Her Officer in Charge by Maggie Carpenter Page B

don’t meant to sound like a broken record, but I hope you don’t think I usually leap into bed like that. I’m a bit embarrassed right now.”
    “Hey,” he said softly, “with the chemistry we have, I don’t think either of us could have walked away. I tried, remember; well, sort of.”
    “Sort of? You mean offering me the guest room,” she laughed. “I do admit your feeble attempt does make me feel better. If a disciplined officer like you couldn’t say no, what chance did I have?”
    “None,” he crooned, giving her a squeeze. “After brunch we can take a walk on the beach. I meant what I said last night. I want to know who you are, I want to know all about you.”
    “A walk on the beach? That sounds so hokey, but it does sound perfect,” she sighed, “absolutely perfect, and I want to know about you too. How can you possibly be single? Makes no sense.”
    “I’ve been waiting for you,” he chuckled. “I’m going to grab a fast shower and get things squared away so we can get out of here.”
    “It’s Sunday. What things do you need to square away on a Sunday?”
    “Never you mind,” he replied as he started to move from the bed.
    “I refuse to let you leave,” she exclaimed, grabbing his arm.
    “I’m the officer in charge, or have you forgotten that already?”
    “One last cuddle?” she begged.
    “Always,” he grinned, turning back to hold her.
    He held her for a few more minutes, then, gently pulling back, he softly kissed her.
    “Enough dilly-dallying,” he said firmly. “Time to get up.”
    “I don’t want you to,” she grumbled again.
    “Stop your moaning, or I just might throw you over my knee for a morning spanking.”
    “Yikes, never mind!”
    Watching him roll out of bed, she thought about how she’d hesitated in the kitchen at the venue, and silently rejoiced that she’d thrown caution to the wind. It reminded her of Scott and how he tried to talk her out of her reckless plan, and though she was sure her sound man was exactly who she thought he was, the questions Vince raised began to crinkle her brow.
    I suppose I don’t know much about Scott’s life outside the show. He never mentions his family, but maybe that’s because it just never comes up. All we ever talk about is my act, what we’re going to do, and the postmortem afterwards. He says he works construction, and why would I question that? He looks as if he works construction, but his band is a bit of a question mark. They’re supposed to be cutting demos for some label that’s interested, but he’s been saying that for months. Huh. I hope this security check thing turns out to be nothing. He’s been such a great help and I adore him.
    Closing her eyes, she stretched and yawned, and as she wandered her hand over her sore backside, she broke into a grin.
    Ouch . Talk about wishes coming true.
    The bathroom door opened, and she turned to see Vince smiling across at her.
    “All yours,” he declared as he pulled some underwear and a T-shirt from the dresser.
    “Why don’t you live on the base?”
    “I did once, but I needed to get out of there. I live my job and I love it, but I needed my own space.
    “That makes sense,” she nodded.
    She watched him pull on a pair of jeans, and as he turned to face her, she let out a whistle.
    “Good grief, Vince, is there anything that doesn’t look good on you? I thought you were drop dead in your uniform, then I saw you last night in that black T-shirt and jeans and my eyes bugged, and now, holy smokes.”
    “Flattery will get you everywhere,” he chuckled. “I’ll be in my study. Come on in when you’re ready. Like I said, I’m starving.”
    “Which room is your study?”
    “Oh, right, the door opposite that guest bedroom.”
    “Kiss goodbye, please.”
    “You are so demanding,” he said, shaking his head. Leaning over the bed, he kissed her lightly, then winked and headed out the door.
    Slipping from the bed, she ambled across to her purse and grabbed