Chapter Three

Alexis knew the moment he left. Somehow, the room just felt emptier. Her hands deep in the chest she’d just cracked open, she wondered what twist of fate would bring them together next. That thought was brief and fleeting because her mind returned to the task before her. And although she was tired, she knew it wouldn’t be an issue as her mind was still sharp. Residency hours had been much worse than this.

About an hour later, peeling off the blood-covered gloves and tossing them in the trash receptacle, Alexis rolled her head around trying to loosen up her neck muscles. They were done. All the men were stabilized. Hands washed, she applied lotion trying to preemptively ease the dryness.

“Great job, Lex,” a masculine voice said from behind her.

A smile formed as she answered, “Thanks, Tom. You too.” She turned and walked with him towards the door. A few corpsmen were cleaning up bloody gauze and washing down tables, but the room was silent now. “It was good to work with you again. I didn’t know you were out here.” Tom had served with her before on a carrier in Norfolk.

He flashed a grin, his white teeth standing out vividly against his dark skin. “Wanna get some chow?”

“Thanks, but no thanks, Tom. I’d just pulled a ten-hour stint on the Everett before they sent me here. I need to unwind before they send me back.” She patted him on the arm.

“We will have to do something in port together. Grab a meal or something.”

Lex nodded. “Great, you know how to reach me. I’ll see ya around. By the way,” she tossed over her shoulder as she walked off, “congrats on being frocked.” He sent her back another sparkling grin as she moved away from him.

Shutting the hatch behind her, Alexis sighed. I’ll just give it a few minutes before I call Touchette for the helo. Her gaze took in the sun as it began its evening descent. She loved it out here. This was one of her favorite spots, the fantail. There weren’t many places on an aircraft carrier where one could feel alone, but this was one of them.

“Too bad I won’t be here to fully watch the sunset,” she said to the rushing wind.

“Why not?” a sexy baritone voice asked from behind her.

She jumped, hand pressed to her chest, unwittingly drawing Scott’s gaze there. “Jesú, you scared me!” As her dark eyes landed on the man who stood before her, Alexis fought for sanity. “Excuse me, sir. Hello, Commander.”

Scott’s striking eyes glanced around as if making sure they were alone out there. Finding the answer to be to his satisfaction, he settled those beautiful blue eyes back on her body, setting it to burn with a heat that rivaled the late-afternoon sun. “Come on, now, Alexis.” His hard body moved closer to her. “How long are we going to do this?”

Dear God, this man’s voice is potent. “Do what, Commander?”

He took a deep breath and leaned on the rail beside her, almost but not quite touching her. “Why aren’t you going to be around for the sunset?”

“I’m going back to the Everett. I just came out here to relax for a bit.” Her body turned around and leaned on the rail like he did. “How are you feeling?”

“Good, you did a wonderful job.” He shifted closer to her. “How long are we going to keep this up?” Leighton questioned.

I bet you can keep it up for a long, long time. Alexis cleared her throat. “I don’t know.”

“Do you remember the day we first met?” he asked, his focus directly on her.

“Yes. It was in Norfolk,” she said, shifting a bit.

“I almost ran you over and you…well…you wanted to say something a lot worse than what you did.”

She chuckled lowly. “I remember. And you’re right; I definitely wanted to say something else.”

“You are—”

“Well, it’s been a pleasure, Commander, but I have to go. Take care of yourself out there.” Alexis stepped away from the rail and took a few steps toward the door, not wanting or ready to hear what he was going to say.

“It will be a pleasure,” he purred in her ear.

How the hell did he move so fast? She froze. There were two choices here: file a complaint and get him in trouble or flirt back. Girl, like there was any choice! “What will?”

His hand touched her back, leading her towards the hatch. Unless she opened the thick door, there was nowhere to go except into him if she turned around. “Us.”

She turned and looked him directly in the eyes. “Commander, what exactly are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about.” His words were smooth.

And she did. But for the life of her, she didn’t want to admit it. “No, I don’t. I have to get going.” She paused with one hand on the handle. “Goodbye, Commander.”

Scott’s body clenched. He couldn’t be angry; she was doing the right thing. He was the one breaking protocol. Scott could be sent for a Captain’s Mass and she could get in trouble as well. Yet suddenly, he didn’t give a damn. The seven previous times he’d been in her presence, he hadn’t done what he’d longed so much to do, so now he had to taste her. Two seconds later, he hauled her up against the solid wall of his chest and his lips were on hers.

His tongue slid around her full mouth before plunging into hers, not asking. Oh, no, he was demanding her acceptance. Her taste was amazing; he couldn’t get enough. Every small sample he got increased his desire for more one hundredfold.

Suddenly the handle for the hatch began to move. They sprang apart and leaned on the railing, staring out at the ocean by the time the intruders made it through the opening. Two ensigns looked at him and nodded before leaving. It was obvious what they were up to—nothing so different from what Commander Leighton had planned for the lovely Chief Rogets.

Close on their heels was Alexis. “We aren’t done, Alexis,” Scott said in his deep tone.

She didn’t even turn to look at him, but he saw her shiver just a little. “Take care of yourself, Com-mander.” Then she was gone, leaving him alone. He stayed there even as an hour later he watched the helicopter carry her further away from him against the dusky sky.