“Yes, sir,” came from all in the room.
“Some of you may recognize the name, Lieutenant Lily Riley. For those of you who don’t, she’s the daughter of Vice Admiral Riley. The last thing I need is SUBLANT breathing down my neck.”
Instead of more applause or cheering, the CO’s announcement was met with pure silence. They had stolen the Golden Goose, at least according to Kyle’s buddy Tom, the weapons officer on the USS Alaska. As far as Kyle was concerned the Tridents could have her. Having the only daughter of the man who ran the entire Atlantic submarine force on board was asking for a headache. Sure, if the mission went well and baby girl reported back to Daddy good things, then no problem. They might even get an extra medal out of it. If things didn’t go so well?
The Commanding Officer could kiss his career goodbye, and so could every other officer and the Chief of the Boat.
The rest of the wardroom broke into various small conversations while the CO and COB consulted on the schedule.
Bryant leaned over to look at him and Mace. “Either of you ever met the Rileys?”
Kyle shook his head and looked at Mace.
“Served with Liam, the oldest of the three kids. Decent guy. Big guy. Should have played linebacker. I think he’s out west, Bangor or San Diego. Never met the others, but Liam mentioned her a few times.”
“Yeah, what did he say?” Kyle asked, wondering if they were going to have to live with a prima donna or what.
“Let me put it this way—I pity the fool that messes with his sister.”
Which told Kyle squat about the woman herself, only that she was protected by her family.
“Lieutenant Hutchinson, I’m assigning you as Riley’s sponsor. Make sure she gets settled in. Between you and the COB, I expect her to feel like one of the crew. Get her through her quals. You know the drill.”
“Yes, sir.” As her sponsor she’d practically be in his back pocket until she got settled in. He really hoped she was a fast learner.
The XO, Christopher Ward, who was the exact opposite of the CO, stepped through the door and every eye turned in his direction. Kyle’s heart slammed against his rib cage twice and then failed to start again as he looked at the woman peeking around the man. A petite woman, with dark, almond-shaped eyes, a scattering of freckles and silky hair that he’d been dreaming of for days.
“Sir, gentlemen. Our new supply officer, Lieutenant Lily Riley.”
Her eyes locked on to Kyle’s. Images of her screaming his name pierced his brain.
It’s going to be a long six months, he thought.
Chapter Four
The walls were closing in on her. Claustrophobia hadn’t been an issue on the carriers where she could escape outside to feel the wind on her face and breathe in the fresh sea air. Which was a little hard to do on a submerged submarine. Since coming aboard she’d been fighting the desire to run, to find an escape into the open. Instead she worked on pushing back the darkness edging her vision and focused on the breathing techniques her therapist had taught her years ago. In the small, cramped pantry-slash-office it took everything she had in her not to bolt.
As the supply officer, the galley fell under her and she wanted to get a feel for the routine and the chemistry of the cooks on duty and let them get a chance to know her. Not something she could do while working in her stateroom.
Not that anyone had talked to her yet. A few ‘morning, ma’ams’, a nod of the head and lots of grumbling by the head mess chief had met her entrance into the galley after breakfast as she set up to work. She didn’t think she’d been taking up a lot of space, but as the Chief reached over her head for another can, she couldn’t help but feel in the way.
She shut down her computer, stood and secured the pull-down desk, as the mess chief looked on with a frustrated grimace.
“Chief Boone, I’d like to go over the galley schedule and procedures with you,” she said.
He glanced over his shoulder into the busy kitchen area before responding. “Of course.”
“Perhaps tomorrow or the next day, when you’ve got a moment? I imagine the first day out is a little hectic.”
The tight line of his mouth and the hard clamp of his jaw relaxed. A smidge.
“Tomorrow would be fine, ma’am. If you don’t mind waiting until after dinner? The first couple of days are a little hectic. Plus, I’ve got a few newbies in the galley I’d rather not leave.”
“That’s fine, Chief Boone. From what I’ve seen this morning you run a tight shift. Very impressive.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He stepped back, shifting the giant can of beans to his other hand.
“I’m going to get out of your way so you can get lunch done. I’ll be in my stateroom if you need me.” She gave him a curt nod and got out of his way. The pressure on her chest eased with the first step out of the small room.
The boat was a hive of activity, with sailors hustling from one station to another, those not on duty joking with others in the mess hall and a few sleeping. One young sailor approached from the opposite direction caused the two of them to shift sideways in order to pass. He scooted by, mumbling ‘ma’am’ and she noted his flushed cheeks. It was going to be a long six months if these boys couldn’t handle brushing up against her without getting embarrassed.
As the boat made its way down the Thames River, through the Long Island Sound and out into the Atlantic for destinations far from home, Nic scanned the menu and inventory her mess chief had sent over. The menu was fine, but if it had been her, she would have ordered more chocolate ice cream. Thank goodness she’d brought her own stash of chocolate. It was shaping up to be one of those kinds of days already.
Her mom had called bright and early to say how excited she was to see her baby girl. The disappointment in her voice when she heard Nic’s orders had changed overrode the words of encouragement. After thirty-five years of military life, not much surprised her mom, especially changes in orders. As the saying went, until it happens, everything was chipped in Jell-O. And of course, there was the slight layering of guilt about how the boys would be home and her dad’s birthday party wouldn’t be the same without Nic there too.
Then there was the lack of a call from her dad.
She’d miss hearing his gruff voice, the lame jokes and even his not-so-subtle hints that he was ready for her to settle down and make him a grandpa. Most of her friends had to contend with their moms nagging for grandbabies. Not Nic. Truth was, the man most men in the Navy feared was really a big softie and loved nothing more than his family. Which was why when he fully backed women in the service and on submarines, he didn’t endorse her serving. He wanted her home, safe, married, and in a job where she didn’t have to face a lifelong fear.
But it wasn’t her parental issues that had her jonesing for chocolate all day. Nope, that honor went solely to Lieutenant Kyle Hutchinson.
The man her commanding officer had paired her up with.
The man she needed to stay far, far away from.
She couldn’t believe Cherise hadn’t warned her. Yeah, sure, Nic told her not to tell the big bad whatever. But there are special circumstances when the person with the secret should know to override the person in the dark’s wishes. Walking into the wardroom and locking eyes with the man she’d done the horizontal tango with?
Talk about beyond awkward, especially when you were the center of attention and your face was the color of a cooked lobster.
Whatever. They were adults. They had engaged in consensual sex. No promises were made. No lies exchanged. No hurt feelings. They could do their jobs without the past getting in the way. Besides, he had his job and she had hers, plus a boat to learn and qualifications to cross off her list. Subs were not known for excessive amounts of personal space or time and the chances of them being alone were slim to none.
The 1MC crackled overhead and the announcement came to rig the ship for angles and dangles. Nic secured her computer to the Velcro strip on t
he desk. Next she cleared everything from her desk and stuck the papers she’d been working on in the cubby. Moving around her stateroom-slash-office she made sure the drawers and doors were all secured and wouldn’t open during the maneuvers. A small thrill coursed through her as she gave the room one last look. This was definitely a maneuver a surface ship couldn’t pull off. At least, not on purpose.
“Settling in, Lily?” His deep, commanding voice sent her nerves scurrying all over the place.
With a casualness she didn’t feel, Nic turned around and faced Kyle. “Please don’t call me Lily. That’s not my name.” She’d forgotten how his gunmetal gray eyes could look deep into your soul. At least, that’s how it felt when he looked at her.
“Are you sure? It’s the name on your orders.”
She blew out a breath and counted to ten. “If you must know, not that’s it’s any of your business, my full name is Lily Nicole Riley but no one outside of my family calls me Lily.”
His eyes searched her, his jaw clenched and unclenched as he stood there watching her. What do you see? she wanted to ask. Did he see the scared newbie? Or did he see the pampered princess so many thought she was? Or did he see the woman who drove him crazy days ago?
She really didn’t know which one she’d prefer the answer to be. After a few minutes he shifted and relaxed, letting whatever question was on his mind go.
“I didn’t see you at lunch. Everything okay?”
His gaze travelled up and down her body and she wanted to laugh. No one looked sexy in the dark blue, baggy coveralls they wore onboard the boat fondly known as “poopy suits.” Although the audible sigh, which was more of an exasperated exhale made her think she wasn’t the only one remembering last weekend.
To put distance between them, even if it was only metaphorical, she crossed her arms. “I’ve been trying to catch up.”
Something in her voice, possibly the hesitation or maybe the stain heating up her face caught his attention. Kyle leaned against the doorway, his eyes scrunched up as he studied her. She studied him back. He’d gotten a haircut, leaving barely more than peach fuzz where he once had silky, out-of-regs-length hair.
“Are you sure that’s all?” He glanced around the tight space before meeting her gaze. “You know if you didn’t miss meals or worked in the shack you’d probably meet the crew faster.”
Yeah, been there, done that, felt like a freak in a show.
“Chief Boone made it clear I was in his way in the shack.”
Kyle’s rich, deep rumble of a laugh rolled over her. “He probably thought you were trying to steal his better-than-sex peanut butter pie. Still, it’s your department. You could have stayed.”
Someone yelled “coming through” and Kyle stepped further into her space to clear the passageway. Her already small stateroom shrunk with every step he took.
“Maybe tomorrow I’ll assert my authority. Right now the crew needs time to adjust to a woman onboard,” she said.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with your gender.”
“Then what is it? The only ones who’ve even spoken to me are you, the XO, CO, and the COB. To everyone else I’m invisible or persona non grata.”
“It’s your dad.”
Not a huge shock there. Every command she’d been at, her father’s reputation hung over her head casting her into the shadows. If she’d slept her way to the top, she’d have had a better chance of being treated like an equal. Not that Lieutenant was even close to the top. After five years, she still had that new kid on the block smell. She’d made rank through hard work and time, just like any other sailor and just like before she’d have to prove herself.
For a while there had been a small kernel of hope that this time it would be different. Within the close confines of the boat, where people literally bumped shoulders and more just to pass and lived on top of each other, friendships formed that crossed boundaries. But apparently, not for her.
She leaned against the bulkhead, mimicking his stance. “So what’s the general consensus? My dad called in a favor? Or, I know. I’m here as SUBLANT’s spy to report back all the wrongdoing going on to him?”
“They’re afraid of pissing you off and killing their careers.”
“But not you?”
“Not really. After all, he puts his pants on like the rest of us, one leg at a time. He’s not God, he’s not infallible and I’m betting he didn’t get where he is today by crossing the line.”
“Ah, I see you’ve met him.”
“No, I’ve not met any of the infamous Rileys. Except you.” His slate gray eyes darkened, a small smile twisted up the corners of his lips.
“Yeah, well don’t judge them based on me. I’m much shorter than the rest.”
Just then the ship dove and Nic lunged forward right into Kyle’s arms. He held on to her while she got her balance and rode the downward descent. He leaned backward as she leaned forward, their eyes locked. The heat from his hands radiated through her coveralls, leaving scorch marks on her skin. In Boston he smelled wholly male and clean. Now amine overrode everything else. She’d forgotten how quick the chemical for purifying the air penetrated your every pore and every fiber of your clothing.
“Sorry, should have been paying attention,” she stammered as she tried to ignore his very talented lips in front of her.
“I don’t mind.” His words were dark, delicious, and tugged at a place deep inside. He’d said the same thing to her last weekend when she’d… well, that thought was better left undone.
She dared to look up to meet his teasing gaze and tried not to smile back at his half-grin and mischievous eyes.
Tried.
Keyword.
She should step back, out of his hold, but her feet didn’t seem to listen. Instead she ignored her common sense and held on tight as they plunged. Lost in the depths of his gray eyes she knew this was a bad idea and needed to say something, to clear the air and put them on the right track. First she needed to create some space. As the boat righted and then prepared for the climb back to the surface, she took a small step backwards.
“About last weekend…” She started as she searched for the words.
“What about it?”
“I know it’s hard to believe, but that wasn’t me. I mean, obviously it was me, and not my evil twin, but it’s not my normal thing. I don’t go around having one-night stands. Not that I have a problem with people who do—”
“Meaning me?” Now he stepped back, arms crossed in front of him.
She had to catch her balance as the boat started its ascent at that moment. “No, that’s not what I meant. If you do, well that’s your business, not mine and obviously we can’t do it again.”
He grinned. “Did you want to?”
“Yes. No.” She blew out a deep puff of air and grabbed hold of the closet handle as the boat surfaced and leveled out. “I might have at one point, but that was before I saw you sitting in the wardroom.”
He stepped closer, backing her up against the edge of her rack. “We wouldn’t be breaking any rules.”
“Technically, no. Neither of us is over or under the other.”
“Which is a shame, as I really enjoyed you under me, and especially over me.”
“Stop it, Kyle.” With a shake of her head and an exasperated laugh, Nic sidestepped out from in between him and the bed. “You know what I mean—it wouldn’t be good morale and conduct. We need to forget about that night. Just because we’re on the same boat shouldn’t be a problem either. You have your job and I have mine. We can easily stay out of each other’s way.”
Like that was really possible inside a tin can.
“You’re forgetting one thing. The Captain assigned me as your sponsor. It’s my job to see that your needs are met.”
Before she could respond one of the young Petty Officers stuck his head in the doorway. “Sorry, ma’am, sir. The Chief wants to know if you want any changes made to the menu?�
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She stepped away from Kyle, her full focus on the young sailor who couldn’t be a day over eighteen. “No, tell the Chief they are all excellent choices.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded to both and disappeared down the passageway.
“So, where were we?” Kyle’s slate gray eyes met her as she turned around. “That’s right. Meeting your needs.”
“Umm.” Heat crept up her neck and spread across her cheeks. She licked her bottom lip, before sucking it in as she searched her brain for her words. At the moment, well the moment Kyle mentioned meeting her needs, her brain melted. “Well, here’s the thing. I’m a big girl and I can take care of my own needs.”
“I bet you can. Although, I’ve heard it’s more fun with a friend.”
A knock on the open door had both of them stepping back.
“Sorry to interrupt.”
“Hey, Doc. No worries. I was just reminding Riley that she doesn’t want to miss meals, especially right now while we still have fresh stock on board. Plus, all work and no play makes for a long underway. Everything in moderation. Isn’t that what you always tell us?” Kyle tapped the newcomer on the shoulder and walked away.
According to the insignia on the poopy suit, the new guy was the ship’s corpsman, or as they are fondly known on a sub “Doc.” He was tall, lanky, and with a boyish smile that instantly put you at ease. Good quality in a medical professional.
Nic shoved the encounter with Kyle and his generous offer to the back of her mind where she could take it out later when she was alone to analyze. “Hi …” she held her hand out to the chief.
“Chief Corbett, but everyone just calls me Doc.”
“Nice to meet you. What can I do for you?”
He shook her hand and stepped back, giving her space in the tiny room. “Nothing special. Wanted to introduce myself, let you know if you need anything, just ask.”
Love Runs Deep Page 4