14

In addition to mind-blowing sex and sneaking dinner dates in his office from time to time, Chase and Vivien kept up the extra hours working on her getting comfortable with the suit. She’d even changed out batteries and disarmed a few test IEDs while in it for practice.

She was grateful to Chase for so much, but more important, and a great deal more terrifying, she was falling hopelessly and stupidly in love with him. While they couldn’t openly have a traditional relationship due to their ranks and positions, she knew what they had was real.

She knew how he took his coffee. Black. Two sugars. How he liked his burger, medium, with everything under the sun on it. She knew how many miles he ran daily depended on how stressed-out he was, and more miles meant he was feeling guilty about something and punishing himself for it. She knew the sounds he made when he came, a half growl, half battle cry of relief before devouring her with a passionate kiss. And her favorite little tidbit about Corporal Chase Ryan Fisk, the Virgo from Jonesborough, Tennessee, was how he slept.

Nude. Holding her close, providing a comfort she’d never before experienced and never knew she needed.

She was claustrophobic no more when it came to being wrapped in the cage of his arms.

She still took the stairs though.

She’d just gotten up to her room when she saw a text come through from the man who occupied most of her thoughts.

Meeting ran late. Dinner date in my office?

She sent back a smiley face and Be there in twenty.

Getting ready for their impromptu date, Vivien caught herself humming. It was something she hadn’t noticed herself doing in years.

Chase Fisk did more than just make her body sing.

He made her sing.

He made her something she couldn’t remember truly being since before her parents were taken.

He made her happy.

***

“Good evening, Private Brooks. How can I help you?”

Vivien stepped into his office, assuming he was teasing and preparing to respond with a sexy greeting detailing what he could help her with. Her words threatened to escape a second before she saw Chase’s CO in the chair across from his desk.

Master Sergeant David O’Neil was a legacy in the United States Army. His family had produced generations of well-decorated soldiers. Even the back of his gray head was recognizable before he stood and turned to face her.

Vivien’s eyes went round but she recovered quickly, saluting them both. “Good evening, Master Sergeant, sir. I’m so sorry for the intrusion, Corporal. I was just finishing up some inventory and was going to see if you were available to sign off on it, sir.”

There was no inventory. She didn’t have anything for him to sign and he knew it. She just prayed the charade was enough to convince O’Neil.

Outwardly, neither of them showed the slightest signs of recognition beyond CO and subordinate.

Inside, she was peeing her pants.

Not literally, but this close call had been entirely too close for comfort. The words she was going to say before she realized he had company were tingling on her tongue like battery acid. Her face was hot as if she had said them.

Everything, Vivien thought to herself, I could’ve just ruined everything for both of us.

“I’ll be right there, Private.” His voice was even and his gaze was steady as he dismissed her. How he remained stoic in the face of potential disaster was beyond her, but thankfully he did.

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” With that, Vivien all but ran from the small office.

She lingered next to the door of the equipment room. His words had implied he’d wanted her to wait for him.

Tonight she’d planned to tell Chase how she felt, to let him know that whatever they had was more than just a hookup for her. That it wasn’t about fun and sneaking around and orgasms anymore.

She’d been hoping to tell him that she wanted more. And hoping even harder that he did too.

Right up until she’d seen his CO sitting there, right before she’d almost made the biggest mistake of her life. A mistake that could’ve cost Chase his position—that would’ve destroyed all that he’d worked for.

Sighing, Vivien leaned against the door and pulled out her phone.

The window with their previous texts was still open, so she typed out a quick text.

That could’ve been so awful. I’m freaking out a little so I’m heading home. Night, Chase.

His response took several long minutes.

I’m so sorry, babe. He stopped in unexpectedly.

Walking out of the building, Vivien inhaled the evening air in hopes it would fortify her. It didn’t.

Chase sent another text even though she hadn’t responded.

No need to be freaked-out. He doesn’t suspect a thing. I promise to give you a heads-up next time. Can I come by after he leaves?

Slowly, like cracks spreading across a frozen windshield in winter, Vivien’s heart splintered.

Because one thing was certain even if nothing else was.

There could be no next time with Chase Fisk.