Command Performance

“Might also be the reason I couldn’t keep my hands off you,” he added, his eyes dropping to her chest. “Although I suspect that has more to do with you than the wine.”

She crossed her arms in front of her. Alcohol and pain pills. Heaven help her, he had more in common with her father than she’d initially suspected.

Despite what had just happened, she’d never let anyone, not even her worst enemy, drive while intoxicated. She’d spent too many sleepless nights wondering if her father would risk his life behind the wheel or call a cab to get home from the bar. She could let Hunter crash here for one night. It might not be professional, or good for her sanity, but then neither was kissing him on the porch, and she couldn’t blame her lapse in judgment on the wine.

“You can stay in the downstairs guest room. But only for tonight.”

Hunter smiled his relief. “Great. You won’t even know I’m here. I promise.”

Somehow she doubted that. His presence seemed to drift through the walls, filling the house. “Let me get my notes and I’ll show you to your room.”

Maggie heard a faint vibrating noise as she retrieved her notepad from the chair. She looked back at Hunter and saw him pull his phone from his pocket.

He frowned and his hazy I’m-too-drunk-to-drive look vanished. “I need to take this. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course,” she said in her best all-business tone. “You can use my study. First door on the left. I’ll wait for you in the kitchen.”

“Thanks.”

Maggie followed him inside, watching as he pressed a button and raised the phone to his ear. Judging from his serious expression, she guessed his commanding officer or someone from his team was on the other line.

“Sierra?” he said before the kitchen door swung shut behind him.

Or maybe not. Whoever it was, she was grateful for the interruption.

Maggie set her notebook on the island and scanned her list of unanswered questions. But her mind refused to focus. What had happened on the porch had left her seriously shaken. Out of control, but not in the way that led to orgasms.

She felt something for him. Common sense told her she wasn’t falling in love with him. How could she? She’d only known the man a matter of days, and she had a sneaking suspicion he’d only kissed her tonight to stop her from asking questions. He’d gone from drunk to serious in a matter of seconds when he’d received that call. She doubted alcohol had been the driving factor behind his little seduction. It was just one more way for him to gain the upper hand.

But whatever Hunter’s reasons, they didn’t change the fact that she felt something. Wild, crazy lust. And from where she was standing now, lust seemed just as dangerous as handing over her heart.

Maggie closed her notebook and headed for the hallway. Tomorrow she’d refocus on interviewing Hunter. They could start over breakfast. She pushed through the swinging door and stepped into the hall to prepare the guest room.

“Sierra, you’re not listening to me.” Hunter’s voice slipped into the hall.

Maggie stilled. Who was Sierra?

Deciding the gu

est bedroom could wait, she tiptoed up to her study door and pressed her ear against the wood.

“No, Sierra. I want you to stay there.” Hunter sounded frustrated and he wasn’t bothering to keep his voice down. “Last time you left, you almost died. You’re ready to leave when the doctors say you’re ready. Not a moment before. Is that clear?”

There was a brief pause. “I’ll find a way to get the money. Don’t worry about that. How much more do you need?”

What did this mysterious woman need money for?

“Okay. That’s doable.” His tone was resigned. “When do you need it?”

Another pause.

“Okay. Let them know I’ll send a check.”

Hunter was quiet for a minute.

“No, I’m not at the base, but your doctors have my address. I emailed it to them this afternoon. Just do me a favor and don’t leave, okay? You need to be there. Can you promise me you’ll stay?” Silence. And then, “I’m going to hold you to that.”

She heard footsteps and rushed away from the door and down the hall to the front stairs. The writer in her wanted to pepper him with questions. Who was this woman? What did she mean to him? Was she his girlfriend? He had referenced doctors on the phone. Maybe she was someone he’d met while recovering from his gunshot wound?