by L. A. Witt
Except someone else grabbed him. As much as I was dreading the inevitable confrontation, I wasn’t the least bit relieved when Captain Warren and Colonel Patterson asked Bradshaw to join them for another brief—yeah, right—meeting. They’d be awhile. They always were. And that meant another hour or two for me to get wound up and anxious and freak myself the fuck out over crossing paths with the general.
I went back to my office, ostensibly to get some work done. That was about as likely as Bradshaw’s meeting being short and sweet. Sitting in my chair, staring at the computer screen and stacks of paperwork, I barely even remembered what I did for a living. All I could think about was what happened last night and the fallout that was most definitely on its way.
The day after I met Connor, I hadn’t struggled to concentrate like I did today. I was fucked. So fucked. Officially, there was nothing Bradshaw could do—his son was of age, DADT was history and everything had been consensual—but he had clout and connections. Someone with his time and service, especially now that he was that far up the food chain, had friends in high places. And probably some low ones. God knew how many favors he had yet to cash in.
Scrubbing a hand over my face, I whispered a string of profanity. Aside from my inevitable demise when Bradshaw got out of his meeting, there was one other thing I couldn’t stop thinking about.
Connor.
God, Connor.
Even while the adrenaline had been pumping last night, when I’d been sure Bradshaw was about to rip me to pieces right then and there, I’d been disappointed as hell that Connor and I had been interrupted. I had no idea how far we would have gone if left to our own devices, but I desperately wanted to pick up where we’d abruptly left off. Consequences be damned, I wanted him. Badly.
But how did he feel about things now? And seriously, was his father going to turn me into shark chum?
I pulled my phone out of my desk drawer and sent Connor a text: Why do I get the feeling your dad is going to kill me today?
I really, really hoped for a response of: LOL. His bark is worse than his bite.
Instead, he said: Sorry. :-( I should have told you.
Sighing, I rubbed my eyes. Yeah, it would’ve been nice if he’d told me, but I couldn’t blame him. I’d have been lying if I said our encounter at Hiji Falls would’ve lasted past the parking lot if I’d known that cute kid in the pool was General Bradshaw’s son.
Then I texted back: It’s not your fault.
It wasn’t his fault. Of course it wasn’t. And if he’d warned me, then we never would’ve kissed like that, and I never would’ve been in bed with him, naked and sweating when he came.
I shivered.
Right then, my phone vibrated again.
If this is a deal breaker, it’s ok.
No, it’s not, I quickly responded. I still want to see you.
It should have been a deal breaker. If I had any sense at all, it would have been. But everything about Connor added up to something I didn’t want to miss out on. And that kiss…
Shivering again, I sent him another message: Are we still on for tonight?
He didn’t respond right away. Maybe he was in class. Or driving. Or just scared shitless.
Whatever the case, I couldn’t just sit there staring at my phone. I needed to get some work done. Pushing my phone aside, I tried to focus on that and not obsess over Connor’s answer or lack thereof.
The stack of folders on my desk may as well have been a Habu, coiled up and ready to bite my hand. Sooner or later, I’d have to finish all of it, but that meant delivering everything to various people. Colonel Patterson. Captain Warren.
And General Bradshaw.
Fuck. I could only hide in my office for so long. Sooner or later—
The ringing phone just about sent me tumbling out of my chair. I muttered a few curses, took a second to collect myself, and picked it up.
“ATO office, Ensign—”
“My office.”
I closed my eyes and mouthed fuck before I said, “Be right there, sir.”
The line went dead. Crap. So much for putting this off.
I left the office before I could talk myself out of it and followed the hallway to the door with the familiar brass nameplate—General D. M. Bradshaw.
The guys around the department had told me that everyone here eventually got chewed out in this office for something or another. Pretty sure none of them had “he caught you getting ready to put your dick in his son” on the list of possible charges.
I took a deep breath, set my shoulders back and tapped on the door.
“Come in.”
I glanced skyward, asked anyone who was listening for anything I could get—strength, wisdom, invisibility—and pushed the door open.
General Bradshaw looked up at me, and his eyes narrowed. “Have a seat, Ensign.”
I’d rather not…
“Sir, I—”
“This will only take a moment.” His words had just enough of an edge to let me know that “have a seat” hadn’t been an invitation or a request.
“Yes, sir,” I murmured and obeyed the order.
He stared at me for a long moment. Just like in the meeting this morning, his expression was icy. No two ways about it—his eyes scared the shit out of me.
Bradshaw’s voice was cool and even when he spoke. “You’re an Academy grad, aren’t you, Ensign?”
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“So you’ve probably got a grand plan for your career.” He got up and came around the desk. “You’ve probably got your eye on commanding a boat or two, don’t you? Making admiral, maybe?”
Of course I’d dreamed about eventually manning the helm of an aircraft carrier and ultimately retiring with a couple of stars on my shoulder. Suddenly I felt those dreams dangling over my head like a cat’s plaything, ready to be jerked out of my grasp if I reached for them. Or reached for Connor, as it were.
“Yes, sir,” I whispered, my mouth dry.
He nodded slowly and leaned against his desk, hands folded beneath his shiny belt buckle. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that a couple of phone calls could end your shiny post-Academy career before it gets started.”
I swallowed.
“Or,” he went on, “I’m sure it would only take a few more calls to find out if there’s room for an antiterrorism officer in, say, Bahrain.”
My stomach flipped.
“Maybe even Diego Garcia.” A faint smirk formed on his lips, which turned my spine to ice. “Do you know what there is on Diego Garcia, Ensign?”
Completely mute, I shook my head.
“Nothing. Not a single goddamned thing.” He inched closer, looming over me. “But with the right motivation, I’m sure the base there could find something for you to do. Am I understood?”
Still unable to speak, I nodded.
Bradshaw regarded me silently. My heart beat so hard I was sure he could hear it, and my stomach must’ve done twelve somersaults while he just stood there staring down at me. Finally, he said, “Listen, what you do in your personal life, and who you do it with, that’s none of my business. I couldn’t care less. But”—he stabbed a finger at me—“that ends the second my son gets involved.”
I unstuck my tongue from the roof of my mouth and croaked, “Understood, sir.”
“Good. Now get the fuck out of my office, and don’t let me even think you’ve been anywhere near Connor, or so help me, you’ll be on a plane to Diego Garcia so fast your head will spin.”
He pointed at the door, and with a muttered “Yes, sir” I got the fuck out of his office.
As soon as I was safely down the hall, I stopped. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Jesus Christ. I’d thought my years of worrying about parental approval and sneaking around with guys were long since over. Evidently, I was wrong.
And maybe it was my mile-wide stubborn streak, or maybe it was the fact that I’d been intrigued by Connor from day one, but even after facing off with the ge
neral in his office, even while my pulse was still pounding and my stomach was still turning, obeying Bradshaw was out of the question.
Send me to Diego Garcia if you want, asshole. I need to finish what Connor and I started.
The thought sent yet another shiver through me.
“You all right, Ensign?”
I looked up to see Commanders Connelly and Mays coming down the hall with coffee cups in their hands. “Yeah, just, uh…” I nodded toward Bradshaw’s office and grimaced. “Just finished getting my ass chewed.”
Mays laughed and clapped my shoulder. “And you’re still alive. Congrats, Ensign. You’re a man now.”
Shane chuckled, but something in his expression unnerved me. Especially when he glanced at Mays. “Go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you.”
Mays nodded and kept walking.
As soon as the other commander was gone, Shane faced me. “Everything okay, Ensign?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine.” I waved a hand. “Just some…personal stuff.”
He cocked his head. “Anything you need to discuss?” Didn’t take much to read between those lines: This have anything to do with what we talked about in my office?
“I’m good.” I smiled, and with thoughts of Connor on my mind, it wasn’t all that forced. “Don’t worry about it.”
He eyed me for a moment, then nodded. “Well, if anything changes, you know my door’s always open.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
We continued in opposite directions, and I slipped into my office. I’d barely closed the door when my phone buzzed against my desktop, and I damn near knocked over a chair on my way to grab it.
Sure enough, there was a text from Connor: Sorry, was in class. Tonight’s still good.
I smiled to myself. Maybe this was a stupid, career-compromising thing to do, but, damn it, I was doing it. No two ways about it—I wanted Connor.
I’m off work at 1600, I texted back. See you at 1630.
Chapter Ten
Connor
I’d spent half the day in a private study room at the library on Camp Courtney, which was twenty minutes or so from Kadena. I did actually get some studying done and wrapped up a paper for my economics class, but there was no way around it: my mind was focused on Aiden. When he’d be here. Where we’d go. What we’d do. God, what we’d do…
At a little past four thirty, someone tapped softly on the study room’s door, and when I turned around, my heart almost stopped.
There he was. On the other side of the glass, there he was.
As I stood, he opened the door. He slipped inside and closed the door behind him, and for a moment, we just faced each other. My heart definitely wasn’t stopped now—it was going ninety miles an hour, blood pounding in my ears as I stared at him like I thought he might suddenly vanish. It had only been twenty-four hours since we’d seen each other, but even with the texts we’d exchanged since then, it had seemed like it was the last time and that was final until just now.
He was here. Really here. A grin slowly spread across his lips, and I realized I was starting to grin myself. We were really here. This was real.
And then he moved, and his lips were against mine, and…and fuck, we were right back in his apartment, up against the wall and out of breath. His body pinned mine to the wall, and his hands kept my hips pressed tight against his. Someone whimpered softly into the kiss, and damn if I knew who it was, but it gave me goose bumps either way.
Abruptly, Aiden broke the kiss. “Crap, sorry.” He backed off a little but didn’t take his hands off my hips. “We’re”—he glanced at the door—“in public.”
“Don’t care.” I kissed him again.
He hesitated for a second but then melted against me. “I missed you last night,” he whispered between kisses.
“Missed you too.” I broke the kiss and met his eyes. “We should…we should go someplace…”
Aiden nodded. He kissed me lightly, then stepped back. We both glanced at the window. Fortunately, no one was gawking at us. Hopefully no one had noticed us at all.
“Anyplace in particular in mind?” Aiden straightened his clothes as I did the same. “You know this island better than I do.”
“Hmm.” So hard to think when I was, well, hard. I busied myself collecting my books and papers, taking my time so I had a chance to calm down before we stepped out of the room. “Guess it depends on what you’re in the mood for. Going out and checking out the sights, or finding someplace…private.”
I glanced at Aiden. His grin told me which option he preferred.
So much for calming down.
I cleared my throat and shuffled some papers. “There’s a beach near here. Not too far, but it’s really hidden.” I turned to him again. “No way in hell anyone’ll find it unless they already know it’s there.”
He spun his keys on his finger, and his grin got bigger. “Show me the way.”
~*~
We left my car behind. If Dad happened by—and he would—he’d see my car in the library parking lot, and as long as he didn’t go wandering inside to find me, I’d be in the clear.
After Aiden had driven us a little ways from the base, I relaxed a bit. We were down a back road now, between sugarcane fields and a row of run-down little shops. No one who saw us out here would give a shit, and anyone who gave a shit would never find us.
I turned to Aiden. “I’m, uh, sorry I didn’t tell you about my dad.”
“It’s okay.” He reached across the console and rested his hand on my leg. His palm was warm on my bare skin, and it felt nice. Especially after I’d been so sure he wouldn’t want to see me again.
I put my hand over his. “This isn’t going to cause you problems at work, is it?”
Aiden scowled but then shook his head. “We had some words this morning, but as long as he doesn’t know I’m seeing you…” He glanced at me.
I laughed. “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt us?”
“Exactly.” Aiden clicked his tongue. “And what are the odds? I meet someone here, and his dad’s practically my CO.”
“The odds are better than you think.”
“Yeah?” Another glance at me. “How so?”
“Think about it. The majority of the Americans on this island are military or military dependents. Most of them retire at thirty-eight or forty-two. So when you’ve got a dependent who’s my age, you can bet my dad’s been in at least twenty years or so, so he’s probably pretty far up the chain, right? And there are only so many people that far up, so the odds are, well… Do the math.”
Aiden’s brow furrowed. “I hadn’t thought about that. But yeah, you’re right.” He turned toward me and raised an eyebrow. “You a statistics major or something?”
I laughed. “No, but I did take statistics last semester. Guess it shows.”
“I’m assuming you passed.”
“By the skin of my teeth.”
“Really? Sounds like you know it pretty well.”
“I do. I was just bored stupid and kind of half-assed a few assignments.”
I almost expected a disapproving look, but Aiden just laughed.
“That was me with every math-related class ever invented.”
“Seriously?”
He nodded. “I mean, I still got As because I was obsessed with maintaining my GPA so I could go to Annapolis, but, God, I was so bored. Science classes, I enjoyed. Even physics and chem were fun. But algebra? Geometry?” He made a face. “I’d rather do extra writing assignments in English.”
“Not big on writing?”
“No. Not unless I absolutely have to.” He smirked. “So of course I wind up with a job that requires me to constantly write up reports.”
“Sounds like fun.” I wrinkled my nose. “I think I’d jump out the window.”
“Yeah, too bad my office is on the first floor.”
We both chuckled.
Aiden rested his hand on top of the wheel as he continued down the road. “It’s n
ot too bad, though. The meetings with the brass—like, uh, your dad—have their perks. I mean, they’re boring as shit and make me want to scratch out my eyes, but the brass has way better coffee than anyone else.”
I laughed. “Coffee is the biggest perk of your job?”
“When you’re as far down on the totem pole as I am, you take what you can get.” He smirked again. “At least in a few years I won’t be the one who has to make the coffee.”
“Now that’s ambition.”
“You have no idea.” He tapped his fingers on the wheel and gestured ahead. “So where am I going?”
I pointed at a narrow street coming up on the left. “That way.” I directed him down some back roads, between some more farms and a little cluster of concrete houses. After one tight curve, there were no more houses or farms. Just plants, a couple of Jersey barriers along the abrupt edge of the narrow lane, and ocean. Farther down, the barriers stopped and there was enough shoulder in the shade of a huge banyan tree for Aiden to pull over and park.
As we got out, he paused, leaning on the car door and looking around. “Wow. This really is out in the middle of nowhere.”
I grinned over the roof of the car. “That’s the idea, isn’t it?”
He met my eyes and swallowed hard. “Yeah. It is.” I thought his nerves might be getting the best of him, but then he returned my grin as he shut the car door.
The path we followed wasn’t much of an actual path. More like a gap between the bushes that was wide enough to walk through. I kept an eye out for snakes—they sometimes hung out in tall grass and thick bushes, and I wasn’t big on finding out firsthand if it was true that they’d attack people unprovoked.
At the end of the “path”, we found ourselves on a small stretch of beach without another soul in sight. Exactly what I’d hoped for.
Heart beating faster by the second, I turned around to face Aiden. “Well. Here we are.”
I thought he might look around, take the whole place in, but he didn’t look anywhere except right at me.
“Finally,” he whispered and pulled me into his arms. “I was going crazy after you left last night.”
“So was I.”