Corpsman and the Nerd

by Grady, D. R.

  That upped his smile. When Ryan turned to set the table, Max stole another kiss. He didn’t have to work very hard, and she was soon clinging to those wonderful shoulders. She even managed to slide a possessive hand up one of his arms. Yum. The man was double chocolate fudge cake with chocolate frosting topped with decadent chocolate shavings. Delicious, sinful, and he wouldn’t cause her a belly ache. KC figured she could indulge with no ramifications, except maybe to her heart.

  Or his. A quiet, unwelcome voice taunted. Hurting Max would devastate her. But she couldn’t deny either of them those amazing kisses. Nor did she want to go back to her bed. She loved being with Max. They didn’t have to do anything other than sleep.

  Until they made a commitment that was a moot point anyway. They had never discussed the subject, but KC knew Max wouldn’t budge. His physical needs wouldn’t be assuaged until they said some vows. Exactly as she felt. She hadn’t been in a relationship for so long she forgot what one did, anyhow.

  Have fun? Her quiet voice asked. KC pondered that as she watched Ryan and Max finish up the breakfast preparations. She was having fun. She always did with Max. Now with Ryan that mixture had only upped the enjoyment quotient. Her boys were determined to spoil her, and she had been gone for so long, anything they wanted, they would receive.

  But to have fun? Why not? The risk was great they’d destroy their friendship, yet, if they gambled, they could enter into an even stronger, deeper, longer lasting relationship.

  Was that what she wanted? Definitely. Max was worth the gamble too. There was no question in her mind now this was just a long distance problem. Because here she was back home and anything she felt in Kuwait about Max had only strengthened now she was back where she belonged. Add in the fact she’d already gone too far this morning to back out now. And truthfully, she had no desire to alter the course they had taken.

  Watching her son, secure in a relationship of his own with Max, she had a responsibility to settle her own bond. Max was Ryan’s dad. Why couldn’t Max also be her husband? She’d love to be his wife and lover. Somewhere between here and Kuwait she had made that momentous decision. This man was worth the risk.

  Her eyes roved over him again, and she once more reflected on how to broach the subject.

  His phone rang and she leaned over the counter and picked it up without looking at the screen. Hitting the connect button KC placed it to her ear. “Hello?”

  She heard a gasp and then Lainy’s voice erupted over the line. “KC, you’re back. When did you get home?”

  KC laughed as she settled back into her chair. “Hi, Lainy. I got in yesterday?” She quirked an eyebrow at Max when he shook his head.

  “What? I didn’t get in yesterday?”

  “No, you’ve been out for somewhere between eighteen and twenty-four hours.”

  “Oh,” she said. “Wow, did you hear that Lainy?”

  “I did. What happened?”

  “I don’t know.” Max held his hand out for the phone and she handed the device over.

  “She collapsed at the airport. Yeah, exhaustion. No, she wasn’t up for a family reunion. Let’s wait until Saturday. Mitch had some time to recover before he came home. KC worked all hours of the day with no breaks. Remember they had that stomach virus and then the flu?”

  Max grimaced and KC wiggled her fingers for the phone. He told Lainy he was handing the phone back to her and then did so.

  “I’m sorry, Lainy, I had no idea I’ve been home for two days now. I finally took a shower last night.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m still tired, but I’m very happy and relieved to be home.” She looked pointedly at Max and Ryan. Max smiled at her, a secret smile that promised many things. Did she have the courage to collect?

  “I’m sure you are.”

  “Yes.” Even KC could hear the relief in her voice.

  “I suppose you’re planning to sleep today?”

  “No. I’m finished sleeping.” When Max’s eyebrow winged, she shook her head. “I’ll go to bed early tonight, but I need my body to adjust to home time again.”

  “Ah, yes. Mitch did the same. He only allowed himself to sleep for a few hours, then stuck to regular hours after that. You military folks are tough!”

  “Of course we are.”

  “Will you rejoin?” Lainy’s voice was quiet.

  “I don’t know. I’ve time to think about it. My reenlistment isn’t quite up yet. When my time is up whether I rejoin will depend on the counter offer.” And her eyes slid to Max.

  “Well, I’m fairly certain it’ll be a good one. Remember, he’s never done this before. He might need some prompting,” Lainy said quietly.

  “What do you mean?” KC knew an intense desire to pin Lainy down and make her answer the questions buzzing around her brain, but Lainy wouldn’t need to be pinned. Max’s sister would offer up any answers she could, prompted by one thing. Lainy wanted to see Max settled and happy, and if she was interfering in their relationship, her reasons were for goodwill only.

  “I imagine the both of you are feeling the same way. You do need to talk. If you let these feelings bottle up without talking about how you feel, you’re going to get tense. Nothing will be accomplished.” Lainy’s voice held sincerity that rang through the intensity.

  “It’s such a risk, Lainy.” KC sighed.

  “I know. Why don’t I come and pick up Ryan tomorrow? Melly is dropping off her kids in the morning because she has some doctors’ appointments. Ryan will have playmates.”

  “Thank you, Lainy.” KC was thankful for Max’s family and their love. She and Max did need time to talk.

  “You’re welcome. Don’t break my brother’s heart,” she ordered.

  KC didn’t laugh. This was too serious a matter.

  “Never.” Her answer was as emphatic as she could muster.

  “Good.”

  They hung up and KC sat down to her first family meal in eight months, a surreal, otherworldly feeling surrounding her. She’d been eating in a mess tent for so many months that sharing a meal with Max and Ryan was that much more special.

  Lainy arrived in a flurry of hugs the next morning and whisked Ryan away before KC was ready. She and Ryan had shared some alone time together yesterday as well as some family time with Max.

  Now she was alone with Max. Never had she been so nervous and unsure of herself. She had to rub her sweaty palms over her skirt several times. What did she do with this man who she’d been so comfortable with, but now held a male potency she didn’t quite know how to respond to?

  Looking at him, she wanted to ask for so much, but fear paralyzed her. What if he wouldn’t give her what she asked for or needed? Worse yet, what if he couldn’t? What if she couldn’t give him what he needed?

  Bile rose in her throat and she hastily swallowed, trying to regain control of her fear. Panic wouldn’t help her, or her cause. She needed to think about what she wanted, and tell him. This was Max. The one person she trusted more than anyone else in the world.

  Finally, she decided to say what was on her heart. She blurted, “Max, I can’t live with you like this.”

  Chapter 45

  The hope in his eyes died as his face closed off, like he shut down all emotions. Then Max swallowed hard and turned to leave the room. KC’s eyes widened when she realized what she had unthinkingly uttered. Leaping forward she grabbed his arm. He opened his mouth.

  “I thought you wanted to stay?” His voice was quiet, but she still caught the underlying hurt. Her heart shattered for what he must feel. That wasn’t what she meant.

  “That didn’t come out the way I intended. What I mean is this is home, but it’s not...” Struggling for the word she needed, KC groped desperately for the right combination.

  The words eluded any attempts she made to grasp them.

  “It’s not what you want long term?” He finished for her.

  “No! I mean, yes. I do want to stay with you long term, just not like this
.”

  He frowned, and looked confused. She could handle a perplexed Max. But she couldn’t bear to hurt him and that’s why she was having such difficulty explaining herself. If he didn’t love her like she loved him, she would hurt both of them.

  KC stumbled around trying to discover the words she needed to make him understand.

  “KC, I thought—” he shoved a hand through his hair and then shook his head. “I need to think about this.” He turned but she caught the utter hurt and bewilderment in his eyes. For the first time she could remember, Max didn’t quite make it through the door, but his shoulder bounced painfully off the doorframe. He didn’t appear to notice.

  She just spent eight months in temperatures most human beings couldn’t endure. Like sandstorms, very little sleep, and barely palatable food. Yet trying to express herself to Max was the hardest thing she had ever done. And now that she tried, she might have botched the attempt beyond repair.

  Hanging her head, KC wondered if she should return to Kuwait.

  Max paced from the room, his heart somewhere near his heels. He stupidly thought KC wanted what he did. A permanent place in the other’s life. Obviously, he read her all wrong. All that hoping and wanting for naught.

  Then why had she kissed him like that this morning? Why had she willingly entered his arms? She loved him. He knew that. But apparently she wasn’t in love with him. A huge difference. It was like an ocean still stood between them.

  Those kisses though. KC kissed him with everything she possessed just yesterday, and every time since when they could manage. He could feel her emotions. She couldn’t have, nor would she have faked such weighty matters. A little voice reminded him he hadn’t waited around for her to explain why she didn’t want to stay with him. Why she had returned his kisses with such fervor and sent him signals that made his heart swell with joy.

  He hadn’t given her much time to explain because he was afraid. But then he remembered KC didn’t excel at expressing her thoughts. Her words tended to tumble over themselves and he usually had to step in and do the actual explaining when something mattered to her. Not that he could have today.

  Afraid of what he might say, Max knew he needed to exit because this mattered too much to him. For once he and KC didn’t appear to be on the same page. Being fearful of his actions, or more to the point, his reaction to her words, he’d left.

  Like a spineless coward.

  KC had to be spazing right now. That was her nature. Turning on his heel, he retraced his footsteps, and stopped when he heard her crying.

  “No,” he said. He couldn’t bear her tears, but suddenly, he couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving him. He had already told her she could leave once, and she had. Once. That was all she was allowed.

  She looked up when he crossed the floor, but he didn’t give her much opportunity to do or say anything.

  Instead he scooped her out of the heap she had collapsed into.

  “No.” He repeated the word. That felt right. No more. KC Gilmore was his.

  KC looked up when she heard Max say no. He cleared the space between them so quickly, she blinked. He lifted her off the floor and into his arms. KC gaped at him when he repeated the no. Firmly.

  “No, what?” she croaked. Tears continued to flood her face, her mind blank of anything but Max. She was back where she wanted to be, and as added insurance, twined her arms around his neck. Binding him to her since her words had utterly failed to do so.

  “No, you’re not leaving. I told you, once. You left. For eight months. That’s all the time away from Ryan and me you get. No more. You’re staying.”

  KC gaped at this new Max. This possessive, all male version she had received mere glimpses of in the past. Wow. Her hormones fired up, but she tamped them down.

  “I’m staying?” she echoed inanely.

  “Yes.” He used his I’m-not-budging-on-this voice again. Spirals of excitement and happiness intertwined to tie her to him.

  “But—”

  He shook his head. “And to make it official, we’re getting married. I’m not letting you out of my life, KC. You’re mine. Ryan’s mine.” He looked so determined, so sure, KC couldn’t help herself.

  “Now order me to kiss you,” she said, a grin growing on her face.

  “Kiss me,” he demanded, but his lips started to twitch.

  KC did as she was told. She kissed him, her tears making their kiss salty. But they were of joy now, no longer sorrowful, because Max Morrison wanted her like she wanted him.

  “Since you kissed me, I’m assuming you’re not going to fight me on getting married?” Max sat on the sofa, with her anchored on his lap by the arms he kept tightly banded around her. He couldn’t let her go. She might run.

  She shook her head. “No way. That’s what I was trying to say. I didn’t want to live with you without a commitment. I was holding out for marriage.”

  Max turned her until he could look into her eyes. “You wanted to get married all along? That’s what you were trying to tell me?” Even to his own ears, he sounded incredulous. Disbelieving too.

  “Yep. I did a pretty good job of messing the whole thing up, didn’t I?”

  “Spectacularly,” he agreed. Happy to have her warm weight in his lap again.

  She punched him. “Max Morrison, you’re not supposed to agree with me.”

  Laughing, he avoided her next swing. “You did—”

  KC stopped his statement with a kiss. A heart stopping, wonderful kiss. His body responded, and he liked the conversation their bodies were conducting. Especially now that he knew she felt the same way.

  “Mmm, I needed that.”

  “MMM, is you,” she murmured in a dreamy voice.

  “What?”

  “Your initials are M-M-M, and the girls said, ‘See, even his name spells yummy’.”

  “Even my name spells yummy?” He thought he understood but wasn’t certain. Max didn’t particularly care, not when her willing lips were so close.

  “Yes, they decided that when you tried on your new sweater from me and Lainy. They also saw the picture she sent of you, Ryan, and Spuds asleep. I had to hide that photo because of the drool.” KC shook her head sadly.

  Max grinned. “Did you drool?” This was one answer he definitely wanted as his heart pounded out an extra beat.

  “Oh, yeah. I’d already had... unsettling thoughts about you before I left. Then I see that picture, and I realized I find you very attractive.” She stroked a possessive hand down his chest.

  “Really?” Wow, ask a question and you got an answer.

  “Yes. That first morning with beard stubble, mmm, you looked especially yummy. Your hair was all tussled. I think you blew my neurons. Not nice.” She mock scowled at him.

  He kissed her. Since he was on a roll, might as well continue. Maybe he could blow some of his neurons too. She moaned and he savored the sound. And her taste. He finally could taste KC whenever he wanted to. Life was good.

  Life was excellent.

  “Any more confessions you’d like to make?” He couldn’t imagine being happier.

  “Yeah. I love you.”

  Okay, so maybe he could actually burst from happiness. “Oh, baby, I love you too.”

  “For how long?”

  “I’ve loved you since the first time we met.”

  “What?” KC reared back and stared at him. Her huge eyes and slightly gaping mouth were the loveliest sight he had ever seen.

  “KC, I bought Gilmore Products because of you.”

  “Because of me?” She looked and sounded utterly shell-shocked. After fighting a war for eight months, he managed to do at home what Kuwait hadn’t. Go, him.

  “I did. Even if there was no way to salvage the company, which by the way, you somehow managed to do, I still would have bought in.”

  “I poured every penny of my inheritance into the company. You won’t be getting an heiress,” she warned.

  “I figured that’s what you’d done. But I am
getting an heiress. Already we’re seeing some very nice profits.”

  “We are?”

  “Of course. You’ll get everything back you put into Gilmore Products, plus.”

  “While that’s wonderful news, I don’t care.”

  His turn to be surprised. “Oh?”

  “I like the benefits more.”

  He felt things respond to the hot look she sent him.

  “The benefits?” His voice sounded uncomfortable.

  “Yeah. I’m planning to sleep with the boss.” Her voice was extra husky.

  He really liked the sound of that. “That can be arranged.”

  Chapter 46

  “Bye, Mommy and Daddy!” Ryan waved enthusiastically before he disappeared into the big yellow bus. Max heard KC’s smothered sob and wrapped her closer. They waved until the bus turned a corner and then KC crumpled into him.

  “I knew you’d be a basket case,” Max said cheerfully, and folded his wife into both arms.

  She sniffed and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not a basket case. Our son just went off to kindergarten. He’s in school now. Where has the time gone?”

  “Honey, he’s six. He’s supposed to go to school. That’s what happens at age six.”

  “I know! It’s just hard. We won’t be able to go visit him at work anymore.”

  “No. But that’s okay. He needs this experience.”

  “At least he’ll know nearly all his classmates.”

  Max laughed. “Yeah, that poor teacher. All those Morrison kids.”

  “Well, Mitch and Lainy’s daughter won’t be going to school for a few more years, at least.”

  “I can’t believe how ga ga Mitch is over Alexis.” Max shook his head like it was all wrong.

  “She’s his daughter. Of course he’s crazy about her.”