American Bad Boy(18)

A sweet little brunette in a pencil skirt and heels clicks her way across my room and sways her hips on over to my window. She acts like she’s interested in the view, but I can see from how she’s popping her heart shaped ass that she wants to make sure I’m the one soaking in the sights. Give the lady what she wants, that’s what I say. I’m here to please.

“Captain, do you mind if Phil gets some footage of you checking out your room? I think the viewers will really be happy to see you looking settled in.” She turns around from the window and smiles warmly. Her camera guy shuffles across the room and points the unblinking lens in my face, waiting for me to “act natural”.

I push myself up from my chair and strut across the floor, closing the distance between her and I. Her heartbeat is visible in her collarbone as I brush past her and quickly look out over the mountains and lush grass outside. I can hear her breathe in sharply when I turn on my heel and saunter over to my bed, sitting on the edge carefully.

“Looks … comfy,” the brunette locks her eyes on me and I can’t help but smile at her flushed cheeks.

“It is.”

Dr. Galt clears his throat loudly and the news anchor jumps like a kid trying to sneak back into their parents’ house in the middle of the night. I don’t bother turning around to face him as he tries to direct the crowd out of the room. Why would I look at a middle-aged, balding man when I can rest my eyes on full set of tits and hips?

“If all the members of the media would follow me, I’ll take you to the conference room where I can answer any questions you may have about our facility,” he urges.

The brunette looks at me and then over at the doctor, like she’s not sure if she really has to go or not. However, she snaps out of her spell and makes her way back out the door with the rest of them.

“It’s about time you showed up,” I hear Galt scolding someone quietly. “Captain Forrester, I apologize, I know you’re probably ready to settle in after a long day, but I’d like to introduce you to the nurse overseeing your program here. This is Nurse Brickman, and she’ll be responsible for your care while you’re with us.”

I stand back up from the edge of my bed and instantly freeze on the spot.

The room is empty now, except for my military entourage and the remaining medical staff. There’s no more flashing cameras or stripper nurses distracting me.

Yet, I still feel like I’m in some kind of dream, because standing in the doorway is a perfect vision from my past. Fixing me to the spot with her mahogany eyes is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen or ever will see.

My voice catches in my throat as I soak in the way the light radiates from each angle of her face. Highlighting her cheeks, making her kissable lips glisten perfectly. I want to run across the room and pick her up. I want to kiss her, to wrap my arms around her and never let her leave my side again. I want to throw her down on this bed and fuck her until we both forget our names and the time that’s passed between us.

Instead, I’m stuck to the floor, staring. Somehow I manage to open my mouth. Somehow words tumble out.

“Hi, Lauren.”





10





Lauren





2014




“Hi, Mack.”

Is there an oxygen tank in this room? I might need someone to grab me a mask. On second thought, isn’t there a defibrillator in the hall? I should get Dr. Galt to go grab that for me.

Speaking of the boss, he gives me a scowl for showing up late. His gaze softens like butter when he looks over my shoulder out into the hallway where the journalists are congregating. I can tell from the way he’s looking at them longingly that he’s not going to waste his time giving me a lecture right now.

Even though the crowd outside and all the news anchors showed up today for Mack, it’s easy to see that Dr. Galt has been soaking this up like it’s his moment. Wait a minute, I squint at his normally pale face, why does he look darker? The chief can usually drop planes out of the sky with his blindingly white skin, yet now he looks like he’s actually gotten some sun. I see the telltale line of orangey-beige badly blended into his thinning hairline and realize he’s either gone out and gotten a spray tan for his big moment under the spotlight, or he’s wearing make-up.

I prefer to believe it’s a spray-tan. Even if his hands are still practically translucent.

“Do you two know each other?” He flickers his eyes over my face quickly and then darts them back over my shoulder to the crowd waiting for him in the hall.

Mack opens his mouth and I stitch it shut with a single look. Nope. This isn’t time for confessions.