Chapter 31
"I think that's something we all want Mac. Harm was one of our own and we all want his killer brought to justice," AJ assured her.
Mac looked up at him with tear-clouded eyes. Even though they were talking about the murder of her best friend, all she could think of was she was in the arms of the man she loved. His head was bent over hers and she could almost believe that he might be thinking about kissing her. Just like he almost had all those years ago in his bedroom. But she shouldn't allow herself to think like that. This was her Commanding Officer and even if he said he wanted to be her friend, there had been no indication since then, that he would ever want more.
Backing out of his arms, Mac took a deep breath and tried to get herself under control. How in the hell was she going to face having him here in her apartment all night!? Going to the window she looked out in the desperate hope that the weather had miraculously cleared and he could go home, but alas, the storm was still blowing and she couldn't send him out there, especially when he could be safe and warm here.
AJ joined her at the window, "It looks like you're stuck with me Mac. I hope you don't mind too terribly?"
"Not at all, in fact I was going to let you have the bed because that couch is much too small for your large frame. That was why I asked Trish for Harm's couch, mine is way too small."
"I will not put you out of your bed! The couch is fine for me, believe me, I have slept in much worse places that a small couch!"
'Offer to share the bed with him!' her lovesick side encouraged.
'No!' her sensible side told herself.
'Why?' her lovesick side wanted to know,
'You know why!' the sensible side argued.
'Yeah but you know you want him in our bed!' the lovesick side insisted.
'So!?' the sensible side demanded.
'Go for it just once!'
'And embarrass myself and take the chance of losing what respect he might have for me?'
'Respect doesn't keep us warm at night!'
'But never seeing him again won't either!'
Waving his hand in front of her face, AJ asked, "Mac where did you go?"
"Oh, sorry, I was just trying to figure out how to get you into my bed…ummm that didn't come out the way I meant it!" she stuttered.
"I'm sleeping on the couch, and there's no need for further discussion," he insisted firmly.
With a sigh of defeat, she said, "Let me get some bedding for you," and turned to the hall linen closet to do just that.
Returning to the living room with the pillow, sheets and blankets, she was going to make up the couch, when he took the things from her arms. "Thank you Mac, I can take it from here." He gave her a gentle pat on her behind towards her bedroom door, before adding, "Good night, and sleep well. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night AJ," she sighed and went into her room.
Mac laid in her lonely bed knowing that the man she loved was just a room away. She had dreamed of him in her apartment overnight so many times, but in her dreams he had never spent the night on the couch, he'd always been in her bed with her. Oh how she longed for him to be with her there now. She fought an internal battle with herself not to go out there and invite him into her bed. Her sensible side and lovesick side had it out as she tossed and turned. Her mind wanted her sensible side to win the fight, but her heart was cheering on her lovesick side.
AJ bedded down on the couch that as Mac had said, was too small. He tossed and turned for over an hour before finally drifting off. Part of the problem had admittedly been the events of the past week. Harm's murder, which Mac was sure had been meant for him, and now someone tampering with the Escalade, weighed heavily on his mind. He knew Mac still believed that Vicky could be behind all of this, but he also couldn't even begin to think of what her motive could be.
Finally her eyes closed and she felt herself drifting off when her ever-alert ears heard the bedroom door unlatch. She opened her eyes just in time to see the door silently pushed open. The man of her dreams stood there. They looked longingly at each other for quite some time, neither speaking. Then with a sad shake of his head he started to turn away. Holding out her arms she begged, "AJ, don't go!"
To be continued…..