Semper Fidelis Read Online Free PDF Page A

doesn’t exist. You from here?
     
    I’m on TAD
     
    TAD?
     
    Temporary Additional Duty orders. Lejeune in NC is my permanent base. Stationed at 29 Palms and stay the night in Pasadena when it doesn’t make sense to commute all the way up the mountain again. Your turn.
     
    I took a big risk this weekend and it paid off. I’m feeling lucky.
     
    I’ve never had luck with luck.
     
    Same. But…
     
    But?
     
    I’m finishing dinner with a friend…
     
    Galen watched those dots pop up in his message panel, meaning Zach was typing on the other end. Then…
     
    What would you say if I wanted to come to your room?
     
    * * * *
     
    Galen had always considered himself a goal-oriented person. Becoming part of the Corps was the first decision he’d made as an adult because his goal was not to be stuck in the backwoods town he’d grown up in. He’d known then his choice wasn’t because he wanted more out of life, it was because he wanted to really live—without arbitrary rules. Without judgment. Without walls. Others would think him crazy for choosing the regimented life of a Marine to reach that goal, but it had always made perfect sense to him. As long as he wasn’t a criminal or a dumbass, the Corps didn’t care who he was. He did his job to the best of his ability, dared himself to do better the next day and encouraged others to do the same. He’d spent the last seven years challenging himself to be a stronger man and a wiser Marine. It had taken him every second of those seven years to reach the rank of staff sergeant. And he’d done it all because he was thorough—a planner and researcher. He was confident because of his conscious forethought.
    Giving Zach his phone number and telling him to come to his hotel room defied all of who he was.
    Or, on second thought, maybe it didn’t. It was his forethought coupled with his training that allowed him to make impossible decisions on the fly. There wasn’t time to think when you spotted what could be an IED in a battlefield. He’d seen Zach, formulated a plan and acted to fulfill his goal.
    And now that goal was knocking on his door.
    Galen’s heart was going to beat out of his chest. He knew exactly what had happened to lead to this moment. How much luck and coincidence and kismet had gone into Zach saying he was on his way to Galen’s hotel door. This hadn’t been his plan for the night. Hell, this was all so far from unplanned that he was free-falling into unfamiliar territory. But as soon as he opened that door, a peace came over him that had never been paired with the unexpected for Galen before.
    He could’ve gotten dressed. Probably should have, as propriety went. But the onceover he got from Zach told him he’d made the right decision.
    Galen leaned against the edge of the door, completely aware that this stance would show off the hours of work he put into his body. “How is it possible you’re even better-looking in person?”
    Zach gave a lopsided grin that made Galen’s heart stutter a bit. He held up a plastic container. “I brought dessert.”
    Galen couldn’t hold in his answering laugh. “So many jokes and all of them dirty.”
    “That was the point of bringing this. Can I come in?”
    Galen nodded and stepped back for Zach to enter. You’re cool, you’re cool, you’re cool , he repeated in his head as he shut the door, trying to get his eagerness under control. Yes, it had been a year since his last hookup, but Zach was by far the best-looking guy he’d ever had a sort of chance with. Zach perched on the edge of the desk and opened the box to reveal a red velvet cupcake with matching red frosting and black sprinkles. There was no anomaly Galen could find in the scene in front of him to make him think this wasn’t a sure thing. He had this.
    Zach licked his lips and picked up the baked good. “Think you may want a taste?”
    Galen didn’t hesitate.
    His lips were on Zach’s before he could finish the request. Before Zach could