Cinderella and the Major

by VanRooy, Cynthia

  Harmony looked taken aback by his actions. “Are you actually leaving? Now?”

  He reached for his boxers and explained, “Sam knew my medical board was meeting today. I promised to let her know the outcome. I need to go see her.”

  “Oh.” Her voice was small and back to being unsure. So be it. He had a lot he was dealing with at the moment, and he still had mixed feelings about what they had just done. An uncomfortable suspicion was taking root that Harmony’s actions had something to do with the uniform he had been wearing when he arrived. Would she have been as quick to fall into bed with him if he’d shown up in jean?

  He shrugged into his shirt and buttoned it quickly, then slipped on his trousers and shoved in the shirttails. Fastening the brass buckle was so automatic he didn’t need to think about it. He sat on the bed to put on his shoes and socks, then stood and made sure his wallet was in his pants pocket. The big eyes Harmony watched him with were making him feel guilty.

  What the hell was wrong with him? A beautiful, kind woman had just welcomed him into her bed—a first for her—and he rewarded her by behaving like a jerk. His bad mood, already well-entrenched when he arrived, was not her fault.

  He softened his expression and sat down. “I’m sorry.” He cupped her cheek, brushing her curls back behind her ear. “This is not how your first time should have been.”

  She regarded him solemnly. “You did your best.”

  His smile was a wry twist. “I deserved that. But I promise you, sex can be a lot better than that.”

  Her mouth curved in a sad smile. “Promises, promises.”

  The conversation was getting into dangerous territory. A glance at his watch told him it was time to go. He straightened from the bed.

  “I’ll be in touch before the drive to your reunion.”

  He braced a hand on the headboard and leaned over to plant a firm kiss on Harmony’s mouth. It was meant as a goodbye kiss, but it quickly morphed into one so heated he considered taking off the uniform he had just put on and climbing back into bed. Her hand on the back of his head and her quiet hum told him he’d be welcome.

  Harmony finally nudged him away. “Don’t you need to get going to Sam’s?” She started to push the sheet off, obviously preparing to climb out of bed, but he figured it was wiser for her to stay covered up.

  He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I do. Don’t get up. I’ll see myself out.”

  * * *

  True to his word, he called her a couple of days later. He wanted to assure himself that she was okay with what they had done. She had to shake her head at the note of guilt in his voice.

  “Conn, I don’t want to tell you again that it was no big deal, because it was, but in a good way. I’m not and never have been a nun, so stop with the drama. I’m actually glad to finally have the first time over with. You did me a favor.”

  “Glad I could be of service.” His tone sounded annoyed.

  She sighed. “Can we not talk about it anymore?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m still processing everything. That evening was a first for me, too, you know. I don’t have a lot of experience with virgins.”

  “Aren’t you trained to deal with the unexpected? So let’s just consider it my tax dollars at work.”

  His chuckle was begrudging. “You are impossible to stay irritated with.”

  “Good. Maybe you should think about what you could do to make good on the promise you gave me that evening. You know, about sex being better than that.”

  “Trust me, I’ve been able to think of little else. However, there are a lot of things to consider before this gets any more complicated. I’m dealing with a difficult issue at the moment, and you don’t need my angst. Let me get through this first.” He tried to sound light, but she could hear the angst he referred to in his voice.

  Harmony decided it would be better if he thought she was buying the good humor and laughed. “Did you really just tell me you need your space?”

  Conn’s answering laugh confirmed her decision. “I guess I did. Everything about this arrangement keeps surprising me.”

  “At least you’re not bored.”

  “No, for sure I’m not bored. I’m going to be pretty busy for the next few days. Don’t worry if you don’t hear from me. I’ll see you when I come to pick you up for the trip.”

  * * *

  Harmony checked everything, making sure she had her bag and hang-up with her dress−the usual long, black velvet, but she was surprised at how much better it looked with her short blond hair−securely inside stacked by the door. She had filled Cookie’s food and water dishes and had arranged for her neighbor to come in and refill them while she was gone. She had tucked her phone in her purse and had packed the charger in her suitcase.

  She had tried to eat lunch so she wouldn’t be hungry on the drive, but her stomach felt a little queasy, probably from nerves over this weekend. All she had managed were some cheese and crackers.

  She had taken care of everything she could think of, had consulted all the notes and reminders stuck on the refrigerator, but couldn’t shake the feeling she had forgotten something. The doorbell rang and the issue became moot. She answered the door and smiled at Conn, relieved when he smiled back. His grim mood appeared to have passed.

  “Ready?” He stepped inside and picked up the small carry-on. She almost protested, but stopped in time. She had to trust that he knew his limitations. She grabbed her purse and the garment bag, and blew Cookie a kiss.

  “How is that going to work? Did you leave enough food and water to hold her ‘til tomorrow?”

  “A neighbor is going to come in.” She closed and locked the door and noticed something missing. “No cane?”

  “I was able to find a parking place right in front of the building, so no need.”

  At the car, he opened the back and stowed her suitcase inside next to his own duffle bag. The garment bag with her dress and his own garment bag with his dress uniform went on top. Luggage handled, she climbed into the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt.

  Conn started the car and was soon threading it through city traffic. “You nervous over the reunion?” he asked after they were on the freeway and driving smoothly.

  “Yes. I was awake off and on most of the night. I’m usually a sound sleeper, so it must be nerves.”

  “Remember, they’re just people.”

  “Right. Thanks for the reminder.”

  She was too tired to make conversation, a struggle at best, so she turned her head to look out the window at the passing scenery. Conn seemed just as content to focus on his driving. She was glad he didn’t bring up what had happened the last time they were together.

  In spite of what she had told him, her feelings were still too mixed. He was decent, kind, sexy, and comfortable with her in a way that let her be herself. She was half in love with him already, but dreaded the heartbreak she was setting herself up for. He had as much as told her, in the nicest way possible, that they were not going to happen.

  She stopped obsessing over it all−what was the point−and leaned her head back against the seat. Her eyes drifted closed, and the sound of the tires on the asphalt became soothing white noise. She didn’t know how long they had driven when Conn spoke.

  “I hope my hotel room has a king-sized bed. After being cooped up in the car, I’m looking forward to stretching out.”

  She dozed a moment longer before his words registered. Her eyes flew open and she straightened abruptly. That was what she had forgotten.

  When Arnie bailed on her, she had called the hotel and cancelled the reservation she had made for him, remembering to do so only because she was still holding the phone after speaking with him.

  When Conn agreed to come, she had intended to call the hotel back. What was it they said about good intentions? The road to hell? She had just kept forgetting, and now here they were. What to do? Should she call the hotel now, or wait to sort it out until after they got there? Better do it now and get it over wi
th. Not like he wasn’t going to find out.

  She reached down and pulled her phone out of her purse, scrolled through contacts and located the hotel’s number. She tapped the icon and waited for the connection. “Hello. This is Harmony McMahon. I have a reservation for tonight . . . Yes, that’s right. I’d like to add a second room to that reservation.”

  Conn turned his head sharply, and she was grateful his sunglasses shielded her from the death stare he must be directing at her.

  “Really? Nothing?” she said weakly. “No, I understand, but I have a problem here. Could you put a rollaway or something in the room then?” She cringed knowing Conn was listening to every word. “Oh, thank you. I really appreciate it.” She gave her watch a quick glance. “We’ll be there about check-in time.” She ended the call and dropped her phone back in her purse.

  She now had a better understanding of what the expression ‘deafening silence’ meant. Conn didn’t say a word, but the flexing muscle in his jaw spoke volumes.

  “I forgot to make the reservation for your room,” she said in a tiny voice.

  “I figured that out.”

  “The hotel doesn’t have any extra rooms. Besides the reunion, there’s a big wedding this weekend. Lots of out of town guests. It’s a small town. There’s only the one decent hotel.”

  “And the rest of the story is . . .?” His voice was carefully even.

  “We’re going to have to share the one room.” If there was any way to make herself smaller, she’d have jumped at it. “But they’re going to put a rollaway bed in the room. I’ll sleep on that.”

  She reached for a sunny tone. “On the bright side, your bed is a king-size.”

  Chapter Nine

  Harmony didn’t know what kind of reaction she was going to get from Conn and braced for the worst, whatever that might be. He did the last thing she expected. He threw back his head and laughed.

  “You’re not mad?”

  He glanced over at her. “Would it do any good? No, I’m not mad. Just when I think I’ve got you figured out, you surprise me again with another contradiction.” He shook his head. “How can you be so smart and so disorganized at the same time?”

  “I’m assuming that’s a rhetorical question. I’m not disorganized so much as absent-minded.”

  He threw her a quick, skeptical glance.

  “Okay, disorganized. I meant to change the reservation, I just kept forgetting.”

  An awful thought occurred to her. He had been angry she hadn’t told him about being a virgin, almost like she’d tricked him. Like she’d seduced him. The last thought was so intriguing she almost smiled. Harmony McMahon, femme fatale. Who knew?

  Did he think she’d done the reservation thing on purpose so they’d have to share a room? She wanted to ask, but didn’t know how to bring the subject up. He was amused at the moment, and she didn’t want to risk disturbing his good humor. The whole problem required too much mental effort at the moment. She’d worry about it later.

  She dropped her head back and closed her eyes again. The next time she opened them, she and Conn were exiting the freeway and headed toward town. Her nap hadn’t been sound sleep so much as a response to the fatigue that plagued her today. She sat up straighter and spotted a fast food sign up ahead.

  “Could we go in the drive-through? I’m really thirsty.” How could she feel so hung over when she hadn’t had anything to drink last night?

  “Sure, no problem.” He pulled in, and shortly she was sipping the Coke with lots of ice she had requested.

  At the hotel, even though the reservation was in her name, Conn pretty much took control, and in short order, they were settled into their room. She noted with relief the requested rollaway had been installed on the far side of the bed. She dropped tiredly onto the king-sized bed for the time being and watched, detached, as Conn investigated the accommodations.

  “There’s a nice dressing room between this room and the bathroom. That should work well for us. I’ve put our hang-up stuff in the closet there along with both bags.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  He looked out the window and checked his watch. “We’ve got some time to relax before we have to start getting ready. Is there anything you’d like to do now that we’re in town?”

  Her eyes drifted closed, but she forced them open again. “I think I’ll just nap. You don’t have to stay with me. Go do whatever you want. Just wake me up in an hour, would you?”

  He looked a little surprised, but agreed. She toed off her flats, flopped over sideways, and swung her legs onto the bed. As her eyes drifted closed, she had a glimpse of him standing at the window frowning at her.

  “Harmony. Wake up, babe.”

  Someone was shaking her shoulder gently. She rolled over onto her back and forced her eyes open.

  “Ah, there you are,” Conn said. “I was about to check and make sure you were still breathing. You’ve barely twitched in the last hour.”

  She pushed herself into a sitting position. “I guess my sleepless night caught up with me. What time is it?”

  “About time we started getting ready for this shindig.”

  “What have you been doing while I slept?”

  “I checked out the fitness center and the pool. Pretty nice set up. You take the shower first, and then you can dress and do your make-up while I shower.”

  She blinked, willing herself to come awake. “Sounds like a plan.”

  She stood, still not feeling completely all there, and headed for the dressing room. After she had the door shut behind her, she opened her small suitcase and retrieved toiletry articles. She peeled off her tunic sweater and jeans, hung them up, and stepped into the bathroom to turn on the shower. As it heated, she slipped her contacts out. Theoretically, she could wear them in the shower, but she wasn’t used to them yet and was afraid of losing them. She removed her bra and panties and tossed them into the bag.

  In the shower, she stood for a moment under the warm water savoring the feel of it on her skin before picking up the bar of hotel soap and lathering quickly. She shaved her legs and shampooed her hair, finishing with the conditioner Samantha had recommended. After turning off the shower, she wrapped her head in one towel and her body in another.

  She took a deep breath, gathering the energy to move from the bathroom. Back in the dressing room, she blotted as much water out of her hair as possible. Samantha had told her not to rub it dry, because that only tangled the curls. She used a pick to lift her hair and impose a little order on the curls without making them bushy. She was glad to be able to lower her arms. Keeping them lifted was suddenly exhausting.

  Once she finished with her hair, she had to acknowledge she had a problem. The matching robe to the nightgown she had brought was not for public consumption. She had not expected to be sharing a room with Conn. She loved beautiful, sexy lingerie. Since no one else ever saw it, she could indulge herself with the most outrageous fantasy garments risk free—cut loose her alter ego as it were.

  She could wear the sheer garment—even calling it a robe was a misnomer—or rewrap the towel around her body. She decided to go with the towel. It was actually more modest.

  She stepped out of the dressing room into the bedroom, feeling awkward. “Your turn.”

  Conn turned from the television he was pointing a remote at. At the sight of her, he whistled softly. “Can’t argue with your taste.”

  She could feel the blush warming her neck and cheeks. “I thought I’d have a room to myself. I didn’t bring stuff to hang out in with someone else.”

  He grinned. “Lucky me.”

  “Go take your shower,” she muttered repressively.

  “On my way.” He brushed past her and headed into the dressing room.

  * * *

  Conn stood in front of the mirror fastening the high collar of his dress uniform. When he was finished, he contemplated his reflection gravely. This could very well be the last time he wore this uniform. It had been a good run. He was sad
to see his active duty end. He’d find his equilibrium again, but he needed some time to adjust.

  He gave a last look at the medals pinned on his chest, assuring himself everything was as it should be. Harmony had paid a lot for his participation in this event. He wanted to be sure she got her money’s worth. The Purple Heart stood out, advertising the reason for the slight limp he suspected he was going to have for the rest of his life.

  He stepped out of the dressing room, looking forward to the sight of her all dressed up. He was shocked to see her sound asleep on the bed, still wrapped in the towel. She looked like she had simply fallen over. Her feet remained on the floor.

  He walked over to wake her and laid his hand on her bare shoulder. The unnatural heat of a fever warmed his palm. He frowned with concern. That explained her subdued behavior all afternoon. No way Cinderella was going to the ball in this kind of shape.

  She couldn’t sleep in that damp towel. He went back into the dressing room to go through her suitcase. He found a short nightgown and robe that had him lifting his brows at their seductiveness. It was hardly sickroom attire, but a further search turned up nothing else.

  He carried them back into the bedroom and laid his hand on Harmony’s shoulder, frowning again at the heat. “Harmony, babe, sit up. You can’t stay in that damp towel.” He pulled her upright.

  She blinked at him and smiled faintly when she took in his uniform. “Mm, pretty.”

  “Yeah, you know what they say about a man in uniform. I’ve got your nightgown here. Can you put it on by yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  He laid it in her hands. Her eyes started to drift closed.

  “This isn’t going to work.” He dropped the nightgown over her head and unwrapped the towel. “Just think of me as a doctor.”

  Doing his best not to be distracted by the sight of her body, he shifted the nightgown down, drawing her arms through the straps. The sheer peek-a-boo panels in strategic places on the garment teased him worse than the towel.

  “I know this looks bad,” Harmony murmured, indicating the nightgown.