Pulling Rank: A Military Erotic Romance Read Free

“What?”
     
    “I think you caught Boomer off guard.”
     
    “Why do you say that?”
     
    Lee’s grin grows wider still. “You knew what he was talking about. You knew what to do. Plus, your reasoning made sense.”
     
    “And,” I prompt.
     
    “Like I said earlier, Major. The Air Force could use another thousand like you. It’s not often that people, who haven’t flown or worked on these aircrafts, understand what we can and cannot do.”
     
    ***
     
    I’m waiting, as French and Boomer climb out of their birds. I give them a crisp salute. Technically, they should salute me first because I out rank them; but, they’re pilots and they deserve the respect. “Good work today. I’d like to download the data logs and review them. May we meet for dinner? I’d like to go over the plans for tomorrow with you. If you don’t already have other plans, of course.”
     
    “I’m in,” French says. “You’re buying, right?” he says with a grin.
     
    “Maybe I’ll let Uncle Sam buy,” I reply with a smile. “How about you, Boomer. Can you make it?”
     
    I can see Boomer squirm. “Yes, Major. If you insist.”
     
    He agreed, but I can tell he doesn’t want to. “Captain Frye, will you excuse us for a moment?” I say in my command voice. French gets the message, salutes crisply, and moves off. I can see Boomer’s face harden.
     
    “Captain Anderson, is there a problem I need to know about?” I ask. I keep my voice low and calm, but it is full of steel.
     
    Boomer snaps to attention. “No, Major.”
     
    “Do you have a problem with women officers or just me?”
     
    “No problem, Major.”
     
    “Horseshit!” I snap. “Captain, if we are going to be working together, it would be helpful if I understood what is going on.” I soften my tone just a bit. “I’m not going to bust your chops. You have been nothing but respectful. But I don’t want just your respect. I would also like to have your trust. Wouldn’t you agree that being able to trust your wingman is an important part of being a wingman? Same here. I want you to trust me, so that we can work as effective team.”
     
    “Yes, Major.”
     
    “At ease, Captain. Talk to me, Boomer. Have I done something to offend you? Have I done something wrong? Made a wrong decision somewhere? If I have, I would like to know.”
     
    Boomer says nothing. Fuck him then.
     
    “Dismissed, Captain.”
     
    ***
     
    Over the next three weeks, we begin to explore the capabilities of the new software. I can almost feel them pinning on those silver oak leaves. These two planes are still evenly matched, but when we put another bird or two in the mix without the software upgrade, my two guys make quick work of them. We begin to mesh as a team. Even Boomer loosens up around me. A little.
     
    I am running one evening, gasping in the thinner air, when a blood red Porsche convertible whines up beside me. It’s Boomer. I don’t even slow. “Captain.”
     
    “Major.”
     
    Everyone, with the exception of Captain Daniel fucking Anderson and I, are on a first name basis. I’ve given up trying with him. If he wants to be a prick, that’s fine. I’ve been dealing with bull-shit attitudes from men my entire career and I have added him to the list. As long as he does his job, that’s all that matters.
     
    “What can I do for you?” I ask, as I pound along.
     
    “Eliza, I’m sorry.”
     
    That gets my attention and I slow to a walk, trying to get my wind back. “For what, Captain?”
     
    “For my attitude. I haven’t, uh, been exactly welcoming.”
     
    “No, you haven’t. So, why the sudden change?” I ask, as we coast to a stop.
     
    “French.” Boomer grins sheepishly. “He called me some bad names today.”
     
    I smile slightly. “I see. And he has convinced you that I’m not the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’ after all?” I was never mad at Boomer. I just don’t understand why men have to be such jerks sometimes. If he is willing