Free Cowboy Payback by Donna Michaels Page A

unsettling feelings the corporal caused were completely new. And unwelcome.
    If this was how Finn felt with Cammie, then Brett had a new appreciation for his brother’s strength.
    With the silence turning awkward, and knowing they were the center of attention from his nearby staff, Brett offered his elbow. Relief flooded his veins when the bombshell slipped her arm through his without waiting for him to reply. His tongue was so swollen it stuck to the roof of his mouth. He couldn’t talk if his life had depended on it.
    Not good. This ruffled, chaotic thought process was annoying as hell and too far out of character to be adaptable. Something had to give.
    Smile still on his face, he started to lead her toward the dining hall and instantly realized he had another problem. His tongue was not the only part of his anatomy that was swollen.

Chapter Six
    “It’s beautiful in here, sir. Your staff must really care about you,” the corporal said as they entered the dimly lit dining hall, a small section partitioned off just for them and blanketed in more of those damn candles.
    How in the world was he going to keep things businesslike with the corporal dressed to kill and the room set for seduction?
    Clearing his throat, Brett nodded, then led her to the lone table in the middle of the room where Bugsby stood patiently waiting.
    The smiling chef had outdone himself. Adorned with a white tablecloth and red rose centerpiece, the table was the epitome of romance with another bottle of champagne chilling on ice while a Chris Young song played softly in the background.
    Under normal circumstances, he would’ve used the ambiance to his advantage, but not tonight. Not with Corporal Jennings. He needed to keep things platonic.
    Why?
    The stray question shot through his mind. She wasn’t one of his men anymore.
    Yes, she was and always would be. Now was not the time to get technical. She is one of your marines, therefore, you will treat her as such. He repeated the silent order several times in his head, and each time his libido calmed a little further.
    “Everything looks great, Bugsby,” he said as they reached the table, happy to regain the use of his tongue.
    The corporal nodded. “Yes, thank you. It’s beautiful in here.”
    “You are both quite welcome.” The chef beamed, then motioned toward her flowers. “Let me put them in water for you. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the kitchen with the flowers, leaving them alone.
    The beauty glanced sideways at him and smiled. “He sure is quick on his feet.”
    “Yep.” He held out her chair. “You should see him in the kitchen.” Brett waited until she was seated before he removed his hat, set it aside, and took his own seat.
    The corporal’s gaze ran over him, her appreciative gleam heating his insides.
    Platonic. We’re going to keep this strictly platonic.
    “I must say, you clean up nice, Captain.”
    He leaned closer and smiled. “Same goes for you, Corporal. It’s strange to see you out of uniform.”
    “Strange? But I haven’t been in uniform this whole trip.”
    He nodded. “True.”
    “So, I look strange in civilian attire?”
    “No, I mean, yes. But a nice strange,” he added quickly when the light started to fade from her eyes. “You look beautiful tonight.”
    “Thank you, sir,” she replied just as Bugsby appeared and replaced the rose centerpiece with her flowers.
    The chef’s eyebrow lifted, no doubt finding her endearment odd for a newly engaged couple, and Brett realized they were going to have to work on not being so formal.
    Starting now.
    He reached across the table to grab her hand and brought her fingers to his lips, that strange tingling rushing up his arm again. “You’re welcome, Trisha .”
    He kissed each finger until her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. Better. Now she appeared more the part of love-sick fiancée.
    Of course, now his gut buckled as if sucker punched thanks to her open, heated