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They'd shared so and appreciation for each other Catherine didn't expect warard her so impersonally Apparently she'd read more into their talk than he intended

That was her first mistake, and Catherine feared she was ready to co her shoulders, she traipsed down the hillside to the running track She was later this evening than she had been the night before No thanks to Co files and charting progress as the substitute coordinator for the physical fitness program Her eyes hurt, her shoulders ached and she was in no mood to lock horns with the executive officer, unless, of course, he started so-up exercises and joined the others circling the quarter-mile track She needed to unwind, vent the frustration she felt over being assigned this extra duty, which was an imposition she didn't need It seeate CDO duty that Friday night to someone else Lucky for that someone

Her first lap was relaxed Catherine liked to ease herself into running, starting off slow and gradually gain heroff the third in a relaxed stride

Royce passed her easily on the first go-round Catherine fully expected that he would Once again she was ith she felt as he shot past her His skin was tan and hiswork of art, perfect, strong and male Her heart raced much faster than it should A rush of sensation so powerful it nearly knocked her off her feet took her by surprise On the heels of that eer He zooain and it was all she could do to hold herself back fro ahead

On the third lap she couldn't help herself, and she let loose, running as though she were in the Olympic time trial and this was her one and only chance topast Royce was enough toherself toof triumph was short-lived, as she kneould be Royce stepped up his pace and quickly charged around her Then he slowed down and waited for her steps to join his

"Good evening, Lieutenant Coh

"Commander" She wasn't in any ed to irritate her No s from her, whether they be reasonable or unreasonable It was all because of Royce Nyland that she'd been the one poring over a carload of files late into the afternoon

Royce increased his stride, and Catherine struggled to keep even with hi that he could have left her to eat his dust at anyti with her the way a cat enjoys playing with a cornered mouse None of that seemed to matter as she pushed herself harder than ever

After a couple of laps, Catherine sensed his amusement No doubt she and her damnable pride were a keen source of entertainment to the obstinate executive officer

Soed to keep up with Royce for three co pace any longer It was either drop out now or collapse Catherine chose the former

When she pulled back, slowed her pace to a fast walk, Royce raced ahead, then he surprised her by turning around and co back He kept his arht?"

"Just ducky" She barely ed to breathe evenly, and prayed a sufficient ah to convey her mood

A crooked s "Do you have a problem, Lieutenant Co A er be contained, and she was bursting to let hiht of hi herself in deeper than she dare, but her patience was shot "Is there soive hi's rotten in Denmark, and frankly, it isn't my problem It's yours"

"I don't treat you any differently than anyone else," Royce inserted smoothly

"Like hell you don't," she shot back heatedly Thankfully the others had left the track, whichanyone else to stand duty four weeks straight For some unknown reason you've chosen to destroy my weekends I've spent eleven years in this man's Navy and I've never stood duty ned my XO Apparently you don't like me, Commander, and I demand to knohy"

A nerve twitched in his lean, hard jaw "On the contrary, I find your dedication to duty to be highly commendable"

Catherine didn't actually expect hi to listen to his military rhetoric, either "I suppose my dedication to duty is what made you decide to blessthe physical fitness program? Was that supposed to be a bonus for all the extra hours I put in on the Miller case? If so, find another way to thankto talk and draw in deep breaths at the same time and doubted that Royce could make out more than a feords

Royce stiffened "Is that all?"

"Not quite" She was only beginning to gain her momentum "Off the record, Commander, I think you're a real jerk"

When she finished, Catherine was overwhel of release She started to tre could be attributed to the fact she'd pushed herself physically to the point of collapse or that she'd stood on a military compound and shouted insults at her executive officer at the top of her lungs

His look was i in the pit of her stomach was decidedly uncomfortable

"Is that a fact?" he de as though it were co fro she'd stepped over the boundaries of what should and shouldn't be said to a superior officer The blood that see church bells suddenly went silent

With her hands knotted into tight fists at her sides, she braced herself for the backlash If she thought to clear the air, she was sadly e her own career