Anything, Anywhere, Anytime by Catherine Mann

your quarters so I can make sure you don't need stitches."
    "Yes, ma'am, but mess hall first—" the dark-haired soldier rubbed his belly "—then quarters. I'm a growing boy." All six feet four inches of Army soldier grinned.
    "I promise not to take long."
    "Thanks, ma'am." He saluted with his bandaged hand again before replacing his earphones to pass time in line. His gaze strayed longingly toward the entrance to the mess hall like a kid ready for McDonald's.
    Apparently he'd never eaten here before.
    Except for the uniform, he actually looked more like a kid on his way to the golden arches to super size his meal, maybe twenty-one at the most. Hell, he even had acne on his chin. And yet he was a trained warrior, ready to put his life on the line for her sister.
    The notion humbled her.
    "Is he okay?"
    Monica jumped, turned, found Jack, not that she needed to look. Of course she did, anyway, finding the sun showcased the hint of curl in his dark hair after hours under a headset.
    She folded her arms over her chest. "Minor cut, nothing that should keep him off duty."
    "Good."
    Jack's face filled her eyes, so very mature with the hardened angles of years and strength. She tore her gaze down and away to the open hangar with tables manned by medic personnel. "I really need to get to work."
    "Okay, then." He adjusted his M-9 in the holster on his survival vest. "Don't let me stop you."
    "I'll catch up with you later." She charged past.
    A long shadow slanted in front of her. Following. Swallowing her. "Jack! Why don't you go ahead to the mess hall and I'll find you later?"
    He smiled. Shrugged. "Remember our deal back at Nellis? I'm gonna be stuck to you like a flight suit at high noon."
    The smile didn't fool her or dilute the set of his stubborn jaw. "Okay. Fine. Keep up."
    She walked faster. Her extra shadow kept pace into the hangar, looming while she talked to the doctor in charge and set up her station at a table with a folding chair for patients. God, she needed him gone before he sliced through her weary resistance like that metal through Santuci's fingers.
    She pivoted, sighed. "Please, Jack, I'm here. I'm safe. You can step back at least a couple of feet. I need to tend to my patients, which I can't do with you hovering over me. So unless you need another anthrax shot?"
    He paled. "Nope. All set," he asserted quickly. "Already had my first two in the series and won't need the third for another three months."
    "Big baby." Stifling a grin, she turned away, reorganizing her medicine bottles in alphabetical order. "Go help someone else. You'll still be able to see me and keep track of my personal safety."
    "Mon, you should know I'm not the kind to leave the little woman to fend for herself."
    "Little woman?" Anger whipped her around to face him.
    He grinned. Just grinned that sexy, unrepentant smile. And damn it, she couldn't help but smile in return. He always could charm her out of a mood, all the more reason to keep her distance. "You are so bad."
    "I know. I'm in need of reform. Wanna spank me?"
    And then other times he wasn't so charming. "Oh, yes," she said through gritted teeth. "I definitely want to."
    Reaching over her tray of bottles and syringes, she whipped a pair of latex gloves from a box. Bumped elbows with her hardheaded hubby. She looked up to snap again.
    But couldn't push more angry words free.
    Deep brown eyes met hers. So close. The din around her faded from a roar to a dull hum. He raised his hand, took his time, as always, which gave her plenty of time to pull away. She didn't.
    Jack tucked a straggling strand of hair behind her ear. "How did it go so wrong?"
    Heavy silence settled between them while voices swelled again. Humvees revved outside. An intercom system barked sporadic tinny announcements.
    A cleared throat snipped the tension, if not the longing.
    Monica peered beyond Jack to find Colonel Drew Cullen waiting with folder in hand. A welcome distraction.
    In-processing showed no favors to