Page 8 of The Commander

“Whoa.” I hold up my hands, getting everyone’s attention. “Are you saying this is like Military Disneyland?”

A dozen guys around me laugh.

“You want to come check it out, Noah?” Josh asks. “I was hoping it’d pique your interest.”

He knows my training background and that I have combat experience.

“Tell me there’s cotton candy, and I’m there.”

“I’ll do one better than that. Couple of the GIs from your former unit are in our first training camp.”

My smile fades like the power went out.

Quinn.

I know it’s her. I know it like I know oxygen will fill my lungs when I finally take another breath.

Quinn Parker, my forbidden fruit.

Well, she’s not mine, but I’m not dead yet. For three years I was her CO, and during that time, both of us fought an intoxicating chemistry that existed but wasn’t allowed.

You were more than her commanding officer. Much fucking more.

I couldn’t cross the line, and with her father being the Colonel it would have been career-altering if I had. Month by month, I started caring less about the impacts to my life and more about Quinn. It took a while, but I realized I was in love with her.

A lot happened between us over those years, and I truly thought the day I discharged it would pave the path for us to be together.

I was wrong.

I was so fucking wrong.

Quinn ripped my heart out and squeezed it. The thing is, she did the same to her own vulnerable organ, but the stubborn little firecracker will never admit it.

She loves me.

I just haven’t found a way to get Quinn Parker to admit it. The thought of seeing her again has my body wound up tight. Without a doubt, I’m joining that team.

“Sign me up,” I rasp roughly.

A little too rough.

Declan watches me from across the room. One of his brows lifts an inch, and I can’t help feeling as if he can read my mind.

SEALs, man. Not much gets past them.

CHAPTER THREE

QUINN

––––––––

My eyes blink open, and I wonder why I’m awake before my alarm, then I have a small panic that I’ve slept in. It would be highly unlikely given I’ve never done it in my life.

I glance over my shoulder, wondering if Mark is still here, but I already sense my bed is empty.

Not surprising.

We’ve only dated for a few months, and aside from once, he’s left in the middle of the night because the drive back to Victorville is too arduous in the morning.