Page 42 of The Commander

“Quinn,” Noah yells.

I glare at him in warning as I grip my hand. Blood glides down my arm. I wipe it over my top and am about to reach for the rope again after climbing to my feet, when I am shoved.

What the hell?

“Can’t cheat on this one, can you, Parker.” Tyrell laughs and takes hold of the rope. He starts climbing.

I glance at Noah, hoping like hell he doesn’t do or say anything. I’ve seen the possessive flare in his eyes all day. Without a military structure around us here, I’m not sure what he’ll do.

Please don’t make a scene over a rope, Noah.

When he simply points at another rope, I dive at it and start climbing, despite my hand burning and stinging.

Batman barks as I reach the top, as if egging me on, and I leap down. That’s when I realize Tyrell is not in front of me or on my tail.

Below me, I hear him cursing.

Not caring what his problem is, I don’t hesitate and drop down the wall, grinning at Marlene as she does the same. We spot Jack waiting.

“Come on, girls,” Jack pants. “We got this.”

The finish line is ahead of us, and we sprint across the last stretch, my legs screaming. I collapse on the grass.

“Holy shit.” Marlene is flat on her back. “I didn’t think I’d make it up that rope.”

“Goddamn Tyrell, dirty piece of shit took my rope after I fell and cost us half a minute.” I lift my palm and take in the multiple slices in my flesh, which are still bleeding.

How did that happen?

“Good job, guys.” Ryder, Batman and Noah join us as more team members cross the line.

“Let me see your hand.” Noah crouches.

“It’s fine.”

He takes it anyway and lets out a curse.

“Quinn, that’s bad.” Marlene leans over. “Was it on the rope?”

I nod, feeling my adrenaline waning and the pain starting to get worse. I won’t die, but it is damn sore.

“I’ll get a Band-Aid. It’s no big deal.” I try to take my hand back, but Noah grips it and glances at Ryder.

“I’ll check the rope.” Ryder whistles at Batman and takes off.

“Head back to the office and get it cleaned up,” Noah rasps, and his thumb brushes over my knuckles. “And don’t argue with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

I hear him groan under his breath, and I’m not going to lie, my panties moisten. When our eyes lock, his globes swirl like there’s a wild beast trapped inside of them.

I think of all the naughty things I’ve ever fantasized about him doing to me while those beautiful eyes of his gaze upon my naked body. Has he ever thought of me when coming? Surely he has. That excites me more than I care to admit. But as his nostrils flare, it’s as if Noah can read my mind, and I blush, needing to get far away from him.

“I’ll go.” I climb to my feet, brushing the grass off my ass.

Without making eye contact, I wrap my hand in the lower part of my T-shirt and make my way back to the office.

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