Author's note: crude sexual references and racism

Chapter 14

Another month passed, and everything was going well between James and Minty. More than well. However, they have not made their relationship public yet. Only his teammates and Eve knew. Although it was not strictly considered fraternizing because Minty was not in the navy, they decided to just keep it to themselves for now.

Red was sitting in the canteen, waiting for the others to join him. He was deep in his thoughts and was not listening to the chatter around him until he heard Minty's name.

- Man, you should give that ass a little slap next time you are in the clinic and try to put it on her.

- Oh, I sure would like to see her sucking my dick. I would give it to her hard. All Latina chicks are freaks in the bed, they love it – it was Anthony, the one who was making comments when they were having the ECGs. Before Red could even realize what was happening, he pushed his chair back with so much force that it fell on the floor. He was over at the other table in seconds, grabbed Anthony by his collar, dragged him to his feet and slammed him against the wall.

- What did you just say motherfucker – he was hissing through gritted teeth. Anthony lifted his hands up in defence.

- Sorry mate, didn't realize you were tapping it as well – Red punched him in the face, knocking Anthony on the floor then threw himself on him, holding him down.

- If you ever dare to touch her, I will fucking end you – Red could feel people trying to pull him off Anthony who had a bleeding nose and a busted lip. He also faintly heard LT ordering him to break it up. Just after he punched him again, Lake put his arms across his torso from behind and managed to separate them.

- Calm down, you need to calm down buddy.

- Lake take him outside. And you, walk it off – LT shouted. As soon as they were out of the canteen, James shook Lake's hands off him.

- I swear to God, I will fucking kill that racist pervert – Red was saying while walking up and down.

- Easy, easy. Just take deep breaths brother. I understand that you want to protect your woman, but you need to calm down – Lake has never seen his friend like this. He was not one to beat people up. If anything, Red was the one who usually had to get him out of trouble and drag him away when he got into a fight.

- What the fuck was that – LT came marching out of the canteen.

- That fucker... – Red started but he cut him off.

- I don't care. You have been stood down from the next mission and will spend your time in the office for a month. That will give you enough time to clear your head boy – and with that he left.

- Oh fuck, they made you a pencil pusher – Lake patted him on the back – but I guess we don't need to worry about it happening again now that the whole mission knows about the two of you.

- Oh fuck – Red exhaled. He just realized that he needed to tell Minty and potentially face her wrath.

- Hey baby – Minty instantly greeted him with a kiss when he entered her room. When he said nothing, she took a step back, concern written on her face. She gave him a quick scan and saw his red knuckles.

- James, what happened?

- They know.

- Okay...who are they and what do they know?

- The whole mission knows about us. I fucked up baby, I am sorry. I know we didn't want anyone to know yet but ...there was this guy talking about you in the canteen and I punched him. I could not listen to him talking like that about the woman I love– there was complete silence in the room – I love you. I think I have been in love with you for a while now – James almost whispered the last two sentences. Minty looked absolutely shocked and did not say anything, just opened and closed her mouth a few times.

- You don't need to say it back. I just wanted you to know – James said quietly and looked at the ground. After a few seconds, Minty came up to him and gently lifted his head up.

- I love you so much baby and I really don't care if other people know about us – she pulled his head down and kissed him. That night, they both felt that their intimacy was different. They were never just fucking, it has always been more but this time they properly made love to each other. While James was kissing her beautiful body, he knew that his heart fully belonged to her. It made him feel happy and vulnerable at the same time. He never gave up control but now he was in Minty's hands, who had the power to break his heart anytime.

Another month passed and I was absolutely on cloud 9. Work was great and my personal life was great for the first time in my life. James became the first man I trusted completely, and I was in love. I have never let myself fall in love with anyone before but somehow, he managed to break down all my walls to a point where I couldn't imagine not having him in my life. He also introduced me to his family, and I introduced him to my aunty.

- I am so happy for you –Eve said one day.

- I am so happy you shouted at me and made me get my shit together. I cannot believe I almost let him go.

- Anytime – she smiled.

If I am being honest, while I was using, I thought I will be dead in a couple of years. After I got clean, I thought that I will just do my job until I get old and probably die in a nursing home. James told me that when he was growing up in Norfolk, they lived in a nice suburban area and the families of navy personal had a strong and supportive community. I never imagined myself in such a setting, but I found the idea more and more appealing. I caught myself fantasizing about a future where we would live in the suburbs, raising our kids and belonging to a community where people support and treat each other like family.

James was on another mission, and I was not sure when he will be back. It was dark outside, and I was going back to my room from the hospital.

- Hello Minty – I heard from behind. I turned around and saw Terwase coming out from the trees. Creepy much?

- What do you want? – I asked in a not very polite manner. There was something about this whole thing and the way he carried himself that made me feel scared. Especially because there was no one around.

- How are you dealing with Atkins being deployed again? – He was looking me up and down and I folded my arms in front of my chest. I tried to think of anything that I could use to defend myself.

- Okay, I guess – I really wanted to leave but I didn't want to turn my back on him.

- I meant sexually? – he was grinning.

- Ex fucking scuse me?

- I know you are quite naughty; I heard the gossips and I see him going in and out of your room all the time. Just wanted to let you know that if you get lonely, I can substitute anytime – he was coming closer, the fucking perv, and I was trying to back off.

- You know what? Go fuck yourself.

- So much fire, so much passion – he was still coming closer.

- Oh, you want more fire and passion? Then buckle up because I am seconds away from losing my shit on you – he laughed.

- You think you can overpower me?

- I will sure as shit try – I was trying to remember all the things James taught me at self-defence. Fuck, I should have listened to him more rather than salivating over him. We were staring at each other. I was shaking but I was trying to control it. Seconds passed that felt like hours.

- Have a good evening Minty – he said and left. I stood there still for another few minutes. When I was sure he left, I ran to my room. Next day I was still shaken up and told Eve about it.

- You need to tell James – she said.

- No. He would probably beat the shit out of him, and it would get him into trouble like that last time with Anthony.

- Then report him to the captain.

- You know that is not going to work. He is so high ranking in the government military. Plus, James told me that he is the one who provides the most intel on the rebel troops. So, they not gonna do anything about him just because he offered to have sex with me. I will just be more careful and make sure I don't go alone anywhere in the dark – Eve hugged me, and I felt like I wanted to cry. It was bringing up bad memories.

A few days passed and Terwase was still watching me, so I made sure that I was never alone. I was standing in the nursing office, making coffee when someone hugged me from behind. I instantly knew who it was, and I leaned against his chest.

- Honey, I am home – he whispered in my ear and turned me around. The moment we were face to face, I hugged him tight and dug my nails into his back. I finally felt safe again.

- Hey, hey, is everything okay? – he peeled my hands from around his neck so he could look at me.

- Of course, I am just happy to see you – he was studying my face, and I could tell he didn't believe me a 100%.

- You sure that is all? You know you can tell me anything.

- No, everything is fine – He looked me in the eye for one more second then kissed me.

- How did you sneak up on me so silently? – he grinned.

- I am a navy SEAL.

- You would also make a great burglar – I said, and he laughed. We were looking at each other, sexual tension rising.

- When is your break?

- It could be now. Wait for me in my room – I told staff that I am taking my lunch break and both Eve and Karen winked at me. We first went to the shower, and I helped him get clean very thoroughly. Wink, wink. Then we continued in my room, we didn't even bother to dry ourselves. Sex was amazing as usual, and I had to bite his shoulder so I would not scream. When my break was over, I got dressed and went back to the hospital. He waited for me in my room and when I got back, the moment I closed the door, we were in each other's arms, ripping our clothes off.