Out of Uniform (Wingmen Warriors 14)

“Neither did you.”

He wouldn’t tonight, either, with her scent still clinging to his sheets. Not that it mattered if he washed them. After a day spent together in the truck cab, his senses were saturated with her fragrance.

Dee traced squiggly patterns in the snow with the toe of her tennis shoe. “I enjoyed meeting your friends today. You must be itching to get back to work.”

Work which would take him away from here—and her.

A wry grin tugged one side of his face. “Yeah, I have to admit, I miss it, the flying and the camaraderie.”

“Even after getting shot?”

“Even then.”

“How did it happen?”

The day spread out through his mind, the surprise of it all coming during a low-key mission. “My C-17 was transporting a political contingent across Europe for goodwill visits to a number of countries over the Christmas holidays. On the last stop in Bavaria, some radical crook with an agenda tried to assassinate the—”

“Senator from South Carolina—Ginger Landis.” Dee blinked fast, her eyes widening with surprise. “I remember that.”

“You do?”

She nodded quickly. “I remember seeing the report on TV—” she snapped her fingers “—a wide-screen television…” Her cheeks puffed, her excitement dimming. “And that’s it. The memory of where I was then…It’s gone.” She shook her head, her gaze focused on him again. “But ohmigod, you were shot. I do remember from the news report that you got some kind of medal for saving an old lady at the ceremony.”

Saving the world while his sister needed him more. “I just happened to be in the seat next to someone who needed help. The rest was instinct, not some great heroic decision.”

“Yeah, right, whatever.” She cocked her head to the side. “How amazing it must feel to make such a big difference in people’s lives. No wonder you’re itching to get back.” She studied her chewed-down fingernails. “Only a couple more weeks until you leave.”

“I’m not out the door yet. I need to settle Emily, or convince her to come with me to Charleston until I get a transfer to Tacoma.”

“I just assumed she would be going with you….”

“She doesn’t want to leave, not even to live in Tacoma.” His sister was too enamored with Chase to go even an hour away.

“Isn’t she a senior? Graduation is only about four months away.”

“She’s a junior, Chase is a senior.”

“Will he stay?”

“I honestly don’t know. She doesn’t want to lose any time with him.” His jaw flexed. “I haven’t been around enough to get a read off of him.”

“That’s not your fault. You’re an adult, living your life.” She grazed her fingers just above his gunshot wound. “Putting yourself in harm’s way.”

“I had some lucky breaks as a teenager. Thanks to joining the local Civil Air Patrol I made connections, found direction in the training and flying along for rescue missions. I got out of here. I need to pay back that debt.”

Her face softened with understanding. “You don’t like owing anyone anything, do you?”

“Not much.” Debts gave over power to someone else and he needed to be in control. “I had hoped Emily would find the same. She was a member of Civil Air Patrol, too, along with Chase. Then she got pregnant and dropped out.”

“I’m sorry about your sister, your father, too.” Her puffy breaths met his, entwined and swirled between them, brushing the air with their combined heat. Memories of Dee’s mouth on his pulsed through his mind, then lower.

Control would slip away completely if he didn’t haul butt away from her. Now. He’d made it halfway to his truck before her voice stopped him.

“Jacob,” she called out. “I haven’t forgotten that kiss. Something like that is kind of tough to forget, and believe me, I’m an expert at forgetting.”

He paused. Snow gathered on his shoulders, he stood still for so long before looking back.

She stuffed her mittened hands in her pockets. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to throw myself at you a second time. I just want to talk. I—” she hesitated, before gasping in a deep breath “—I don’t want to be alone. All that’s waiting for me inside that room is a cold bed and a clean tub. Jacob, my heart hurts when I think of my own child. My arms feel so empty for a baby I can’t even remember.”