Page 15

“Fine, Major General.”

Nailed it.

“Miss de la Puente,” the man tipped his head at me. I gave a little wave. I think I was supposed to salute though, because he grimaced at me before returning his attention to Wes.

“President De’vor has asked for a meeting first thing tomorrow morning to review the information gained from the mission. She would like a report from both of you STAT.”

Wes nodded as he ran his tongue over his teeth. “Got it. Is the car here?”

“Yes, sir. Your driver is waiting for you.” Wes gave another nod. “I’m glad you arrived safely, sir.” He tipped his head and then glanced at me. “Miss de la Puente.” He turned on his heels and walked away.

I blew out a breath, rubbing my hands against my thighs. “Well, I guess you better get going before the driver thinks you bailed or something.”

Wes turned to me, his eyes liquid gold with hues of rich green mixed in, holding me in place. Despite the heat, a little shiver ran up my spine, and it took everything within me to keep from literally trembling. He kept silent, and the silence made me self-conscious, nervous. So I did what I did best when I felt uncomfortable…I looked for an exit.

“Yeah, so I won’t keep you,” I said as I turned on my heels and began walking in the general direction of my barrack. “Have a safe drive home,” I tossed over my shoulder before returning my gaze to the floor in front of me.

“So that’s it?” His voice came in so close to my ear, I literally jumped from the surprise.

“Crap!” I turned to look at him and, sure enough, he was right there, right at my back, right in my personal space. Just a wall of rippling muscles in the standard issued olive green t-shirt that we all wore. “You scared me, you jerk,” I snapped. He drew his chin to his chest, amusement playing on the lines of gorgeous face.

Ass.

I hated when he did that. “Why do you always do that to me?”

“Do what?”

I took a step back. “Get all up into my personal space and stuff. And you do it like a ninja. Just all stealth mode, and it scares the crap out of me.” I was just blubbering now. I knew it. I could feel the collection of nerves, anxiety, excitement, and uncertainty tossing themselves about in the pit of my stomach like a stampede of wild horses.

Thank god he didn’t match my steps. He allowed me to keep the space I had placed between us. I needed that space. When he was too close, it messed with my head, and it left me confused. I didn’t know what the hell was going on with me or what I felt about anyone anymore. And, in the end, I had to keep my head on straight. I needed to stay focused on saving my brother.

“Sorry,” his words came out soft and genuine, but the very right corner of his lips tipped upwards, just barely. Almost as though he was trying to hide a smile. But it was almost worse this way because that little hook on his lips gave the impression of a devious smirk, the grin of a delicious devil enjoying the reaction he got from his intended victim. And it was freaking hot.

I turned around to face away from him. I wasn’t very good at hiding my emotions, and the last thing I needed him to see was me getting ready to drool all over myself. Oh no…that was for me to know and forno oneelse to find out. I turned back around to face him, but not before taking another step away to give me just a smidge more breathing room. “What was it you wanted?”

He stared at me. His eyes flickering in the night as the smirk fell softly away from his face. “Nothing. Never mind.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry about it.” He shifted his gaze down to the ground, putting his hands in the pockets of his tan cargo pants. “How far is your barrack?”

“Oh, uh, I don’t know. It’s that way though,” I motioned with my hand.

“I’ll walk you.”

“What?”

“I’ll walk you,” he responded, eyes lifting back up to me.

“Um, no…no, that’s okay. You’re hurt and you probably need to get home. I’m sure your driver is waiting for you—”

“He can wait. Besides, we’ve been in that chopper for hours. It’ll be good to stretch my legs.”

Oh jeez.“No, really…I’m sure your family misses you and wants to see you.”

“Yeah, well, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to see them.” The words fell from his lips, cold and somber, as his gaze unfocused.

“Oh.” I felt uncomfortable suddenly, but it only took a moment for me to realize that I felt uncomfortableforhim. “Um, okay. Yeah, sure.”