Page 143 of Commander in Briefs

While Hayes, Theo, and Ans were away in Colorado, everything was relatively quiet around the plantation. Lawson stayed in without having to be chained to a pipe and no one was assaulted. Or killed, as disappointing as that may be to Theo.

The guys and I kept busy working around the house, painting, and attempting to clean up our mess as we went. And let me say, that particular task was rather difficult. Five men with no female supervision can get rowdy. And disgusting.

When Anniston returned with a smiling Theo, talking animatedly about all their adventures in Colorado, I felt jealousy bubble up through my clipped laughs at their ridiculous stories. Evidently, Theo took them to a resort where they snowboarded and engaged in some questionable behavior.

I didn’t ask for all the details. Some things are better left a mystery. But by the satisfied look on Hayes’ face, he thoroughly enjoyed himself as well. It’s probably time for another talk about safe sex. The guy is a machine.

To get away from the continuous fuck stories, mostly told by Theo, I ventured out to the farmers market, using the excuse of wanting some fresh air and to pick up Anniston’s bracelet she ordered when she was jumped by Lou over a month ago. Anniston loves the farmers market but unfortunately hasn’t been able to return since Lou. Fucker.

After picking up the bracelet I stopped in at one the local booths, stocking up on Anniston’s and my favorite jam. The guys and I cleaned it out while she was away in Colorado. I’m sure she has some stashed in her room but we need more regardless.

Interrupting my thoughts, the woman at the booth clears her throat before asking, “Would you like this in a bag?”

I glance up from my wallet after locating a five for the peach jelly I just purchased. Passing over the bill, I’m met with smoke-colored eyes that give me pause. I take in the beautiful woman in front of me. Slender, not necessarily toned, but slim, her jeans hugging her womanly hips, her flannel shirt revealing a tiny tank that barely holds in her ample chest.

She fidgets at my perusal of her body but matches my stare head on, almost defiantly. “A bag?” she repeats, amused.

I nod, incapable of forming a complete sentence at the moment. The gorgeous woman cocks her head to the side, her chestnut waves swaying in the wind. What was I doing? A bag. Right. I need a bag.

I hand over the jelly like an idiot and pray she doesn’t notice the bulge forming in my pants. I haven’t reacted to a woman this way in forever. I need to get out of here.

I snatch the bag as soon as she drops the jelly into it, mutter a clipped, “Thank you,” and haul ass out of there.

Jelly in hand, I climb back in my truck and put as much distance as I can between me and the girl who stirred up so much lust and excitement. Feelings that I haven’t experienced in a long time. Desire. I wanted this girl. More than I’ve wanted anyone. Even Anniston. The revelation is unwanted and undeserved for someone like me. Someone who was so selfish in his own wants and desires that he killed his entire team to fulfill those needs.

I pull into our gravel driveway fifteen minutes later, the drive home too short to get my head straight. The house is eerily quiet when I enter.

“Laws?”

No answer. I let out a whistle, calling for Killer. She bounds down the stairs, excited someone is home to pet her. I scratch her head, setting my bags down in the kitchen. A note written on a napkin lays on the table.

Guys and I went to Mae’s for lunch. There’s a hot new waitress I need to break in. ;) Commander and Lawson went somewhere but didn’t tell me where. Theo had some kind of charity thing in the city. Enjoy your alone time, Major. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t. ;)

Hayes

Huh. Alone time. Well, this is different. The last time I was alone was… when I was laying curled up in the ditch just a mile from here. Crazy thoughts plague me as my skin crawls with the nervous feeling of being alone for the first time in eight months.

Don’t be a pussy. You can do this. Go whack off in your room like a normal guy. Watch some bullshit TV or porn and devour a shit-ton of carbs. Go run. Go work out. This is what normal people would do, Cade.

But I’m not normal.

I end up back at the farmers market sitting on a rickety wooden picnic table, watching my autumn beauty smile and laugh with her customers. I feel like a creep watching from afar, but it doesn’t stop me as I assault her with my eyes. She listens intently to an older lady, her thick head of hair blowing in the breeze, nodding and smiling like she really enjoys the gray-headed lady’s continuous questions. She’s magnificent. Perfect in every way.

I don’t know how long I sit here but when she catches my eye, she looks around. For security? I don’t know. But I realize I’ve allowed my stalker tendencies to go on for far too long. I get up quickly, firmly sealing my fate as a weirdo and head to my car.

“Wait!”

I hustle, spotting my red truck parked along the curb. I don’t have to look back to know she’s following me.

A cool hand reaches my arm, pulling me to a halt. Even her hands are like cashmere. She’s out of breath, huffing from her sprinting pace. “I said, wait.” She bends over, her hands on her knees as she tries to catch her breath.

I stand there, stock still, admiring the pale pink polish that’s chipped at the ends of her fingernails.

“Whew,” she breathes out, standing upright, her hand on her hip. “What are you doing out here?”

My mouth opens and closes like a fish. Why am I out here? Somehow, I don’t think the truth is a good idea to disclose at the moment. I imagine saying I was compelled to sit and watch her will come off a tad bit psycho.

“I…uh…am meeting someone. They never showed.” Yeah, that’s it. I am meeting my sanity and that fucker decided to leave me high and dry.

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