Grace awoke with the morning light streaming through her curtains. She pushed herself up and the soft sheets fell away to reveal her bare flesh. She heard the sounds of the soldiers outside her window and quickly pulled her nightgown over her head.
The smell of coffee drifted in from the kitchen, drawing her like a moth to the flame. Her parents were gone - Father was likely tending the coop, and Mother often took a morning walk to their neighbors' house.
Grace poured the steaming liquid from the pot into her favorite ceramic mug, and reflected on what chores were upcoming. She out the window, and watched the traveling soldiers as they disassembled their tents and joked around while they loaded up their oversized vehicle. She jumped in surprise as a knock rattled the screen door. "Good morning, miss! I was hoping you might indulge me in a cup of that heavenly elixir."
The young soldier was standing at the door. "Of course, sir," she said, and pulled a mug from the cupboard. Through the screen, his eyes roved her body, sheathed only in her simple white cotton nightgown. The fabric shifted against her body as she moved to pour the coffee, giving him a glance at her rounded derriere.
Grace carried the cup to the door, suddenly becoming aware of how inappropriate it was to be indulging this man in such attire. She should have put on her day clothes before she came out to the kitchen, but it was too late now.
"Be careful, it's hot," she said as she opened the screen for to hand him his mug. He reached out to take the mug, his hands brushing hers and his gaze landing on her high, firm breasts, her nipples protruding under the thin fabric.
"You know what they say..." he said, "If you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen."
Grace sucked in a breath, the blush blossoming from her bodice.
"Did someone say coffee?" a familiar voice said from the young soldier, who stepped aside with a large smile pinned on his face. Oh gees, were all the men going to show up now?
Colonel Finn approached, and stopped in his tracks when he took in Grace, hair mussed from sleep, a deep blush rising from her nightgown bodice, which seemed to be the only stitch of clothing on her. His young soldier would have quite the memory to keep him warm in the nights ahead, and Finn abruptly suddenly had the need to make one more memory with this little beauty before he left into an uncertain future.
"Indeed," she said, "Would you like a cup?" She took in Colonel Finn. He had shaved, she noted, and despite what she had thought earlier, he didn't look like any less of a man without the scruff. In fact, she could admire his sensuous lips all the better, as they curved into a smile while he watched her.
"A cup of coffee from you would give me great pleasure," he said. As she turned to head into the kitchen, Colonel Finn caught the screen door behind her and followed her in.
