Top Priority (The Game 1)

My turn, Captain.

As if he heard my thoughts, Colt lifted his gaze, and it landed on me. He removed his cowboy hat and handed it over to Mary with a kiss to her cheek, and then he was walking toward me with purpose.

My pulse went through the roof, and we both picked up speed until we were within each other’s reach. I threw my arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around my middle in a tight hold. I screwed my eyes shut. His flight suit had a bunch of straps everywhere, and it appeared heavy. It was in my way; I needed to be under his skin.

“Thank you for not spinning me around.” My voice came out thick, and I realized I’d gotten emotional.

He chuckled hoarsely and tightened his hold further. “The thought did cross my mind, but I gotta piss so fuckin’ bad.”

I let out a laugh and eased up so I could get a proper look at him. That handsome face, how much I’d missed it. I cupped his cheeks and felt his scruff under my fingers.

“Are the diapers fighter pilots wear a myth?”

He shook his head in amusement. “You had to go there.”

“You brought it up.”

He chuckled. “They exist. I’ve never been on a mission that was long enough for me to need to try one, though. In today’s day and age…” He trailed off with a shrug.

I smiled and pressed my forehead to his. “You prima donnas in the Air Force are too fancy for that.”

“Somethin’ like that.” He closed the last distance and kissed me hard. “It felt like this day would never come.”

I hummed, definitely agreeing, and pecked him once, twice, three times. “You can fight me on this, but I’m gonna fuss over you a lot in the next foreseeable future.”

He grinned into one more kiss. “I’ll allow it. But only because I’m so fuckin’ in love with you, it ain’t funny.”

Oh, for the love of— I kissed him again, hard and deep, not caring that we were surrounded by hundreds of people.

“I was going to tell you first, goddammit,” I muttered, out of breath.

“You made your choice, pretty boy. You chose to talk about diapers.” He nipped at my bottom lip, then gripped my chin and gave us a few inches of distance. His eyes shone with happiness. “Tell me what, by the way?”

“That, come hell or high water, I’m done for.” I sighed through a soft chuckle at my own destiny. I was fucked. “I love you, Captain. I never stood a damn chance.”

A low growl rumbled in Colt’s chest as he kissed me. “Say that again but call me Major.”

I broke away and smiled curiously. “You got promoted?”

He nodded. “It’s not official yet, but yeah. For outstanding capabilities, leadership, and bravery. Can you believe that shit?”

If only he knew just how much I could believe it. “I can.” I touched his jaw. “But you’ll always be my Captain.”

The look on his face was priceless, and it was just so him. He wanted his new title. His new rank. He wanted me to replace Captain with Major. What he didn’t want to acknowledge was why it had been given to him. That part, he wanted to laugh off.

“I mean, you could try calling me Major,” he suggested.

“Where’s the fun in that?” I patted his cheek. “Kidding aside, I’m very proud of you, Captain.”

He nodded once, squinted, and scratched his eyebrow with his middle finger. “Come hell or high water, huh?”

He got it.After an eternity of waiting, we got to take our fighter pilot to our hotel an hour away in Columbia. Mia drove ahead of us in her own car and met up with us in the lobby.

Colt threaded his fingers through mine, and I gave his hand a squeeze.

Soon. Two minutes tops, then we’d be alone in our room.

“Well,” Mary said, looking around her. “I mean, Colt, you showered and changed at the base, so there really isn’t a reason to wait. How about we try the restaurant here at the hotel? Then you can rest—”

“Mary.” James gave his wife a pointed look. Colt and I exchanged an amused glance. “Even I understand. I mean, it’s been almost a year…”

“We’re goin’ upstairs first, Ma,” Colt stated.

Mary, bless her heart, didn’t get it yet. “Why? You gotta be hungry, sugar.”

“I’m famished,” Colt agreed. “So Luke and I are gonna go fishin’.”

Mia spluttered a laugh, then shimmied her hips and sang. “Let’s go fishin’ in the dark…”

I pretended to look over my shoulder to hide my grin.

“Oh my God.” Mary understood now. “I’m so sorry! I’m… Goodness, of course. I’m sorry. You boys go and—yes. I’ll be at the bar, drinking heavily.”

The rest of the Carter family cracked up, hard, resulting in Mary stalking away from us.

“Come on, darlin’,” Colt chuckled, nodding at the elevators. “We’ll see you guys later.”