Moving day.

Worst thing in the world to be doing on a Sunday afternoon. In California none the less. I couldn't help but be excited though, I had transferred from Chicago, to work for the Los Angles PD.

I carried two duffel bags from my Challenger and headed up the stairs to the eighth floor. I pretty much always opted for the stairs rather than the elevator, no matter where I went.

As I reached the open door to my new apartment, I took in the view. The windows were floor length all across the entire wall in the main room, overlooking the outskirts of downtown LA.

"Mr. Coulter," one of the movers asked, "do you need anything else, sir? The truck is unloaded."

"No, that will be all," I replied, handing him five hundred dollars.

"Thank you sir, welcome to Los Angeles."

I watched the three men leave, they left the door open. I turned back around and walked towards the window. The view wasn't too terrible, I was definitely going to get used to the palm trees and warm weather.

"You the new guy," I heard an angelic voice come from the doorway.

I turned quickly on my heel to see a beautiful blonde woman standing in my doorway, she was dress in her military dress blues, Marines, no less. I found my cheeks heating up at the sight of her.

"Yes ma'am," I wound my way through the boxes scattered on the floor until I was standing in front of her, "I'm Eric, Eric Coulter."

She took my outstretched hand and shook it, "Beatrice Prior, call me Tris."

I looked over her uniform, she had multiple achievement medals plastered to her front. My eyes flicked back up to hers.

"Marines, huh," I sounded shocked. She looked down at her cap in her hands and grinned. Shit did I insult her? Then she looked back to me.

"Let me know if you need any help, Mr. Coulter." With that she turned and walked two doors down from mine. I watched her as she unlocked her door, she looked back my way and our eyes met before she turned and walked inside.

The first woman I meet, and I insult her? I didn't mean to, I don't know how I did. I should try to talk to her. I had thoughts rushing through my head. First I need to get some of this shit put away.

EBEBEBEB

Tris POV

I stood next to my mother as the marines folded up the flag and handed it to her. I couldn't cry, I had to be strong.

"On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps," the man kneeling before my mom said in a strong voice. Tears flooded her eyes and spilled down her face.

I flinched as the guns went off, I remembered the sound all to well. I should have been there for my brother, I should have never left him alone.

I couldn't stand it anymore, I walked away from the burial site and to my car, I couldn't do it anymore.

EBEBEBEBEB

Eric POV

I finally finished getting the living room sorted out and fixed the way I wanted it, I took a step back and folded my arms over my chest, nodding at my work. I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door. I checked my watch, it was ten thrifty at night, who in the hell would be here this late.

I opened the door, putting my stone cold look on my face, when I saw who was standing on the other side, my features immediately softened. Tris.

"Hey, I didn't wake you did I," she asked. I shook my head, "do you like pizza," she asked. I noticed the box she was holding.

"Come on in," was all I said, stepping aside to allow her to walk I past me. I couldn't help but glance down at the shorts she was wearing, they barley made it past her ass cheeks.

"Wow, looks like you have got quite a bit done," she comments nodding towards the open room where my furniture has been set up.

"Yeah, I have a small time frame before I have to report to work," I reply and follow her to the kitchen area where she sets the pizza on the cluttered counter.

"What do you do for work," she asks, then scans her eyes over me, "obviously military, or law enforcement."

I chuckled, taking a piece of pizza she has outstretched to me, "is it that obvious?"

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, taking a bite and raising her eyebrow at me.

"I'm a cop," I reply, taking a bite of my pizza, watching for the reaction I usually get.

"Thought so," she takes another bite, "where did you move from?"

God this woman was already interrogating me, I love it, "I came from Chicago."

"Really," she asks, almost surprised, "what brought you here?"

"Once in a lifetime opportunity to join the best police department in the states."

"I hear that," she smiles her beautiful smile and k feel my cheeks heating up.

"What about you, what's your story," I ask her, heading for my fridge and pulling out two beers, I opened one and handed it to her.

"Well, I've grown up in Santa Monica, I attended high school there. Then after graduation, my twin brother and I went to join the marines."

I watch as her face falls somewhat talking about her brother, but she quickly shakes herself out of it, "now I'm here eating pizza with a cop I barely know, and drinking beer none the less."

I laugh with her and take a swig of my beer, as she takes one of her own, never taking her eyes off of me.

"How old are you, Tris," I ask curiously, thinking she can't be more than twenty three.

"Old enough to drink officer Coulter," she says laughing, I could get used to that beautiful sound, "and I'm twenty seven," she smiles, "how old are you?"

"I'll be thirty next month," I reply, I can't help but look over her face, she is beautiful. Damn, what is she doing to me?

"Wow, big three zero, huh?" She pokes my arm, I couldn't help but feel the electric shock run through my arm.

I smirked at her, "maybe you can take me out for dinner for the big day?"

"Wow, that was bold," she states and laughs immediately afterwards, "I'll have to check my schedule." Tris winks at me and bites her lip with her teeth. Damn. I feel myself getting aroused, what is she doing to me?

"July second, don't forget it babe," I say taking a sip of my beer. Did I just call her babe? Fuck my life.

Tris smiles and bites her bottom lip again, her knee starts bouncing and she looks like she wants to say something, but smiles and looks down at the beer in her hands.

"I'll see what I can do, what would you like to eat for your birthday dinner?"

You.

"Um, I'm not picky, you don't have to take me out for my birthday," I say quickly, feel I bad for pressuring her into it.

"What? Girlfriend going to get mad," she asks with a smirk on her beautiful face. She drinks down the last of her beer.

"I don't have a girlfriend, Tris," I chug down the rest of my beer and grab two more.

"I find that hard to believe," she laughs, I hand her the cold bottle, "thank you. Why no girlfriend, Eric."

I can't help but love how she is actually carrying on a conversation with my boring ass.

"I've never really had the time or patience...the girls in Chicago just can't handle this," I say flexing my arms. I love the way she throws her head back and laughs at my stupidity.

"Is that what it is," she giggles.

"What about you, won't your boyfriend get mad if you take me out for a birthday dinner?"

She takes a long swig, "no boyfriend."

"No boyfriend?"

"Nope," she twirls the bottle on the counter, and flips her hair, "no boyfriend."

The way she looks at me with her dark eyes, I think she had just realized how much she wanted me, just as much as I wanted her.

"Do you," I paused, what are you doing Eric? Fuck it, "do you want to go out tomorrow night?"

She cocks her head to the side, "give me one good reason I should go out with you tomorrow."

Damn this girl is going to play hard to get.

"You won't regret it," is all I can muster to think of.

Judging by the smile on her face, I think she may go with it.

"Ok, what do you have in mind," she asks.

"I guess you'll have to see."

hey guys, yep! I e started yet another story...I have so many ideas going through my mind and I need to get them out in writing for you readers! I am working hard to keep each story updated within two week time frames :) I apologize in advance if I fall behind, but I promise I will update no matter what