Love at First Flight by Marie Force Read Free Book Online

hers.
    This time when he kissed her neither of
them held anything back, and the punch was twice as powerful as it had been on
the busy sidewalk. He hauled her into his arms and plundered.
    Her fingers tunneled into his hair as
she responded with equal ardor.
    “Paige,” he sighed after what seemed
like a lifetime had passed. He kissed her neck and throat while his hand found
the soft skin of her back under her sweater. “This is crazy.”
    “Uh huh.”
    “I want to take you upstairs and—” She
traced his bottom lip with her tongue, and his mind went blank.
    “And what?” Her innocent expression was
in sharp contrast to the way she had kissed him.
    He whispered in her ear all the things
he wanted to do with her—and to her.
    She shuddered. “Oh God. I want you so
much. I've never behaved like this before, Michael. This isn't like me.”
    “It's not exactly my usual routine,
either.” He kissed her again and caressed her back. “But I should get you home.
It's getting late, and the Admiral isn't going to be happy with me.”
    She chuckled. “The Admiral would kill
you if he could see us right now.”
    “Well, isn't that as effective as a cold
shower?” With great reluctance he removed his hand from her back and drew her
sweater down.
    She shifted into the passenger seat to
put on her seatbelt.
    Michael opened the window to let in the
cold air to clear both his head and the steam on the windows. As they drove out
of the District on Massachusetts Avenue, he reached for her hand. “I'm glad
your mother had a meeting today.”
    She smiled. “So am I.”
    He merged onto Route 50 and headed east
to Annapolis. “I want to see you again.”
    “I think that can be arranged.”
    “How often are you in the city?”
    “I have class on Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday this semester, and I volunteer at the Smithsonian on Thursdays.”
    “You've made me forget what day it is
today.”
    She giggled. “Friday.”
    “That's what I would've guessed. What
are you doing tomorrow?” A mental alarm sounded, reminding him of the studying
he planned to do all weekend.
    She groaned. “I have to study. I have
two exams on Monday.”
    “I do, too. Maybe we could study
together?”
    “I don't know. I think you'd be too much
of a distraction.”
    “You're probably right. I can't imagine
tort law would hold my attention if you're in the room.”
    “There's a compliment in there
somewhere.”
    He laughed. “What about Sunday?”
    “My parents and I go to brunch at the
officer's club on Sundays. Would you like to come with us?”
    “Will they mind?” Michael asked.
    “Of course not.”
    “Okay, but I don't think I can wait that
long to talk to you again.” He let go of her hand to reach for a piece of paper
and a pen. “Will you write down your number?”
    She smiled. “Sure.”
    At the gates to the Naval Academy, Paige
showed the guard her identification card.
    “Good evening, Ms. Simpson,” the guard
said, waving them on to the base.
    “Did we just get V.I.P. treatment?”
    “Sort of. You're supposed to get a pass
for your car, but they're good to us. I'll have my dad put you on our guest
list so you can come in on Sunday.” She directed him through the campus to the
superintendent's large white house on the banks of the Severn River. A light
over the front door cast a glow over the sweeping front porch.
    “Military housing is so pathetic,” he
joked.
    “We make do,” she said with a smile as
she turned to him. “Thank you for dinner.”
    “You're welcome.” He brushed his thumb
over her cheek. “I'll walk you in.”
    “You don't have to.”
    “Yes, I do.” He went around to open her
door. Before they reached the bright lights of the porch, he stopped her and
could tell he caught her off guard with the gentle, easy kiss. When she
expected flame, he gave smolder. And when she reached for more, he held back,
leaving them both breathless by the time he finally pulled away. “Good night,”
he said.
    Her