The ice princess was the keeper of the gate to the Provost Marshal's Office at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and her desk was at the top of the stairs. They called her the ice princess, but they were wrong.

Her real name was Linda Peroni, she was a civilian secretary, but if you dared to ascend the stairs and didn't have official business, she was quick to share her desire for you to disappear. It was a long walk back down those stairs for many a wannabe Casanova. Linda Peroni was a beautiful woman; she was a curiosity for all the testosterone fueled young MP's, the word was she was divorced, but nobody knew for sure. She was a curvy Italian American woman approaching thirty, 5'5" with long wavy black hair, full pouty red lips; she looked like the girl next door on the verge of going very, very, bad.

She dressed to avoid bringing attention to herself, but the second her body was in motion she oozed sexuality, and there wasn't a heterosexual male around who didn't notice. She was solid, with tight hips, a magnificently proportioned derrière, and breasts the size of grapefruits that were alive under her conservative blouse. She walked with a confident indifference, breasts slightly bouncing giving every male an idea that those too were as solid as the rest of her. She wasn't in anyway fat; she was just built like the proverbial brick shithouse.

The Provost Marshal (PM), a Colonel, was essentially the chief of the Military Police. His offices were in an old WW II era building, a long two story wooden structure that had seen better days. The police desk, complete with a dispatcher's office and temporary holding cells, was downstairs. It shared the bottom floor with the Traffic Accident Investigation Unit. The Chief's office, guarded by Linda, and his pool of assistants shared the top floor with the Civil Liaison/AWOL Apprehension unit.

Little did I know I was about to have the opportunity of my young lifetime. I was twenty-one years old and a former surfer boy from Newport Beach, California, and had been an MP at Fort Polk for 18 months. I was closing in on the halfway point of my enlistment in the US Army. I signed up for four years, and I had received my orders transferring me to Germany.

I'd had a great time at Fort Polk, home of the Army's 5th infantry division. I worked as a patrolman on the post with a population of approximately 25,000 soldiers, their dependents, and support personnel. Located in western Louisiana, Ft Polk was in the boonies, and there really wasn't much for a city boy to do for entertainment but drink, work out, and chase girls. As a patrolman, there was never a dull moment. When you have sixteen thousand single guys between the ages of 18 and 25 who get paid on the same day, just add alcohol and it's bound to get crazy.

Due to my transfer orders, I was considered a short-timer and it was time for me to leave active patrol duty. I would be gone in three months and I couldn't get involved in something that required me to testify in a trial down the road. Flying us back and forth for trials was avoided at all costs. So it was standard procedure to end your exposure 90 days prior to transfer.

They had all sorts of jobs for short-timers; working in the armory issuing weapons, maintaining jeeps in the motor pool, or any number of support or gopher jobs. I had been in the right place at the right time though, and landed the mother lode of short timer jobs, I was to be the new Colonel's driver. These days they'd call me an assistant, but this was 1983. The job required me to be armed with a standard issue M1911A1 ( .45 caliber automatic pistol) and to drive the colonel wherever he needed to go. The majority of my work was to support the MP HQ. I was a driver, a bodyguard, and a gopher. I moved communications between different offices and commands, and provided whatever help I could, simple as that.

My workload went through Linda Peroni's desk. Up to that point she was just a talked about goddess who I'd had fleeting glimpses of. She was also someone I'd never had an interest in. I'd stared at her just like the rest of the boys, but I wasn't the 'standing in line for a shot' type of guy.

They say that doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. Therefore mass insanity, by definition, must have been the herd of guys who filed up those stairs only to be sent back down by the chilly reception from Ms. Peroni. Not one guy ever managed more than a hello from her, much less a date.

I had my fun with the girls, but Ms. Peroni was a wet dream that I'd never considered as a target for my affections. Why wade into the testosterone filled fray just to get shot down? I guess for some guys it was a point of pride, but I just saw it as a complete waste of my time. There were plenty of mousy little brunette girl next door types for me to chase, I liked them best anyway; they were wholesome, they didn't flaunt themselves or have a sense of entitlement like the wannabe MTV babes you found in the nightclubs. Besides, it was my experience they could out fuck a bimbo by a mile once you got past their defenses.

My first day on the job I climbed that long set of stairs and came face to face with the Ice Princess. I was nervous, but I had a job to do, and I prided myself on doing things to the very best of my ability. So came my first experience with Linda Peroni and she didn't disappoint.

"Good morning, can I help you private?"

There was indifference in her tone as she spoke without giving me more than a cursory glance while continuing to shuffle papers at her desk. I wasn't a private, I had worked hard and earned three promotions to get out from under that label. My rank was Specialist 4 (Spec4, equal to a corporal, but a corporal is considered a non-commissioned officer.) So I just stood staring at her.

"What do you need private?"

"It's Specialist Fitzpatrick ma'am. I'm reporting for duty as the Colonel's driver."

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at me. Whether she liked it or not, we were going to be seeing a lot of each other, and she started sizing me up right away. I wasn't immune to her looks, but I certainly didn't like her attitude and that trumped any physical attraction.

"You report to the Assistant PM Major Jackson. His office is next to the Provost Marshal's. All your assignments will flow through Mrs. Beliveau, the colonel's secretary, which she generally hands off to me. You can go back and introduce yourself." She held up her hand and pointed the way then turned back to paperwork therefore dismissing me.

"Thank you ma'am."

I found Mrs. Beliveau, who demanded I call her Hattie. She was a slight older woman who, I found out later, was a joy to know. She sat me down and told me about the inner workings of the section then took me around and introduced me to the secretaries. Each of them was welcoming and kind. My spiel to them was, 'just let me know what I need to do to make your job easier.' they each gave me a brief explanation of how I could support them, then I met briefly with Maj. Jackson. The Colonel was away for the week so I didn't get to meet with him. Hattie took me back into her office.

"Ok Chris, that should about do it. Just communicate with us and everything will be a piece of cake. Look, you'll have to deal with Ms. Peroni for most of your tasks. She can be a bit standoffish, but she's actually a nice lady. Just give her time to come around."

"Thanks Hattie, I aim to please. Just point me in the right direction and I'll do whatever it takes to help."

So it began. The girls kept me busy, but Linda acted like I didn't exist unless she needed to give me an assignment. I belonged here, and I kept every interaction with her totally professional so I didn't give her any reason at all to play ice princess with me, but she did anyway.

I had been talking to my roommate Paul about Linda. Like most of the guys, he was curious about the hottie at the top of the stairs. Paul was 5 or 6 years older than me. He had joined the Army in his mid twenties, and was someone I looked up to. Where girls were concerned, Paul was quite the ladies man. We'd been out together and I'd seen his skills first hand. He'd also been one of the many to get shot down at Ms. Peroni's desk. I had been filling him in for the last week on just how chilly she was with me.

Paul smiled and said, "You wanna have some fun with her Chris?"

"What do you mean?"

"She's used to every guy falling all over her. Do the opposite, treat her like she doesn't matter to you in the least. You don't have to be rude, you just have to show her you have no interest in her at all. If you do it right, there's a good chance she'll start wondering why you don't like her."

I thought for a moment then said, "So what good is it to get her to hate me? I have to work with her and I don't want to start any shit in the office. This is a cake job."

Paul laughed, "You idiot, if you do it right she won't hate you, you'll become a challenge to her. She knows she can snap her fingers and have a hundred guys lining up just to hear her fart over a field phone. You'll be the exception, the one she can't control. It'll driver her crazy."

"So, how does this work?"

"Well, make sure you are sugar sweet to all the other secretaries, treat them like queens. She'll see that and wonder why she's different. It's like divide and conquer. Don't be too rude, If she gives you shit, give it back the same way. Just let her know you couldn't care less about her. Her power over you is your interest in her."

I didn't know if Paul was baiting me, but it was an interesting concept. He gave me some ideas, and I went to work the next morning with a different mindset.

Physically I was the best shape of my life. I worked out quite a bit and ran 5 miles three times a week. I stood 6'1" 180 pounds, with sandy blond hair and wicked blue eyes. I was a good looking kid. You don't get the job I had unless you had an excellent overall appearance. You represented the MP's wherever you went. I spent a good hour each day getting my uniform as sharp as possible, and my jump boots were shined to the point of looking like black glass.

When I climbed the stairs that morning she was there waiting and said, "Morning Fitzpatrick."

"Morning Peroni,"

I went to my inbox and grabbed a couple of packets that needed to be delivered to the commanding general's office, then made it a point to say a cheery hello to every secretary in the office. I was on a first name basis with all of them, with the exception of Ms. Peroni.

I announced to the room that I was heading out, and asked if anyone needed me to pick up anything for them. On occasion I grabbed drinks or snacks for the girls, this time I got a round of no thank you's.

As I was headed to the stairs she said, "I prefer to be addressed as Ms. Peroni, not Peroni."

"That's fine Ms. Peroni, I prefer Specialist Fitzpatrick if we're being formal, "then down the stairs I went. I made my rounds and got back forty five minutes later.

As I passed her desk she got cute. "Mr. Fitzpatrick, I have some mail that needs to go over to the 258th MP Company."

"Sure thing Private Peroni. I'll pick it up on my way out." I winked at her and walked away. Hattie had been walking across the office, heard our conversation, and called me into her office.

"Chris, what was that all about?"

"I'm just setting some boundaries. Hattie, I understand she gets a lot of unwanted attention, but I've been nothing but professional with her. So I figure if I treat her like she treats me she may eventually decide to be nice."

Hattie laughed, "Oh my, this is going to get interesting." She then gave me a bit of a warning and said, "Keep it professional Chris, and good luck."

What I wasn't privy to, was that the girls in the office were pretty tight and had been working on getting Ms. Peroni to lighten up a bit. They cared for her, and they all thought it was time she got a man back into her life.

Over the next week or so Linda and I kept at it. If she was rude I mirrored her. If she was indifferent, I was as well, and I never initiated contact that wasn't business related. We did have some short conversations that were cordial, and I detected a slight shift in her attitude as if she was starting to thaw. She actually smiled at me when I came in Monday and said, "Good morning Chris."

"Good morning Linda" I kept walking not waiting for an answer. When I got to my inbox outside the Colonel and Hattie's offices I saw her out of the corner of my eye, she was just sitting there staring at me.

Andrea, the only other 20-something secretary in the office, walked up beside me. "Chris, what's going on with you and Linda? She's been asking about you."

Andrea was dating an MP named Dan, a friend of mine who worked downstairs. Andrea was a sweetheart, open and friendly, and we got along great.

"Nothing's going on Andrea. You know how she is with the guys, and she's been giving me the same treatment. I guess I'm guilty of having a penis, and somehow that seems to offend her. I've just been giving it back a bit. I'm not interested in stroking her ego, and I think that somehow offends her."

"It also gets her attention Chris. I think you're up to something, and to be honest I hope it works. She needs to get out, she's been divorced for a year and it's time she came out of her shell."

"That's nice, but I won't be making any moves on her. If she wants something from me, she can ask for it herself."

Andrea laughed, "Little boys shouldn't play with fire."

"I'll be sure to pass that along to the first little boy I see."

Yes, it was working! Normally I can be a bit shy at first if I am interested in a girl. Linda Peroni was all woman, but because of this banter we had I wasn't nervous or shy around her at all. If this worked she would have to make every move herself, I just had to hang in there and stick to the plan and not cave to desire. Paul had told me the second I gave in and made a move she would probably shoot me down with a vengeance. The ball was always gonna have to be in her court.

I told Paul about it that night and he was almost giddy.

"It sounds like you have allies upstairs Chris, use them for information. They'll probably try to hook you two up but don't fall for it; she needs to do all the work."

Tuesday Linda asked me what I was doing for lunch and I said, "The usual, I'm going to experience the fine cuisine at the chow hall."

"We're all going to the Trough." The Trough was a little dive just off post that actually served wonderful southern and Cajun food.

"Awesome, enjoy your lunch, the food there is great."

"You're welcome to come Chris." She tried to say it casually, but I caught the edge in her voice.

"Are you asking me out to lunch Linda?"

"No! I was just letting you know we're going to lunch and you were welcome to tag along."

"Well thank you, but I think I'll stick to my routine."

She broke eye contact, and I actually felt bad. But I heeded Paul's warning and hoped he was right. This was against my nature. That afternoon I got another visit from Andrea.

"She's pissed at you Chris."

"Why, what did I do now?"

"She said you blew off her invitation for lunch." Andrea was trying unsuccessfully not to smirk. I was sure she knew exactly what I was doing.

"Invitation? She told me I could tag along with the group. What gives her the right to be pissed because I declined to 'tag along'. Besides, who is she to get upset about someone turning down a date, she holds the post record for that"

She was laughing now, "Ok smart ass, if she invited you to go to lunch with her, will you?"

"If she asks me she'll find out."

I couldn't help smiling. The fact is, I thought Linda Peroni was about the sexiest woman I had ever laid eyes on in my young life. I wanted her so bad that I was willing to play this game all the way to the end as I thought it was my only hope. To be honest, I hadn't even considered if it would really work because I didn't want to deal with the disappointment if it didn't.

Wednesday morning she was at it again. "So Chris, are you going to take me to lunch today?"

Did she really just invite me to take her out, or was she asking me out? That was tricky and I wanted to play this right.

"I'm confused, was that an invitation for me to take you to lunch, or did you just ask me out?" I saw the red creep into her cheeks and I am sure it was more anger than blush. She let go with both barrels.

"Jesus, you're such an ass, if you don't want to go out just say so!"

I was startled by the passion in her voice. Part pissed, part hurt, and it felt like there was even some desperation. I felt bad, but a bit miffed as well. I was playing the game my way, she was playing her way, and I was winning. Apparently it wasn't something she was used to.

"Linda, I'm a straight shooter and I don't play coy little girl and boy games. You're one of the most beautiful women I have ever laid eyes on, but that amounts to a hill of beans when you make a point of offending me every chance you get. These ladies here tell me you're a wonderful and kind woman, but they shouldn't be the ones to tell me that, your actions should. Now, I have lunch plans today with Andrea and Dan, and you are certainly welcome to join us."

She sat there looking at me with her mouth open. I noticed the absence of the usual typewriter noise in the background as well. We had an audience. She looked down, then back up and locked eyes with me, and I could see the wheels turning.

"Did you just ask me out?"

Fuck, she was incorrigible. "No, but I did invite you to tag along."

She laughed, "Touché."

I noted she didn't answer the offer, but she was smiling.

I drove over Jimmy's Sport Bar and Grill to meet Dan and Andrea for lunch. I walked in and spotted them at a table in the corner, and much to my delight Linda had decided to tag along. I was thrilled, but tried to act like it was nothing. We all talked through lunch and I learned that away from the office Linda was actually quite funny and smart.

They asked me what it was like growing up on the beach and being a surfer boy, and the gist of my reply had to do with becoming immune to women in bikinis. Smokin' hot girls were a dime a dozen, but finding one who was down to earth with a good personality was difficult.

Linda surprised me when she said, "I'm sure a guy with your body and looks had to fight off the girls."

"Nah, I'm a lover not a fighter, but thanks for the compliment." That got me a snort or two from around the table.

I found out Linda had grown up on a farm in rural Ohio and had been quite an athlete, which explained that body. She said she still worked out several times a week. The subject got around to dating, and when I asked her why she didn't date she told me she'd had offers, but she just wasn't ready.

"Besides, three quarters of the guys ask my tits out, not me. They actually stare at my chest and start talking, for fucks sake." Dan nearly spit his iced tea across the table and I laughed out loud.

I had a good time and walked her to her car as we were leaving. When she turned to me I noticed something about her I'd never seen before. Her nipples were poking through her shirt and I tried like hell not to stare. I opened her door for her, and she hesitated for a second before getting in. That was a prime opportunity for a thank you hug or kiss on the cheek, but that wasn't in the plans. I thanked her for coming and told her I hoped she would again. The four of us met again twice more that week, and each time it ended with just a goodbye. Neither of us had yet to cave and asked the other one out.

On Friday she asked me what I was doing that weekend and I told her that Sgt Roy Bartmess was having a going away party at the Lazy J in town Saturday night. Like me, he was being transferred to Germany. The Lazy J was a big country and western nightclub and the only one it's size within 50 miles, so it was always a lively place. I told her Andrea and Dan would be there. Linda knew Sgt Bartmess because he was always in and out of the office due to his job as a desk Sergeant at the MP station, and he was obviously happily married; hence no threat to Linda.

"You're welcome to come. I think Roy would appreciate seeing you there."

A devilish grin lit up her face, "Are you asking me out?"

"No Linda, I wouldn't ask you out to a nightclub with 20 of my closest, drunken friends. I'm more the dining by candlelight and long walks on the beach kinda guy, and that only works one on one."

"I don't think I can make it, I'm going to be busy most of Saturday."

"Do what you gotta do. There's going to be quite a crowd. A bunch of the MP's, and from what I hear the MP groupies will be there as well."

"What are MP groupies?"

"Just a group of five or six girls that hang out with the guys. And no, they are not like rock groupies, we're mostly just friends. Although I do hear that a couple of them like to grab the short-timers before they leave for a little no strings fun." I wriggled my eyebrows at her and grinned. "I really hope you can make it though, we're meeting there at nine pm."

"I don't know Chris."

"No problem either way." I said, then went about my day.

Saturday night Paul drove us over to the Lazy J from the barracks. We walked in at 8:45 and the club was already about half full and we looked for the long table we had reserved for the party. It was toward the back of the big room behind the dance floor. Roy's wife had come in earlier and decorated it with short-timer banners and other party favors. A few seats were taken already, so Paul and I sat with our backs to the dance floor and ordered a pitcher of beer. The live music wouldn't start until 9 and nobody was dancing to the canned stuff. Paul went to the Men's room and when he came back he had a big grin on his face.

"You'll never guess who's hiding at a little table over in the corner by the bar."

I turned to look and there was Linda way across the room sitting alone and sipping on a drink. I don't know if she saw us come in, but she was keeping an eye on the door and never looked our way. I let her be; she'd find her way over eventually. A couple of minutes later Roy and his wife walked in trailed by a bunch of the guys and the whole gaggle of groupies. Dan and Andrea were right behind them.

I got up and waved them over, and the table filled up quickly. Linda saw the group and came across the floor. Everyone was finding a spot and Andrea made room for Linda next to her and Dan, which was directly across the table from me.

I looked at her and smiled, "Nice of you to make it, ready to have some fun?"

She smiled, "We'll see."

The beer and drinks were delivered and it was time to get the party started. Paul stood and offered up a toast to Carl and his wife. He told Carl how great it was to work for him, and thanked his wife Maria for hosting all the BBQ's for the single guys and giving them a touch of home. We all let them know they would definitely be missed.

The music started and it became a bit more difficult to have a conversation. It wasn't long before the groupies were dragging me to the dance floor when it was my turn, and I gave it my best. I noticed that Linda had danced exactly twice, once with Carl and once with Dan. She had shot down every guy other than those two attached gentlemen.

It was after eleven and I only had a couple of chances to talk with Linda during band breaks. ActualIy, I was being aloof, just playing the game. She and Andrea were thick as thieves though, and by the looks Andrea was giving me I believe I might have been the subject of their discussion a time or two. Paul had duty in the morning and had to split, so I figured I'd catch a ride back to the barracks with one of the guys, or take a cab if it came to that. I was being cool and not drinking too much, I couldn't afford to be drunk and trying to find a ride home, too much bad shit had happened to GI's in that situation.

I came back from another trip to the dance floor with a groupie when Linda looked over at me and said, "Aren't you going to ask me to dance?"

I laughed, "It seems to me that you've shot down every unattached guy that's asked you tonight. I don't like the odds."

"Why don't you ask and find out?"

"Sorry, but I don't think I could stand the rejection. I'm afraid the ball's in your court missy."

She just shook her head and laughed, while Andrea was mouthing the word 'asshole' to me with a grin. The party was thinning out, and pretty soon there were just a few of us left. A slow song started and Linda stood up and walked around to my side of the table. She reached down and grabbed my hand, "C'mon smart ass!"

I smiled, and got really nervous. A slow song and I was going to put my hands on this phenomenal woman. She pulled us into the middle of the crowd and turned toward me, she looked nervous as well. She had her dark hair up and was wearing a knee length creamy yellow sun dress. The contrast with her tan olive skin was amazing, and the body moving beneath it was intoxicating. As I placed my hands on her waist she stepped into me and slipped her arms around my neck. There were a couple of inches between us, and I looked into her eyes and smiled.

"What are you grinning at?"

"Hey, I'm the guy dancing with the most beautiful lady in the room, I have a right to be proud."

She smiled and said, "Wanna really make 'em jealous?"

"How do I do that?"

She answered by pressing that wonderful body against me while pulling my head toward hers. I could feel her firm breasts on my chest as she raised her lips to mine and gave me the softest sweetest kiss that I have ever had the pleasure to receive. My cock stiffened slightly, and as she pressed her hips into me she smiled.

"Oh my, I think you liked that as much as I did."

I was stunned by her kiss, and somewhat embarrassed by my reaction to her. I held her close to me and craved another of those sweet soft kisses, but remembered the game. She needed to take charge, every kiss needed to be her kiss. I hugged her to me with one hand in the small of her back and the other lightly massaging her neck. I felt her relax and snuggle her head into my chest. I've always been a touchy guy with my hands. I love the feel of feminine curves and skin, and was always willing to offer up a back and neck massage. It was a great way to bridge the intimacy gap.

The song ended and I reluctantly released her from my arms. We started toward our table where I saw Andrea grinning from ear to ear and clapping her hands over her head. Nice, our own little cheering section. We made it about halfway to the table when another slow song started and Linda pulled us back to the dance floor with a big grin on her gorgeous face.

My cock was still straining in my pants. I wasn't hard, but had stiffened up enough to be noticed. I wasn't hung like a horse; some women could take it all, fewer couldn't, and thickness was occasionally an issue. We were back on the dance floor and she immediately pressed her body into mine, lightly rubbing her belly against the front of my jeans. I was a bit confused at how to proceed, I wasn't sure if she was just teasing me, or wanting more. I had put her up on a pedestal, and even though she'd kissed me and was currently torturing my cock, it still wasn't dawning on me that I had a shot with this woman. It was just too big a fantasy for me to believe.

We started to sway to the music again holding each other close. We were staring into each others eyes and she again pulled my face toward hers. Damn her lips were intoxicating. This time I felt the wetness of her tongue and teased mine out to taste her. It was like opening the flood gates in her. She kissed me back with urgency and our tongues did a slow dance along with our bodies. I broke the kiss and hugged her to me as I slid my hand down to the top of her wonderful bottom. I was a young man in heat and needed to get control of myself. My god, my lust meter was redlined and she was doing all those things a wily female does to keep it there.

The song came to an end and I just held her and looked into her eyes. We broke the spell and I looked over her shoulder at our table and it was empty, completely empty. We walked over and her handbag was on her chair under her sweater. There was a piece of paper lying on top of it with a smiley face and 'about damn time' written below.

She looked at me with a mixture of lust and what I thought was fear, and I tried to think.

"What now Linda? My ride back to the barracks is gone, and all I can think about is kissing you."

She apparently thought that was a good idea and she kissed me again. With the absence of the noise, I could hear her making faint mewing sounds into my mouth. I was fighting my desire to run my hands all over her body. 'control yourself Chris, control yourself.'

I should tell you at this point that I was no amateur at kissing. My little group of high school friends had practiced kissing all the way back to Junior High. The girls critiqued the boys and vice versa, then we practiced some more. It was inevitable that we'd eventually take it further, and I lost my virginity at 14 to my first girlfriend.