Chapter 4

Harry was intrigued by her intense scrutiny. He’d given nothing away about who he was or where he worked. He told her he lived in one of the high-rise condos, which most women assumed meant he had money, but she’d brought a coupon for breakfast. She hadn’t asked him about money or for money. Maybe this woman was really different.

“You’re looking at me awfully hard,” he said.

Her lips screwed up on one side. “Your hair isn’t regulation.”

He smirked, then shrugged. “I can’t decide about yours. With women, it’s hard to tell if the hair is regulation or not since you can wear it up.”

“Touché.” Her lips spread into a wide grin. “So, should we give our branch in rock, paper, scissors style on three? You know, around here, you could be anything.”

“Most likely Marine or Navy, though,” Harry said.

She nodded. “True. But there are some facilities here that house all branches of service. ”

“Maybe we should play a guessing game,” Harry said as he ate the last of his biscuits.

“That would be fun,” Rory said. “But to make it more difficult, how about we try to guess not only which branch of service but the other person’s job, too?”

Harry really liked this woman. She was fun to be with. “Okay. So the winner gets something. What would be something we could award the person who guesses the closest?”

“Nothing monetary. Nothing that would get either of us in trouble. How about the winner gets a shoulder rub?”

“Oh, that’s good. Why don’t you go first?”

She tapped her chin like she was really thinking about it. “Are we doing this twenty-question style? But twenty questions are a lot. Maybe more like five questions, then you have to guess.”

“Sure. Five questions, but no direct questions about a specific branch until you’re done questioning and ready to guess for real.”

“Agreed,” Rory said. She went back to studying him. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips thinned. Being serious only made her look cuter. “Have you…” she trailed off, and he thought he would have to prompt her, but then she spoke again. “Have you lived on a ship of some sort for more than six months?”

“Yes,” Harry said. His first assignment had been on one of the huge carriers. He’d loved living on that ship. It was fun. Just thinking about it brought back warm memories. “Do I get to ask your first question now?”

Her head cocked to the side a little. “Sure. Why not.”

“During basic training, did you live north of the Mason-Dixon line?”

“Oh wow, that’s a great way to ask that question. And the answer is no. ”

Harry couldn’t help the huge smile, and he was sure he looked like a fool. He was Navy, and she was a Marine. His rule of never dating a military woman seemed to be something he was willing to ignore for the right woman, and he really believed that Rory was the right woman.

“Now it’s my turn.” Rory licked her lips as she thought about her next question. “At some point after basic, did you spend twenty-four weeks in Coronado for training?”

He sobered. “You’ve found me out in two questions?”

“The hair. It’s not regulation, and neither are the whiskers. Very few Navy men can get away with long hair.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, it’s not the style the Navy goes for.” His lips thinned as he stared at her. “I have no idea. I know you’re a Marine, but there are so many jobs you could do.”

“Well, you’ve eliminated that I’m a SEAL since I’m not Navy.”

Her words caused him to laugh. Once he recovered, he shook his head. “There are some badass women out there who could kick my ass if I didn’t take them seriously, but yeah, I’d know if there was a female SEAL. But I have no idea what kind of job you do in the Marines.” He sipped the now cold coffee and set down the mug, deciding he shouldn’t drink more of it.

Rory’s eyes twinkled, distracting him. He was usually better at figuring out stuff like this, but she wasn’t giving anything away. Obviously, she wasn’t new to military life. At one point, she carried and used a weapon she kept on her hip. A thought hit.

“Did you go to Virginia for training after you finished basic?” He didn’t know why he asked that question. He’d meant to ask another. All that would tell him was she might be an officer, not where she worked in the Marines .

Rory nodded. “I did.”

He wanted to make a guess, but something was holding him back. It was how she moved. She seemed very fluid in her movements. Maybe it was just her. But she went for her hip, almost like her weapon was a normal extension of her body.

“I’m hung up on something.”

Her lips twisted up to the side, and the look was adorable on her. Harry wanted to watch her all day.

“What are you hung up on?”

“When we were out for our run this morning and came upon that trouble, you reached for your hip. It was automatic. Like you’re used to carrying a weapon.”

She nodded. “So what’s your question?”

“Do you carry during your normal daily activities?”

She shook her head. “In my current position, I do not carry a weapon on a daily basis.”

“I’m at a loss. I think you’re an officer.”

She nodded. “I am.”

“But I don’t know where you work. You aren’t giving off any clues at all about your position or what you do. I don’t think you’re a paper pusher. You moved from Virginia over here. I’m at a loss.”

Her lips curved up in a smile, and she shook her head. “It’s not something you would have guessed. I’m in intelligence, and right now, I teach over at the Center. It’s a new position for me, and it’s not normal. It’s a Navy facility, but I’m a Marine on loan for certain courses.”

He shook his head. “You weren’t giving anything away, so working in intelligence makes sense.”

She shrugged. “I’m good at my job. I’m guessing you’re good at yours.”

He nodded. “I am.” He didn’t talk about what he did with many people. He was proud of what he’d accomplished as an operator. There were moments that were difficult, and he had to deal with things he never really thought he’d be dealing with, but overall, he and his team operated with integrity.

“So you’re Navy, and I’m a Marine. I’m an officer, and I’m guessing you aren’t.”

He shook his head. “I’m enlisted, but we’re not in the same branch of service, so there shouldn’t be any issue with us dating.”

“Are we going to date? We could call it just getting to know each other.”

Harry wasn’t good at lying. They weren’t dating, just being friendly. They may not make it past eating a few meals together. “I don’t want either of us to get in trouble.”

“I think we’ll be safe. And we’re not dating. Just hanging out and being friends.”

Harry shook his head. “Not everyone would see it that way. But you’re right. We don’t work in the same area, and you’re not in the Navy. Our command structures are totally different.”

Her lips curved up more. “I’m not Navy, and our command is different.”

“Okay, so Rory, who I’m totally not dating, do you want to plan on working out together next weekend?” Her eyes seemed to dance as she smiled. He would love to bask in her glory all day.

“Sure. That would be great. I’d like that. I have a big class starting this week, so I’ll probably work late on Friday. Do you want to go for a run on Saturday?”

He nodded. “Sure. How about meeting me on the strand? We can jog on or near the beach.”

She reached out and squeezed his hand, then flashed him a smile that sent warmth through him. If anything progressed between them, he’d have to talk to command and make sure he wasn’t doing anything wrong. There was no command structure between them, no crossover at all. Maybe he should call it quits before something started between them, but he wanted to see if it was even worth it. Perhaps they would figure out they weren’t compatible, and the relationship wouldn’t even begin. He met her gaze and knew that this woman was exactly what he’d been looking for. He would find a way to make it work.