The next few days were spent enjoying the sun, the sand, the company, and most of all just being with each other. It was grudgingly, and with some trepidation, that they left this beachfront paradise to return to the reality of Washington DC.
The flight went more quickly then either had expected and Harm soon found himself standing awkwardly at Mac’s front door. Watching her slip the key into the lock and slowly turn the knob, he felt as though his entire world was turning in slow motion. The last thing he wanted to do was to leave this woman and go home. He never wanted to leave her side again. The thought of sleeping alone in a cold empty bed sent chills through his bones that could rival the worst of Eastern blizzards.
After spending four days and nights intimately getting to know everything about Sarah MacKenzie, he couldn’t believe how difficult this moment was for him. Unsure of whether or not it was presumptuous of him to expect to follow her inside, he was incredibly relieved to hear Mac offer him a drink the moment her keys clanged loudly on the table.
“Yeah, anything will be fine.” He smiled, taking his coat off and laying it beside hers.
“I’ve got orange juice, apple juice, and diet coke.” Mac called from the kitchen
Standing by the dinette table, harm was entranced by the perfect roundness of her six. Bending over, her dark slacks wrapped tightly around it. They had made love so many times he had honestly lost count after the first day and yet here he stood totally aroused watching her get a drink out of a boring, ordinary fridge. How in the hell was he going to survive working with her all day without just taking her right there on her desktop?
“Earth to Rabb.” Mac called impatiently, her head still in the fridge.
“Sorry, diet coke.”
Stepping back and closing the door, Mac reached up high to get two glasses off the shelf. Harm’s eyes immediately zoned in on the small section of her back that was exposed as her shirt rid up with her outstretched arm.
“Here you go.” Mac turned to hand him his glass.
Taking the proffered glass from her, as well as her own, Harm set the two drinks down on the counter.
“Do you have any idea how much you excite me?” Harm asked pulling her into his arms.
Laughing girlishly, “I don’t know, how much do I excite you?” She let her hands slide from along his side up across his chest, raking her fingers along his neck and back down to the first button on his shirt.
“MAC! I want you so much now I could just explode. How are we going to be able to work together if I can’t ever get enough of you?”
“I’m still trying to figure out how I can make it through the night without you by my side. I haven’t even dared think about what will come with tomorrow.” Mac’s eyes dropped to the buttons on his shirt.
“Oh, thank heaven. You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. Why don’t you pack a bag and a uniform for tomorrow and come home with me tonight?” Harm began placing delicate kisses on her cheeks.
“I think that can work.” Mac sighed, her eyes closed, enjoying the feel of his lips tenderly caressing her face.
Indulging in an ardent kiss, with a little tender groping tossed in for good measure. Mac finally walked away to pack her bag while Harm took several deep breaths contemplating the benefits of a cold shower.
Somehow they managed to make it back to Harm’s apartment and actually make and eat dinner, and still keep their hands off each other. This was almost bordering on ridiculous. They felt like a couple of love struck teenagers after their first sexual encounter. It didn’t take much, a look, a gesture, a smile, and their hormones were skyrocketing.
Mac had changed into a nightgown and was brushing her teeth when Harm stepped into the bathroom and reached for the toothpaste.
Without much difficulty they finished getting ready for bed as though they’d been sharing a bathroom for years. Harm couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Everything he’d always dreaded in relationships just made him feel more secure with Mac. The last thing he wanted was for Jordan or Rene to leave toiletries in his bathroom and yet here he was thrilled to see Mac’s toothbrush hanging next to his on the wall.
Much to both their relief, work had not been near the torturous event either had anticipated. They were both excellent officers, too good to allow personal feelings to override duty and training. At work, they were Commander and Colonel and no one appeared the wiser.
What they were unaware of was the scrutiny with which Jennifer Coates was keeping watch over the couple. She had hoped that being alone at a seaside post would have given Harm the help he needed to make his move, but she just couldn’t tell.
She glanced at their table while they had lunch with Bud. Mac carried on about the warm weather and not understanding how Harm could leave that behind. Their conversation was friendly and amusing but there was no indication that this was the recounting of a romantic interlude.
Sighing to herself, Jennifer racked her brains wondering what else she could do to give those two a push. After all Harm had told her, she was sure if they approached it from the right angle, Colonel MacKenzie would be as open to a relationship as Harm was.
She needed to talk to Harm after he got home. Riding home she formulated a simple plan. She would bake another loaf of bread as an excuse to go over to Harm’s. Once she found out more about how things went in San Diego from him, she would call the Colonel and ask her to help her shop for a special dress for an up coming date. It would be a little unusual, but Jen was sure if she explained to Mac that she wanted to look really special and needed Mac’s flair for fashion that Mac would willingly help her. Then she could feel Mac out and see if she was reading things right. Maybe even come up with some solid suggestions for Harm.
Jen was working on the bread, straightening a few things out around the apartment and never heard the elevator when Harm and Mac come home together.
Harm followed Mac inside the dark apartment. Dropping his briefcase on his desk, he watched Mac place hers on the floor beside his desk. If they were going to keep sharing apartments he was going to have to figure out a way to make some desk space for her. Hanging his jacket on the desk chair, He loosened his tie and undid the first few buttons of his shirt.
“I’m going to change into something more comfortable, then I’ll help with dinner.” Mac walked up the stairs to his room. “I’ll have to borrow something of yours.” They had agreed after work they didn’t want to be separated. She had considered stopping at her place to get fresh clothes, but honestly she just wanted to hurry up and get home where she wouldn’t have to pretend she and Harm were only colleagues. It was a great feeling thinking of Harm’s apartment as home.
“No problem, take whatever you can make fit.” Harm answered going to the kitchen to start supper. It had been a pretty easy day so he had decided against picking up take out. Putting the water on to boil, he started dicing up vegetables for the sauce. He was browning some garlic in the bottom of the pan when Mac snuggled up beside him.
“What can I do?”
“I’ve got everything here under control. Why don’t you set the table.” Harm tossed the diced vegetables into the pot and added a can of organic tomato sauce. Covering the pot and lowering the flame, he turned around to help Mac.
Watching the woman he loved, Harm felt a flush of satisfaction rise through his entire system. Mac was wearing an old t-shirt of his. Standing on a small stool, reaching for the wine glasses on the top shelf, the shirt rid up just barely showing a trace of red from her underwear. Her long legs were firm and shapely. She probably had the most beautiful legs he’d ever seen.
Stepping off the stool and turning around with the glasses in hand, Mac caught Harm staring at her. “See something you like?” She grinned.
It actually made her feel warm all over to wear something she knew Harm wore, if she closed her eyes she could almost convince herself it still smelled like him. Though who knows why she clung to the smell of a shirt when now she had the real thing.
“I see lots of things I like.” Harm took a deep breath and purposely brushed up against her on his way to get to the fridge. “Would you rather have water or soda?”
“Water, thanks.” Mac answered, pulling some silverware out of the drawer.
Harm had just finished pouring water into the wineglasses when Mac brushed passed him, purposely rubbing her chest across his back. After all, payback is payback.
She had barely walked passed him when he reached out and grabbed her arm swinging her around so she crashed into his chest with a thud.
“You should know better than to tease a man that way.” Harm almost sneered before bending down to kiss her.
The kiss was taking on an intensity of its own that would have most likely ended in the bedroom with dinner being postponed had it not been for the knock at the door.
“I don’t suppose we can just ignore it?” Mac asked, her lips, along with a few other extremities, still tingling from his kiss.
“Afraid not.” Harm backed away and went to the door. Opening the door wide, he hadn’t given any thought to Mac’s attire, or lack there of.
“Jennifer.” Harm tried to hide his surprise “What brings you by?” Stepping away from the door to let her in, he closed it then turned to face her noticing the horrified look on Mac’s face from across the kitchen as she made every effort to hide behind the island.
“Hey Jen.” Mac nodded hello and proceeded to pour the spaghetti into the pot and stir the sauce in an effort to look busy.
“Hello, ma’am.” Jennifer was kicking herself already, she didn’t know how she missed noticing the Colonel had come over. “I just wanted to drop off some more bread.”
Despite the potentially awkward moment, Harm couldn’t help lighting up. “Thanks, the last loaf you brought was fabulous.”
“This one is still warm too. It will go great with your dinner.”
Before he realized what was happening, Jen had carried the loaf over to the kitchen and was placing it on the counter before Mac or Harm could do anything about it.
“If you leave it in the foil it will stay warm until your dinner is ready.” Jen turned towards Mac and stopped short when she realized how little she was wearing. To her credit, Jen managed to keep the shock from showing on her face. If this was any indication, things had gone much better in San Diego than she had thought.
“I’ve got a few things I want to, I mean need to get back to. I’ll just leave you guys to finish up. I mean, your dinner.” So much for hiding her surprise. If she’d only kept her mouth shut.
“I guess we have a little explaining to do.” Harm started.
“No, sir. That won’t be necessary.” Jen smiled stepping away from the counter.
Mac moved forward to place her hand on Jen’s arm. “Hang on a minute.” She smiled.
“Really, ma’am. I just wanted to leave the bread.” Jen tried not to grin too broadly. Things were definitely looking good.
By now, Harm had walked into the kitchen next to Mac placing his arm securely around her waist. Looking down at her, he waited for her to nod in agreement, kissed her lightly on the cheek and began to explain.
“We were able to spend some much needed time together while in San Diego. There will be quite a few changes in our lives now, but in light of the new JAG, we’ve agreed to hold off announcing we’re a couple to the general public.”
A grin the size of Texas spread across her face. “Understood, sir. I’d better get going. I’ve got a load of wash in the dryer.”
“Why don’t you join us for dinner after you’ve checked the dryer?” Mac suggested.
“Thank you, but I’ll take a raincheck if you don’t mind.” Making her way to the door, Jen turned to face them again. “I’m really happy for you both. We’ve all thought you belonged together and I’m glad to see you’ve finally seen the light. Congratulations, and don’t wait too long to let us know when the wedding is.” She knew she was pushing it but she also knew in her heart they weren’t going to need much encouragement, just a nudge or two.
Blushing brightly, Mac glanced up at Harm then quickly turned back to Jen.
“We will. I promise.” Harm beamed. Mac’s eyes had met his for only a few seconds but that was all it took for him to see the same goal in her eyes that he held in his heart.
Letting go of Mac, Harm sprinted to the door. Catching the door quickly, he grabbed for Jen’s hand. “Thank you, for everything”
“You’re welcome, sir.” Smiling broadly, Jen nodded her head and pulled the door closed behind her.
Mac watched as Harm turned away from the closed door and walked back to the kitchen.
Wrapping his arms tightly around the most beautiful woman in the world, Harm leaned in and gently kissed Mac on the lips.
“Do you think she’ll be able to keep a secret?” Mac asked, her toes still tingling from the sweetness of the kiss.
“Yeah, she’s a good friend. She’s pretty smart too.” Harm couldn’t resist the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. “She told me we belonged together and I needed to stop waiting to tell you how I feel. I love you Sarah MacKenzie, I always have, and I always will. I hope you won’t make me wait too long before you’ll agree to marry me.” With that, Harm leaned in and kissed Mac with everything he had in him.