Ice (Elite Forces #1)(29)
I’m not a prude, that’s blatantly obvious by the way I let him f*ck me in every hole he could, but we aren’t even on the same page when it comes to sex. The cheeks of my ass clench together when I think of the way he roughly took what he wanted, his demanding ways making me submit to him. God, I’d be lying if I didn’t love every minute of it. The way he touched me, f*cked me like he could never get enough.
I need to get the hell away from him and have some me time. I could hit the clubs with my girlfriend Mallory. Anything to make me forget him. It’s been way too long since I’ve done something for myself, but when the Army is your life and you’ve done nothing but train for the past few years to set goals to fulfill your dreams, going out is the last thing on your mind. I haven’t had time to myself in I don’t know how long.
“Let’s get out of here.” Kaleb extends his hand out to me as soon as the airplane comes to a stop. He helps me stand, and I stretch more, holding my sore arm tight against me. The pain has faltered some, leaving me with a slight discomfort, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. The pain pills will help. I drop his hand the minute I step out into the aisle, making him frown.
“Just go,” my cranky ass tells him. I watch him and chastise my stupid hormones the entire way off the plane, all the way down the hallway. Stupid woman. Why did you taste the forbidden? He’s ruined you for a long time.
“You’re riding with me.” He grabs my hand again like we’re a damn couple as we walk through the airport after saying goodbye to JJ and Harris.
Harris seemed distant, his hug brief, no smartass comment like he usually drops either.
“What happened between you and Harris, Kaleb?” I jerk my hand from his when we exit the door. The sweet smell of Florida hits my senses immediately. The tang of the salty air has me breathing it in. I’m home. American soil has never felt so good.
“I’ll tell you when we get to my Jeep.” I can’t help but laugh, don’t ask me why. I never gave a thought as to what kind of vehicle he might drive. Hell, I never thought about anything except the way he f*cked me and the way he made me feel. A part of me wants to know everything I can about him, while the rational part of me knows I shouldn’t.
“God, your laugh is beautiful.” He stares down at me. For the first time since I met him, I feel my skin blush. It’s strange being able to hear those words from him, knowing he can speak his mind now without having to hide anything. I’m at a loss for words.
“Thank you,” I reply politely and feel extremely uncomfortable. This is so unlike me. I know I need a ride to the base to get my evaluation done and tell my superior officer what happened to me. I’ll need to fill him in on how well Kaleb guided us through our mission, like the great leader he is.
It’s a half-hour drive, and I’m worried about spending that much time with Kaleb. I’m afraid of the things he’ll say. He made it perfectly clear in the hospital that he wants to explore what he thinks we have once we return home, and now that we have, I wish I would have told him I wasn’t riding with him. I know damn well both Harris and JJ would have taken me.
I follow him across the street into the parking garage, keeping my eyes off of his tempting ass and the strong muscles across his back. He’s mouthwatering. He’s dangerous, and if I don’t stay the hell away from him, he could destroy me. All he wants from me is a f*ck. With the kind of man he is, I could easily fall for him. I may be strong, a soldier trained to harden both her inner and outer shell, but there isn’t any amount of training that can guard my heart. He would break me. Shatter me. I can’t have that. Especially with everything going on right now.
“Nice,” I say when we stroll up to a white older model Jeep. “This is my girl. 1979 CJ5. My parents bought it for me when I was sixteen. I love this thing.” He pulls out a set of keys from his pocket and unlocks my door before tossing our bags in the back.
“I like it, it’s you.” He turns toward me, crossing his arms over his massive chest. His gaze turns instantly dark. “Is that a compliment, Jade?” I study him. My mind is so foggy and the effects of the pain pill have to be lingering still; there is no way the woman that I am wouldn’t have a smartass comeback waiting to snap back.
“Kaleb. I merely said it’s you. Which means it’s manly. Nothing more.” His lips twitch. Why is this so strange?
“You’re a shit liar, Jade. There’s more. There will always be more. This wall you’ve suddenly built around yourself will not stop me. You know damn well I have the sources to blow that wall to shreds, to make it shatter. I have no clue what’s running through that gorgeous head of yours, but we will be talking. You will listen and most importantly, Jade, you will become mine.” He’s speaking to me as if he’s still my Commander, and I don’t like it at all. Finally, I feel Jade swim to the surface, plunging her way through the murky waters and ready to show her true self.
“You don’t own me. No one does. No one ever will. And if I decide I want to be in a relationship, it sure as hell won’t be with a man like you.” I’m so angry right now. I go to move past him, but he reaches out to draw me close to him. He wraps his arms around my waist carefully. I sigh out of frustration. This arrogant bastard will not listen to a word I say, and it’s pissing me the f*ck off. All he had to say was I will become his and the fog lifted from within my head. Like I’m something that can be owned.