Duty

Lindsey's chuckle is more relaxed, and I find myself leaning back onto my couch, my body thrilling at the sound. It feels like the old days again, and I relax a little bit more. “Yeah, I guess so. I'm sorry if I surprised you.”

“You gave me a lot of surprises,” I tell her. “And to be honest, I've got about a hundred thousand questions running around in my head.”

“I figured. I could see it in your eyes. If it helps any, I've had my own questions, and there have been things I've wanted to tell you,” Lindsey says, her voice dropping. I don't know if she's doing it intentionally, but she's back in that sexy, throaty whispering purr that used to drive me crazy when we dated, the voice she used when we were making out in the woods, her fingernails dragging down my back, and my cock twitches at the memory.

“I know it's dangerous, but I have to see you,” I tell her. “These questions, some of them aren't the type that should be asked over the phone while I'm sitting in my ACU pants and wondering if I can wear them for work tomorrow for Sergeant's Time.”

“I live on post, Aaron. There's no way that you could come by and not be noticed.”

“That's okay,” I hastily reply. “I rent a house off post. It's in a quiet neighborhood, and there isn't another soldier in my entire block. Hell, my neighbors are two gay guys, and the house on the other side next to me is empty.”

“I don't know, Aaron. It feels . . . dangerous,” Lindsey says. “And I don't mean because of the Army regulation issues.”

“I know,” I reply. “But Lindsey . . . I think this is something that has to be done. Bring Lance, and I'll set up the little gas grill I've got. I'll make some food. Are you single?”

“I am,” Lindsey says, then chuckles. “A good man is hard to find as a single mom.”

“A good man . . .” I muse, thinking how that saying could be switched so easily. A good woman is hard to find, too. “So, what do you say? Civvies. I'll make sure to pick up my dirty t-shirts, and if you're lucky, my socks too.”

Lindsey laughs, another little thrill running down my body as she does. “Okay, okay, how can I turn that down? Saturday afternoon, say one o'clock?”

“That's great,” I reply. “So . . . what does Lance like to eat? I assume he can eat barbecue food?”

“Keep it mild, but if you pick up the stuff to make cheeseburgers, he's a happy camper. Put cheddar on it, and he'll be your best friend for life.”

“Cheddar it is then. Any other requests?”

“Yeah,” Lindsey says softly. “No sugary stuff. I like putting him down for a nap on weekends around two thirty or so for an hour, and I think you might want some privacy for your questions. Mine too.”

“Well, it might not be his bed at home, but this couch of mine is soft and fluffy. In fact, I rack out on it often. I'm sure he'll like it,” I tell her, running my hand over my comforter from my Academy days. This 'green girl' has seen a lot of nights wrapped around my shoulders. “So how about instead of one, maybe twelve thirty? I'd like to talk to him a little more.”

“We'll see, Aaron,” Lindsey says. “But I'll see you Saturday. What's your address?”

I give her my street address and tell her the nearest gate on post to use to get there easily. I hear Lindsey writing, then she hums. “Okay. Aaron, I can't promise you all the answers. And you may not like the ones I give.”

“I know. But I can’t wait anyway.”

“That helps me a lot, hearing you say that. Even if we know that could be more difficult than we want to admit,” Lindsey says reassuringly. “Okay, I'll see you Saturday. Good night, Aaron.”

“Good night, Lindsey.”

I hang up, smiling to myself. I'll have a busy Friday night, but that's okay. There's a twenty-four-hour Walmart down the street from me, so even if work runs late, I'll be good. I can pick up all the supplies I need to make a decent barbecue that any three-year-old would enjoy.

Right now, though, my green girl is looking very comfortable, and I could use an early bedtime myself. Time to get some rack.





Chapter 12





Lindsey





Pulling up outside Aaron's house, I can't help it, I'm feeling nervous. I don't feel like I dressed up too much, just some jeans and a blouse, but still, I did take a little bit of time to put on some light makeup, something I don't normally do in uniform. Even Lance notices, and as he looks out on Aaron's house, he's fidgeting in his seat. “Mommy, is this where we're having lunch?”

“Yes buddy. Now remember, Aaron's an officer, but he and I knew each other before you were born, and he was really interested in meeting you. So we're going to be on our best behavior, right?” I ask, getting out of my seat and going around, unbuckling him. I shoulder his diaper bag, just the quick one since the rest of his stuff is staying here in the car and lift him out, setting him down to wait for me. He's wearing his big boy pants now anyway. He's very proud of keeping them clean. He'll be good.

Lance takes my hand and we walk up the short curved pathway to Aaron's front door, where I ring the doorbell. It's twelve forty-one, and I hear footsteps inside the house. “Lindsey?”