Page 31 of Savage

We shot past two other team members, Evans calling them pussies as we passed.

After a couple more tricky obstacles and one that was basically hopscotch through old car tyres, the finish line beckoned.

I ran as fast as my feet would allow, the breath coming from my body like it was being squeezed out. It truly felt like there was a fist wrapped around one of my lungs.

Jaxon’s face loomed before me; his expression unreadable as he glanced down at the stopwatch he held. I started to panic, my feet slipping and before I could do anything to stop myself, I fell. My body dropped to the ground with the speed of a bullet. What little air was left in my body, whooshed from my mouth and tears hit my eyes. My teammates were in front, Christian turning to look for me. I shook my head as I watched another team member approaching whilst attempting to push to my feet.

Chrisitan was then there by my side and he dragged me to my feet so hard I thought my arms would come out of their sockets. He then threw me over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and raced across the finish line.

Screams and whoops of glory swamped me as he dropped me to my feet and several bodies smothered me in bear-like hugs.

I’d done it. My thoughts of letting the team down bled away as everyone said how well I’d done. Pats on the backs and everything. I felt elated.

The other teams then crossed the finish line and the race stopped. I doubled over, trying to regulate my breathing as Jaxon barked out.

“Team A win. Well done. Go take a seat on the benches.” He then walked toward me with a masked expression.

“Well done Miss Hart. Maybe there is a bit of badass in you after all,” he drawled in a smoky voice.

I pushed back and stretched, my eyes searching his face. “Is that a compliment?” I puffed, my breath rasping through my teeth.

He shot me a lopsided smile. “That’s an observation. Don’t get too excited.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied with a shake of my head. Jaxon then walked away over to where the other team members were catching their breath.

As he went, I felt a surge of disappointment mixed with annoyance at myself. I had wanted to impress him, had tried so hard and that was all I got? Would I ever do anything that pleased him? Part of me was annoyed by the fact that I wanted to.

Following the others, I moved over to the benches that ran along the wall of what looked like a single-story office block.

“You did awesomely. Are you sure you’re not part of a different regiment?” Christian said as he lowered himself beside me. I knew he was just being nice.

His dry humour drew a grin from me. “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.”

Evans then joined us and we all sat on the benches, watching Jaxon giving notes to the losers. It appeared the punishment was press-ups as they all dropped to the floor. Jaxon’s voice boomed as he counted them out.

My eyes were drawn to his tall, imposing body. His backside looked amazing in his army fatigues.

As I sat there, chatting with those surrounding me, my guard had well and truly dropped and I felt so at ease considering I was in the enemy's lair.

Now I had paid Jaxon’s price, it was time to get what I came there for. My story and oh what a story it would be.

Five

Once all members of the losing teams had finished their punishment for coming last, we were told to ‘hit’ the showers; terminology that needed no footnote. I looked down at my muddy clothes, realising that I hadn’t brought anything to change into. Great. I doubted Jaxon would allow me back in his posh car looking the way I did. A jolt of annoyance ripped up my spine for being so foolish and not planning for the unexpected. Something one should always do when dealing with the likes of my stepbrother.

I was just in the process of saying thank you to Christian before he left for the showers when Jaxon appeared beside us. I glanced up at him briefly, he looked ticked off as usual. Did anything ever please him?

He didn’t speak. He just stood there in silence, but I knew he was annoyed; his body language reminded me of a wild animal ready to pounce. I dragged my gaze away, a grin splitting my face as Christian’s eyes rocked back and forth between us. Could he also sense the tension?

“As I said, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“You’re more than welcome and if you ever fancy a one-to-one workout, give me a call,” the big guy bellowed with a wink.

“I might just do that.” He’d been my knight in shining armour during the exercise and so I raised myself onto my tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek.

We both heard the slight intake of breath from Jaxon who had been examining the exchange with narrowed eyes.

As I drew back, Christian’s cheeks were tinged pink. Amazing, I had made a man who was built like a bear, blush!

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