by J. L. Drake
“On your backs,” Cole orders. “Sit-ups—go.”
“Yes, Colonel,” the men shout in unison.
Cole glances at Mark, who is on his phone. He is smiling, then quickly hangs up. After a hundred sit-ups, Cole orders the men to stand in rows and pick up a long, thick log.
“You lift the log over your head, to your other shoulder and repeat this until I say otherwise,” Cole instructs. “Do not move your head. Go.”
Cole walks through the rows of men, making sure none of them is slacking on lifting their part of the weight. He stops in front of number thirty-four, who slumps to his knees.
“What’s your problem, candidate?” Cole barks.
“Legs aren’t working, sir.”
“You need to see a medic?”
“No, sir.”
“Then get back up and lift that log!” he demands. “You think it’s fair for the rest of your team to carry the weight while you take a rest?”
“No, sir.”
“Then, move!”
The man squeezes his eyes as he tries to stand. He’s finished; Cole can see it. “I can’t.”
“Are you VW?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need to hear you say it.”
“I voluntary withdraw.”
“Okay, thirty-four, head that way and give your name to Major Paul.” He orders the rest of the men to lay the logs down.
Cole moves along the rows.
“Drop and roll, candidates.” The men drop to the ground and roll all the way to one end of the pit, then roll back. Over and over again. He notices another man slowing down, holding the other men up.
He strolls over to his line. “If seven-eight can’t keep up, roll over him,” he shouts to the men who are enjoying the holdup. “Seven-eight, are you getting dizzy?”
“No, sir.”
“Seven-eight, are you getting tired?”
“No, sir.”
“Then why are you holding up your line?”
“Sorry, sir.” He picks up his pace just a little. Cole nods to a medic to watch this one for vertigo.
Cole continues down the line of men. “This isn’t for the weak, candidates. If you can’t make it here, what makes you think you can make it out there?” His voice booms throughout the building. “You’re part of a team, and if you forget you are a part of a team, then we will send you home. If you can’t follow orders, we will send you home. If you don’t pull your own weight, we will send you home. It’s all mental, do you understand me?”
“Yes, Colonel!” they all yell.
“Now, on your feet. You have five minutes to get your gear and check the information outside.”
“Colonel Logan,” Major Paul calls, catching his attention from the men. “You have a visitor.” Paul’s face gives nothing away, but he can probably see a ping of excitement spread through Cole. He nods, signaling for Mark Lopez to take over.
Cole briskly walks over to the main building. The cold air wipes his face, making his eyes sting. His stomach is in his throat as he opens the double doors and heads to the front desk.
“Hi, Colonel,” the receptionist greets him. He nods outside with a little wink.
The moment he steps outside, his eyes lock on hers, and everything in his body comes alive. God, he loves this woman. A sexy smile runs across her lips then she breaks out in a full sprint, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist.
“Hi, baby.” She grins, her eyes sparkling with need.
“Hi.” His voice is husky as he grips her body tighter around him. She wiggles, feeling how turned on he is. He’s been deprived of her for five days, and he’s been hard since he left her that night. He sees Keith grinning behind him before he waves goodbye.
“Is this allowed?” she asks suddenly, looking around at where they are. She tries to free herself from his grip, but he grabs her head, slamming her lips to his, needing to taste her. She squeaks but gives in, running her hands through his hair and giving it a hard pull. “Cole,” she pants, “your room, now.”
He drops her to the ground, takes her bag in one hand and her hand in the other, and beelines it to his room. Her laughter only makes him pick up the pace.
“Hey, Savi.” Mark grins from the stairway, blocking his path to his release.
“Move,” Cole grunts. I need this woman under me now.
Mark’s eyes light up. He fucking knows what he’s doing. “So, Savi, how has it been—?”
“Move, Mark.” Savannah laughs, shoving him out of the way and leading Cole to his bedroom.
Cole turns over his shoulder. “Cover my next shift.”
“Yeah.” He chuckles and goes to leave, but not before he calls out, “Don’t break any furniture.”
“No promises,” Savi whispers, stopping at the top of the stairs. She looks up at him and licks her lips. “It’s been, like, a hundred and twenty-three hours since I’ve seen you. I almost forget what you feel like.”
“In that case, let me remind you.” Cole unlocks the door and barely has it shut when he grabs her and pushes her up against the wall. His knee is between her legs, holding her in place as he yanks off his shirt and unbuckles his belt. She manages to remove her shirt in record time too. He removes her pants and panties as she grips his shoulders and jumps up, wrapping her legs around his waist.
“I’ve missed you.” She giggles as his grin grows wider.
“Let me show you how much I have. Shower with me?” he asks, and she nods, running her hands through his hair and giving it a small tug. He growls as he walks them into the bathroom.
She yelps when he places her on the cold counter. “Sorry.” He laughs as he tugs his pants off and starts the water.
Her gaze drops to his erection, and she lets out a hungry moan. “You can make it up to me.”
“I intend to, a few times.” He grips the back of her knees and tugs her forward, and his fingers slip inside her easily. “Mmm, you were ready for me.” He groans as he pushes his fingers in further, feeling her velvet insides squeeze around him.
“I’m always ready when it comes to you, Cole.” She flops her head against his chest. “Please, I need you.”
He pulls his hand away and lines himself up with her. He nudges the tip inside, relishing how tight she is.
“Oh, baby,” he whispers as he slowly makes his way into her. Yes, this is his Atlantis. He feels her breath blow out across his skin. Everything feels so intense when they are like this. So raw and primal.
“Remind me.” She wraps her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. Her hands reach for his dog tags and guide him to her lips.
Cole clutches her waist and lifts her off the counter and steps into the shower. He pulls out and turns her around, pressing her into the wet tile. He grabs his solid erection and spreads her legs to make room for him. He slides back in, pressing his front into her back. He raises her arms above her head, entwining their fingers together. He thrusts forward hard, making her shoot up the tile, and her scream only fuels him further. His hips continue to thrust as he spreads kisses down her neck and shoulders.
“Cole,” she moans, leaning her head back on his shoulder. “Yes.”
“Who do you belong to, baby?”
“You,” she replies without missing a beat. “I belong to you.”
“Hell, yeah, you do,” he pants as he plows into her. His hands are everywhere; he needs to touch every inch of her. Her little sounds lead him down the path that she desires. “I love you so damn much.” This pushes her over the edge. She screams and shakes in his arms, and he comes right afterward, pumping her full of five days’ worth of pent-up stress.
She turns to face him and reaches for his neck, her eyes sparkling. “I love you too, Cole, so much it hurts sometimes.”
He kisses the tip of her nose before he washes her off and wraps her in a towel then does the same to himself. They lie naked in bed watching the sun slowly set.
“You hungry?” he asks, fingering her damp hair.
“Dinner will be served in twenty.”
She pushes at his chest, forcing him to lie back, and crawls up on his lap. “That should be enough time for what I have in mind.”
Thirty-five minutes later they walk out of his room and down to the dining hall.
Savannah
I smile up at him as we walk down the stairs, feeling very satisfied. “I have to admit this uniform is incredibly sexy.”
“The green makes my eyes pop,” he jokes, making me laugh.
“Are you going to be all scary when you’re with the men?”
“Not unless they step out of line.” He peers down at me. “This is the last hurdle for making the cut for Green Berets, Savannah. We’re here to see if they have what it takes. We yell, but it’s nothing they can’t handle. A lot of these men have been in the Army for a long time, and those who haven’t will learn quickly enough.”
“I guess.” I sigh, thinking the Army would be no place for me. “So, have you found anyone you like yet?”
“A few, but there’s one, in particular, I’ve been watching.”
“Who?”
“Fifty-nine.”
“Does he not have a name?”
“Not here, he doesn’t. They’re all assigned a number so they’re all equal.”
“Oh.” Makes sense.
“Ready?” he asks as we approach the door.
“Wait, what if they ask me questions?”
“No one will be asking you questions. You’ll be sitting with Blackstone and my father.”
“Daniel is here?” I suddenly feel happy. I love Daniel like he is my own father.
“Yes.”
“Wait.” I grab his hand. “I don’t want to be disrespectful in there, so what do I call you?”
He laughs as he opens the door. “Come on, baby.” He places his hand on my lower back and walks me through the door.
I swear the entire place goes silent and all eyes are on me. “You’re not in uniform, that’s why everyone is staring.” Yeah, that’s why…or maybe it’s because the big bad Colonel has a civilian female in the dining hall.
Daniel rises to his feet and wraps me in his usual bear hug. “Good to see you, sweetheart.”
“You too.” I beam as I take a seat next to Cole.
“You’ve made quite the stir here.” John laughs as the dining hall grows noisy again. “Everyone wants to know who the civilian is with the Colonel.”
“I trust you set them right,” Cole notes, rather than asks.
“Nah, I figured this way would be more fun.” John smirks as he hops to his feet. “Come on, we’re up.” He nods to the cafeteria line.
“Colonel?” a guy wearing number sixty-one says, standing behind us. “May I have a word with you?”
Cole sighs as he stands. “Savi, go ahead with John and get something to eat. I’ll meet you back here.”
“All righty, you ready for a five-star meal? We have chicken or chicken or chicken.” John laughs as he digs in, taking a huge portion of hunter chicken. I take a small amount and pair it with a roll and veggies. “Here.” He hands me a bottle of water. “Grab a knife and fork from there,” he points to a tray, “and we’re done.”
“Hang on,” a guy says, handing me a napkin. “There you go.”
“Thanks.” I go to move, but he shifts in front of me.
“Here, let me.” He takes my tray out of my grip and starts walking back to the table. It’s a nice gesture if only half the place wasn’t watching us. I notice his number is nine, and I think I spot his table because they are the ones who seem most interested. Then it clicks, making me chuckle.
“So, what do you win by carrying my tray to the table?” I ask as I come up next to him. He attempts to hide his smile, but it doesn’t work.
“To be team captain on whichever assignment I choose.” He blushes slightly. “When you show leadership, you stick out more. I need to gain as many points here as possible.”
I notice Cole watching us out of the corner of my eye, and I see our table watching me too. “Tell me something, nine. What’s your name?”
He stands a little straighter. “Corporal Davie.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“No, miss, I don’t.”
“Pretty risky for you to take on that bet.”
“I like to take risks, but I figured being a gentleman wasn’t causing any harm.” He shrugs innocently.
“Are you being a gentleman?” I question his motives.
“Yes, miss, I was raised right. My mamma always says you respect a lady and they’ll respect you.”
I reach for the tray just as Cole does. “Cole,” I glance up at him, “Corporal Davie was kind enough to carry my tray for me. Wasn’t that nice?”
Cole studies my face and nods. “Yes, it was. Come on, baby, let’s go eat.”
I see Davie’s eyes pop open when he realizes he just carried the Colonel’s girlfriend’s tray.
“Thanks again, Davie,” I call over my shoulder as I follow Cole back to the seat.
I watch as Davie sits at his table, and no one speaks a word. “Cole,” I begin, and he turns to look at me. “Has nine been doing well?”
Cole shrugs. “Not overly. He’s weak in the water.”
“Do you think he’ll make the cut?”
“No not unless he gets past his fear of drowning.”
I’m confused. “Isn’t that a normal fear?”
“Green Berets can’t be scared of anything.”
I scrunch my face up, trying to follow. “So, you’re telling me you’re scared of nothing.”
He wipes his napkin over his mouth then stares down at me with a look that almost frightens me. “Just you.”
“Me?”
He leans in a little closer, resting his arm on the back of my chair. “I’m scared to death of losing you.” I want to make a comment, but I don’t. It wasn’t Cole’s fault he was taken from me before. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that. A part of me finds it easier to lash out than to accept what really happened.
“You won’t lose me, Cole. I love and trust you more than anyone.”
A pained look runs across his face. He picks up my left hand and rubs my wedding ring finger. I think he’s going to say something, but he doesn’t.
I reach up and quickly run my hand over his five o’clock shadow. “I wish I knew what this face means.” He takes my hand and gives it a quick kiss, then turns his attention back to his dinner.
“Savi,” Daniel calls, “how long are you staying at camp?”
“Umm, just until tomorrow afternoon,” I answer. “I have a date in the evening.”
“Oh?” Cole raises an eyebrow.
“Yes, dinner and a hike.” I feel Cole stiffen at the word hike.
“Who’s the lucky fellow?” Mark asks through a mouthful of chicken.
“Make that plural. It’s with Abby, June, and Sue,” I laugh. “There’s a meteor shower.”
“And?” Cole asks, making me roll my eyes.
“Keith and Mike, possibly Derek, but he was muttering about it being cold when we were out last night. Such a baby,” I chuckle until I see Cole’s jaw flex. Oops. “We were just walking along the water’s edge. The house can be busy sometimes.”
“I see.” Cole leans back and pushes his plate away. “And where was Keith?”
“Umm…he was dealing with Frank.” I notice Cole glances at Mark and then his father. The tension starts to build the more we sit in silence. “So,” I look at everyone, “can I get a tour?”
After the grand tour of the grounds, I can feel Cole stewing about something. He has been off since dinner, and I would bet money on it being that I mentioned spending time alone with Derek. It’s quite cold out as we walk back to the main building. I see some of the men heading toward their bunks.
“Are they heated?” I ask.
“Yes, but just enough so they don’t get hypothermia.”
“Yikes,” I mutter.
“Don’t have heat
ers in the mountains, just what’s on your back.”
“That sucks.”
“It always sucks.”
“Then why do it?”
He stops at a whiteboard and starts scribbling something.
‘03:00 60km Barrel run’
Yikes.
“Personally, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” Cole tilts his head up toward the sky.
I tuck my freezing hands into my jacket. “Even after what…happened?”
His gaze drops to the ground. “I know it’s hard to understand, but yes.”
A few of the guys are hanging around a large fire pit. We make our way toward them. I wish so much I could hear what’s running through Cole’s head right now. Something is definitely off.
“Evening, Colonel.” One of the candidates nods politely at Cole. “Miss,” he says as he addresses me.
So, this is fifty-nine, the one Cole has been watching.
“Roth,” Cole says. I notice he doesn’t address him as his number. Maybe it’s because they’re not training at the moment. Another man comes up to join us. He is much shorter than Cole and Roth, almost eye level with me.
“Colonel Logan, it’s nice to meet you,” the man says. “I’m Captain James. I was happy to hear our half of the group got to train here at Camp Green Water.” He looks at me. “So, this is the lady who’s got the camp buzzing.” He extends a hand. “Captain James.”
“Nice to meet you, Captain.” I shake his hand then quickly shove mine back in my jacket. Cole puts his hand on my waist, moving me in front of him so I am closer to the fire.
Cole and Roth start talking about Roth’s time over in Afghanistan. I tune them out, leaning my weight into Cole. His hands are stroking methodically up and down my arms. It feels nice as I watch the fire crackle and pop.
“Lovely girl you got there,” I hear Roth say. “Well, I should hit the sack. I see we’re going to be up shortly.”
“Good night, Roth.” Cole leans down, whispering in my ear, “You seem quiet.”
“I’m comfy,” I answer, still in my trance from the fire. He chuckles as he wraps his arms around me.
“I want to take you to bed.”
“And I want you to.” I sigh, loving the way I feel in his arms.