Page 78 of Forever Fickle

“Honestly?” he hesitated. “I’m beat. I ended up getting caught on my way back to the barracks and had to run laps this morning instead of having breakfast. No big loss though, because it was runny scrambled eggs and limp bacon. Have I mentioned that I hate their cooking here?”

“So says the chef…” she teased tenderly. “I’m sorry you got caught.”

“I would do it again, Tink,” he replied. “And yes – I love being in the kitchen with you. I saw your email to my family. Do you want to stop and get a few things before we get there?”

“Do you mind?” she asked softly. “I don’t want to show up empty handed and thought it might be a nice ice-breaker if I’m feeling nervous.”

“Baby, my parents are going to love you…” he breathed. “They are going to love you because you make me so happy.”

“You are the best,” Karen chided tearfully. “You know just what to say to make me melt.”

“I’m counting on it…”

“Oh?”

“Yep. I want you soft, supple, and in my arms every chance I get. Did I mention that I miss holding you when you sleep? I mean, I know it’s silly but that way you nuzzle against me drives me wild…”

“You’re crazy…” she laughed affectionately, blushing.

“You’re right – I’m crazy about you.”

“Three weeks and six days…” she reminded quietly.

“And seven hours,” he countered, his voice tender with emotion. “I can’t wait to see you, Karen.”

“I’ll be waiting at DFW… without a sign this time.”

“Maybe there should be some sort of sign that you aren’t available,” Jace said quietly. “I wouldn’t want someone to think that you are on the market – because you are mine.”

“I’m not looking,” she countered, smiling at his possessiveness and the sweet emotion behind it. “Besides, I only have eyes for one particular flyboy who makes my heart soar.”

“You’re darn right, Tink… and that’s me.”

His voice was gruff, emotional, and tender… and she realized just how much she needed these calls, these moments with him.

“Yeah, it is,” she replied, sniffing back tears. “I miss your smile so much.”

“I know this is hard, but we’ll get through it. I promise. Just a few more weeks and then I’ll be so clingy that you will be ready to see me leave again. Look at my deployment as a chance to breathe, see how we handle the separation, and…”

“Not well,” she interrupted.

“And it gives us time to make plans,” Jace finished quietly.

“Plans? Plans for what?” Karen asked.

“For our next visit, or the one after that, or when I get out…”

“Ahhh…”

“And on that note? My calling card is almost up. I’m sorry, babe, but these things only get like ten minutes at a time. Next Sunday?”

“It’s a date, mister. I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“Gosh, I love your voice…”

“Same here, handsome…” she whispered openly. “It’s the same for me. I close my eyes and picture you next to me when we are talking.”

“Do you really?” he asked, surprised, and chuckled easily. “I do the same and thought I was being silly about it.”

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