Page 22 of Rules of Engagement

Jocko

The sheriff and several men on the rescue team walk up with their hands outstretched and big grateful grins on their faces. “Congratulations, man. We appreciate you helping out.”

I shake their hands. “No problem. Glad to be of service.”

As the men take turns giving Lucifer the attention and praise he deserves, I take my shoes off and pour water out of them. Then remove my shirt and wring it out. I walk over to the mule where Jorja's retreated to wait. Her eyes are glued on me, and that's precisely where I want them to be.

Opening my backpack, I remove a towel and a change of clothes. Modesty isn't a quality I've ever possessed. I’m soaked and cold, and since Jorja's the only female here, I begin peeling my pants off.

“Gawd!” She lunges for the towel to hide her face and her panic makes me laugh.

“What’s the matter, Juicy? Afraid of seeing my boner?”

“Gawd, you're so infuriating! Why do you torture me?”

“I thought we settled that years ago. Because I can … and because you're so damn delicious when you get all pissed off.”

Stepping out of my wet pants, I wring the water out of them. The sound from the splash draws a peek-a-boo out from behind the towel, and she moans as she hides her face again. Her words are muffled in the towel when she says, “Dear God! Are you always so insolent?”

“Insolent? Because I’m not embarrassed?” I gently pull on the towel.

“Because ….” Her grip tightens as she drags it down until her eyes lock on mine.

“I think I’m supposed to dry off with this.” I snatch it away, and her eyes flare, getting an eyeful of my naked manhood. Laughing, I wrap it around my waist. “Or because I’m brazen and make you juicy?”

She scrunches her eyes so hard, her nose crinkles. “Gawd, Jocko! Why do you harass me?”

“Harass you? That's harsh, Juicy, I’m hurt. What have I ever done to harassed you?”

“Really? When have you not harassed me?”

“Juicy isn’t exactly a derogatory word. We both know it’s true, and if it's true, you can say it. Therefore, it’s not harassment.” I lean down to kiss her and whisper. “It’s a fact.”

“What do you think you are doing?” Her hand plants itself firmly on my chest.

“I’m going to kiss you.”

“You aren’t going to bully me anymore!”

“Bully you? I've never bullied you.”

“What exactly do you call humiliating me in front of the whole school then?” She crosses her arms, and her lips press into a hard straight line.

My head tilts, and my brows furrow as I study her. She's dead serious. Taking a step back, I ask. “I haven’t harassed you. Nor have I bullied you. And I, sure as hell, never humiliated you. What are you talking about?”

Her jaw sets in anger. “You are infuriating!”

I drop all pretense of play now. “Clear the air, Jones. Explain.”

“Your goodbye!”

“What about it?”

She grits her teeth. “Youforcedyour kiss on me.”

“Weshareda passionate kiss. Don’t try to deny it. You enjoyed the hell out of it.”

She bites her bottom lip.

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