I blow out a breath as I take a moment to consider my answer, thinking back to my very first mission. The one that set the course of my career and led me to sniper training. Part of a different team to the one I’m on now, I recall the mission as if it happened yesterday.
All seemed well at first, and then it wasn’t. Without warning, it all went to hell in a heartbeat. Finding ourselves trapped in an ambush, I watched as they picked my teammates off like sitting ducks. I managed to crawl behind some thick bushes a little way away from where we’d been attacked — where I’d landed after an RPG-launched grenade exploded near enough to get caught in the concussion.
Carefully working my way up the gentle slope, I hid in another thick clump of bushes and aimed my rifle in the direction from which the grenade appeared to have come. By the time I’d dug myself in enough to steady my weapon, all had gone quiet below. The hardest thing I’d ever had to do, to that point, was watch and wait to see what would happen next.
I didn’t want to give my position away if I was to be of any use to any of my teammates if they’d managed to survive the onslaught, and finally my patience paid off. It felt as if I’d been lying in wait for hours when in reality it was probably no more than maybe fifteen minutes.
First one, then another, and eventually a couple more cautiously made their way toward the bodies strewn in the sand like broken dolls. With bated breath I waited for the perfect moment to pick my first victim off, then another in rapid succession.
As that first shot rang out, one of the men I was with, who’d been playing possum apparently, rolled and fired in one motion. He lucked out as his bullet found a target. The insurgents scattered haphazardly, clearly wanting to make it as difficult as possible to pinpoint one of them as our next target.
Luck, fate, the universe – call it what you want – but something or someone was on my side that day, and I followed one of them through the sight of my rifle. My heart sank at the realization that the shot was going to be a highly unlikely one. But with adrenaline and righteous anger coursing through my veins, I figured I’d take the shot anyway. What did I have to lose?
Lining the shot up carefully, I breathed out then squeezed the trigger. Against all odds, in a million-to-one shot, I watched the bullet hit the side of the man’s head just as he was about to disappear behind scrub a distance away from my position. I’ll never forget the feeling that moved through me right there in the middle of some godforsaken hole-in-the-wall as I made my shot.
“Jessen?” The soft query pulled me out of the memories flooding my mind.
“Yeah. Sorry, got a bit lost in thought there.” I clear my throat.
She studies me across the table. Fighting the impulse to fidget under her gaze, I mentally recount football stats. Unexpectedly, she turns the recorder off.
“I’ve so enjoyed chatting you, I didn’t realize how much time had flown by. And also, that we never discussed how long you could stay.”
Thinking over the morning, I find myself agreeing. It’s been pleasant – well, after we cleared the air, that is. Time has gone by in a snap, and now I don’t want it to end. I want to spend more time with Agatha.
“Well, with today being Saturday, I’m off, and I don’t have any plans. So, if you’re up for it, we can go until you’re either tired of having me here, or you’re done with your research. Whichever one comes first.”
“I’m definitely up for more. I just don’t want to monopolize your time.”
“Nah, we’re good. I’ll let you know if I need to give it a break.”
“Okay, well great. Thank you. Considering the time, shall we break for lunch?” I nod. “I’m not sure what I have in the kitchen – I’m notoriously bad for remembering to shop – but I’m sure I can rustle something up for us.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll be right back.” She’s not gone long before she’s back, a disgruntled look on her face. “So it turns out I’m even worse than I thought. I can offer you some granola and yogurt or rice cakes and cottage cheese. Not a huge choice of boring options.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Thanks, but I think I’m good. I tell you what. How about I take you to my favorite burger joint? My treat.”
Weirdly, after the rocky start we had, I’m not ready to say goodbye, and I suspect that’s what would have come out of her mouth next. I watch as that sexy dimple makes another appearance.
“That sounds fabulous. I graciously accept your offer. Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.”
“I’m just going to get something a little more presentable on –” She looks down at what she’s wearing, and I see a wash of color stain her cheeks red. This woman is honest-to-God blushing. Clapping her hands over her eyes, she mumbles, “Well, shit. Should have made more of an effort, Tigs.”
Pretending I don’t hear her, I say, “Sorry, I didn’t hear that?”
I’m delighted to see another wash of color flush her face. “God, I’m such a doofus. Sorry, I was mumbling to myself.” Whirling for the door, she continues, “I’m just – ah – gonna go change into – mmm – something else. I’ll be right back. Why don’t you get comfortable in the living room while you wait?”
She dashes from the room, and I can’t help but chuckle at her antics again. I feel kinda guilty now that I thought so badly of her before, suspecting her of manipulation due to entitlement.
Taking her advice, I make my way to the living room and back over to the wall of windows overlooking the ocean. The view is incredible, and I can only image what it’s like to listen the sound of the waves from here. I soak it in and get lost in my thoughts as I wait for Agatha.
“All done,” I hear her say from behind me. Turning to face her, I’m greeted by a completely different look than earlier. She was cute in her sweats and messy bun, but she is hot in a pair of form-fitting jeans and blouse that leaves her shoulders bare.
In her flat heels, she may be short – I’d hazard somewhere around five-four, five-five – but she has curves in all the right places. Curves that make a man’s hands itch to touch. Her full mouth is a fire-engine red, and I find myself wanting to nip those tempting lips.
