One Kiss In Tokyo.... Scarlet Wilson

emergency kit. Dry rations, drinking water, basic medical supplies. There’s a hard hat and gloves too. Oh, and a flashlight.’

      ‘Will I need it?’ He didn’t really like the sound of that.

      She put the kit back down and held up her hands. ‘You’re in Japan now, Avery. This is earthquake central. We average a thousand a year and have more drills than you could ever know. Just be sure to keep your shoes and flashlight next to your bed. They’ll send you on training in the next few days.’ She stepped right up under his nose and tapped a finger on his chest. ‘You’ll soon be saying “Drop, cover, hold” in your sleep.’

      She turned to walk away and waved her hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Captain Flynn. Go on now, get to bed and try and get rid of those huge bags under your eyes. Don’t worry about me. I can find my own way home.’

      She’d already started to walk slowly back down the path and he felt an unexpected pang of disappointment.

      ‘I can walk you. I will. Let me lock up.’

      She stopped walking and turned around, illuminated by the streetlight behind her outlining her figure and framing her face perfectly. ‘No. It’s best you don’t.’

      Whoa. He sucked in a breath. Was he watching a scene from a movie? That was what this looked like.

      His hand was already on the key but he stopped. She’d said no. The chivalrous part of him wanted to argue, but his rational head told him that Katsuko had lived here since she was a child. She knew this base like the back of her hand. She could find her way home safely without his help.

      He paused in the doorway. ‘Katsuko?’

      She looked up.

      ‘Thank you. Thank you for tonight.’

      She gave a little nod.

      He leaned against the doorjamb. It would be so easy to go on inside but he wanted to watch her walk away. Her outline was silhouetted as she strolled down the street. Her uniform hugged her curves well and there was a sass to her step. His head leaned against the doorpost. Fatigue was washing over him now. At the bottom of the street she turned again and shouted, ‘Hey! Avery?’

      His head shot back up. ‘Yeah?’

      ‘The answer to your earlier question—’

      His earlier question?

      ‘—is only when I tell him.’ She was grinning broadly as she rounded the corner.

      His brain tried to kick into gear. He closed the door behind him and tried not to inhale the smell. It would be windows open tonight. It didn’t really matter anyway. He never stayed anywhere for too long.

      A spark went off. And he smiled. The question. It had been about the Major General. How often has he bitten?

      He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he went to find the bedroom.