Finding Our Course (Finding our Way 3)

They share a look that I know well. Instead of reminding me that the distance will be a part of our lives, they stay quiet and give me a squeeze. Our families walk up, breaking us apart.

A few men and women join our crowd and congratulate the guys. Bryce has already explained that, after graduation, everyone disperses around the country. A lot of them will be stationed in Norfolk but not all. I finally get to meet the other two men Nate and Bryce shared their barracks with, Tommy Betts and Rick Plant. They both attended OCS to transition into officer roles.

Tommy Betts is an enormous, muscular black man with a completely bald head. As soon as Bryce introduces me, I’m swept off the ground and into his arms. I yelp at the surprise and brace against his chest.

“It’s about time. Can’t wait for my Nicole to meet you,” he booms.

I glance over my shoulder with wide eyes to see everyone smiling.

“Nicole’s his wife. She couldn’t be here because their baby is sick,” Bryce informs me. “And if you can’t tell, Betts is quite affectionate.”

He sets me down gently and squeezes my shoulder.

“We’re in Norfolk, too. I’ve told her all about you.”

“I’m Rick Pla

nt.” The other man reaches out to shake my hand. “I’d give you a hug, too, but I’m pretty sure Bryce might punch me.”

“You’d be right. I’d punch Tommy, but I know he’d crush me.” Bryce tucks me back to his side and wraps an arm around my waist possessively.

Our parents introduce themselves, and the conversation flows around us about the last twelve weeks and what the guys will be doing at their stations. My eyes wander around the room and focus on a woman watching us closely. She doesn’t look directly at me, but her eyes scan the group and land on Bryce. Her gaze travels down him slowly until she sees his hold on me. Instantly, her head snaps up, and our eyes lock. A flash of something crosses her face. Anger? Sadness? Confusion? From the distance, I can’t tell, but her face goes hard, and she gives me an evil grin.

The entire exchange sends a chill up my spine. She looks away and starts talking to a man and woman who could be her parents. She’s also in Dress Whites, with her hair pulled back in an elaborate bun. I try to read her name badge, but it’s too far.

Bryce tightens his hand at my hip and leans down. “What are you looking at, beautiful?” he whispers and kisses my neck softly.

“Who’s that woman?” I motion with my head.

His eyes travel the room, and it’s obvious when he sees her. He swallows hard, and the tendons in his neck visibly tick.

“A woman who was in school with us.”

“She was staring at you.”

He shrugs, avoiding my eyes.

“Bryce, I recognized the look on her face. She’s interested in you.”

“Too bad for her, I’m fully taken. Did I tell you how exquisite you look today?” He nuzzles my neck.

“Your attempt to distract me is working. But we’ll talk about her later.”

“Nothing to talk about. And I can assure you, we’ll not be talking later, unless you count screaming my name.”

Heat rushes to my face, and I look around to make sure no one heard him. Nate scowls at us, but otherwise, no one is paying attention. I don’t mention her again, but the nagging feeling sticks with me.

The minute we close the door to our hotel room, I’m in Bryce’s arms. His lips claim mine roughly as his hands fist in my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss is greedy, demanding that I give everything I have. Our tongues curl together urgently, soaking in the taste we’ve both desperately missed. He backs away for a brief second to look at me. His blue eyes glow bright with heat, desire, and primal hunger.

My stomach clenches when he crushes his mouth back to mine and moves his hands down my back, cupping my ass. Instinctively, I bounce into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist, careful not to break our kiss. He walks backwards and turns when he hits the wall, leaning me into it.

“I want you right now.” He swivels his hips into mine.

“Yes, now.” My voice quivers.

His tongue licks down the column of my throat, tasting each inch of skin. By the time he reaches my collarbone, I’m panting. My body spasms with anticipation.

“I’m going to set you down, and I want you naked,” he commands.