Page 69 of Attraction

Then, slowing her breathing, calming herself, she goes to the locker in the corner of the room and takes out her spare uniform. Her hands shake from a sudden surge in adrenaline and looking at them again she’s drawn to her palm, caressing an imaginary line with her thumb.

Taking a breath, she pulls on her clean khaki combat pants and as she clicks the buckle fastening her belt, her eyes dart to the door as it opens. “Wait!”

Too late.

Looking over her shoulder, she sees Darius staring at her. “I sensed you might be here.”

“What?” she snaps. “Sorry, I didn’t mean… did you want something because I’m kind of busy right now.”

He looks at her standing there in just her bra and pants and he can’t help but stare. His ice violet eyes concentrate on her body as he sucks air through his teeth. The growling hiss makes her uncomfortable and swallowing nervously, she pulls on her shirt. Covering herself, she quickly fastens some of the buttons before she turns around to face him. “I said did you want something?”

He frowns at the snappy tone she uses but ignores it as he now notices the filthy bloodstained clothes on the floor. “Did something happen?”

“Uh, no. Well… yeah. I um… I fell over when I was running. My leg cramped up, and I lost my balance, hit my head… it’s the blood from the cut, that’s why I’m cleaning up.”Does he believe her?She can’t tell because his face is still its usual resting cold stare.

He steps into the room. As always when close to him, her skin prickles with a chill on her arms. Remaining calm and keeping control, she can’t help but flinch as he reaches a hand in her direction gently touching the cut on the side of her head. He doesn’t say a word, just continues staring her in the eyes—his violet pupils intense in their glare. The way he looks at her makes Luna roar inside Kat’s chest—she quietens her by pulling away. “I have to get ready; Oz will be here soon, and I need to look at his arm.”

“He okay?”

“Yeah, he will be, I just need to check the stitches. He was fortunate where it hit. It’s only a minor wound, it’ll heal quickly.”

“Hm,” he growls, still focused on her. “You need to be more careful.”

“Mm-hmm…” She nods uneasily as his fingers find their way to her pulse, and as his hand lingers against her neck, something inside her swirls stirring her emotions and the feeling quickly registers with an unexpected throb between her legs.

“Still so calm.” He smiles.

“So, like I said did you want something?” She frowns, brushing his hand away. “I told you I need to get on.”

“No, I just wanted to check you were okay. That there were no problems? You’re part of my team now, so your problems are mine. Are we clear on that?”

“Yeah, sure, but I don’t have any problems. Not now. Everything is fine.”

“Good. Just how I like it—problem-free. Oh, and just to let you know I’m altering the team call-signs. Given your rank it’s only right. I mean theoretically, you should be over Diggs, but as much as giving you second would be worth seeing his face for, I don’t think he’ll wear it. And being honest, I don’t see you as my number two.” He frowns, his eyes skimming over her body. “I’ll push you up to three, and Zak’ll drop down—as will the others, but keeping the same formation.”

“Wait…No, that’s ridiculous. For God’s sake, what’s this even got to do with anything? Just leave me at seven. Zak won’t like being moved around; he’s Digby’s number two. He needs him there and it’s his position. It’s better for the rest of the team if he’s happy.”

“No, see, that’s not how it works. I make the call about who goes where.”

“Yeah, I know that, but it doesn’t matter to me. Why cause a conflict if you don’t need to? Zak works best where he is. Heneedsto be number three, I don’t. My rank is only because of my medical qualifications and I don’t see myself above Zak in this team.”

“Hmm…” He reflects on her reasoning. “Alright, I’ll compromise. I’ll move you to six… QT goes to seven. Don’t argue, that’s non-negotiable because no one will wear QT being above you on the call sheet. I’ll partner you with Oz and Bud, and then I’ll put Zak with QT.”

“Uh… actually, can I propose something else regarding that?” She can tell from the stern frown stretching across his forehead that her questioning his decisions is not going so well. “Just a medical observation, about QT. Why don’t you partner him with me instead? It’s just that Zak makes him anxious—makes his stammer worse. His speech is much better when he talks to me.”

“Zak makes everyone anxious—that’s what he does. He connects better with computers than people.” Darius grins.

It’s the first time, apart from when he’s being smug, she’s seen him smile. It’s a sexy smile and for a flickering moment, she can see just how fiercely good looking he is. Luna kicks wildly against Kat’s feelings, once again making her opinion very clear—she doesn’t like him. “Well, I think it would help QT.”

“Well I can’t have my medic and lead sniper together, the logistics would be impossible to work, so it’s a no-go.” He takes a breath for thought. “You want to help QT? Then fine, I’ll put Bud and Oz with him, and you can partner with Zak.”

“What? Me and Zak?”Oh great!Yeah, that’s perfect—good move, Kat.“Okay, fine. But you know he won’t like it.”

“Zak doesn’t like change, but he won’t argue. Anyway, it’ll be easier to sell it to Digby—he can talk him around. The way you’ve got him right now, trust me, he’d rather Zak be watching your six. He knows I’m never going to let him partner you, but there’s no one he trusts more than Zak.”

The thought of having to partner with Zak fills her with dread and she sighs loudly. “Okay fine, well at least QT gets something out of it. Okay. Well, I should get on, I need to clean up here and get back. We’re going out tonight.” She smiles, trying to engage him in conversation. “Digby told me we’re all going out to a club? Are you coming?”

“Mm-hm.” He nods, staring at her.

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