Operation Love Read online

  In her bed.

  Nothing could scratch the memories of that night from her mind. Every moment of every day, there they were. The slightest little thing would jog her memory—a star, a telescope, a bed, even the color blue. Once her home economics class had started discussing game meat as food, or rather, how disgusting the thought was to eat Bambi. When she should have been explaining the diversities in culture here in America, she had been daydreaming about Hunter. How she had been his prey.

  Hunter was everywhere. He had overtaken her mind. Seeing him killed her.

  If only he’d just go away, and let her forget him.

  Chocolate covered cherries were pushing the limits with her. He knew there were certain things she just couldn’t resist.

  Unfortunately, he was fast becoming another.

  Maybe she should move. Or deal with it somehow. She peeled the plastic away from the box and opened it. Popping a small candy in her mouth, she relished the taste of the chocolate and the fruit, smothered in a creamy white filling. So sweet and smooth and chocolaty. Oh, there was nothing like it.

  Maybe what she needed was this box of chocolates and a hot, hot bubble bath. She walked into her bathroom, plugged her oversized old-fashioned foot tub, and cranked on the water. She opened the box of chocolates and sat them on the ledge. Reaching in the cabinet above the sink, she grabbed a bottle of rose scented bubble bath and dumped nearly half of it in. The scent wafted through the air, and she lifted her head, relishing the aroma.

  She stripped off her filthy clothes, muddied from her morning of gardening. She’d decided to go all out this year, even planting tomatoes. After all, what did she have to do that was better? She certainly wouldn’t spend the summer looking down the lane at Hunter’s house, hoping for a glimpse of him like some infatuated schoolgirl. No, she needed to stay busy.

  But there he was, she realized, on her mind again. Cheese and crackers! It was driving her crazy. She threw aside her cotton underwear, and unsnapped her bra. For once she just wanted to stop thinking of him and what could never be.

  She could get over this misery. Sooner or later, it would fade, and then disappear. But if she married him, his career would not. Hunter would never give up the stars for her. She could never ask him to. But she couldn’t marry a man whose life it was to travel into space. It would slowly kill her. Eventually she’d die of heart failure after a long, miserable life of worry.

  She stepped in the tub, and sank down. She popped a chocolate in her mouth, and leaned back. The décor of the bathroom hit her suddenly. It was an ocean theme, just like the Aquarium restaurant. Tropical fish bordered the room, and an old fishing net hung in one corner. Seashells overfilled it. On the opposite wall, ceramic seagulls surrounded a fake porthole.

  Visions of their date invaded her mind. Hunter invaded her heart.

  And he overpowered her.

  She wanted him so badly. She just couldn’t help herself. Reaching down, she slipped her fingers into the folds of her sex. She massaged her clit as he had, using her other hand to pinch her hardened nipples.

  Her fingers pressed inside of her, and she longed for his cock. If only she had that vibrator that was buried deep in her dresser. Something. Anything. She needed to be fulfilled.

  She hungered for Hunter like a starved woman. She thought of him, of the way he touched her, the way he made her feel, as she pleasured herself. In no time, she was coming.

  She sank under the water as she had an orgasm, and blew out a long trail of bubbles.

  Yet, even after she achieved the release, she still wanted him in every way possible. No type of masturbation could replace one’s best friend. There was no substitute for having someone to tell everything to, for a Friday night movie and pizza, for grabbing a beer just because.

  This couldn’t keep happening. She couldn’t go through life with this deep unfulfilled longing. She was beginning to think it was time to make a big change.

  Perhaps she should go see Daisy in Hawaii. Maybe even move there.

  Chapter Seven

  The idea of moving had waned over the past several weeks, but it was here again and strong.

  Lily looked around the office, and fought the urge to roll her eyes. Cheese and crackers, she felt like a teenager in trouble again. Here she was, sitting in the chair in front of the principal’s big oak desk. Her hands were folded in her lap to keep from cracking her knuckles, lest she get scolded. The floor was a pea green, the only wall hangings that of Mrs. Peterson’s degrees and accomplishments. It even smelled like a principal’s office, like musty books and leather.

  She stared at Mrs. Peterson’s tart, accusing face, and wriggled uncomfortably in her straight-backed wooden chair. The uncomfortable thing was punishment enough for any student who had to come in here, much less the woman’s tart face.

  Mrs. Peterson tapped her pencil and stared at her with this all-knowing look. “I want to know what’s going on.”

  “As I explained to you, Mrs. Peterson, nothing.” Lily shifted.

  Mrs. Peterson wrinkled her brows. “Ms. Barton, you and Mr. Star have always been quite chummy. Don’t think I didn’t notice. I was naïve enough to continue believing it was possible for you to be best friends. A far-fetched idea, two complete opposite male and females teachers, becoming friends. But now I know, something has happened.” She made an tsk-tsk sound with her tongue. “I do believe even the children can feel the tension.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” But she knew it was true. A student had asked her why she and Mr. Star were no longer friends. She had insisted, of course, that they were.

  “Ms. Barton, fraternizing between the teachers is unacceptable here. You have a duty to set and example for the children. Unless marriage is in the air, I want no such goings on in my school.”

  Well, I can assure you marriage is not in the air.” She drew a deep sigh, trying to think of some simple way to explain the situation. “Hunter and I are simply no longer close.”

  “So you were once close?”

  “No…” Cheese and crackers! Lily wanted to groan. “I…”

  Just then, a heavy knock beat on the door. She knew who it was before he even came in. She decided she’d need to put on a show to soothe Mrs. Peterson. She put on her best fake smile, and nodded hello as he stepped in the door and clicked it shut behind him.

  Hunter looked at ease, a dimpled grin elating his face. Damn. Those damn dimples.

  His hands went into the pockets of his khakis. “It’s not often I get called to the principals office. Have I been bad?” A teasing note chuckled in his tone.

  But no one laughed.

  Mrs. Peterson tapped her pencil against the desk with a steady rap, rap, rap. “Mr. Star. I’ve been discussing with Ms. Barton your relationship. There seems to be a great deal of tension of the late. I am curious what is between the two of you.”

  Hunter’s mouth made a little ‘O’ as he turned and gazed at her. She could tell he was doing that little thing he did, licking the inside of his mouth with his tongue. His eyes narrowed as he searched her face, then suddenly a very frank, very candid expression settled on his face. “We made love.” Flat, and blunt, the words he blurted out held no emotion. “And now she refuses to have a thing to do with me.”

  Mrs. Peterson’s jaw drop just a touch, and her eyes flashed. “Well!”

  Heat burned in Lily’s face and neck. Embarrassment twisted in her. She jumped from her seat so fast it toppled over. This had drawn the line. What was he thinking? He was putting her job at risk. Her reputation. Anger seethed in her.

  There was only one answer. She had to get away from Hunter Star and soon.

  She sucked in a deep breath, and tried to steady her shaking jaw. “Mrs. Peterson. Consider this my notice. The school year is nearly up. I will not be returning next year.” She drew another deep breath, the only thing that kept her from crying. “I have been a exceptional teacher in this school, and benefited it in many ways. I only hope you’ll remember that in my
recommendation.”

  She stalked from the room, a thousand emotions boiling inside of her. She wanted to strangle him. Oh, the bastard. What nerve! In one sentence, he ruined everything for her here. How could he do that? Tears brimmed in her eyes, threatening to spill down her cheeks. Why would he do it?

  Maybe she should thank him. Maybe she should be happy. Excited. So she had to get a new job. Move. She wanted to, anyway.

  Wait until Daisy heard.

  She was moving to Hawaii. There were plenty of teaching opportunities there, as well as hotels to cook for. It was warm. She could be near her sister, making visits for the three of them easier.

  Not to mention all the sexy men on the beach for distraction. She and her sister could have fun scoping out buns.

  * * * *

  His heart dropped from his chest to the floor. A sick feeling turned over in him. Holy moly! What had he just done? Why? Was he crazy?

  Hunter jumped to his feet, toppling his chair along side the one Lily had knocked over. He had to go after her and fix this before it was too late, if it wasn’t already.

  But Mrs. Peterson’s caught him, reprimand in her voice. “Mr. Star, is this true?”

  Annoyance bit at him. He’d had damn enough of this woman. He turned to her, eyes narrowed. “What does it matter? We are all adults.”

  She rose, looking him hard in the eyes. Her hands leaned on the desk and she spoke slowly. “No, Mr. Star you are a teacher. You are very lucky you have the opportunities you have now to save me from firing you. I expect you to understand, there will be no more…”

  That was it. He was finished. Done. The damn interfering woman, he wouldn’t listen to her a second more. He shook his head. “Oh, go to hell.”

  He crashed from the room, slamming the door behind him. Running his hand through his hair, he gritted his shaking jaw. Lily quitting? No way. He couldn’t let that happen. He didn’t even want to believe it. But she had seemed serious enough.

  Stalking down the hall, he went to her classroom and shook the knob. Locked. Maybe she was in the lounge. No. Knowing her, she was more likely in the bathroom. He started toward the teacher’s restrooms, the only ones in the school with locks.

  Why in the hell had he done that to her? It hadn’t been smart. He supposed he’d been thinking with his little head this time. Cockily, he thought maybe if he forced her to admit it, to confront the issue, maybe she would face it. Or at least talk to him.

  He’d been very wrong.

  He rounded a corner and came upon the student bathrooms. Gentle sobbing floated though the air, barely audible. Frowning, he wondered why she’d gone to them and not somewhere more private. Crap. What if a student walked in?

  He looked at the yellow sign reading ‘girls’, thought twice, and decided he didn’t give a crap.

  He walked through the short, hall of yellow tile. It stunk like cheap, heavily perfumed air freshener. Lily stood over a porcelain sink, half sobbing as she tried to fix her makeup. Mascara trailed down her cheeks with the tears. She looked pathetic and cute all at once, and all he wanted to do was kiss away each and every tear.

  He cleared his throat. “Lily?”

  Her eyes flashed to him through the mirror. He could see them blazing, golden streaks lit in their hazel-green depths.

  “I’m sorry.” He shifted nervously. “I was out of line, saying that.”

  She said nothing.

  “Please, Lily. Can’t we at least talk?”

  “No.” Coldness iced her tone. “This is the young ladies’ room. Please leave. A student could walk in at any time.”

  “We need to talk,” he insisted.

  “I said no.”

  “Lily, please.” He went to her, and tried to draw her into his arms. She pushed him away. “Look at you. You’re a wreck. Why are you doing this?”

  “I told you.”

  “Lily, you don’t have to keep that promise.”

  “I want to.”

  “It means that much to you? It means more to you than me?”

  “Yes.”

  He nodded, and at that very moment, he quit. He turned, walked from the bathroom, and left. He would not try again.

  * * * *

  Lily poured the box full of foam packaging covering her last antique porcelain doll. A lump locked her throat as she closed the lid, and taped it tight. Tears burned in her eyes as she fought away the nausea. She picked up the box and set it atop the many others piled in the living room and front hall. School had been out two days now, and the house was almost packed. Someone was coming to look at the furniture tomorrow. The realtor had already put up the sign.

  But none of that was why she was upset.

  The waiting was killing her. It was the first pregnancy test she’d ever taken in all her life. Never had she screwed up before or given herself reason to worry. She always took her birth control. Used protection.

  Cheese and crackers!

  She slammed the cardboard box lid shut and attacked it with the tape. A piece of her had just wanted to stand over the test and wait for the results. But that would have been hell. So she’d decided to pack another box then check it. As it was, she’d packed nearly seven.

  She needed to go look.

  But she was so afraid of what the answer would be. She was late. She should have gotten her period a couple of weeks after she and Hunter had done the naughty. But she hadn’t. This past week she’d been riddled with nausea, from the time she woke up to the time she went to bed. She was so tired, so much so she found herself sneaking naps every afternoon and even some mornings.

  Either she was very sick or very pregnant.

  She needed to go look.

  Maybe she could pack one more box first. No. It was past time she faced it. She gathered her courage and walked upstairs to the bathroom. She couldn’t help but press her eyes shut as she did. She stood over the sink, and forced herself to peel them open.

  Then her scream, loud and shrill, filled the air.

  Chapter Eight

  Sobs took her over, and she sank to the floor. Pregnant. How could she be pregnant? Oh, God. Cheese and crackers! Oh, God.

  She crawled from the bathroom, feeling beaten. She needed her sisters. She picked herself up and ran to the portable phone sitting on the night table in the bedroom. With shaky fingers, she picked it up, and dialed Daisy’s number.

  “Hello?” Daisy sweet, gentle voice came across the line.

  “Oh God, Dee. Call Holly. Call her.” They had always kept three-way on their phones so they could talk all at once.

  “Don’t you remember? She’s away at a conference. I can’t call her. What’s the matter?” Confusion and worry poured into her tone.

  Lily began to crack her knuckles, hard as she could. Their loud pops filled the air. “Oh, God. She said it was unlikely. Unlikely but possible.”

  “Wait … what? You’re not!”

  “I’m pregnant!” Lily moaned, burying her head in her pillow.

  For a moment the line went silent.

  “Oh. My. God.” Daisy words were said slowly, coated with shock and disbelief.

  “I don’t know what to do.” She rolled over onto her side, facing the window. Once again, she started on her fingers.

  “Are you still moving here?”

  “I don’t know what to do.” It came out almost like a whine. She was having a baby, but right now she felt like one.

  “Well, who is the father? You never did tell us who this mystery man was.”

  Lily gulped. In their last conversation she had left out only one detail. Who. “Hunter.”

  “Wait … Hunter? Hunter is who you’ve been fretting over?” Anger echoed across the line. “That jerk. How can a man be your best friend and ditch you? That scum bucket, no-good asshole. And I liked him when I visited last. The bastard.”

  Okay. So she’d left out something else. It was the most she’d ever kept from her sisters and she was beginning to feel a bit guilty. Her words were slow and soft
and filled with shame. “He didn’t ditch me, I ditched him.”

  “Why?” Daisy spoke with forced patience.

  Lily took a break from cracking her knuckles, ran her hand through her hair, then started all over. “You know why.”

  “Oh, Lily.” There was a pause. “Quit cracking your knuckles.”

  “I can’t.” Sobs took her over once again.

  “You can. You know you have to get over this. We made that promise as kids. We’re adults now. I…”

  Lily didn’t ask what else her sister was going to say. Her mind was too much of a mess.

  Her whole body was shaking and she wished dearly her sisters were closer. She needed a hug. “But it meant something to me. I really don’t want to marry a man in the military. Certainly not one going into space.”

  “Why?”

  “What if something goes wrong? What if he dies?”

  “Well, lately I’ve formed an opinion or two about that.” Gentleness filled Daisy’s voice. “What would you say is better, to spend as much time with him before he goes, loving him? Or to stay away from him, and if something does happen, you can spend the rest of your life knowing you wasted the time you could have had with him?”

  Cheese and crackers! Lily groaned. She didn’t want to hear that kind of crap. “Shut up, Dee.”

  “You know you have to tell him.”

  “But how? He is going to go crazy. He won’t let me leave.” As soon as the words were out, a loud creak of the old floorboards cut through the silence of her room. A new panic rose in her as she swung her head around.

  Hunter stood in the doorway, his blood red fingers gripping the frame. His black eyes were hard and unyielding, his jaw set. Lily’s heart stopped. There was no doubt that he’d overheard everything.

  Cheese and crackers! Right now she’d rather be facing a burglar than him—anyone but him.

  He stepped into the room. “You’re damn right I won’t,” he growled.

  She turned around, clutching the phone in her hand. “Dee, I have to go.” She didn’t know why, but she whispered.

  “Are you all right?” Daisy’s worried voice was full of questions.