Chapter 2
Back to Hale
I can smell the food cooking as I finish zipping up my very not-so-businesslike attire. My skin tight jeans are cut low enough to come below my hipbones, and they’re tucked neatly into my red leather boots.
My blood red strapless shirt is cut to fit around my breasts like a bra top, and the vee-cut pattern shows off my hipbones along with a slight peek of my stomach as well. The black lace embroidery on the front traces random patterns to command one’s attention.
I pull on my black and red necklace along with my matching earrings, and then I pull on the ring brazen gave me which also matches. I stare at it on my right hand, but it doesn’t seem right. I huff as I turn to check my hair and makeup once more. My almost black hair glistens under the tinted view from the window, and my eyes shine their hybrid blue beside my loose curls.
I stop when I see the purple veins growing once again. What is going on with my eyes?
I quickly shake it off, and uselessly drip some eye drops in hoping they will magically bring back my solid blue eyes. I step out, and Brazen drops his spatula when his eyes gape at me.
He quickly grabs it up and tries to recover, but I let a small snicker escape. He rolls his eyes while stifling a grin of his own, and then he turns the pan to dump its omelet contents onto a plate for me.
“You didn’t have to cook me breakfast,” I giggle out, and he walks over to take a seat beside me while bringing me a cup of coffee.
He’s so fucking hot when he wears those low pants and no damn shirt. He knows I always loved seeing those hip lines exposed. They’ve always been my weakness on him… and Hale. I force myself to look away, and I see his smug face smirking.
“I wanted to. It was always my thing when I was with you, and I’m a sucker for tradition.”
“So… you’ll be gone a week?” I ask casually.
“Possibly less if I get done early. It should take you the same amount of time to get them enlisted and brought back. I assume you’re going to request they be your students.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t take Nicholas’s daughter away when I’m a certified cadet trainer. I’ve already spoken to him about that, and his anxiety level dropped severely.”
“I suppose we’ll talk when we get back? About us I mean,” he hesitantly releases.
“We will, but I don’t know if I’ll have the answer you want. Last night was phenomenal… over and over again, but I’m not sure it needs to extend past that. I’m not sure I should have let it happen,” I murmur, and I hadn’t meant to say the last part out loud.
He tilts my head up so my eyes meet his, and then his lips softly press against my forehead.
“I’ll wait until you’re ready, Araya, but don’t ever say anything negative about last night ever again. I wouldn’t trade one day of our time together for anything. I’m beyond happy last night happened, and I look forward to many more when you finally realize he’s not the guy for you. Now, eat. I need to run over to my place and change.”
I smile as he struts out the door, and I dig into the delectably fluffy masterpiece the half naked chef has cooked. I eat quickly, and then I gather my suitcase, checking to see if my guns are safely zipped up.
The door opens, and I see Brazen walking in with his sexy-as-fuck smirk. His hair is tousled messily, and his sleek black shirt begs to be ripped off. I roll my eyes when he catches my lingering gaze, and then he walks over to take my bag.
“Walk me out?” I playfully question.
He laughs lightly, and then I grab my United badge to clip to my belt.
“This is quite the role reversal. Call me if you need me for anything.”
“I will,” I murmur while shutting the door behind us. “Same to you. Text me here and there to let me know you’re okay.”
“Are you saying you’ll be worried?” he smolders out, his eyes alight with a twinge of surprise and excitement.
I roll my eyes again, and I nudge him lightly while we turn the corner to walk outside.
“Yes. I always worry - even if I’m not your girlfriend or fiancée. Please just check in when you can to let me know all is well and put my troubled mind to rest.”
“Good to know,” he cockily responds. “I’ll check in, babe. Just like I always have.”
He bends to give me a small kiss on the cheek. His lips linger, and my hand reflexively slides up his chest. So many years he was mine. It’s hard to remind myself he’s not anymore. I need to be more careful with him.
I slowly drop it, but his hand finds my traitorous one. Fortunately, I look up to see Nicholas walking toward me with a set of keys. His presence alone has snuffed out the moment starting to ignite between Brazen and me.
