"Are you okay, Kathryn Marie?"
Squeak! Her eyes flew wide and her heart dropped as she saw the man who'd followed her come through the door at the other end of the EOD facility's hallway.
Devin was an immovable object. “Heard you were no longer a consultant for the D.C. Police Department. Something about not following protocol and interfering with an expert at a sensitive juncture-"
"Damn hotshot!” Blicksen mumbled under his breath. “I knew what I was doing. You should have let me do my job and take charge. Why couldn't you just shut up and take orders?” Blicksen's face darkened. “All I needed you to do was take the freaking steps I asked."
Man, this guy didn't let anything go
Devin stayed calm. “How many hours have you logged with IEDs and where were you trained in bomb disposal? This is my job and my life. I was given the task and I did it well.” He leaned his head slightly forward. “If I hadn't, you'd be dead and so would most of the people on that block."
"Son of a-"
Leaning back out of reach of a fairly amateur swing, Devin nodded to a buddy of his. “It's time to go, Blicksen. This is a government facility and you haven't been invited to this party. Your ID will only get you so far.” He wasn't going to make the mistake of mixing it up, fighting again. It was proper channels all the way.
"I need to speak to Miss Pente.” Blicksen remained adamant. “Now."
Devin glanced back at Kathryn Marie. “Then you can do it right here. In front of all of these witnesses, don't give me a load of bullcrap about it being official business, because I received a message from my CO that you are no longer associated with any law enforcement agencies. Remember, I mentioned that when you first came in."
"Fine.” Blicksen was practically on fire, his emotion read so loud. Finally, he seemed to swallow his anger and his voice became more rationale. “My girlfriend likes Miss Pente's paintings, and I want to ask her to do a commission, as a Christmas gift and…"
"For this you followed me around and scared me half to death!” Kathryn Marie cried. Now, she was pissed. “Why not call my gallery or go on the Web site and e-mail my agent? There are normal channels of communication."
Blicksen looked at his shoes. Reaching around, he put his hand on the door. With one look back, he said, “This is important.” He looked past her. “I could be pressing charges on your boyfriend here-for hitting me."
"I could have pressed the point you allowed a civilian into a secure scene. I bet your violation would outweigh mine.” Devin glared at Blicksen.
Her words broke into the silence. “He's…” She couldn't say he wasn't her boyfriend. Because even though it had been such a short time, it felt like he was and she wanted him to be. Licking her lips, she contemplated the idea. Inwardly, she was glad he had struck this Blicksen character. There were deceptive qualities about him. But, what could she do to help Devin now? “Okay,” she said to Blicksen. “We can talk."
Every eye swiveled toward her. Devin's face was the most priceless, like he'd been kicked in the gut.
"Tell me what you need.” Her voice was flat and businesslike. She could be cool, and in front of all these people that's exactly what she would be. Professional.
"A winter rose, also known as the Christmas rose.” Blicksen reached in his pocket and extracted a picture of a lovely blossom.
Kathryn Marie took it and examined the photo. “Five thousand dollars.” Business was business.
Several of the men coughed, covering their smiles. But Blicksen wasn't daunted.
"Agreed. I need it in three days.” Looking at Devin, he said, “It's almost our anniversary, too."
Kathryn Marie wondered what kind of macho thing men had about women and possessions, but she was willing to help turn this situation around. It had been caused by her fear, and she'd jumped the gun-so to speak. With a little understanding, she'd created a happy ending. At least, she hoped she had.
"I'll call you when it's complete.” Kathryn Marie accepted the card he handed her.
Blicksen nodded, and left.
When the door finally closed, the hallway was empty save Devin and Kathryn Marie. Military men could be as stealthy as smoke.
"I'd like to be there when you give him the painting, if that's acceptable.” Devin stepped closer. Slowly, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. She didn't protest. “You scared me."
"Me, too,” she replied. “I'd like you to be there."
"I don't scare easily.” Lips caressed the edge of her ear as he held her. His voice had a deep tenor and it made her heart race.
Pulling back with an even slower pace than the one he'd used for reaching out to her, she looked him in the eye. Studying those rich blue pools, she could spend weeks exploring their depths. Then, she smiled, leaned in, and kissed him.
Sweetness. Hunger. Titillation. And, pure passion rose within her.
She wanted to strip him bare and spend weeks, months, and years getting to know him. Why now? Why hadn't she met him before?
"Fate,” he said. “Fate brought us together."
"What?” She was confused. Had she spoken aloud?
"I was thinking about what my mother would say if I told her that I met the woman I want to-"
"You were thinking of your mother when you kissed me?” He didn't strike her as a momma's boy, but one never knew. Kathryn Marie started to wiggle away.
He held firm. “When we kissed, only one thought went through my head. She's the one I want to know better."
She stopped pushing against him. “Go on."
"Never have I wanted to spend time with one particular woman. I didn't connect with them here,"-he pointed at his head, then his heart-"and, here.” Brushing his lips over hers, he said, “Until you came into my life."
Her reply was to nod and rub her lips along his. “What, no words? I bare my soul and you nod?"
She smiled. “Get to know me. You have my permission to learn about every part of me."
"That's a date, then.” His phone buzzed. “I have to go back to work."
"I'm going to buy paint, and then go home and work, too.” She kissed him one more time. “When's our date for?"
"Every night for the rest of our lives.” He winked, and then he was gone.
Chapter Four
Kathryn Marie could hardly breathe as she slipped into the Jeep and secured the seatbelt around her. Had Devin just proposed or did he just want to date her forever? No one could love someone that quickly, could he?
As she drove through the gate, a red Sedan with black tinted windows pulled in behind her. It followed her down Orange Avenue.
This time she refused to buy a seat on the emotional hyper train. Her choice was to believe it was a coincidence. So, she went to her favorite paint shop, bought her beautiful blue watercolors and more, left, and pulled up in front of her building.
Maneuvering the bundle of packages and bags was a feat. It was impossible to leave the store without new brushes, canvases, etc. Shopping in an art store was like being a kid in a candy shop or a toy store.
Finally, she managed to get the door open and step through before the packages and bags tumbled to the ground. She had to laugh at herself, because the mess it made had her thinking of kids and Christmas-all the paper ripped off, ribbons taken by the dog, and what remained were piles of presents. She'd loved the bows and wrappings. Her mother would spend hours on it, but their dog, Trident, always took off with them. They'd end up in a wet heap under her covers. That dog really loved her!
The thought of spending the holidays alone this year was acute. This was her reality now. She could invite Devin over. Funny how her mind went to him, and they hadn't known each other long. Yet, he fit inside her head like a puzzle piece or something she hadn't really known was missing.