One

      “Major Jennings to see you, sir,” the young corporal said over the intercom.

      Colonel Tom Candello pushed a button and said, “Send her in.”

      He sat back in his chair, his gaze locked on the door across from him. Major Katherine Jennings. Kate. Instantly his mind filled with erotic images. Memories of their last R and R together.

      A week in Japan and they’d hardly left the hotel. But it had been like that between them since they’d first met in Hawaii three years ago. A week-long, incredible affair had led to them deciding to meet again the following year. And then the year after. It was always the same. They arranged their leave time to coincide, met at an agreed-upon location, and surrendered to the overwhelming passion they’d found in each other.

      And except for that one week a year, they led separate lives. Each of them were career Marines, but they were posted at different bases, thousands of miles from each other, which kept them from ever crossing paths.

      Until recently.

      Two months ago, Kate had been transferred to Camp Pendleton, California. His base. His command. Now she was not only his once-a-year lover, she was one of his officers. He’d hardly seen her since she arrived. But for one or two brief meetings, where they were surrounded by other Marines, he hadn’t really spoken to her since their last morning in Japan.

      He stood up abruptly, pushed one hand through his short, black hair and walked to the window. Staring out at the base, he told himself to get rid of the mental images he carried of Kate, naked in bed, her arms held up to welcome him. This wasn’t Japan. This wasn’t even R and R. This was work, and their two worlds were about to collide.

      He felt as though he was on a speeding train heading