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  “Didn’t you say you joined the Navy right out of high school in 2002?”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “Ryker, I graduation high school in 1994. You do the math.”

  Ryker is silent. He figured she was a couple of years older than him, but he would have never guessed eight. “So?” he asks, punctuating the question with a lingering kiss to her shoulder.

  “So… I don’t know what is happening to me. But after yesterday, I am ready to make some changes,” she says turning in the bed to face him. “Starting with Kenneth. I have realized that I want more out a relationship than stability. I want passion. I want heat. I want to live a little. And I don’t understand why you are interested in me. I’m flattered, but I don’t understand.”

  Ryker stares into her hazel eyes. “What are you telling me, Ronnie?”

  “What I’m telling you, Petty Officer First Class Ryker Evans, that if I weren’t so damn sore I would be tearing your clothes off of you right now. Life is too short. I don’t know if the attraction I feel toward you is because you are the most gorgeous man I have ever met, the fact that you have saved me from certain death twice, the fact that you were willing to die to try to protect me... or what. But whatever the reason, I can’t go back to the life I had. Not the way it was. I want more than to just sit in a chair and read while Kenneth prepares his lecture notes for the next day. I want more than a quick peck on the cheek when I leave for the lab in the morning. I nearly died yesterday and I realize that I haven’t even lived yet.”

  Ryker smiles at Ronnie. “Ronnie, I do want you. You are the most beautiful, the most desirable woman I have ever met. But… I don’t want to take advantage of you. I’m…”

  Her lips don’t hurt and if Ryker’s do that just too damn bad because she cuts him off with a passionate kiss. She feels him stiffen suddenly, then relax, his arms coming around her back and head as he rolls to his back and pulls her into the kiss. And what a kiss! She doesn’t know if it’s because Ryker is that good of a kisser or she is just that turned on by his words, but she can feel herself becoming wet… until she hits the palm of her hand on his shoulder. “Shit!” she yelps, jerking back from the kiss, her hand throbbing.

  “What?” Ryker asks in surprise.

  “I hurt my fucking hand!” she says, grimacing and hissing through her teeth.

  “Oh…” Ryker says, relaxing. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  She sits up grimacing in pain, frustrated beyond words. “It’s a good thing we’re so beat up. Otherwise I would fuck you right where you are.”

  Gritting his teeth against the pain, Ryker sits up in the bed as well. “You can’t take advantage of the willing,” he says with a grin. “But are you sure about this? You went through a lot yesterday.”

  Ronnie looks Ryker straight in the eye. “No. But I’m doing it anyway.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  After breakfast, a trip to the infirmary for more over the counter painkillers, and showers in their rooms, Ronnie and Ryker spend the rest of the day walking the embassy grounds, trying to work out the soreness. They don’t hold hands in deference to her palms, but anyone watching would instantly peg them as a couple from their body language.

  Ronnie snickers to herself as Ryker slowly eases himself into a chair. She may be scraped up, but he is moving like an old man. They are in one of the several public common rooms where staff and visitors can gather, preparing to have some popcorn and watch a movie: You’ve Got Mail, an old Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan chick flick. She's in the mood for some light comedy and Ryker, after rolling his eyes then grinning, agreed to her selection. She is feeling much better, both physically and emotionally.

  Spending the day with her knight in shining armor has done much to blunt the trauma of yesterday and Ryker’s instance that they keep moving has helped work out much of the soreness. All except for her knees and hands, that is.

  Ryker sighs as he settles into the chair. He knows that staying on the move is what he needs, but that doesn’t make walking, or sitting, or lying down, any less painful. Despite his discomfort, he has enjoyed his time with Ronnie today.

  Hopefully tomorrow he will be ready to go back into the field and try to find the bastards that have Dr. Baker and have killed so many. The severely-wounded Marine is still clinging to life and he is looking forward to extracting a pound of flesh for what they have done and bringing Ronnie’s father back to her.

  ***

  The goodnight kiss at Ronnie’s door holds much promise, but they part and go to their separate rooms. Both know that they are physically not up to a romp tonight, but her smile as she backs into her room makes Ryker feel hot and sweaty.

  The next morning they forego their workout, though both are feeling considerably better. After breakfast Ryker once again leaves, more determined than ever to find Ronnie’s father. The CIA spooks have been relentless in their search, but have turned up nothing useful. He doesn’t expect to be able to do better, and he is right. But having another pair of boots on the ground and another pair of eyes never hurts.

  By the time darkness begins to fall and Ryker returns to the embassy, most of the lingering soreness from his fall is gone. He still gets a twinge now and again if he moves wrong, but for the most part he is back to his old self. He hops in the shower to wash the city off of himself, looking forward to spending the evening with Ronnie. He can’t help but smile as he scrubs. He has had a few women in his past, but none have affected him like Dr. Baker. He can’t put his finger on what it is about her that affects him so. Sure, she is gorgeous and, just as obviously, brilliant, but there is more to it than that. She has that undefinable something that makes two people just click. He enjoyed his time with his other partners, but felt no connection with them the way he does with Ronnie. He’s afraid to read too much into her flirting, but he hopes she feels it too.

  Ronnie is waiting for Ryker to return. It’s getting late but she doesn’t want to eat without him. Her hands and knees are much better today, so much so she pulled the bandage off her hand. It still looks like hell, but it has stopped oozing and is beginning to heal over. She is working the hand, testing it for soreness when she hears a knock. She smiles and moves to open the door.

  The moment Ronnie opens the door Ryker slowly bends to kiss her, giving her time to back away. She not only doesn’t pull back, she moves into him and their lips meet. It’s not a probing, slobbery, kiss—they are standing in a public hallway after all—but there is a want and meaning there. “You ready for dinner?” he asks as they break.

  She grins. “I could eat something.”

  “So could I,” he retorts with a grin.

  Ronnie’s smile widens further. “You may get a chance.” She can’t believe how bold she is around Ryker. She would have never said anything like that around Kenneth. Not only would he not find it funny, he might even frown on it. But Ryker seems to enjoy the wordplay, and she finds that she does as well.

  Ryker’s stomach gets a few butterflies. He’s not going to push her, but if Ronnie wants to have tumble tonight, he thinks he is finally up for it. “So… should I skip dessert?” he asks, trying to keep the verbal fencing going.

  Ronnie produces her best seductive smile. “No. Just plan on having it later.”

  Ryker suddenly finds himself at a loss for words.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  They enjoy a quiet dinner. It is past the main dinner rush and the kitchen is closed except for “serve yourself” items, like cold sandwiches and the salad bar. They sit at a table away from the only other one occupied and crunch their way through their salads while talking softly. They are both eating light, not wanting to feel stuffed as they both know that they are going to bed together tonight.

  After dinner, they go outside to enjoy the cool night air. Ronnie is confined to the compound for her safety, but there is still plenty of room to stroll. They wander among the buildings, talking little. Ryker can’t believe how nervous he is. He hasn’t been like this about a date
since high school.

  He can’t figure out where the nervousness is coming from, only that he doesn’t want to say or do anything that might jeopardize this budding relationship. When he had discovered that she was in a relationship he had pretty much given up any hope of being with her. Yet here they walk, hand in hand, and she all but said that she is ending her relationship with Kenny, or Kenneth, or whatever the hell his name is. He just hopes the decisions she is making now she doesn’t regret later... or that he is a passing fancy, quickly forgotten once her father is returned to her and she returns to Berkeley.

  Ronnie walks with Ryker, enjoying his company. He seems a little reserved tonight, almost like he is nervous. She doesn’t know he can be nervous. He has stared death right in the face twice in a week and kneed him right in balls. But that calm, confident demeanor that he normally wears like a fitted suit is a little tattered tonight. “Ryker, tell me something honestly. Are you nervous?”

  “About what?” Ryker asks, a little unnerved at the question. Can she read him that well?

  “I don’t know. About us maybe?”

  “A little, I guess.”

  “Why?”

  He pauses. The truth worked pretty well the last time, but what is the truth this time? “Because… I don’t know. I just am.”

  Ronnie pulls him to a stop. “Talk to me. Do you not want to do this? We don’t have to.”

  “No. It’s not that. Or maybe it is that, but not why you think. I don’t know. Ronnie… there is something about you. Something I can’t put my finger on. But… with other women it was about the sex. But with you, it’s more. I don’t know how to describe it. But I want more than just your body.”

  She stares at him in gloom. “What are you saying?” she asks quietly.

  “Beats the hell out of me,” he says with a grin. “Maybe I just have the hots for you so bad I can’t think straight.”

  Ronnie smiles, strangely warmed by his compliment. “Do you really, now?”

  “God yes. I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you.”

  “Why is that? I would like to know. You must be able to have your pick among women.”

  “Honestly. I don’t know. I was thinking about it in the shower this evening. How you have that certain something. I can’t tell you what it is because I don’t know myself. You’re beautiful, smart, and funny, but it is more than that. It’s like this… aura… that you cast that just makes you glow. I can’t describe it but you call to me like no one I have ever met.”

  She stands in stunned silence, not knowing what to say. The sexiest man she has ever met is gushing over her. The man that was willing to throw down his life for her wants her like no woman he has ever met. And, God help her, she believes him. She is so incredibly flattered that she can barely speak. “Do you really mean that?”

  “Ronnie, so help me, I do. I just worry that you are confused right now. That you don’t know what you are doing and will regret it later.”

  “What if I do?”

  “I don’t want to cause you any regrets, Ronnie.”

  She stares at him for a long moment. “The only regret I have right now is that it going to take so long to get you back to my room.”

  “But what about tomorrow?”

  “That’s been my problem. I’ve always worried about tomorrow, or yesterday. But after the other day, I’m ready to live more for today, more in the now. And now I want you. I want you so badly that I can’t stand it. Please, Ryker, take me to bed.”

  He looks into her eyes, then bends to kiss her. They kiss slowly, tenderly, allowing the connection to form and strength. Finally he pulls back, breaking the kiss, and they leisurely walk back to the main building. She leans into him and with every step their sexual tension increases until by the time Ronnie swipes the card to her room, they can cut it with a knife.

  Ronnie turns to face Ryker the moment the door latches. She expects him to come to her full of passion and aggression, but he makes no move, simply staring at her. “What?” she asks softly.

  “Nothing. I just can’t over how beautiful you are and that I am here with you.”

  She smiles. “Ryker, you’re going to get laid tonight. You don’t have to keep selling me.”

  “Ronnie, I swear, it’s the truth.”

  She can feel tears trying to form. She has heard similar lines before, but never have they been spoken with such conviction. “Don’t make me cry,” she says, choking back her tears.

  He moves to her, taking her into his arms. “Don’t cry. I never want to make you cry,” he says as his lips touch hers.

  She flows into him as they kiss, her arms coming up behind his back. She gently presses her hands into his back and is relieved that there is only minor discomfort. Yes… she is ready and able to have him tonight. As they kiss she can feel herself flush. There will be no regrets about tonight. She slowly detaches herself from him, steps back, and begins to unbutton her shirt.

  Ryker takes her hands and stills them, holding them in his own as he moves behind her. Kissing her slowly, seductively, on the neck, he begins to unbutton her shirt. He takes his time, savoring each bit of flesh as it comes into view. She is may be thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, but she is still the most beautiful woman he has ever seen… and is becoming more so with the release of each button.

  Ronnie stands still, allowing Ryker to slowly work his way down her buttons, enjoying the feel of his lips on her neck. He is obviously taking his time, drawing out the moment, teasing her desires. As the last button comes free he slides his hands slowly up her abdomen, taking her breasts into his hands. He softly caresses them before moving on, taking her shirt from her shoulders.

  He smiles into her hair, her smell of strawberries intoxicating, as she stands confident and still, allowing him to touch her as he wishes. As he slowly removes her blouse she begins to turn in his arms, but he stops her by gently pressing her into his chest. She doesn’t struggle, simply returns to her still state, giving him complete control. He smiles again. She is positively radiating confidence and power… and he hopes he can measure up.

  Ronnie makes one brief attempt to turn, to face him so she can begin to return some of the pleasure he is giving her, but he subtly signals his desire for her to remain still by gently holding her against him. She stills herself, but reaches behind his head and twists her head as much as possible, bringing his lips to hers.

  He accepts the kiss, their tongues touching and caressing, as he frees her breasts from their lacy prison. He slips the strap off one shoulder, but she refuses to lower the hand holding him into the kiss to allow him to completely remove her bra. Leaving it hanging at one elbow, he moves his hands slowly along her body, taking her bare breasts into his hands.

  She can feel her knees weaken slightly as he softly caresses her breasts. She simply must feel his skin against hers, so she turns, dropping the hanging bra from her arm, pushing his hands away as she steps slightly back and begins to unbutton his shirt. She stares into his eyes as she sucks softly on her lower lip, her fingers busy on his shirt.

  As she pushes the material off his shoulders she finally looks down to see what treat she has unwrapped for herself. She can feel her wetness swell as she looks over Ryker’s chiseled body. This is the first time she has seen him without a shirt and he is ripped and defined to perfection. As his hand takes her gently by the chin, forcing her to look up as he takes her lips for his own, she moves in close. No… there will be absolutely no regrets about tonight.

  Ryker pulls Ronnie into him and the kiss explodes with passion. The kiss becomes hungry, their desires ramping up. To this point they have been moving slowly, tentatively, but no longer. He backs off just a bit, giving her room to work his belt, but never breaking the kiss.

  Ronnie can no longer wait. The simmering desire she has had for Ryker comes to a rolling boil. Never has she wanted a man as badly as she wants Ryker. She and Ryker may go nowhere, but so long at it lasts, she is going to give him such pleas
ures as he has never had. And hopefully, he will do the same to her.

  Ryker steps out of his loafers, pants, and underwear, Ronnie having quickly and efficiently stripped him. He grabs the bed linens and carelessly throws them off to the floor as she slips out of her pants. He removes his socks, then lies down on the bed, waiting for her to finish. As she settles he forces her to her back, positioning himself between her knees, then begins to kiss his way down her body.

  She is ready for him to enter her and she opens herself to him, but he doesn’t enter her as expected. Instead he begins to kiss his way down her body, slowly licking and sucking, seemingly covering every square inch of her skin with his slow exploration. She smiles and closes her eyes, drinking in the pleasure. It appears Petty Officer Evans is going to take good care of her tonight.

  He works his way down her body. Her near silent moans, soft sighs, and slow, easy, squirms inflame him. This may be his only chance to make love to her. If it is, he is determined to make it a night she will never forget.