Page 15 of Fall of the Trident
“I saw Micah here, but I haven’t had an opportunity to talk with him yet.I haven’t seen much of him since we did the Change of Command when he turned Group 2 over to me.”Don smiled.“I heard that old, confirmed bachelor got married.”
“Yes, he did.I suggest you go meet Berit.Given her new promotion, she might be a wonderful asset to have in your back pocket.”Marta knew Captain Hubbard continued maintaining a friendly relationship with Micah, his old drinking buddy when they were both Team commanding officers and still single.
Trevor’s phone rang and he looked extremely embarrassed.When he pulled the cell from his pocket and checked the ID, he smiled warmly.Marta wasn’t sure she’d ever seen that particular smile.It was loving.
“If you’ll excuse me, please, I need to take this call.”
Jealousy rose from deep inside her.Did he have another woman on the side that she didn’t know about?Maybe a lover he’d had for years before moving to the West Coast.
As Trevor stepped away he could be heard saying, “Hello, sweetheart.”There was so much warmth and tenderness in Trevor’s voice, Marta wanted to throw her hands up in the air and give up.No man had ever spoken to her with so much affection.
“Sure, I can meet you there for lunch.”Trevor’s smile was huge.He wasn’t just happy he was excited.“Really?That’s wonderful.”He turned and met her gaze.
Marta was embarrassed.She’d been staring at him.He’d probably felt the virtual daggers her heart was throwing at him.Turning quickly, hoping to start a conversation with whoever was close, Captain Arnold, Commander Gallagher, and Kam Hood had all stepped away and were in quiet conversation.
Well, hell.
She felt his presence before he spoke.
“Do you mind joining my kids and me for lunch?”He quickly added, “It’s on the way to the airport, and you do have to eat.”
His kids?Marta hadn’t thought about his children in months.Trevor was a very private man.He didn’t often share anything personal, so she’d forgotten they lived close to Little Creek.She couldn’t say no because he had a driver assigned to take them to the airport and they were on a tight schedule.
She pasted on a smile.“Thank you, but I’ll give you private time with your family.I’ll dine with the driver.”
His gaze never left hers as he spoke into the phone, “Sweetie, would you please add one more to the reservation?Marta will be joining us for lunch.”He paused as he listened to the person on the other end of the line.He blushed just a little as he said, “Yeah, that Marta, Ms.Merkel.She’s traveling with me.”Pause.“Love you too, sweetie.I’ll see you soon.”
Trevor’s happiness showed on his face.“All three of my kids drove in just to see me for what has to be less than an hour since we have to catch the plane.”
“Of course they did.They love you and miss you.”Marta wasn’t sure where this pep talk was coming from, but she didn’t stop.“When you lived here, I’m sure they saw you quite often.Now that you’re living almost three thousand miles away, and they all have busy lives, you haven’t seen each other in months.”
He looked down at his shoes.“You’re right.I need to make a better effort in getting to Virginia more often.”His grin was forced when he met her eyes.“Ms.Merkel, make a note; I need to spend more time with Group 2.We need to come here at least every other month.”
She didn’t miss the wordwe.Perhaps he was just including her because she also had responsibilities to the staff at Little Creek.During the years while serving under Admiral Asshat, she’d traveled alone to meet with her Virginia staff.
Glancing at his watch, he announced, “We should make a quick pass through the tent and be on our way.”
Marta scoffed.“Admiral, there is noquickto getting through that tent, but as their commanding officer you should greet as many as possible.”
Trevor’s grin was an answer to her challenge.“Watch me.I canpoliticwith the best of them.I didn’t get three stars for being an asshole all the time.Stay close.I don’t want you caught in a conversation either.”
Ten minutes later, Marta couldn’t hold in the giggle as she slid into the backseat of the waiting car next to Trevor.“You thrilled more mamas in ten minutes than Elvis ever did at a concert.I swear I saw several of them swoon.”
“I also scared the shit out of a bunch of SEALs.Most pray to God they never see an admiral that close because it usually means they’re in deep shit and I get to decide how deep to bury them.”Trevor gave the driver the name of the restaurant and fortunately, he knew exactly where it was.
“Trevor, I truly don’t want to interfere in the limited amount of time you have to spend with your children.”She meant every word.
It wasn’t as though they’d been dating, and this was an opportunity for her to meet the kids.They hadn’t even had a single date yet.In truth, other than the few minutes on her VOQ porch last night, they’d never been alone together outside of the office.
Then she remembered the embarrassing moment when she stalked out of the Pacific Ocean carrying her board, ready to rip into whomever was invading her space on the beach.But that wasn’t exactly a friendly exchange…it could actually be classified official.
Perhaps she should play the role of supportive administrative assistant.She was on the East Coast in an official capacity, so she wouldn’t be pretending.And, if cold Trevor returned, there may never be anything between the two of them.
Her decision was made.
With his hand on the small of her back—and heat radiating to every feminine part of her body—Trevor wasn’t going to allow her to bejusthis administrative assistant as he held the door open for her and guided her inside the crowded foyer.
He leaned so close to her ear she could feel the moisture of his breath.“Although I’ve never asked, I’ve seen you eat seafood at Group parties.This place has the best blue crab anywhere around.After the kids all left for college, we’d often meet here on Sunday afternoons and pig out.”
