“Oh, I was just wondering why we were working on body slams instead of self-defense,” Maddie takes a step closer and looks up at me with those silky gray eyes that never fail to strip me bare. “Now I’m starting to think it’s just your way to get me close enough to cop a feel.”
“Or, you know, teach you something that might actually help you when you’re in a small, closed space with just one exit that’s blocked by a gorilla working for Harlow.”
The fear explodes in her eyes, shattering the taunting intent that I’m secretly fond of, and I hate it. But it’s a necessary evil. Both in terms of Maddie understanding what’s at stake and of me remembering why I can’t keep harboring this deep-seated emotion and attraction to her.
“I’m sorry.” I sigh, rubbing a hand over my abs. “I just want you to be safe.”
“Youmake me feel safe,” she whispers, and something twists deep in my chest with a gratifying ache.
“Madeline.” I step forward, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, cupping her cheek and lifting her gaze to mine. “I’m going to see you through this, whatever it takes.”
“I just want my life back,” her voice cracks, weighed down by fatigue and weary of having to look over her shoulder all the time.
“And you’ll get it, I promise.” I take another step into her personal space, and her hand comes to rest over mine, still on her cheek. “I’ll slay all your dragons.”
Maddie lets out a soft laugh, so beautiful, so vulnerable. Her smart mouth may fuel my desire for her, but this? This makes my heart yearn for hers.
“Show me, Sawyer.”
“What do you want me to show you?” My voice comes out in a hush, my fingers itching to reach out and trail after the bead of sweat rolling from her neck into her cleavage.
She looks up at me with the most adorable, baffled expression. “What you would do if we were attacked by Harlow’s trained gorillas?”
Right.
“Tooth! Jericho!” I call two of the bigger guys I’ve been training with for the past couple of weeks. “Into the ring.”
“Screw you. We ain’t your subordinates, andyouain’t in the navy no more.” Tooth, a burly guy in his mid-twenties that grew up in the worst parts of Chicago and is, in fact, missing a tooth, puffs up at my order. Jericho, early thirties with just as bad a neighborhood behind him, simply laughs.
“Come on, Tooth, the man’s just trying to impress his pretty little lady.” Jericho winks at Maddie, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Yeah, Tooth, don’t be a cock-block,” Maddie pitches in, and we all turn to her with a mix of wide eyes and raised eyebrows.
“And here I was, hoping you could see beyond my good looks and want me for who I really am.” I hang my head low, hand fisted over my heart. “And all this time, you’ve just been trying to get into my pants.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Huckleberry. Let’s see how well you do against guys your own size.” She pats my chest, and I catch her hand, keeping her palm firmly splayed against my pec.
Leaning down to her ear, I ask with a whisper, “Are they your dragons, Madeline?” A shuddery breath followed by a nod is all the motivation I need. “Then they’re going down.”
* * *
Maddie
Oh my…I didn’t know I could get this aroused from watching a bunch of men throw punches.
Specifically, one man—Sawyer.
The way he moves all that bulk… float like a butterfly, indeed. And after working with him, I can see the cogs turning, his mind constantly alert, ready for anything coming his way.
Two big men who know their way around the ring, and they never stood a chance. Even when they ganged up on him, Sawyer could see the loopholes, exploiting the weak spots and taking a punch just to land the winning blow.
I get it now, what made him such a great leader. I can see why Andy and Jonah look up to him and are willing to follow him to the ends of the earth. Sawyer is the guy who makes sure you get back—first one in, last one out, no soldier left behind.
It’s why he was awarded a medal of honor. The man ran straight into an IED field to pull out a fellow soldier. He’d die before letting someone under his care get hurt.And he’s right here fighting in my corner.
“Okay, enough.” Jericho cuts the sparring with breathless laughter. “I think your girl here is more than impressed.”
“Meh. He didn’t make anyone bleed, so…” Both men take a hurried step back, tripping over each other and almost falling flat on their asses as they look at Sawyer with wide-eyed worry. Do they actually think he’d make them bleed on my whim? And should I really be enjoying the thought as much as I am?