Page 50 of The Texas Sterling Collection
ROD
Monday, I strolled into the Fine Arts building at 7:30 and caught sight of Wyl. I recalled the anxiety-filled two weeks of his absence. Two weeks burned in my memory. He now waits in the same lobby chair every Monday and Wednesday. He texts or calls to keep me from worrying if he needs to miss a day. We have come a long way since late August.
“Who’s the handsome man in the lobby?” He heard me enter, but always played coy.
Wyl smiled and stood. “Morning, cowboy.”
“You look great this morning.” I strolled past. We both heeded our self-imposed rule of no touches, kisses, or whispered endearments on campus. Although nobody else came in this early, one never knew. And with Alfonso Ortega’s antics, I wouldn’t put it past him to come in early to spy on us. Besides, no sense in giving Stella more fodder for the gossip circuit.
“I bet you greet all Marines the same,” Wyl teased.
Yeah, we pushed the limits a bit. “No other Marines around here.” I unlocked my office and entered.
“What about Walt?” Wyl followed me in, putting his things in a chair. One chair becamehisseat. The other became a place forhissatchel and jacket.
“Yeah, but he’s not a Marine and isn’t interested in me.”
“Damn good thing,” Wyl said. “Anyone who pursued you would draw back a stub and be missing a few teeth. Coffee?”
“Yes. You start the pot. I need to run down and check the classroom real quick.”
“Me? Start the coffee?” Wyl grinned as if given a key to an executive washroom.
I threw him aget realeye roll. “As if anyone else is here except you and me. Now march, Marine!”
Wyl hustled to the break room. “Yes, sir!”
The coffee brewing finished as I walked in. “I love the aroma.”
“The coffee or me?” Wyl teased, filling two mugs.
Yeah, we pushed the envelope again. But we were in a windowless room in an otherwise unoccupied building. “Both.” I picked up one of the mugs. “Although I need you naked for the perfect nose inspection.”
Wyl reached for his belt buckle. “I’m game if you are.”
I eyed Wyl. “Boy, when you decided to be yourself, I never expected a strip tease in this break room.”
Wyl grinned. “Hey, you worked your magic and forced me to be yours.” He picked up his coffee.
“Uh-huh.” I headed out of the break room for my office. “I charmed you the first morning of class.”
“What?” Wyl hurried after me.
“Okay, maybe it took a while to convince you.” I settled in my office chair for our customary before-class chat.
“You needed convincing. I came to your house to beg.” Wyl took a slurp of coffee, aiming a coy gaze my way.
“I didn’t do a disappearing act for two weeks.” I flashed my own coy expression.
Wyl laughed. “Okay, so we each struggled and liked each other from the first day.”
“You bet. I’m still amazed we latched onto each other.” I sipped.
“Oh, before I forget, I called my Commander and told him about Dusty’s appearance, attitude, and words about Italy. He said Dusty’s actions fit the conduct unbecoming of a Marine. He’ll have the Marine Corps Military Police look into it.” Wyl took a sip. “They retained the case files from the incident. Let’s hope the sudden attention and the local law enforcement looking into the garage door vandalism will make Dusty think twice about messing with us.”
“Do you think he’ll be pissed enough to lash out again?”
“The next time we’re in Kerrville, I’ll file the restraining order. If he does try something else, he’ll be in bigger trouble.” Wyl said. “And the best part…if the Marines discover he forged a connection with the Italians who abducted me, he may lose his Marine benefits and face jail time. I think he’ll lie low.”
