"Brad," she said with conviction, "he wants me to be happy, that's all."
Composing his thoughts, Brad glanced at the sultry lagoon, then back to Leigh Ann. "What's the real reason for his animosity toward me? Is my social level not good enough, being the rowdy, drunken military gypsy that I am?"
"Please, Brad, don't be defensive. That doesn't become you." He finished the last of his drink. "What's the reason he doesn't want us to be together?"
"Brad, you're in the military, and you hold quite different views from my father."
"You're right," he replied, signaling for another scotch. "That's my job. I curse, drink, and shoot people for a living."
"That's not my Dad's primary concern. He just cares about my welfare."
Brad exhaled sharply. "What's his primary concern? That I'm an abominable heathen — a warmonger?"
"No," Leigh Ann answered in a quiet voice. "He doesn't want me to fall in love with someone who has a high risk of being killed."
"And," Brad replied icily, "making you a widow before you're twenty-five. Right?"
"That's correct."
"On that point, your father is right. But life is full of risks, and rewards."
"Brad, I am not sure either that I am ready for that risk. Dad is right, and I don't think you have any idea how I feel. You just want what you want." Leigh Ann's lip trembled. "I'm going to my room."
He accepted his fresh drink. "I'll walk you."
"That won't be necessary, thank you."
Brad rose when she reached for her evening bag. "Leigh Ann, contrary to what your father thinks, life is not tied in a neat little package. Sometimes, we have to roll the dice."
"I'll take that under consideration," she said, then turned and walked away. Leigh Ann felt confused and angry. Brad's temper and passion scared her.
Chapter 32
Attired in civilian clothes, Harry Hutton, Jon O'Meara, and Mario Russo saluted and walked down the gangplank to the carrier pier. They had been granted three days off to go sight-seeing and souvenir hunting.
O'Meara and Russo had talked Harry into taking a train excursion to visit outlying cities. Jon wanted to see Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital; Mario was determined to explore Kobe and sample the distinctive flavor of the highly praised Kobe beef.
The threesome had agreed to stay in Kyoto the first night. Jon had made arrangements for them to stay at a traditional Japanese inn known as a ryokan. Harry had been reluctant when O'Meara had explained that they would be sleeping on the floor in rooms without furniture. Harry had acquiesced when Mario explained about the bathhouses close to the ryokan. Harry had liked the idea of having young women bathe him.
Carrying their compact overnight bags, the three men walked to the taxi stand, then patiently waited in line for a cab. Watching the cabs come and go, Harry had occasional thoughts of Phuc Yen, but dismissed the reflections as needless worry. Along with his traveling companions, Harry Hutton had not the slightest inkling of the brewing maelstrom.
Brad listened to the Polynesian band and thought about Leigh Ann and her relationship with her father. He mentally kicked himself for not being more understanding and considerate to the woman he loved.
He shoved his half-finished drink across the table, paid his bill, then walked to the elevator. He wanted to apologize to Leigh Ann for getting angry, and set the record straight.
When the elevator stopped at his floor, Brad was startled to see Leigh Ann when the doors opened. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, stepping to the side. "I was on my way to talk to you."
Brad's hazel eyes smiled warmly, crinkling at the corners. "We think alike. I was heading for your room… to apologize."
"Brad, I'm the one who owes you an apology. I don't know what we were arguing about. I am here now and my father isn't. I have disobeyed him, so I really have made my decision."
He felt a surge of desire sweep through him. "Please, no apologies. Leigh Ann, I've been thinking about everything you told me."
She gave him a tiny smile. "Would you like to go to my room?" "Sure, if you feel comfortable."
Leigh Ann slipped her hand through the crook of Brad's arm, squeezing him affectionately."I've never felt more comfortable."
He gently pulled her closer to his side as they walked to their adjoining rooms. "I may be wrong, but I believe that your father, with all good intentions, is overcompensating where you're concerned."
Leigh Ann nodded. "He is, because of the way Tyler treated me."
"You're right," Brad responded as they reached the door to Leigh Ann's room. "He is trying to make sure that you fall in love with the perfect mate." She inserted the key and allowed Brad to open the door.
He followed Leigh Ann through the entrance and closed the door. Brad was surprised to see a silver champagne bucket sitting on the coffee table. "When did you arrange to have the champagne sent up?"
Turning to him, Leigh Ann reached down to clasp both of his hands. She wanted to pull him to her, but hesitated for a moment. "I asked room service to deliver it," she smiled, linking his arms behind her back, "while we were at dinner."
Brad felt her body pressing against him as she raised her arms and encircled his neck. With a rush, repressed emotions were released as their lips met in a fervent hunger.
After what seemed like minutes, they separated to catch their breath. Leigh Ann gently cupped Brad's face in her hands. "I've missed you, darling… more than I can tell you."
He held Leigh Ann to his chest, resting her head next to his neck. A shudder ran through him. "I've been thinking about you every waking moment since Hawaii."
Leigh Ann brushed his neck and leaned back, looking up at the tanned face and sincere eyes. "What have you been thinking about me?"
Reaching for her shoulders, Brad's stare riveted Leigh Ann. "That I love you," he admitted hoarsely and drew her lips to his in a gentle, passionate kiss.
Leigh Ann responded with a crushing intensity that was intoxicating. She broke off their kiss and held him close. "I love you, too." She trembled and gazed into his eyes. "God, how I love you… Brad Austin."
He spoke with a huskiness in his voice. "Why don't I open the champagne," he breathed, "while you make yourself comfortable?"
Filled with longing, Leigh Ann smiled and slipped from his arms. "I'll only be a minute."
Brad tried unsuccessfully to collect himself while Leigh Ann stepped into the bedroom. He carefully opened the chilled bottle of champagne and turned out the lights on each side of the window. Looking across the moonlit bay, Brad felt a sensation that he had never experienced before. He was totally consumed, enraptured by his love for Leigh Ann Ladasau.
Staring blankly at the boat lights moving across the water, Brad sensed Leigh Ann's presence. He turned slightly as she approached him wearing only her kimono. She looked like a goddess in the soft light.
Brad stepped to the table and poured two glasses of champagne. He handed one to Leigh Ann. Placing his arm around her waist, Brad inhaled and raised his glass. "To us… and to our love."
They drank the toast and Leigh Ann set down her glass, turning to embrace Brad. "Hold me, darling," she murmured in a soft, wistful voice. "Please don't leave me tonight."
Brad unsteadily placed his glass down and scooped her into his arms. "I'll hold you all night," he said thickly as he carried her into the bedroom.
Dan Bailey sat down in Jack Carella's stateroom. He had just returned from a meeting with the commanding officer of the other Phantom squadron on the carrier. An extreme weariness from prolonged stress swept over him. He rotated his head from side to side, then moved it up and down in an attempt to loosen his tense neck muscles.