“A few days. A week or so, we’ll be on balance again. I’m going to have to be out of town for a bit. Some of it needs to be hands-on.”
“Okay. But you figure you’ll be back in order in about a week?”
“More or less, why?”
“Because when you’re all set, I’m going to take you away for a long weekend. So you can relax.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Are you?”
“Yeah. You’ve been revving on all engines. You need a break. So we’ll say… a week from Friday. Where do you want to go?”
“Where do I want to go? And you’re doing this because I need a break?”
She glanced through the doorway, just to make sure nobody was paying any attention. Then cupped his face in her hands. “You do. Then there’s the fact that I intend to make you my sex slave for a couple days. So where do you want to go?”
“We haven’t been to the island in a while.” He didn’t bother to check if anyone was watching, but leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
“No. I’ll make the arrangements. I can do it,” she said when he didn’t quite hide the wince. “I can. Jesus, I can coordinate a major op, I should be able to coordinate some damn travel. Have a little faith.”
“In you I have more than a little.”
“Then I’ll see you later. I’ve got to go let the dogs out.”
She headed out, then walked back and gave him a hard, short kiss. “Later, Civilian Baby.”
She heard him laugh as she walked out, skirted around other cops. And when she was alone, riding down alone, she tapped her finger-the one that wore her wedding ring-against the image of the badge on her heart.
