Page 9 of Skull

His lower body stirred accordingly to that provocative statement, and he bit back a groan that automatically rose to the surface. No doubt about it. This woman was going to be the death of him, torturing him with what he wanted so badly.Her. Hot and melting beneath him. Yeah, that was for sure. His dick had beengetting upby increments this whole time, but now he hardened at the thought of touching her.

“Hurry, before we take off,” she urged.

Boomer slung the blanket over his shoulder, all the while aware of the eyes of his teammates on him. He moved behind her to shield her from prying stares and, with trembling hands, grabbed the small white tab of the zipper. Slowly, he pulled it down, revealing her gorgeous, toned back—from the delicate band of her white lace bra strap all the way to the base of her spine.

“Danke,” she whispered, and he grasped the blanket edges again and spread his arms, turning his head so that she had some modicum of privacy. Except the holes played peek-a-boo with her movements, allowing beguiling glimpses of her butt, her delicious, small, perky breasts encased in white lace, her curved hips with another strip of lace, narrow waist, and long legs. He was in hell. Pure unadulterated hell.

The rustle of fabric filled the brief silence as she dressed. First, she pulled on a pair of military-green leggings, then a simple black, form-fitting thermal top. Finally, she donned a black vest that nipped in at the waist. She pulled the vest closed and zipped it up, then sat down to lace up her military-style boots. She folded her dark socks neatly over the boot lips for a stylish finish.

She rose and stood in front of him, close enough to touch, tempting him to reach out and touch her face, pull her close, and kiss her senseless. Of course, that was pure batshit, Boomer in Wonderland crazy.

“Are you a complicated American, Carter Finley?” she asked with just enough of a hitch in her voice to get him thinking about that flirting thing again.

Holy shit. It dawned on his addlepated mind that she not only remembered his call name, she remembered his firstandlast names.Okay, rabbit hole here I come. “No, ma’am. I’m as simple as dirt. Just a plain, good ole Southern boy.”

Her brows rose, her eyes sharply curious. “Good ole Southern boy?”

“Redneck.”

“What is redneck?” she asked, catching his hands and pulling his arms back to his sides, taking the blanket and throwing it on the seat behind her. He had been so focused on her, he hadn’t had enough brain cells to rub together.

He raised a brow, amused by her ignorance of that term. “Well, ma’am, it’s kind of a joke, and rather derogatory, but is usually applied to white Americans perceived to be crass and unsophisticated.”

She stiffened and her eyes flashed blue fire. “Boomer, you are no joke. You are not crass or unsophisticated. I find that term offensive. I do not like it applied to you.”

“Okay, no redneck. Just Boomer,” he said, smiling as she charmed him completely. God, he felt like a fool.

For a moment, she dazzled him with a smile that made him forget the harshness of the world. Then her tone changed. “Okay. I like Boomer. Explosions come to mind when I see you.”

Before he could process her comment, Anna stepped up. “Taylor,” she said pleasantly, launching a conversation with Taylor that left Boomer sidelined. He backed away as her words ignited tiny explosions in his mind. What did she mean by that comment? He would be left wondering alone.

When he stooped to pick up his backpack, he caught sight of all the smirks and knowing grins from his teammates. “What’s going on, Boom Boom?” Breakneck asked with a teasing lilt. His eyes flicked over to Taylor and Anna, who were deep in conversation. It was clear they had bonded over the Bogotá assignment.

“Nothing, B. Absolutely nothing. I was just her blanket flunky,” he muttered.

“Bullshit,” Kodiak snorted. “We aren’t blind. Those weren’t just blanket flunky looks.”

“You’re delusional. Look at us. The picture tells a thousand words. Besides, she’s like seven years younger than I am, and those seven years are hard,” Boomer shot back, his shoulders tensing. His heart sank as he thought of how his own feelings for her were starting to feel painfully real.

“You’re rugged, tough, and a Tier 1 operator. Little Miss Taylor has the eyes for you. Mark my words,” Breakneck said with a wry grin.

GQ shifted uncomfortably and huffed out a breath. “Ha, she would go after you more than she would me. I’m not biting that bait, junior,” Boomer grumbled. Boomer sat down, unable to take his eyes off Taylor. “Besides, you’re still wet behind the ears. What do you know about it?” he teased.

“She’d be robbing the cradle,” Skull added, making everyone laugh.

Breakneck’s smile turned secretive. “I know a lot about sex. I’ve been at it since I was sixteen, and not just with girls my own age. I’m a bit of a babe magnet.”

“Conceited much?” Skull smirked.

“It’s not conceit if it’s true. I’m just making a point,” Breakneck replied.

“Are you giving us your sexdentials?” Skull asked, earning a knowing look from Preacher. Iceman just shook his head.

Laughter bubbled among the group, but Boomer’s heart was heavy. He couldn’t help noticing every little thing about her, and it didn’t make sense at all. His noticing her so intensely, his team bantering, and all the while his mind returned again and again to the grim reality of Hazard and Leigh’s plight.

Soon, Taylor drifted away from Anna, and Breakneck joined her for a chat. Boomer stiffened. What was going on? Was this payback for all the teasing? He eyed Breakneck as Skull shot him a sympathetic look.

“Tell me, what did you find out?” Kodiak asked over the din, leaning in with interest as every brother gathered around—except Iceman, who stayed as cool as ever, and GQ, still lost in thought.

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