Her Officer in Charge by Maggie Carpenter

not sure we were officially introduced. It was just a quick hello, but there’s no reason I would meet his friends or go to his apartment. We meet up when I’m working, and that’s the extent of our relationship. What’s this about?”
    “I’m just a bit concerned. There’s been a tightening of security recently, and as a matter of course we do background checks. Scott’s wasn’t great.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’m sorry, that’s all I can say,” he replied, wishing he could tell her everything. “It may be nothing, but as I said, it does concern me.”
    “I don’t think you have anything to worry about,” she smiled. “Scott is so sweet. I’ve spent hours on the road with him over the last few months, and he’s never been anything but wonderful.”
    “The thing is,” Vince began thinking on his feet, “the powers that be want to do more checking. I’m sure he’s everything you say, but would you mind sticking with me while you’re here? Until I know more about him, I’d just feel better.”
    “You’re so protective, and I love it,” she said, kissing his cheek. “Yes, of course, but I’m sure they won’t find anything, and I should have called him, darn it. He’s supposed to be coming back to the base to pick me up.”
    “Yes, you should have, and you’d better, and make sure he knows he’s invited to watch the war games tomorrow night.”
    “Vince, do you have any idea what my background check showed?”
    “That you are a very naughty girl who needs regular discipline,” he replied sternly.
    “It did not,” she laughed, playfully punching him.
    “Yes, it did,” he declared. “A couple of speeding tickets, unpaid parking fines, a few late payments on credit cards. Naughty, naughty.”
    “I get busy,” she said defensively. “Do you know how hard it is to keep a show like mine running? Not to mention my hypnotherapy clients.”
    “Now that sounds like the classic excuse; I’m too busy. Discipline, beautiful girl, is what’s missing in your life, and you know it.”
    “Again, I plead the fifth.”
    “When I caught you behind that screen, that background check made all kinds of sense. Lack of discipline is what made you do something so reckless, and there’s no pleading the fifth that will change that. Now I suggest you call Scott, then we’ll turn out the lights.”
    “I’m too tired to debate,” she sighed. “I swear, I could sleep for a week. I don’t even want to leave this bed, but I will.”
    Extricating herself from his arms, she crawled from beneath the sheets and padded slowly across the room to her bag.
    “I can’t imagine why his background check would be questionable,” she muttered as she pulled out her phone. “Was it something specific?” she asked, returning to the bed.
    “I can’t go into details,” Vince replied, “but there were a couple of red flags.”
    “Huh, I wish you could tell me,” she grumbled as she touched Scott’s name on the screen.
    “Yeah, hello?” Scott said sleepily.
    “Sorry, Scott, did I wake you?”
    “Yeah, what time is it?”
    “I’m not sure, but listen, you don’t have to come and get me. I’ve made a new friend and I’m staying with him for the night.”
    “Lucky you. Do you want me to pick up you somewhere in the morning?”
    “I’m not sure about tomorrow, but don’t worry about me. You have a fun day, and if I need you I’ll call. Oh, and don’t forget about the war games tomorrow night.”
    “Right. Let’s get back in touch late tomorrow afternoon and make sure nothing has changed. I’m glad your escapade worked out. I was worried.”
    “So worried you went to sleep,” she quipped.
    “I’m on the sofa. I didn’t go to bed, and yes, I was worried.”
    “I was just yanking your chain.”
    “If he’s into all that spanking stuff, tell him to give you a swat from me.”
    “I’ll do no such thing, but your comment is noted,” she said haughtily, then immediately changed her tone.