Page 22 of Commander in Briefs

Anniston’s I-know-something-you-don’t-know expression makes me slightly nervous.

“I’ve had difficult patients before,” she admits, patting my back in a loving gesture before making her way to the door. “Come on, let’s get some breakfast.”

I hesitate, not sure what to do. Everything she continues to do for me leaves me with a false sense of security. This woman is not mine.

I pull in a ragged breath. “Anniston,” I breathe out unsteadily. “I need to get going.” I don’t know where I’m going, but she doesn’t need to know that. “I cannot thank you enough for saving my life last night.”

The lines around her eyes begin to pull tight.

“I don’t want to continue to monopolize any more of your time than I have already.”

This time, her eyes roll and she takes in a sudden breath. “Let me stop this word vomit right here.”

Her hands are on her hips and I didn’t notice before, but she is dressed in these tiny baseball pajamas. Literally tiny pink baseballs adorn the tight tank top that hugs the swell of her breasts, outlining each curve like a roadmap. I look down quickly, but her shorts are as skimpy as underwear.Look somewhere else, asshole!

“I didn’taskif you wanted to get breakfast, soldier. I am ordering you to eat breakfast with me.”

Her order snaps me to attention. I haven’t been spoken to like this in years. I stare at her hard, allowing my fury to bubble to the surface. “This is not a game. I’mnota soldier anymore.” Stumbling out of bed, I take a purposely menacing step toward her. Her small shoulders square in retaliation as she takes a step forward, crowding me. What the fuck?

“You don’t scare me, Cade.” Her breath tickles my face, she’s that close.

This gives me pause. Am I seriously trying to scare this woman who pulled me out of the dirt, saved my life, fed me, and gave me a place to sleep for the night? What an asshole I’ve become. Evil thoughts clouded my judgment. I shake them off and try to relax my stance to not seem like a psycho. I am not an animal. I can at least indulge her in a breakfast that she apparently feels strongly about.

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since I have seen kindness. My manners need refreshing.”

She doesn’t smile, which has me fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. I hope I haven’t gone too far.People have limits, Cade.

“Come on, before it gets cold.” She turns to leave, not bothering to see if I will follow. She knows I will. What man wouldn’t?

I follow the smell of bacon wafting from the kitchen. She pulls out a couple plates and motions me to come closer. “Make your plate.”

Awkward, not only for my behavior earlier but because she’s so damn beautiful, I stand in the doorway, hovering longer than is necessary. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m not used to being on the receiving end of kindness or in the presence of a beautiful woman. While examining the piles of food spread out on the counter, she offers me a plate.

“There is enough food here to feed five or more people. Are you expecting others?”

She laughs. “No, I just figured we might want more after we go for a run.”

The plate slips from my grasp, but I catch it midair before it has a chance to hit the floor. I work to clear the sudden knot in my throat. “A run?”

She shoves a piece of bacon in her mouth. “Uh huh. I run every morning. Figured it would do you some good, too.” Her eyes scour the food like she’s deciding what to eat next.

Her nonchalance since my arrival makes me feel like I’m being left out of a very big secret.

I must look like an idiot because she lets out a heavy sigh and turns to face me. “I took today off, and since everyone else is at work, I could use the company.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

I know when I am being played, and this girl has a scheme up her sleeve.

She gives me this smile that I’m sure gets her anything she wants. I admit if she keeps smiling at me like that, I might agree with whatever idea she has in mind just to see it again.

“Stay with me today?” she begs, those long eyelashes fluttering in a dramatic effect.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” It isn’t. I didn’t hurt her last night, but I could. Every night terror is different. I may not be able to control myself the next time.

“Good decisions are for losers, Cade.”

That’s it. I actually laugh at this absurdity.

“Eat. We’ll discuss over breakfast.” With a grin, she grabs a handful of bacon and a muffin and flops down at the table.

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