Page 9 of Love and Loyalty

“So.”

“What just happened between us shouldn't interfere with our job. We are two adults, and we can manage our feelings accordingly. This should never have happened.” Isabel said.

“I totally agree with you. I suggest we keep things strictly professional.” Drew was relieved to have spoken about it.

“That being settled, I wish you a good night, Drew.”

The sound of her name on Isabel’s lips sounded different. Drew inched closer to her.

“Goodnight, my able lieutenant colonel,” she joked and Isabel laughed.

As she drifted towards sleep, she felt Isabel's lips pressing against her forehead. She hoped she could tame her feelings for Isabel and concentrate solely on her work without ruining her chances at happiness and their newfound friendship.

She wanted so desperately to take things further, but Isabel was right. It was a really bad idea. They needed to stay professional.

Chapter Three

Izzy

Izzy woke up to darkness still around her. She gawked at her immediate environment before yesterday’s events crawled their way into her memory, and she smiled mischievously.

Kissing Drew. Mmmm. Sleeping next to her. Feeling the warmth of her body and the press of Drew’s breasts in her back. Izzy couldn’t shake the feeling of how much she had enjoyed it.

As unprofessional as it was.

No, they couldn’t pursue anything. It would get messy. And Izzy certainly didn’t do messy.

Drew stretched beside her and roused in her sleep. Izzy could see the outline of her short tousled blonde hair and she felt like she wanted to ruffle it.

She wouldn’t though. Obviously. That would be entirely unprofessional.

It felt strange seeing the tough soldier so vulnerable.

Look who’s a sleeping princess,she thought. She crawled out gingerly, even though she knew she wouldn't wake Drew.

She could hear soldiers approaching on their morning run. They must have cleared the debris from the sandstorm. Their heavy boots hit the ground in unison, creating a synchronizedthud. They were led by a figure she didn’t recognize, and she hid as they shuffled past her.

She couldn’t believe that she, a lieutenant colonel, was hiding from her subordinates. But it was better to hide than face a scandal. She scanned her surroundings, spotting a narrow alleyway between two buildings that would allow her to circumvent the main patrol route.

She darted into the alley, her heart racing as she picked up her pace, determined to reach the safety of her quarters without being noticed.

She felt bad abandoning Drew to whatever came, but it would be worse if they were caught there together.

She hadn’t done anything wrong. Well, not much anyway. But she still felt the guilt of the illicit yet delicious kiss weighing around her neck.

A little later, she emerged from her quarters, properly dressed and ready for the day. She was on her way to the medical center when she was intercepted by Lieutenant Colonel Patel.

“Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel,” she said cheerfully.

“You seem to be in a good mood. And enough with the honorifics, please.”

“Of course, Patel.”

“We have an urgent mission this morning. It's nothing too serious, but it concerns you. An army outpost needs medical supplies and other resources. I want you to oversee what we can spare and pack them up,” Patel said.

“Okay, I'll head to the medical center right away.”

“Thank you, Oakley. You really are the best.” He smiled.