Page 49 of Tango

“Good.” Moore chuckled. “So, how’d it go?”

“I brought Brown home to his parents,” I answered as I held the door open for a soldier with his arms full. I used the moment and turned my head just enough to catch a glimpse of him in my peripheral vision as he eavesdropped. “Once the autopsy’s finished and the body released, they’ll hold a private service for anyone who wants to be there. I’ll let you know when.”

“Good. I still can’t believe you got him back.”

“I’m really glad I got him back, too.” I continued to hold the phone to my ear as I slowly made my way toward the cafeteria.

“Ready?” Moore questioned.

“Just a sec,” I replied quietly as I waited until I could see him in the reflection of the glass door. I needed him close enough to hear. “Yeah, the fact that she’s willing to come all this way to testify is—” I ran a hand over my head as if the person I spoke to had interrupted me. “No, the family wouldn’t talk, but at least she’s willing to. Gotta run, but I’ll keep you posted.” I was one person away from ordering my meal. “Okay, talk soon.”

“Now we wait,” Moore said as he ended the call.

I ordered my food to go and made a show of almost bumping into Rivera as I left the cafeteria. We locked eyes, and I gave him a smirk.

“Yes, now we wait,” I muttered to myself as I walked away from him.

I slept a lot. I slept the whole flight, and the whole drive back from North Dakota. Daniel and Frank woke me every few hours just to make sure I wasn’t dead. It was annoying, but I was thankful they kept an eye on me. Truth was, the concussion didn’t bother me anymore. My head felt okay. Maybe I was finally able to settle now that I’d brought Brown home to his parents. I hadn’t come back completely emptyhanded.

“You meet with Dr. Roberts in three hours.” Frank’s voice booked no argument. “Then you need to get another MRI for that head. Any and all symptoms must be reported immediately. Understood?”

“Roger that.” I grabbed my stuff from the back of the SUV and smiled as Blackstone and Moore came out to greet me. I heard happy kid screams from up on the hill and noted the sled tracks in the snow. I was pleased to know they were back and everyone was home again. Keith held back but waved at me. He watched his daughter as she played in the snow. I wondered how she and Brandon were doing.

“How are the kids?” I asked Moore as we walked together.

“Happy to be back.”

“How’s Ivy?” I glanced at Moore as we headed inside. I couldn’t believe how good it felt to be back. The air was like silk to my lungs.

“We had a great time.” He beamed, and I glared. “Then, when you didn’t check in right away, she closed right up. I’m glad you’re back, and I know she is, too.” He nodded toward her office. “Given what happened, Frank thought it best we didn’t tell her exactly when you’d arrive.”

“We’re circling back to your great time with her later,” I warned as I dropped my stuff and headed toward her office. Her door was slightly ajar, and I’d seen most everyone already, so I figured she wasn’t in a session. I opened the door slowly and looked inside. She was hunched over her iPad scribbling notes. She looked up, and her face twisted into some kind of painful emotion.

I stepped inside, closing the door as she stood, and in three strides, I cupped her face with my hands and slammed my lips to her in a passionate kiss. Her body trembled as she grabbed at my t-shirt and clenched the fabric between her fists.

“Oh, my God,” I muttered against her lips, “I missed you.” I missed her touch, her taste, her squeaks, everything. “Don’t close up on me, Ivy.” I was terrified something happened while I was away that changed something between us.

“You didn’t check in,” she suddenly cried out as she stepped back. She put her hands over her face.

“Hey.” I was beyond relieved it was that and not something else that bothered her. I took her hands. “Everything was fine.”

“For you maybe, but I—” Tears pooled her in beautiful eyes. “It made me realize—” She stopped herself.

“Realize what?”

“Ty, I’m so in love with you, and I’ve accepted that you have a crazy dangerous job, but that trip…” She cupped her mouth. “You could’ve died, and I never could’ve said I love you.”

“Ivy,” I pulled her to me, “I know you love me, and you know I love you.”

“You don’t know what I mean, Ty.” She shook her head and gathered herself. “I’ve felt different levels of love before, but with you, I know. I know without a doubt that we are it. Just promise me,” she paused again, “promise me you won’t do any more trips like that one. I’m new to this whole ‘loving a solider’ thing. Oh, God, there’s a reason I never went for men like you.”

“Ivy, Ivy.” I lifted her to sit on the side of her desk then stepped between her bare legs. “I promise I won’t do any more trips without my team. I’m sorry I scared you. I really am.” I nuzzled her neck and started to kiss her, showing her just as sorry I was.

“I was really scared,” she said then hiccupped softly in my ear.

“I can think of a way to make it up to you.” I slid my hands up over her hips then tugged her panties down to her ankles where she kicked them away. “I promise,” I undid my pants and freed myself, “to ground you whenever you feel like you’re spiraling.” I gently stroked between her folds and watched as her eyes fluttered shut. She grew wet quickly, and I swirled my fingers in her arousal. I lined up and put my hands on her butt and pulled her forward to sink myself deep inside her. “I promise that this,” I tilted her chin, so she’d looked at me, “is the only place in the world I want to be.” All signs of pent-up nerves fizzled from her face as she leaned back on her hands.

“I missed you,” she whispered as I held on to her hips and gently started to move.

---