A single flash from her dreams hit her.She’d dreamt of Stan, and she smiled because only once in her life had she slept so soundly.It was when Stan sat beside her in the hospital.She wondered if knowing she’d see him soon had made her relaxed enough to sleep.She’d been so tense after SHIT.Being taken out had reminded her of her age and mortality.If she were even five years younger, she was convinced they wouldn’t have had the jump on her.Of course, it could just be the flight attendant’s comments that had her thinking about age.I’m not that old!She still had a lot of life to experience.
Oh, who was she kidding besides herself?The fact was she’d become a creature of habit who hated to try new things.Even something as simple as going to a new restaurant seemed dicey.What if she didn’t like the food—or worse, what if it upset her stomach?She’d had enough nights ruined by stomach cramps keeping her up all night that she avoided going outside her food comfort zone as much as she could these days.
Kalliopi let out a sigh.Had she really become this rigid?She knew her ex had done her in, but how had it gotten this bad?Why had she become so frumpy?At first, she thought her bestie was out of her mind when they were shopping for PJs, but now?Now, Kalliopi had to admit that her bestie might be right about her.
When they finally began their descent into Canada, Kalliopi’s heart skipped a beat, and it had nothing to do with the plane’s movement.Was she actually excited to see Stan?Her body tingled with excitement and impatience while the plane landed and taxied toward the private terminal.She peered out the window, identifying a charter bus that was likely the one waiting for them.
It was early morning when the plane finally stopped and the seatbelt light clicked off, Kalliopi saw a figure step out of the bus.Stan?He wasn’t supposed to meet them here.That was what Treasure had said, at least!Kalliopi had thought she still had the entire trip from the airport to the Academy to prepare herself for seeing him, but now, here he was!Her heart pounded full-force.Crap,I have it bad.She took a couple of breaths to calm herself and then turned to the cadets.
“You all need to wait here while I brief the FUCN’A staff.Gather your things and freshen your faces while I’m gone.When I come back, I expect you with your gear and in formation so we can exit the plane and enter the bus.”
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am!”the cadets said in unison.
Kalliopi exited the plane and came face to face with Stan, who was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, looking as sexy as ever.His smile brightened with each step she took from the plane, and Kalliopi couldn’t help but smile back.
“Welcome to Canada, Kalliopi,” Stan said to her with his arms outstretched.
Does he want me to hug him?Should I hug him?
Before Kalliopi could mentally process what Stan wanted, he was already enveloping her in his embrace.Her soft curves met the hard planes of his chest, and Kalliopi bit her bottom lip to squelch a moan.Her cheeks instantly flushed.
“It’s good to be here.I have them in formation as we speak.Would you like me to introduce them as they depart the plane or save it for the bus?”She turned the topic to work as she placed some distance between them.Her body instantly mourned the separation.
“Let me introduce myself,” Stan replied.“I’ll lead them off the plane, and you can take up the rear so we don’t leave anyone behind.”
“Okay.”
Once they entered the plane, the cadets greeted them with hoots and whistles.
“Hot boyfriend, ma’am!”said one of the female cadets.
Kalliopi shot daggers at the group.“Cadets, you will remain professional from here on out.”
Silence hit the plane instantly until a chorus of “ma’am, yes, ma’am” followed.
“This is Agent Stan Dutetre, cadets.He will oversee your transfer to the Academy.You will address him as sir.”
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am.”
“You will remember that you are the first troops sent from the island to undergo training with FUC.This is a unique opportunity that we are all grateful for, and remember, you’re representing all of the island every moment you’re here.”
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am.”
Kalliopi turned to Stan.
“They are all yours, Agent Dutetre.”
“Thank you, Ms.Kouris.Cadets, please follow me.”
Kalliopi thought she saw a flash of hurt in Stan’s eyes, but she couldn’t be certain.
Is he upset that I addressed him by his last name in front of the cadets?But why?It’s customary for the cadets to know their superiors’ last names and address them accordingly.
The whole thing seemed strange to her.But then again, she wasn’t on Milos Island, so perhaps she’d made a faux pas because Stan’s customs here in Canada were different.She made a mental note to remember to ask him as she checked off each cadet while they passed her exiting the plane.As the last one moved past her, she walked down the aisle, checking each seat to make sure no one had left behind their cellphones or earbuds.She didn’t need any of the young adults complaining they had lost something on her watch.By the time everyone collected their baggage the plane staff had unloaded and then boarded the bus, the only seat left open for her was next to Stan.She wondered if the gods of fate were mocking her as she slid in beside him.
“How was the flight?”he asked.
“Honestly?I slept through most of it.But given the welcome you got, I probably shouldn’t have.I want to apologize for their behavior when you came on the plane.Our cadets are trained better than that.I suppose it’s because I’m not someone they normally work with.Maybe they don’t see me as their leader, but more?—”
