Page 11 of Burn for Me

All tables have been moved off to the side, except one a little further into the room where Sharkie leans and Jasmine sits perched. The smell of bacon isn’t present like it usually is duringthis time, and team members aren’t pacing the floor to see who got the better food because there's none besides us.

Jasmine smiles brightly at something Sharkie says, but it drops when she looks at me.

That makes two of us.

“What is this?” My voice is low, pulling Caspian's attention in my direction. He’s utterly unamused by my reaction as he finds his place by the table.

“Training,” he mutters simply as if my question was completely unnecessary. I should have known we would be doing these types of exercises with the mission so close, but it doesn’t ease the way my mind begins to spiral.

Ilikeknowing what’s going to happen. Iprefera steady routine. Ihatebeing caught off guard.

“Go get him,” Sharkie whispers with a slight, crooked grin, and Jasmine hops off the table, giving me a once-over. She’s gauging my mood again. That’s one of the few things Jasmine has told me about herself. If I remember correctly, she says it helps her know how to react before anything happens. She doesn't gauge me well enough because she always expects me to be mad, so she turns defensive quickly… just like yesterday.

Each step of her bare feet against the marble floor has a slight sway that rocks her hips, and I shift my feet to cross my arms over my chest, causing Jasmine’s head to tilt as she approaches me.

“What took you so long?” She all but whispers as the tips of her toes touch the edge of my boots. She's too close, looking too damn sweet.

“Why are you barefoot?” I grit out, not budging from my position. While she appears calm with even breathing and relaxed shoulders, I can see the pulse at her throat–it looks like her heart has crawled its way up her throat and is trying to beat through the skin.

“If you want answers, you'll have to give them.” She smiles and places her hand on my chest. It's too much. All I want to do is pull her into me and feel every curve form into my rigid ones, but at the same time, I want to rip the eyes out of any head that dares to look in her direction while she's acting this way–like I'm the only man she can see.

I can make that happen; make every man on base disappear so she never has to worry about looking at another. It'd be messy and probably take some time–

I quickly step back away from her touch.

“You’re fuckin kidding me..” I bite out in Tide's direction and catch the quick look of hurt flashing over Jasmine's features before she's hardening them. She doesn't know pain. Pain is having something so fucking perfect so close and knowing you can onlyactlike it's yours.

I thought I knew what Hell was like, but I was wrong.Thisis hell.

“Fuckin’ hell, just do your job, Sam.” Tide taps his fingers against the buttons of his shirt, calming his breathing from my outburst. They’ve been happening a lot lately. I can’t stand that it feels like I’m not in control of them, but I have no outlet for everything I keep pent up anymore.

I used to be able to step into the cellars and find an enemy soldier to take some…time…with, but since the wars have ended, I have nothing.

I'm putting a bandaid over a lid, hoping it can contain the rage that never seems to leave my side.

“Look, you have to be convincing. You won't be able to do that unless you two get comfortable with the situation.” Sharkie’s eyes narrow when I don't move.It’s an insult.I was made to shoot guns and roll in the dirt–not dress up and drink fancy drinks. Pushing my hand through my hair, I look back towards the entrance.

If it's not me, it'll be someone else touching her, whispering in her ear, and walking around with her on their arm. I could never convince myself to back out with that knowledge.

I’ve dug my hole and need to lay in it.

As I turn back to concede, my brows furrow at Sharkie, pulling Jasmine close. I know it’s a demonstration, but the creeping screams echo into my skull, and dark spots speckle my vision as a blush crawls into Jasmine's cheeks. Without thinking, I grip Jasmine’s wrist, pulling her into my chest with a hard thud.

“Jesus, you freaking—” Jasmine’s groan fades as Sharkie’s laugh cuts it off.

“Well, that works, too.”

I’m lost in a spiral as my focus darts between Caspian's hold on Sharkie and mine around Jasmine. My reaction was instinctive, mirroring a protective gesture he displays with her daily without realizing it. Taking a deep breath, I try to process the situation while Jasmine struggles to free herself from my grip.

“Don’t touch,” I murmur through clenched teeth. I need to adjust, but her skin's simple graze against mine makes my head feel unnaturally empty.

What I feel for Jasmine isn’t the same as what Caspian feels for Sharkie. Mine is a mix of lust and anger that makes my neck heat. She isn’t the type of woman who wants to be loved; she’s the type who enjoys playing mind games.

When I look back, her eyes are squinted, and the dusty color deepens in her cheeks, causing me to tilt my head curiously. I’ve seen her mad, but she doesn’t usually change color; she has a scrunched nose and lines between her brows. Right now, she’s flustered. I know I should back away when I get her to this point. It’s the boundary I drew that I’m aware not to cross, but… I find myself wanting more ofthisreaction for myself.

Since when have I ever wanted anything other than to see the fear I can create?

"I figured I would be going to the grounds today." I lower my voice so only she can hear me as I explain. I place her hand on my chest and cover it to hold it in place. She watches the movement, her lips parted and no words coming out, as if she’s trying to process what I’m saying.God, she’s fucking beautiful. She always has been, but when I have her this close, that’s all I can think about.

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