Page 14 of Flint's Battle

“Considering no one else made it out of that car alive, I got off pretty lucky.”

Flint muttered something under his breath as he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“Piss off. It was twenty years ago. But now you know why I go for the easy answer. Everyone always gives me that look. Butwhile we’re at it, why did you join the military? Family legacy, too?”

He chuckled. “Nothing that honorable. Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly a model citizen as a kid. I never knew my dad and my mom was a drug addict. I spent most of my time running from the cops. Then, I got caught joyriding the night after graduation and the sheriff gave me a choice. Enlist or go to jail. I was smart enough to choose the military. After that, I met Bowie, and well, I guess things changed. I changed.”

“So, no more shenanigans?”

“I still like to push the limits. I’m just good enough I don’t get caught, now.”

“Oh, that almost sounds like a challenge.”

He placed the photo back on the shelf then turned, all that heat from earlier returning. Like in her Jeep when she’d thought he’d turned the heater to full. He took a step closer, blocking out everything but the massive width of his shoulders. How his hair teased his eyes a bit, the light accentuating the bits of gold amidst the chocolate strands. She liked that it wasn’t a typical military style, with enough length she felt confident she could wrap the strands around her fingers when she captured his mouth.

Flint gave her a raise of one brow. “I was going to reply with a witty comeback but the way you’re staring at me…” He whistled. “Sweetheart you look more than a little dangerous. Do I want to know what you’re thinking?”

She met his gaze, wondering how she’d missed the hints of green in his eyes. Not much. More of a dark rim around the blue. But the added depth caught her by surprise, and she blurted out the truth before she could stop herself. “Why haven’t you asked me out?”

The question obviously caught him by surprise, too, because he jerked back, staring at her as if she’d suddenly sprouted another head. “Why haven’t I asked you out?”

“I guess I could have read that instant spark all wrong?—”

“You didn’t.”

“Then, why the friend zone for the past month?”

Flint kicked at the floor, looking oddly out of his element for a moment before he sighed. “Because you told me you didn’t want anything casual. And until recently, I wasn’t sure if that was even on the table.”

“I told you? When the hell did I tell you I wasn’t interested?”

“Remember when Bowie was trying to get Moana to go out with him? But she said she wasn’t interested in dating a guy who didn’t even have to pretend he wanted a commitment because he wouldn’t be around that long?”

Emery nodded. “Sure, but…”

“Then you agreed with her and said that you’d had enough casual flings to last a lifetime and you were finally ready for something more permanent.”

She opened her mouth then closed it, trying to recall the conversation.

Flint inched closer, again. “I took that as your way of telling me to back off.”

She frowned. “So, I’ve been sending you all these signals that I want more between us, but you choose to only pay attention to that one conversation?”

“It was a pretty powerful statement.”

She wanted to argue, but he was right. She had said she wanted something less fleeting in her life. And Flint’s team had originally thought they’d only be on the island for a month. Though, hadn’t Flint just told her boss they were considering their options? Which Moana had already confided in her. That Bowie had promised he’d stay if it was at all possible. That he’dfind a way to convince his buddies, especially with their other teammate, Carter, involved with Mia.

Emery nodded, moving back to rest against the counter. She looked at Flint, loving the way he followed her every move. As if he was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. “You’re right. I did say that. Though, it sounds as if you leaving isn’t a given, anymore.”

“Like I told your boss. We’re considering our options.”

“What kind of odds are we talking?”

He grinned. “A strong sixty-forty.”

“Those are odds I can work with. Regardless… I’ve been known to be wrong. On occasion.”

He moved. Or maybe he phased from one location to the other because she blinked and he was there, sliding his fingers through her hair as he pinned her between his chest and the counter. His breath caressed her cheek, the light contact making her shiver. “God, I hope you’re implying us spending the night together is one of those occasions, because I’ve been trying to figure out how to kiss you all evening without you slapping cuffs on me.”

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