Wanting Forever

Part 10

When staring at an intriguing woman—or trying not to—time flew by. But then, so did the information.

Trace found it difficult to keep his mind in the conference room the next day. It kept wandering back to the restaurant or to the kiss outside her door. He scrubbed a hand over his face. This wasn't supposed to have happened. He was a professional. He was the job. From previous experience Trace knew he could be the captain of the Alexandria, and only be that, or he could be something else and have life beyond work. A lawyer, a doctor, a fireman. No, scratch "doctor." He couldn't do blood, vomit, or broken bones—especially broken bones. Not anymore.

The real problem was he couldn't be a captain and an attentive boyfriend. Or husband. Or father...not when he was out on assignment for six months at a time and longer.

The seating had been rearranged since the previous day so they were now seated next to each other at the large, oval table. He had to turn his head away from Admiral Kaine to steal a glance at Effone. She typed steadily, eyes swiveling from the admiral to her computer screen, and even though she caught him looking, she didn't change her rhythm or even spare him a look. She was focused on whatever was happening in the room. He envied her.

The day continued much like that, with him trying to pay attention and failing miserably. It wasn't until late afternoon that the two admirals finally yielded the floor. The room emptied in seconds. Except for himself and Effone who, oddly enough, was still typing furiously. He leaned into her space. "Can I borrow your notes later?"

Effone laughed, and the sound of it coming from deep within her chest made Trace smile. "No, I'm..." She glanced around them. "I'm finishing my crew evaluations."

"So, neither one of us was paying any attention at all today?"

"I listened when your Admiral Fosk spoke." She shrugged. "Admiral Kaine, not so much. I will give them my mostly undivided attention tomorrow, though."

"Mostly undivided?"

Effone leaned back in her chair. Her hands absently harassed the pen in her lap. "It depends on several factors. Not the least of which being how much information is review. Today was all review. Don't worry about it."

"I know next to nothing about ASPECT. The only thing I thought I knew has been disproven."

Her eyebrow arched. "Really? What was that?"

"I'd been assured you were all crazy assholes."

Effone frowned for a moment. "What changed your opinion?"

Trace rolled his chair back from the table. He had to put some distance between them before he did something rash. "You did. You're not crazy or an ass."

Effone gave a short laugh, shook her head, and then clucked her tongue with a disappointed sound. "You haven't known me that long, Captain. It's only a matter of time before my true nature shows."

Trace laughed and as he did, he realized he hadn't laughed in the last six months as much as he had in the last day. Effone was a mix of guarded aloofness and understated humor wrapped up in a package he couldn't ignore. He reached out to cover her hand with his. "Dinner tonight? With me?"

She didn't answer immediately, instead watching him with a quiet regard. "This is such a bad idea," she said, her voice soft and full of regret.

"You've said that before."

"Trace, I'm serious. One of us is going to end up hurt, maybe both of us."

"Maybe."

"Almost definitely."

He knew she was right. The time frame, their respective jobs...two weeks and that was, for all intents and purposes, all there was. It was all they could be guaranteed. "Do you want me to back off? Keep this professional only?"

She chewed on her lower lip. The conflict and confusion was charming. When she finally spoke, her eyes rose to engage his. "No. Don't back off." She leaned forward to draw a finger along the back of his hand. "Just know I reserve the right to remind myself what a horrible idea this is."

"And what is 'this,' Effone?"

"I don't know. I can't put a label on it yet because it's...this is a new experience for me."

That was a surprise. "No one's ever pursued you before?"

"Not someone like you, no." She stopped to chew her lower lip again and he wished it was his, just for a moment. "I just need this to be...uncomplicated. And sex complicates everything."

"O-okay. I'll agree with reservations."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

"Eff..." he started to say. A sound at the door interrupted Trace's thought.

Admiral Kaine stepped into the room. "Hey, kids, hard at work? You two keep staying after class like this and you'll definitely come out on top."

Trace nearly fell out of his chair as he tried to push away from Effone. She, on the other hand, gracefully came to her feet. "Sir, did you forget something?"

"I did, in fact." Admiral Kaine pointed at the briefcase on the floor. "I'll collect it and go."

"That's all right. Have a good evening."