25
Bill felt like he’d been struck by a maelstrom from the moment they hit the Peleliu’s deck.
Trisha had given him a welcome-back kiss the second they were off the helo. Though the Vengeance settled beside them and Michael came around from the other side, she hadn’t let up.
“Hi,” she’d finally said when she freed his lips.
“Hi,” was all he could think to reply. He couldn’t believe how much he’d thought about her on the mission and how much better she tasted and felt in real life than in his imagination.
“That’s twice now.”
“What’s twice now?” He breathed her in, the best smell in days.
“Twice I’ve saved your ass.” She’d done it perfectly too.
“Appreciated.”
“At least you’re thanking me this time.”
And that was the last word they spoke in private for the next ten hours. The prior
