Page 101 of Beyond The Maples
"Honestly, I don't know a lot about it. It's called Lether Root. Purple flowers grow on top, but the roots are what they want. Dings my hands all to shit, because they have little thorns on the stems." He wiggles his hand in my face to show me his scar bitten fingers.
I squint at him, commanding my brain to memorize the words, but there's a haze surrounding us. People have come and gone over the last couple hours and I'm vaguely aware that it's much emptier in here then when we arrived.
"Shit, what time is it?" I ask.
"No idea. Must be really late, though."
I stand a little too quickly, causing darkness to lap at the corners of my vision. I need food, and bed. And water.
"I'm so sorry to take off like this, but I really need to go. My friends will lose their minds if I'm not home soon." I give them both a pretend wince.
"Oh, shoot, we'll walk you back!" Mack offers thoughtfully.
"No, no, honestly, don't worry about it. Trained soldier, remember? I think at this point if I can’t handle walking back to base alone, I’m in big trouble. But I hope our paths cross again. I may need guides one day to get me across the border." I add casually, as I reach across the table and give Briggs the kind of friendly hug that only comes afteralcohol-induced bonding.
"Absolutely! We know all the best spots to stop, too. We're here every two weeks, or so. You know where to look now!" he says enthusiastically.
"Yeah, come find us again," Mack says sincerely.
"Thanks, boys! Drink some water!" I demand in my best big-sisterly voice, as I walk directly into a chair and giggle.
Monty is working in the same corner he was when I arrived, and I give him an obnoxious salute and a wink on my way out.
What a nice fellow, I think to myself. Nice place, really.
Ileave the warm buzz of the bar and shiver at the cool temperature outside. I really wish I'd brought my jacket, but I only have the thick cadet one, and it's easily recognizable. A smile passes over my lips as I think about all the information I got tonight. Absolutely worth the hangover.
"Having fun?" A smooth voice shivers over my skin from behind me.
I spin around, my eyes struggling to adjust to the lack of light. Tane steps into the moonlight from the shadows of the building he'd been leaning on, looking like a vengeful god.
"Are you following me?"
"I was just out for a stroll and saw a drunk woman staggering around the streets, talking to herself. Thought I'd see if she needed medical attention," Tane jokes, folding his arms.
"Wow, aren't you just citizen of the year," I retort.
As he steps closer, I notice he’s not wearing his usual military garb. He always looks good, even in the muted beiges and dull greys, but like this it's impossible to ignore how attractive he really is. His black pants are like his military ones, with pockets and a utility belt. But it's the tight, black shirt under the worn, dark green, leather-looking jacket that grabs my attention. I bet it matches his stupid eyes.
Eyes which are now watching me, accompanied by the smuggest smirk I've ever seen.
I cross my arms, mimicking his stance. He cocks his head in a challenge, his curious gaze starting at my feet and slithering up my body like a gentle touch. I can see the question on his face, probably wonderingwhere I found such clothes––the tight, dark grey pants and fitted black shirt that scoops just a little lower than necessary. My cheeks warm at his brazen assessment.
Because I have no sense of control on the best of days around Tane, I follow his example. Drinking in his tall frame from bottom to top, completely aware that I'm being obnoxious, yet unbothered by it in my current state.
Tane Valo is devastating. I've never allowed myself to look at him so openly for this long. My eyes travel up his thick thighs, over his still-crossed arms and square shoulders. When I get to his face, I notice the perfect amount of dark stubble across his sharp jawline. Why are his cheekbones so high? He clears his throat.
I turn abruptly, and start walking toward the compound, deciding I am too tired to deal with Tane's games right now.
He follows, so close behind me that he nips at my heels with his big boots.
I whirl on him. "Do you not have better things to do? What are you really doing skulking in the shadows outside of bars,Lieutenant?"
"Wow Treow, you're feisty when you've been drinking." He steps so close I have to crane my neck up to see his face. I notice warm umber flecks floating in his dark green eyes, and I wonder what they'd look like in the sunlight.
"I'm here because I saw you drunk, hanging out with a bunch of grifters," he says through a clenched jaw, the only indication that this annoys him greatly. He sighs, shaking his head.
His sigh reminds me of his soft touches and gentle words in the pod. It's an unfortunate time to remember such things, because I can feel my cheeks heat again, which only causes him to step closer to me.
