A Hero In Uniform - The Complete Series (31 page)

Epilogue

Two months later …

Her time on the Sydney was up.

After getting Francine out of the hospital and cleared of all charges related to the death of Phillip Schofield, Karleigh had taken her sister back to Cairns and settled her into her home before going on a patrol with Ethan and the crew of the Armidale-class Patrol boat.

Her last patrol.

She'd handed in her resignation with Commander Richardson and had a job with the local HQ of the AFP lined up, teaching new recruits the basics in weapon's training and defence driving.

It was a job that would allow her to be home at regular hours so that she and Francine could move on with their lives, so she wasn't thinking about the pain that coursed through her heart every time she thought about leaving Ethan behind.

She'd fallen for her CO in a matter of days and in the last couple of weeks, those feelings had only gotten stronger.

She couldn't stay on the ship with him. She wouldn't risk his career over something as stupid as love.

As the Sydney docked at Base, Karleigh went into her small room to pack her bag and personal belongings. She hoped to be off the ship before anyone stopped her; she sucked at goodbyes.

Unfortunately though, as she was packing, a knock sounded on her door.

Sighing, Karleigh called, “Enter.”

It was Ethan. He shut the door behind him and engaged the lock before turning to face her.

“
What's up, boss?” She asked.

“
I see you're ready to leave.”

“
Almost.”

“
Were you going to say goodbye?”

She swallowed and shook her head, telling him, “I'm not good with those.”

“
After everything we went through together, you were just to going to leave?”

Karleigh didn't understand why he was so mad, and she said as much.

Ethan cursed softly before moving suddenly. Grabbing her arms, he hauled her against his body and kissed her. Karleigh gasped in shock and braced her hands against his hard chest before allowing herself to succumb to the pleasure that his kiss was giving her.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back, unafraid of what might happen because she knew they were never going to see each other again.

And if she could leave this ship with one memory, it'd be the one they were creating now.

Her room was tiny, and Ethan took up nearly all the space with his large body. He pinned her to the door and let his hands roam all over her body as Karleigh held on, soaking up his touch and moaning into his mouth as their tongues continued to dance and mate.

She was in love with this man, and he was making it worse with his passionate kiss and eager touch.

“
If you thought you were going to leave me ...” Ethan whispered harshly against her mouth as his hands cupped her behind and pulled her tightly against him. “ … you were wrong.”

She whimpered as he bit her lip and sunk against his hard body, murmuring, “I've resigned from the Navy. I'm leaving everyone.”

“
Wrong, X.”

Her mind was a muddle, but she understood what he was saying and pulled back. Looking up into his handsome face, she frowned and asked, “What? I am leaving.”

“
The ship, yes. But you and me? We're going to see where this leads.”

Her heart jumped into her throat and she stammered, “W-What?”
“Can't you feel that there's something between us?”

“
I can, but ...”

“
Do you want to know where it might go?”

More then anything, she thought. “We're colleagues.” 

“
Not anymore. You just said you resigned. You're off the ship.”

Swallowing, Karleigh asked, “Are you saying that you want to have a relationship with me?”

“
I am.”

“
Why?”

Ethan grinned and her heart skipped a beat. “Why are you fighting this, X?”

“
Well … it's just … I don't want to go into something that's based on sex.”

“
I see.” Ethan kissed her nape and murmured, “I don't want that either, X.”

“
So what do you want?” She whispered, tightening her hold on him as her knees threatened to give out.

“
You. In a healthy, meaningful relationship that leads to us sharing a house and a last name.”

Whoa, whoa! What?! Karleigh couldn't believe she'd heard what she'd just heard. “Are you asking me to marry you?” 

“
One day, yes.”

“
Why?”

“
Why does a man normally ask a woman to marry him?”

“
I would hope because of love.”

“
Exactly.”

“
But you don't love me.”

He grinned and whispered, “Wrong.”

“
What?” She gasped.

“
You're in love with me, but it's a shock to learn that I might be in love with you?”

“
I didn't say I was in love with you.”

“
You didn't have to.” Ethan told her. “I can see it in your eyes, and I can taste it when you kiss me.”

She couldn't believe this was happening.

Staring up into his eyes, she asked, “Are you in love with me?”

“
Yes.” Ethan replied without hesitation. “Are you in love with me?”

“
Yes.” She replied without hesitation.
“
Glad to hear it, babe.” He said before claiming her mouth again.