SERVICED: Over a Dead Body by Leona Bushman

Following the release of Serviced on March 1st, I am running a daily spotlight for each of the stories featured in this hot new military-themed anthology from Breathless Press...

OVER A DEAD BODY 

BY LEONA J BUSHMAN

Riker thought he'd be meeting a friend and instead found him dead. When NCIS is called in, Riker's ex is there, looking as hot as ever. Even though the sight of her forced him to realize how much he missed her and wanted her, meeting her over a dead body with blood on his hands made it unlikely he'd get what he wanted—Edie.

Edie loved her job as a lead NCIS investigator, but why did it have to be Riker who found this murdered person? Riker had left her a few weeks before marriage, spouting logic and distance. Her heart remained cold, but her body steamed when he touched her. 

Could she clear his name and forgive him or would the killers get to him first?

Excerpt...

It didn't take much longer. Grady led her back to where the MA waited, but her height garnered her a clear view over the barely-past-regulation-height seaman. Her eyes never stopped moving, noting everything as she walked, he knew. He also knew the very second she recognized him. 

Her lips opened in an "O" before she clamped them together in a thin line. The flare of heat in her eyes quickly turned to frost as their eyes met. His own body flared up under her gaze, then his temper ignited. He didn't deserve her frost. He'd been honest and up-front and done what he thought to be right at the time. Hell if he'd feel guilty for it now. Remorse was bad enough. 

"Agent Lancaster," he said, acknowledging her first as she approached. Tactical advantage to him. 

"Chief Petty Officer Riker," she replied. Was it his imagination, or did she emphasize "officer" when she said his name? She'd made no bones about the way she felt about him turning down officer school when it had been offered to him. At the time, he'd thought to be out in four years. No one had been as surprised as he when he re-enlisted. 

Both stared the other down until the Master at Arms cleared his throat. "I see you know each other," he said. "CPO Riker is the one who discovered the body." 

"Yeah. We've met," he bit out. 

"But we don't really know each other," she added, with just as much snark. 

This time he was sure she emphasized a word. Her green eyes snapped in fury. He couldn't believe it. He'd heard that expression before, but until he stared into her eyes that literally seemed to be alive with her anger he hadn't understood how it looked. Although she'd probably be angry if he mentioned the heightened color in her cheeks brought out her eyes. They turned the same color when they made love. The wayward thought brought a half-smile to his face. 

She always did look good with a little heat on her face. 

***

Edie wished she could slap that half-smile clean off his face and into the nearest brig. "Did you touch the body?" she asked sharply, to get on safer ground. Whenever in doubt, go the business route. It had become her motto over the last five years and stood her well. 

"Yes." 

She narrowed her eyes at him. He knew better. "Why?" 

"I wanted to check if he was hurt. We had an appointment to meet here. When I opened the door, it hit the MCPO on the leg and I knelt down. As I pulled him toward me..." He paused. She wondered what images he relived in his mind's eye. "I saw that I couldn't help him and left and asked Seaman Grady to secure the door and not let anyone in. Then I called the Master at Arms." 

A very succinct accounting, and she'd expected no less. Then why did she get the feeling he'd left something out? "And the blood?" she asked, an eyebrow raised. 

"I apparently kneeled in it. I didn't notice the blood on the ground. The carpets are dark, as you'll see when you look at the crime scene." 

She heard the rebuke, but ignored it. "My team is right behind me. I was nearby when the call came in. While we wait for them, you need to have someone get you something to wear. I'll be taking your uniform as evidence." Damn it. She shouldn't be explaining to him. Especially since she hadn't cleared him. Well, her libido had, but that didn't count in an investigation.

Buy it now...

Breathless Press (20% discount in March)
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Barnes & Noble (coming soon)
iTunes (coming soon)

ISBN: 978-1-77101-022-1
Heat Rating: 5
Word Count: 65386
Release Date: March 1, 2013

All's fair in love and war, they say. Come find out if it's true in these ten stories where soldiers prove that their skills in the field are only rivaled by their skills in the bedroom.

For One Night Only
by Allie A Burrow

Over A Dead Body
by Leona Bushman

Reds, Whites, and Blues
by Mickey J. Corrigan

Leave Taking
by Angelica Dawson

First Date: The Italian Colonel
by Jesabelle Jones

Major's Minah
by Ravan McAllan

Knock Out
by Natalia Petrovskii

A Chance At Love
by Shelli Rosewarne

Taking Command
by Zara Stoneley

Riding Out the Storm
by Natalia Petrovskii