All the Right Moves(58)

“We met in college, went through basic together and all the requirements necessary to be allowed to fly the fast movers. The three of us wanted to make it so badly we’d have done anything. Anything. And we did. We all made it through some of the hardest training in the world, and we had our wings and our jets, and it was the best. You can’t even...”

“What happened?” She’d lowered her voice, kept it neutral.

“Sam got laser eye surgery so he wouldn’t have to wear contacts anymore, but it went wrong. They can’t correct his left eye to flight standards. That’s it. He’s out of the jets. Now he’s going to train drone pilots.”

“That’s got to be horrible for him.”

“You have no idea.”

“And Danny?”

The answer didn’t come quickly. “Dead. In a stupid accident. Not his fault. He was a great pilot. Full of potential. Had life by the balls. A freak mechanical problem and he was gone. Just like that.”

“Oh, God, John. I’m so sorry.”

“And here I am, feeling discontent.”

Cassie’s breath caught at the disgust she heard in his voice. “But...you’re grieving. For your friends. For the dreams you all shared. Of course you’re questioning your life.”

* * *

JOHN STARED AT CASSIE, resisting the urge to discount the facile pop psychology she’d spouted. He knew she meant well. But she was steeped in her Dr. Phil textbooks, where everything could be solved with a good cry. He knew better.

He’d grieved a hell of a long time for Danny. But he’d pulled his shit together when it was time to go back and do the job. As for Sam, he’d made the best of his situation and John was taking his cue from that. John’s hesitation in reenlisting was about where and how he wanted to spend the next ten years of his life. Surrounded by all the people he’d seen for the past ten? Doing what he’d always done because it was expected of him? If he hadn’t been born to his family, would he have made the same choices?

Cassie couldn’t understand that, not given where she was in her life. She hadn’t even reached her primary goals yet. He appreciated that she cared, though. The way he’d cared about her studying last night. They might just be together for a laugh, but she was great, and he wouldn’t want to see her hurt. He was sure she felt the same.

He went back to the table, sorry he’d even brought the subject up. He liked it better when they were talking like friends. Or spending some quality time in other pursuits. “You almost done with that?” he asked, nodding at the remains of her lunch.

Her lips parted as if she were about to say something, but it was too tempting a sight for him to pass up. He swooped in for a kiss. The position, him bending low over her chair, was uncomfortable, though, and besides, he wanted more. “I think we need to move this to the bedroom.”

“I, uh...”

“We’re celebrating,” he whispered, his mouth a scant inch from hers, which allowed him to kiss the hesitation right out of her. “We’ll need the rest of the food later. Come with me, Cassie. Let’s make some fireworks together.”

She stood, moving around the chair until she was in his arms. He went to kiss her, but she leaned her head back. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Absolutely. One hundred percent.”

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes until he brushed the back of his hand over her cheek.

“I mean it. I just want to be with you. The bedroom doesn’t have any plants, but the bed’s great.”

“I’m sure it is.”

He kissed her again. Gently at first, letting the steam build. He’d changed gears pretty abruptly and she needed time to adjust. He knew how much she liked it when he ran his hands down to her behind and pulled her close as he teased her mouth.

Slowing things to a simmer, he had no complaints about a leisurely journey to full throttle. Each step had its own merits. One thing he’d learned in the service was patience. He’d give her all the time in the world. He wanted her begging for release, trembling under his tongue. By the time he was done with her, they’d both be too wasted to care about anything but gaining their strength back.

“I have to go to work at five, remember?” she said.

“What? Today?”

Cassie nodded. “Life is full of trials and sacrifice.”

He let go of her long enough to lead her down the hall to the master bedroom. The first order of business was to pull down the bedding. Then he turned back to beautiful Cassie, glad she’d been too busy looking at his furniture to start undressing. He wanted to do that.