Air abandoned his lungs like an aircraft in a rapid decompression. He couldn't have looked away if a bomb detonated in the middle of the runway.
He shouldn't be surprised. He'd long ago given up trying to figure out what about this woman drew him. Chemistry was a damned unpredictable beast.
She certainly wasn't his type. Lori had one of those wholesome, pretty faces, minimal makeup, not like the Officer's Club babes who waited around for a chance at a flyboy. His mother had called Lori a classic beauty, like one of the princesses from his little sister's old storybooks.
Except princesses weren't usually drawn with full, pouty lips that made a man think thoughts far from princely.
His mouth quirked into a grin as it had when he'd seen those same lips for the first time over a year ago.
Lori blinked. Her face went blank, and she cleared the bus steps.
What did he expect? That she would blush flame red and run screaming back onto the bus? That wasn't Lori's style, and quite frankly there hadn't been enough between them to warrant such a strong reaction. They were just old lovers, after all. No big deal. Right?
You probably shouldn't go there, either, pal.
Lori glided toward him, an official-looking knapsack slung over her shoulder. Stopping in front of Gray, she smiled, a perfect smile if it weren't for the tiny strain lines in the corners of her eyes. No awkward looks or shuffling, just practical and open like the woman.
"Hello, Lori."
"Gray." His name fell from her soft lips with a light Southern drawl, whiskey warm and just as potent. She nodded toward his arm. "Nice patch there, Major."
He glanced down at his patch. Anything Anywhere Anytime.
The insinuation crackled along the humidity- and memory-laden air.
Gray let his gaze slide back to her, strapping bravado on like a parachute. "Wanna test the motto out?"
Her laugh was husky, if a bit tight. "Same old Gray."
"Guess that's a no."
Her chin tipped. "Been there. Done that. Lost the T-shirt."
His arms folded over his chest. "You left it at my place."
"I figured you could use it to shine your boots."
"Probably the safest bet."
She laughed again, the great husky laugh of hers that rolled right into him. Just as fast she had his hormones bombarding the defenses of his reason. Of course sex, great sex, incredible anything, anywhere, anytime sex had never been their problem. But the minute they'd set their feet on the floor…
He'd told her from the start he wasn't what she needed. It had taken her three months to agree with him and leave.
Yeah, damn smart woman. He wasn't what she needed now any more than he had been then. "Are you here as a volunteer?"
"I'm heading the team."
Gray straightened and reassessed her. Not that he was surprised. Imperturbable, competent Lori could manage a full-scale deployment without breaking a sweat. "Really?"
"I'm director for the southeast branch that just opened in Charleston." She hitched the canvas knapsack higher. "What about you?"
"Double duty. Doctor and flyer. Putting all that training to good use and making the taxpayers' money work for them." This wasn't so bad. Keeping it light. Shoot the breeze, catch up, move on. Gray settled back into his comfort zone.
"It's … nice seeing everyone again. But I thought Captain O'Connell was the flight surgeon tasked for this one. At least, she was the one who briefed us on the medical aspect."
"I'm filling in. O'Connell has the stomach flu. She went DNIF, uh, duties not including flying, at the last minute."
"Just our luck, huh?" Lori's gaze locked with his for three beats before skittering away to the others in her group. "I should listen to what Tag has to say. See you later."