Her Sexy Marine Valentine(9)

"Thanks. So, I want to fit in, but I have no idea how people who  usually wear uniforms think what's appropriate in an everyday  situation."

He wore khaki shorts, a gray T-shirt that fit tight against his  shoulders, and sneakers. He could have graced the cover of a fitness  magazine. And he definitely did not have winter-white legs. As far as  she could tell, most of him was a golden tan. She'd seen him running  without his shirt a few times and wondered how many wrecks he'd caused  from folks ogling him.

"I've never been to one of these events. I usually try to find an  excuse to get out of it, but you look great. We should go. The last  thing I need is the CO giving me a hard time about being late. The man  lives to make my life difficult."

"Well, we can't let that happen." She realized she wanted to impress  his CO. "But I still need to change my top one last time. I just thought  of the perfect blouse to wear."

He turned and was almost downstairs before he said, "I'll meet you in the truck."

It had been a while since any man had taken notice of her, and she had  to admit it felt good to have Brody's appreciation. She grabbed a frilly  white top that had layers of lace and paired it with the jeans. It felt  more beachy and feminine. And more than ever she wanted to look good on  Brody's arm.                       
       
           



       

Even if all of this was fake.

Twenty minutes later they were pulling into the picnic area where the  event was taking place. A large canopy had been set up with tables.  There was beach volleyball and little kids were running all over the  place.

She'd been so worried about getting ready, she hadn't thought about how  she would interact with these people. There were a lot of families with  teenagers and young kids-how would she relate?

"I'm nervous," she said. It was silly. She could talk to most anyone.  Part of her job as a designer was to convince her potential clients why  she was the best person for the job. But that was her world, this was  something very different.

Brody took her hand in his and squeezed it. "If it makes you feel  better, I am, too. I live by a code and I don't like the idea of lying  to my CO. But I keep telling myself it's worth it if it means avoiding  Carissa. She's not a bad person or anything, but getting tangled up with  her is the kiss of death. The last guy who had my job dated her for two  weeks and then dumped her. I'm not sure where he was transferred to in  the end."

"She's a grown woman, surely your CO wouldn't do something as vindictive as that?"

"He's tough about most things, which is why I don't understand all this  pretend goodwill. You bond when you're deployed and when you're  training, you're training. Like I said, I just don't get it. When I was a  fresh recruit, I had to make it on my own. You have to be able to think  clearly and rely on yourself. Sure, you always have your platoon's back  when you're out in the field, but not like this."

"I've never done what you do, but I have had my share of bad bosses, or  tough ones. And the truth is, you and I are friends. So, technically  you aren't lying. You're still within your code. And you got me out of  the house on a weekend, which has to be some kind of public service. If  not for you I'd be bent over a paint bucket, or worse, dealing with the  floorboards." She squeezed his hand and tried to ignore the heat  sizzling through her body from his touch.

"I can't believe I had to rook you into this because of clingy Carissa."

"I'm doing you one favor; you've been there for me all week, Brody. And  in a way that no one else I know has. You've quickly become one of my  greatest friends, and not because you've worked so hard on the  Victorian, but because you care. Trust me, it matters. But tell me the  truth. Would you rather be with Carissa right now, or at my house  helping me?"

"Hanging with you is definitely more fun."

That pleased her, probably a little more than it should have.





5

MARI TOOK A deep breath and stared out the windshield at all the people  milling around the picnic area. She and Brody were in this together she  reminded herself. "Let's do this! The faster we get out there, the  sooner we can get back to the house and get those floors down in the  kitchen."

He laughed. "You do have a one-track mind."

"Hey," she said as he got out and opened her car door. "I'll be able to  cook real dinners for you once the kitchen is in place."

He held a hand out to assist her from the vehicle. "I like the dinners  you make on the hot plate. I can't imagine how good the food will be in a  real kitchen."

She smiled. He was so sweet. She'd made him stew the other night in the  Crock-Pot and he'd talked about it for an hour. The guy really needed  some decent meals. As for her ex, she couldn't remember a single time  he'd thanked her for putting a meal on the table, even though she'd done  so every night and they both worked long hours. But Brody was  super-thankful, even if she presented him with nothing more than a  sandwich.

"Brody, I'm glad you made it." The CO's daughter stood in front of his  truck. Mari recalled her right away from the grocery store.

She snuck up on us. I wonder what she heard.

Carissa wore a white shirt tied at the waist and skinny jeans with  heels. Mari had no idea how she walked on the sand in those things.

"Hey, Carissa, you remember my girlfriend, Mari," Brody said quickly.  He leaned down and kissed Mari's cheek. Heat from his lips sent tingles  through her body.                       
       
           



       

Down, girl. Down. She had to be careful or Brody would have to get a fake girlfriend to keep her away.

Mari waved at Carissa.

"Oh, almost forgot the potato salad," Brody said. "This is Mari's  special recipe. I almost didn't bring it so that I could have it all for  myself."

He grabbed the big bowl. She'd made the potato salad the night before,  boiling the potatoes on the hot plate, which had been an experience  since the pot she used was twice the size of the small burner. The  recipe was actually her mom's and it always tasted better after sitting  in the fridge for twenty-four hours. She'd had Brody taste-test it, and  then she'd had to send him home before he ate the whole bowl.

"I had to hide it from him," she said truthfully.

"Um, okay then." The other woman didn't seem pleased or impressed with their closeness.

Whatever. Maybe her little scam with Brody was working and the other  woman was finally getting the message. As in, back off. Even though  Brody wasn't hers.

You need to keep reminding yourself of that.

"Food goes on the long table under the tent. Dad was looking for you,"  Carissa said, gesturing them toward the big tent. "He's out where they  set up the croquet court." Then she swished away with what Mari thought  was quite an exaggerated sway of her hips.

At the mention of the CO, Brody's shoulders had stiffened.

Poor guy. If the CO was anything like his daughter, Mari didn't blame him for being wary.

"It's okay," Mari whispered. And she took the bowl from him. "I'll go  and set this down. You find your boss and I'll meet you out there."

"Nah. He probably wants to meet you. We'll go out there together."

"Big, bad Brody, are you scared?" she teased.

"Nope. I have you by my side, I can do anything."

He sounded so sincere. She almost tripped on her flip-flops as they headed toward the tent.

She deposited the potato salad on a large buffet table, uncovered the bowl and went with Brody to find his boss.

Brody put his arm around her as they neared a group of people standing  by the edge of the water. It was a sunny day on the gulf, but the ocean  would likely be cool given the time of year. The temperature had been  cooler for sure.

Maybe I should have brought a sweater. Brody's warmth from his arm around her helped. She grinned.

"Sir," Brody said as they approached the group.

"Hello, Lieutenant. Introduce me to your friend."

"Yes, sir. This is Mari McDaniels. Mari, this is Commander Gray."

"It's nice to meet you, sir. Brody's told me so much about you." She held out her hand to shake his.

"I wonder if any of it was good," the CO said. His eyebrow cocked.

She laughed. "Always. He talks very highly about all the people he  works with, though I have to admit I'm terrible with names. And even  worse at remembering ranks and things. So if I say something wrong  today, please don't see it as a sign of disrespect. Brody's doing his  best to teach me."

She wasn't sure why, but she hadn't imagined Commander Gray would be so  young or distinguished, especially since his daughter was in her early  twenties. He couldn't be more than thirty-five, maybe forty, and that  would be pushing it.