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“I need to secure the grounds.”
He slipped the green machine gun strap over his body.
“You really think all the fire power is needed?”
“Yes.” He didn’t bat an eye. “I’ll bring the groceries inside after a while. Don’t turn on any lights. There are candles in the kitchen drawer next to the stove.”
He placed a flashlight in my hand then stalked outside into the darkness before I could say a word.
I removed the white sheets from the furniture. My fingertips swayed over the rustic hand made wooden counter.
The candles were where he said they’d be. Did I think they wouldn’t be? Military men believed in order. Well, that was what my aunt said. She’d know. She was married to my father’s brother Arnold Kerns for twenty-five years. She said she enjoyed moving to a new state when my uncle was reassigned. My aunt Florine always had a bright outlook on life.
Watching the candlelight flickering on the kitchen counter, I thought about Aiden’s words. ‘The goal was to keep to myself and focus on my business.’ A man as gorgeous as him choosing to ‘keep to himself.’ Hm, why?
The thought of running my tongue along his angular jaw, down his neck, and over his pecs sent tingles all over my body. Yes, those pecs I caught a glimpse of when he slid on the T-shirt. A purple heart medal hung on the American flag which was tattooed over his right pec.
There were other tattoos, but that one piqued my interest. His war stories should probably become movies. My lips curled upward as I shook and emptied a silver bag of coffee grounds into the small coffee pot. If we’d be awake all night, coffee would be what was needed.
I turned, jumped back, eyes wide. “Eek! You scared the mess out of me.” I placed my hand over my heart.
“Didn’t mean to startle you, but I called your name. You appeared to be in another world.” He sat the grocery bags on the counter.
“Oh, I was thinking about how crazy this evening has been,” I said retrieving items from the bags, placing them in the fridge.
“The coffee smells good. Just what I need tonight.”
“What we need for our stakeout.” I straightened my spine, peering into his green eyes.
He snickered. “No, you can take the bedroom. Rest. I will take the couch.”
My eyebrows wrinkled. “But there are two bedrooms.”
“The best view of the woods is out that front window.” He pointed.
I stepped to the counter across from him. “You are protecting me. I can’t allow you to stay awake all night while I am fast asleep in the next room. Besides, I know nothing about you. I’d love to hear war stories,” I beamed.
He exhaled, lifting the brim of the cap, and raked his fingers through his dark mane. “You don’t know how to follow rules.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “I am not one of your men, Commander Wilder.”
He planted his palms on the counter and his jaw twitched in the candlelight. “You are right! You aren’t because they would follow orders.”
I didn’t budge. We glared at each other.
“You have two hours of talk time then off to bed,” he growled.
“This explains why you are single. You’re too bossy,” I snarled.
He stalked around the counter toward me. “You know why they say I am the best at what I do? Because I have lost the least amount of men under my command. When this great fucking nation is falling to the ground. I am the one they call. I am laying my life on the line…for you,” he roared.
“Oh, so I am just another mission?” I grimaced.
“Yes! You are a very attractive woman. I am not looking for a girlfriend or a wife. All I care about is helping you get your life back, so I can go back to mine.”
My mouth dropped open. He stepped around me to the coffee pot.
The connection you thought you two had in the truck isn’t there. He made it clear, Nadia he found you attractive but wants nothing at all to come of you two. My eyes glassed over. How could he be so crass? Well he didn’t become a Commander sparing his Sailors feelings. I strolled over to the couch and curled up at one end.
