Page 130 of Promises in the Dark

“—as team leader,” I continued over her protestation, “you need to listen to my orders.”

Her expression went from pissed to nuclear in a heartbeat. “Why are you doing this?”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. I couldn’t tell her the real reason—that I wanted her to stay behind so she would be safe. I couldn’t stomach the thought of losing her.

“Since a lot of our soldiers and doctors got slaughtered in the last mission, we need someone to stay at the base.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it sure as hell wasn’t the truth either.

She took a step forward, her hands on her hips. “Why does it have to be me?” she pressed, not letting it go.

I shrugged carelessly even though every fiber of my being screamed ‘because you’re mine’ or ‘because you’re precious’ or ‘because you make me feel alive’. But I’d rather swallow glass than say that out loud.

“Because I said so,” I pointed out brutally.

The words sounded petulant even to my own ears. Red shook her head vigorously enough that some stray strands of hair escaped from beneath her ponytail and fell across her face.

“This isn’t an argument,” she shot back, turning away from me and grabbing another medical kit, acting like she could just brush me off.

Her words stung because they were true.

“No, it’s not. It’s a directorder.”

I stood in the doorway for a moment, just watching her. Her red hair framed her face perfectly, and her pale skin looking almost translucent in the fluorescent lighting. She was beautiful, even when she was pissed off.

It almost hurt to look at her, knowing what I had to do.

“This is an abuse of power!” she said boldly.

She was pushing her luck, and I was getting tired of her attitude.

“Goddammit, Doc, just do as you’re told for once! I’m doing this for your own good.”

She crossed her arms, staring me down like I was some asshole—and maybe I was.

“Don’t pretend this is about me, Rogue. You’re using your position to get whatyouwant.”

I closed the gap between us, grabbing her by the neck and squeezing just enough to make my point. Her skin was soft under my fingers, and for a moment, the heat of our argument was eclipsed by the intense, unwanted desire I felt.

“Listen, sweetheart,” I hissed, feeling her pulse quickening. “You’re going to do what I say because I’m the one in charge. You don’t like it? Tough shit.”

Her face went white with anger, her eyes flashing like embers as she pushed against my grip. “You have no right to make that call for me,” she said quietly, but with a steel in her voice that made my cock twitch.

“I have every right,” I told her, ignoring the urge to touch myself. “And my decision is final.”

“What if I refuse?” she challenged, her chin lifting defiantly.

I let out a condescending chuckle and my grip on her throat tightened reflexively, just enough to send a clear message.

“Then I’ll make sure you don’t leave the base,” I warned her flatly.

Her face paled further, but she didn’t flinch away from me like most people would have. Instead, she held my gaze steady, daring me to follow through on my threat.

God.

I felt a bit of precum leaking from my throbbing cock and I had to squeeze my legs together to keep it from showing through my pants.

“Don’t push me on this, Red.”

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