Pulling into his driveway, he stared at the complex of brick apartments from Lori's perspective, trying to see it as a home rather than a place to park his stuff. It offered direct access to the pool, gym and hot tub, nothing spectacular but serviceable, with minimal upkeep when he left for long deployments.
Nevertheless he wouldn't miss it when the packers loaded his furniture in two weeks. And the woman beside him…?
Gray stretched his neck from side to side, clearing his mind so he could get them both into the apartment.
"Lori," he called softly. When she didn't stir, he nudged her shoulder. "Lori, we're here, at my apartment."
He added the last and waited for the explosion. Nothing. Gray shook her shoulder—her soft, delicate shoulder.
She shifted away from the window and rested her cheek on his hand. She nuzzled him with a sleepy moan that sent his thoughts of sleep on a direct flight out the window.
He considered his memory to be top-notch, but no way in hell could he have remembered just how satiny her skin felt against his. She mumbled, nuzzling him again.
And kissed his wrist.
Forget waking her up. Gray yanked his hand away. He would carry her to his first-floor apartment.
Her other hand crept up his arm to cup his face. "Hey, baby." Her Southern drawl floated on the air, husky and not quite awake. "We're here already, huh?"
Gray stifled a groan. Apparently, he'd also forgotten how deeply she slept. "Wake up, Lori."
"Don't want to." Her head lolled to rest on his chest as her arms looped around his neck. "You're a great pillow, cuddly and warm."
Another part of him was far from soft but definitely on fire.
He carefully disengaged her arms. An image of untwining Magda from Lori earlier flashed in Gray's mind, effectively dousing the moment. God, he wanted this day to end.
Gray slid from the car and circled to Lori's side. He lifted her into his arms, not an easy task as she was a tall woman and dead weight. She snuggled her face right into his neck. He walked faster.
At his apartment he put her down to unlock the door. She leaned against him, her arms encircling his neck. Her small, but perfectly soft br**sts seared his chest, burning away his exhaustion.
She was obviously asleep. But if the past played itself out in her dream, her next move would involve her fascination with his flight suit zipper.
"Come on, Lori, let's get you inside. Fast." Keys jingling, he unlocked the door. Lori's arms dropped away, and Gray caught her around her waist as he shoved the door open.
She grabbed his butt. "Have I ever told you how great you look in a flight suit?"
He couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry. "Hey, honey, I'm not a piece of meat, you know," he mumbled, scooping her into his arms. Too bad her touch lingered.
Her head drooped against his shoulder. "Flight suits are so hot."
"I'll make sure to share that with the folks at work." Kicking the door shut, he strode into the living room. Dimmed lights from the vaulted ceiling illuminated a shadowy path. He limped down the hall as fast as he could, not nearly fast enough to the guest room. He lowered Lori to her feet again and swept the daybed clear of bubble wrap and packing supplies.
>Lori swept a hand over flyaway strands of her hair. Enough leaning on Gray, she needed to finish her job, then go home to crash. "Where is everyone?"
"I told the crew to go ahead without me." Gray jerked a thumb toward the military truck. "SOF, uh, the supervisor of flying, will take us back."
She scrubbed a palm over her face, wiping away remnants of her crying jag. "Real professional of me to miss out on the end because I needed to indulge in a little fit of histrionics."
His hands fell to rest on her shoulders. "Only a hard-nose wouldn't have been moved by what went down here tonight. So what if you needed to let go? You'd already stayed later than the rest of your team, far longer than was necessary." His fingers trailed, and he lightly squeezed her upper arms. "Cut yourself some slack."
Those broad hands warmed her, weakened her. She stepped back. "Whatever."
His hands dropped to his sides. "You ready to pack it in?"
Lori nodded. "It's going to be a long drive downtown. At least traffic will be light."
His jaw thrust forward. "You're not driving."