Ashley looked around for a reason to excuse herself. She had been politely listening to small talk between Karen and her friends for the last half an hour
and quite frankly, she was getting bored.
Maverick had been right about getting some work from them though. She already had three appointments lined up for during the week.
"So, are we having fun yet?" A sexy voice whispered in her ear.
Lee was standing right behind her, so close that she could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck. She turned and smiled at him.
"If you call hearing all about little Johnny's grades and hubby's latest promotion fun, then yes, I'm having an absolute blast."
She looked at him pleadingly. "Get me out of here!!!"
Lee turned to the group of women and gave them an engaging smile.
"Ladies, I'm afraid that I am going to have to steal the lovely Ashley away from you." He announced smoothly.
" The music has just started and she promised me the first dance."
He held out his hand to Ashley and gave her an inviting smile. She gladly took it and let him lead her to the makeshift dance floor,
where a few couples were already swaying to the band Karen had hired for the afternoon.
Lee pulled her in close. The smell of her beautiful hair was intoxicating.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensations that were moving through him as they swayed in time with the music.
"So much for resistance." Ashley thought to herself.
She knew that if Lee decided to put the moves on her, there was no way that she would be able to fight it.
The attraction was just too strong. She allowed herself to relax in his arms and just enjoy the moment, she would worry about the complications later.
**************************************************
"So tell me Captain," Maddie threw Maverick a curious look as they moved away from the drinks table,
"Why exactly is it that you were planning to kiss my very married, very conservative sister? Don't worry, I won't tell Tom, your secret is safe with me."
Maverick laughed and turned her to face him.
"Tom already knows. It's all part of his master plan to get Karen to loosen up." He explained. "He thinks she's getting too serious for her own good."
" Oh, so when you realized it wasn't Karen, why didn't you stop?" She asked him.
" I couldn't." He told her honestly. " I can't explain it, there was just an immediate…"
" Attraction, desire?" She finished his sentence for him.
"Exactly." He smiled down at her.
"I know what you mean." He noticed that her eyes were still smoldering as she returned his gaze.
He was tempted to kiss her again right then and there, but that would take a lot of explaining as he saw Karen heading in their direction.
"Oh quick, save me from kitchen slave duties." Maddie begged him as she noted the determined expression on her sister's face as she approached.
He laughed, wrapped an arm around her waist and led her towards the dance floor.
****************************************************
Maverick watched Lee and Ashley dancing as he waited for Maddie to finish helping Karen put out the salads for lunch.
They had eluded her for a short time, but Karen had tracked them down, insisting that she needed her sister's help.
Maverick's mind was wandering back to the little interlude in the kitchen when Tom approached him.
"Mav, could I have a word please?" He asked.
"Is this the part where you warn me to keep away from the little sister Tom?" Maverick's eyes danced with mischief as he waited for the lecture from his CO.
"Not in the way you think." Tom looked serious. "Look Mav, Maddie's a beautiful girl, and I don't blame you for being attracted to her." He began.
"But I have to warn you, don't fall in love with her mate. She'll break your heart."
"Tom, I'm a big boy, I think I can look after myself." Maverick countered.
"I'm sure you can, Mav, but I'm just letting you know." He continued. "I love Maddie, she's great, but I can't see her ever settling down with one guy.
Karen and I have had to pick up the pieces before. I'd hate to have to do the same for you." He said, genuine concern in his voice.
"Go ahead and have fun with her Mav, just don't count on anything long term and you'll be fine."
"Tom, I appreciate the warning and your concern for my welfare, but like I said, I know what I'm doing." Maverick reassured his friend.
He threw him a carefree smile and said "Besides, who knows, maybe I'll be that one guy who sweeps her off her feet, the one she falls in love with."
"Many have tried and failed before you, mate." Tom said ruefully. "Don't say you weren't warned."
***************************************************
Maddie watched Tom and Maverick in deep conversation and sighed to herself.
"Great, Tom's probably scared him off already." She thought to herself. She fastened a bright smile on her face and walked over to where they were talking.
"There you are Captain Mitchell, would you like to join me for lunch?" She smiled at him invitingly.
Maverick threw a triumphant look at Tom and linked his arm through hers, guiding her to a nearby table.
"I must say Maverick, I'm impressed." She told him.
"What do you mean?" He asked her, a little confused.
"Well after Tom's little talk about what a terrible person I am, most guys would have turned on their heels and run as far and as fast as possible."
She searched his face for a reaction. "But you're still here. Very impressive."
"One thing you are going to learn about me, Madison, is that I don't make a habit of listening to anyone else's opinions." He reassured her. " I trust my own judgment."
" And what is your judgment telling you so far?" She asked him, smiling suggestively.
"That if you don't stop looking at me like that, I may have to spirit you away right now and have my wicked way with you."
His eyes were fastened to her face, looking for her reaction. Maddie felt her cheeks flush. This guy was really having an effect on her.
"Don't make promises unless you intend to keep them Captain." She answered flirtatiously.
"Oh I intend to keep them Ms Harris, you just say when." He looked at her intensely.
"Now I think we'd better get some lunch before I lose all self control."
"Chicken." She smiled at him cheekily and quickly rose from her chair, heading towards the food before he could react to her comment.
***************************************************************
Ashley was heaven, relishing the feel of Lee's strong arms around her, and hadn't even realized that he was asking her something
until he pulled away a little and repeated himself.
" As much as I'm enjoying this, the band is about to break for lunch." He smiled down at her. "Are you hungry, would you like to get something to eat?"
" Yes, sure, that sounds great." Ashley stammered, a little embarrassed at having been caught out in dreamland.
He let his arms drop, but grabbed her hand in the process, and led her over to the table where Maverick was sitting,
deep in conversation with his new obsession.
"Hey Mav, don't forget Darry." He reminded his partner as he sat down.
"All taken care of Lee, Karen's got hold of him, poor kid." Maverick grinned at his friend.
"Hey Ashley, how'd you go with the Officer's Wives Club?" He asked her.
"You were right Mav, they've got money to burn." She smiled at him.
"I've already lined up three appointments for next week. But don't worry, I've scheduled them so that they don't clash with the times
I need to be around for Darry." She reassured him.
"That's great news." He congratulated her. " By the way, Ashley, this is Madison Harris, Karen's sister." He introduced the two girls.
"Nice to meet you Ashley." Maddie smiled warmly at her.
"Likewise. "Ashley returned her smile. "It's nice to talk to someone who is not actually married to the navy." She joked.