Gifted Connections: Book 2(108)

I blinked again and tried to sit up. “Oww,” I hissed in pain. “What happened? Why were there waves?”

“That bitch is what happened!” Jemmy screamed across to the other side. My head felt fuzzy, I had no clue what she was talking about.

I vaguely saw the other team on the opposite team screaming and crying.

“Enough, Jemmy, let’s go,” Drake said looking at me with guilt-filled eyes. “Blake, do you want me to carry you to the finish line? We’re almost there.”

I nodded, too tired, too hungry, too cold. My teeth chattered. My body shook. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t stop it.

“You two need to get out of those clothes,” Jace insisted as he tore off his sweatshirt.

“Everyone in a circle around her, backs turned unless you’re her connected,” Terrance said gruffly.

The sky was blotted out as the other members from my team formed a circle around us. I was touched by their thoughtfulness. My guys knelt around me within their circle.

Remy lifted me by while Jace took off my sopping wet clothing. “Noah,” Jace stated as he pointed to my ribs.

I hissed as the chilly air hit my bare skin.

Noah placed his hands on my ribs, and I felt the warmth seep in at his touch. The pain in my ribs receded.

I watched Drake strip down to his boxers and couldn’t help but admire his broad shoulders and lean muscled build. He blushed when he caught me looking at him. I attempted to grin at him.

Troy came into my view, dressed only in his sweatshirt and boxers. “Here, Misty,” he insisted as he slid his sweatpants on me.

“She’s good, let’s go,” Jace stated urgently as some of the other team members started crossing the obstacle.

“I got your clothes, babe,” Remy grunted beside us as Drake lifted me. “Want me to take her?” he offered.

“No, no I got her,” Drake insisted, guilt in his eyes once more. Why did he look so guilty?

Remy looked at him for a moment then nodded. Damn their bro code and their silent conversations. I inwardly rolled my eyes. They had been together for so long, they often communicated with each other with no words.

I was lulled to comfort by Drake’s easy gait. I was warming up. I looked around and noticed my guys surrounding me as they ran. I looked down at my newly acquired sweatshirt. I breathed in the neckline. Citrus, leather, and Jace. He had clearly sweat in it, but it still smelled good, manly. Troy’s pants were too big on me, but the lining was warm and thick. I looked over Drakes shoulder and noticed Troy running along in just his boxers, occasionally I saw the flash of his manhood. I started to giggle, not able to help myself.

Jaxson raised a brow at me.

“Well, boys,” I said. “I like wearing your clothes. It makes me feel close to you, even if you’re not around, but this isn’t really what I had in mind. And…” I paused dramatically. “Troy, I thought your pimping days were over.” At his questioning look, I supplied my answer. “You’re flashing everyone.” I extended my pointer finger in and out several times in the direction of his manhood.

The sound of my guys laughing was music to my ears.



Before the race had started, we had made and agreement. We were going to run as a team. We were going to finish as a team. All sixteen of us. They denied the petition, but there were ways around it. As we neared the finish line, we stopped and linked arms with a member of the opposite team. We would lead with our left foot and cross with our right foot. Sam, from the other team, had to go by himself since Drake insisted on not letting me down, but we were still synchronized with John. We were last. They would have to call it as a tie. We were all together, and we all crossed together.

Steven and Will gave us exasperated looks, but amusement lingered in their eyes, before they saw me in Drake’s arms. My hair was a sopping mess.

“What happened?” Will asked as they advanced on us.

“That last obstacle, Rose rushed forward as we were crossing the river, and caused waves in it. One of the waves crashed across Blake, and then she slipped off the rock,” Jemmy said indignantly.

“Was it intentional?” Steven asked slowly as he looked at Drake pointedly.

Drake nodded.

“It looked like it to me,” Terrance said as he stepped forward.

“Those are pretty serious accusations,” another board member came over to us.

I tugged on Drake to set me down. I was tired, I was hungry, and I was cold, but I felt at a disadvantage. At the look of hurt on Drake’s face, I quickly grabbed his arms and wrapped his arms around me. I no longer wanted to be held, but I needed his strength.

“Well it’s a good thing we have monitors and cameras on the course,” Will said resolutely.

The female board member I had never met, gasped. “Why would there be cameras on the course? That’s an invasion of their privacy.”

She was tall and almost resembled a bird in her fragile appearance, with a pointed nose and chin. Her hair was jet black and was cut severely to her chin, not a perfect strand was out of place. Her best features were her sapphire blue eyes. I didn’t like the feeling I got around her.

“Ms. Bullock, when they signed their contracts, they were made aware of the possibility of us recording them while on the facility or on a job, for training purposes. Why wouldn’t we record it to learn everyone’s strengths and weaknesses for mission readiness?” Will said patiently, but I could see the annoyance in his eyes.