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Damn Nikki If I weren’t so pleased by the luscious surprise of finding Mel waiting for ht, I’d reprier who doubles as my mother, or who reports my behavior back to my aunt—or my fiancée

Melissa stayed to this , Monday She’s so different than e first met Even back then she had that confidence, but she’s happy now She’s also a little rounder, with our baby on the way It’s a killer combination I love it, and every time I’d bury my face in a new curve, she’d shriek and complain loudly I almost couldn’t let her leave

S at my desk, I look out theat the bare winter landscape of the courtyard, thinking of her Thisa little prayer of thanks I don’t pray, but with that angel inme, her delicate hand under her chin and her dark hair spread behind her on the pillow

It was like our oorld, secure and full of love She’d stirred, andher beautiful blue eyes, another quiet thank you echoed through my mind, only this time my memories were on our first encounters How incredibly sexy she was giving in tofor her to push me away She never did

“How long have you been awake?” She’d touched ers into my hair

“Not long” I’d caught her hand and brought her palm to my lips

She touched ot here, and now I have to leave again”

“You forget, I’m trained for periods of separation” Even as I said it, I knew nothing would oodbye easier

She pushed up into a sitting position anda Marine means you don’t miss me?” Her elboere bent, and one cheek rested on her palm

I couldn’t help laughing at her eyes narrowed in disbelief I wasn’t fooling anyone “I miss you like the worst pain in the world Like the desert misses rain”

“That’s a song” She kissedyou have experience with”

Catching her neck, I pulled her forward for a better kiss, but she arched away before I could take it further “I want to knowWhat are your special skills? Besides notme e’re apart, of course Can you fly a plane?”

I shookfor —”

“I don’t believe it You know things Tell me!”

Pressing ether, my eyes moved down to her chin then to her sliold chain Yes, I know things