His pacing reminds me of last night. Now, his black t-shirt is being worn tight around his bulging biceps, and my eyes are drawn again to the tattoos covering the rest of his arms down to just above his wrists.
He catches me watching and pauses directly in my view before he resumes his pacing in front of the team. He really intrigues me more than I'd like to admit. How am I truly going to be able to deal with a large mission if I'm constantly drooling over this man? Stay focused, Jade. Remember he’s an asshole.
As he continues to talk, I get lost in him. I can't help it. His ass is so perfectly fit in those fatigues. I've always been a sucker for a man that's in extreme condition. His swagger is unusual for the Army. Normally, everyone is so straight-laced and perfect in their posture. He's more relaxed than I'm used to seeing.
"Follow me to my headquarters. I have a room set up where we'll be able to share the intel needed. At ease, soldiers."
I fall in behind the others and work to slow down my beating heart. We file into a small room with a few tables and the most modernized technology I've seen in a few months. Harris ends up right next to me, and we both watch the Commander, taking in every detail he provides.
He spends his time showing us profiles of the enemy, including any pictures available of their families. My heart aches at the thought of any of the women or children getting mixed up in all of this, but often these idiots throw them into our line of fire on their own. This is the way they were raised, trained to kill the enemy. It’s drilled into their heads by the idiot cowards that lead this country. Some of these children are given no choice. You either become part of their military or you die. It's something I'll never get used to and thankfully being an American, I'll never have to face that in my own country.
"Name is Maverick. Before the day is over and this mission officially begins, you'll know everything you need to know about me." His eyes meet mine, and we both smile just slightly. Harris slides his foot over to mine and pushes on my boot until I turn to look at him. He wipes his mouth, mocking me, and it honestly irritates me. I whisper to him, “Shut the fuck up”... just before Maverick calls attention to me.
"Elliott. Did you have something to add to this briefing?"
"No, Sir." The 'Sir' comes out firm and loud. For some reason, I know I'm in big shit for that. I'm going to kick Harris' ass for getting me into this.
Maverick is silent as he stares in my direction. His eyes fall to my feet under the table where Harris' boot is next to mine before I can pull it away.
"Team dismissed for condition training. Everyone report back here at 1900 hours. Elliott, I need to see you in my office." Shit.
Chapter Three
JADE
I step inside the small room again; this time, it’s even darker than it was last night. He doesn't have the lantern lit and the sun will be setting soon.
There's sweat still dripping from my body from being in the sweltering temperature of the direct sun earlier, so I welcome the darkness.
"CLOSE THE DOOR!" The volume of his voice coming from behind me makes me jump. I didn't realize he was in the room already. Harris held me up after we were dismissed, and even though I was trying to beat him over here, it's apparent I failed. I follow his order before standing at attention while I wait for his direction.
He walks quickly toward me, looking angry with his mean glare and an obvious frown on his face. He stops directly in front of me. I mean, like one inch in front of my face. I’m not about to let him know that his scent drives me insane. There’s no hint of cologne, no soap. Commander Maverick smells like all man. Pure fucking man. I stand solid, preparing myself for whatever he spews at me next.
"Do you fucking think this is a joke?" The snarl on his face is terrifying. I'm trained for shit like this, but damn it, why do I love having him this close to me? I’d give anything to be able to bite on his lower lip and dig my hands through his hair, but I won’t. He has no idea what’s running through my head. Like I said. I. Am. Trained. For. This.
"No, Sir."
"Then why are you teasing me?" What’s he talking about?
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, Sir." It hits me then. Harris. Kaleb Maverick is fucking jealous.