool table

"Lieutenant!" Boone called stopping me in my tracks as I turned to slightly face him, "Don't hurt her. She's the type of woman that comes around every once a lifetime." He said causing me to nod as I made my way over to them

"You know what! You guys are cheaters!" She said to Houston and Banks while laughing along with Ross and Franks who were watching

"Are they cheating or you just don't know how to play?" I asked causing her to mean mug me

"I guess I'll help." I then said causing Houston to say, "We'll beat both of your asses!"

"Yeah, I say we show these boys how to play some pool!" I said to Dinah causing her to cheer as I walked behind her

"First we have to teach you how to hold the stick properly," I said pressing against her backside

"Bend a little." I said causing her to follow my direction, "Now place your fingers and hand how I have mine." I then directed causing her to do the same

"Now take a shot," I whispered causing her to take a shot better than her last twenty

"Now we are ready!" I said moving away from where Dinah stood

2200 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀
𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗦, 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗔𝗦

"Colton, please help me," I asked as we stumbled through the front door with me helping to the best of my ability

He was drunk off his ass and all he wanted to do was play. The entire drive here all he did was play with my hair, laugh and call my name as I drove.

"I'm helping!" He cheered causing me to laugh as I just picked him up carrying and sitting him on the couch as he smiled while looking up at me

"You're so silly when you're drunk!" I said with a laugh before he pulled me into his lap beginning to look me in my eyes

"You're so gorgeous." He then said no longer smiling as he placed his hands on my thighs causing my breathing to halt as I stared back into his glimmering blue eyes

"You're really drunk," I replied placing my hands on his shoulders

"I'm telling you the truth." He then replied moving his hands to my waist

"I know," I replied rubbing his cheek gently before getting off of his lap

"I want to shower!" He said causing me to shake my head 'no' eagerly

That was the last thing I needed him to do is fall in the shower because he was heavy and would be naked.

"No shower, come, and let's go change," I said grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet

"Can I sleep in the bed with you tonight?" He asked causing me to laugh and say, "Yes."

When I first started staying with Colton, he gave me his bed and told me he'd sleep on his couch until I found a place to stay and since I hadn't he was just going to arrange other plans within the loft so we could both be comfortable.

This was his first time asking to sleep in bed with me and I wasn't going to push him away simply because I trust him and it's his bed at the end of the day.

I then felt a shirt hit me softly causing me to laugh as I inhaled the scent of his sweet cologne before laughing.

"Colton!" I called turning and seeing he was in nothing but briefs as he climbed into bed causing me to shake my head in laughter as he almost immediately fell asleep when his head touched the pillows

I then changed quickly and then slipped into bed next to him as he wrapped his arm around me and said lowly, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," I replied with a chuckle

A/N: How'd you guys like the chapter? And How do you guys feel about Colton and Dinah's relationship so far? As well as Dinah's talk about her first deployment? What about them hanging with the guys?

Yes, I'm writing this book more than I should because I love it😂 Don't tell readers from my other books 😭🖤 Remember to vote, comment, share and add to your library!! Love yaaa🖤🖤🖤