Page 108 of Fighting With Light

I roll my eyes and yank the corner of the fitted sheet to find a mattress cover.

“Fine, you win.”

He chuckles. “Alright, do what you need to do. We need to meet my brothers in two hours.”

I nod and grab my suitcase. I need to look presentable to meet Liam’s family. My last name doesn’t help my situation, so the least I can do is look pretty.

“I’m going to take a shower,” I tell him, grabbing my toiletries bag.

“Why? You look great,” he says.

I smile and shake my head. “Keep giving me compliments like that, and I might have to give you one back.” I wink.

“Well in that case, I haven’t been able to stop staring at your ass in those yoga pants, and I like when you wear my shirt. And your messy bun makes me want to pull it out and—”

“How long have you been thinking about this?”

He shrugs. “Since you got dressed this morning.”

“You’re a charmer, Tarzan. I’ll be out in a minute.”

41

Liam

Kai and Emerson shouldtouch down in about two hours. I still need to get a vehicle that fits all of us and can handle off-roading. Earlier, I set up a program to take continuous pictures of the site that Aelia found so we can check to see if there is any significant movement in the mountains.

I pull up the program, and while it loads, get changed into some pants and boots. Flip-flops won’t cut it tonight. When it’s ready, nothing appears different. It looks like it has for the past few days. If everything continues to look like this, then we should be okay to approach. I’ve been looking and tracking any patterns for how they ship and move. Every two days, four trucks leave the area and then it’s hard to tell, but it looks like four different trucks come back. I don’t know if it’s a different driver because the satellite image is too far away to make out faces.

The camp itself hasn’t moved and after further scrutiny, it looks like there are more than just tents and buildings out there. My assumption is they cook in the buildings and the people sleep in the large tents. We also picked up on how the lights never go dim, meaning they have a twenty-four-hour setup, which could make things difficult, but at least they will be easier to find on foot.

I check the clock. We need to get going. “What are you doing in there, Mrs. Banks? We have places to be.”

The door opens, and I thought Aelia in a dress and heels was stunning, but apparently, in that giant suitcase of hers, she also has an olive green tank top tucked in the waistband of black cargo pants that hug her thighs, and lace-up boots on her feet.I think I like this much more.

“What?” Aelia asks, looking down at her outfit. “Is this not appropriate? I knew it—”

I shake my head, still staring at her, and cough, clearing my throat. “I thought you were going to wear a dress or something.”

She scoffs. “In this current situation? No. I,weneed to be able to run and sure, I can run in a dress and heels, but I figured I’m better off like this.”

I smile widely, loving this GI Jane situation. Standing from the bed, I slide my hands around her waist and down her backside, squeezing the muscle. She links her hands behind my neck.

“No, no, this is just fine.” I pause. “We need to buy a car, but you have me distracted. You look good. I wish I had my Bowie knife to cut the cargo pants right off of you.”

The corners of her mouth tip up and she rolls her eyes. Her cheeks tinge pink and I know I’ve got her. Her small smile spreads into a wider one.

I chuckle. “I’m not sure if you liked the compliment or the idea of the Bowie knife more.”

She lifts her shoulder and tilts her chin. “I guess it’s just something I will have to experience first before making any important decisions.”

“Oh?” I ask her, leaning in to press my lips to hers.

“See, Mr. Banks, your wife is justfullof surprises.”

I smile against her lips. “How did I get so lucky?” I murmur against her lips.

She kisses me and then pulls back. “I ask myself that question every day,” she says, looking me in the eye. I know what she’s saying. Those words mean more to both of us, even though they can’t.