Page 47 of Freedom Fighters
“Youwantme to hate you?” she breathed.
“I want you to not think about me at all when you’re working. Not in any way other than as your superior who gives the orders. If that means hating me, then fine, hate me. Which is the other reason I did everything I’ve done today.”
Carmen wiped the back of her hand against her brow.“Why?” she asked, honestly bewildered.
“I want you to survive.” Then his expression softened, to the warm one she liked the most. That warmth was part of the Garrett that hid most of the time, that she only got to see in bed. He cupped her jaw, his hand warm against her flesh. “You’re fighting for Vistaria and you’re full of passion for your country and for the Loyalists and all the old waysyou’ve lost and want back. You want peace, not just for you, but also for all the Vistarians who want their country back. It has been driving you since you fled Acapulco. Only, you’re new to warfare and while your passion makes up for a lot of your ignorance, I want to make sure you have more than blazing hot determination to get you through what the Insurrectos will throw at you.”
Garrett hada way of leaving her speechless, even when he was being nice. Carmen put her hand on her hip. “Damn, you’ve ruined it,” she told him.
“Ruined what?”
“I’d just got back to hating you, as per orders.”
“That’s what I like about you, Escobedo. That pure Vistarian blood of yours. You blow hot then cold from one moment to the next. Life is not dull with you in it.”
“And now you have me here, whatare you going to do with me?” she asked primly.
Garrett stepped closer once more. “I’ll think of something,” he growled, his voice low, the way it turned when he was aroused.
Carmen shivered.
