Chapter Four
Well, if this wasn’t awkward, she didn’t know what was. She grabbed Josh’s hand for a strong shake. She was no wilting flower and that meant her handshake was strong, too. Not knowing whether to acknowledge they were already acquainted, she looked into Josh’s eyes. Let him take the lead on this one. A good commander knew when to take charge and when to back down.
Now that she was this close to him, she could see his beautiful eyes. They were a stunning color she’d never seen. Hazel but with a yellow-gold outline around the iris. Breathtaking, really.
Something about him drew her in. She didn’t normally have that type of reaction to a man. Any man. Her body’s temperature rose rapidly. Sweat beads formed across her forehead and above her upper lip. What the fuck was wrong with her. He was just a cute guy like any other cute guy. But he wasn’t.
Still holding her gaze, his eyes flashed gold. Well, she thought they did, but that was impossible. What the hell? She wasn’t the type of person to see things that weren’t there. People’s eyes didn’t change color like that. Then a memory tickled the back of her mind. A recollection of seeing eyes that turned gold, and stayed . . .
“Nice to meet you, Sergeant Major,” Josh said. She’d follow his lead of keeping their previous engagement between themselves.
“Nice to meet you, also, Director Tumbel.” She saw a tiny smirk start on his lips and he held his grip on her hand longer than necessary. Ass. Gorgeous ass. But an ass, nonetheless. No, she wouldn’t think about him that way any longer. The last thing she wanted was to walk around thinking of him and his smile. Those eyes. The slight beard growth that made her want to rub her face on his jaw to get the full effect of it. Nope. She wasn’t going to think about him being hot.
Her go-to persona kicked in. Anytime she felt emotions coming on, she’d slide into this alter ego that let her be the strong woman she’d had to be to survive childhood and the military.
By the happy faces of the men gathered around Tumbel, she doubted he’d told them about shutting down the department. Glancing at the men, she noted they wore shocked expressions. One of the guys breathed deeply and smiled.
“I get it,” the man said. “I bet you would like a piece of candy.” The others covered their smiles with their hands. Nothing she hadn’t heard before. He breathed deeply again.
Tumbel scowled at him. If he wanted a piece of her, then that’s what she’d give him. She cocked her head to the side. “Director Tumbel, may I have a moment with you and your team?” His face paled and his smirk disappeared. Ha, take that, jerk. “In my office,” she added.
“Don’t keep them too long, Candace.” Director Pommer smiled. “We have a show to put on.”
“No, sir. I’ll make sure they are back in time. This’ll be short and sweet,” she replied.
Tumbel’s eyes flashed. She knew he was flustered, to say the least.
“Just your team, Tumbel,” she said. “I apologize, ladies, but this is confidential.” That ruffled some feathers, but everyone seemed calm and the men stepped away. Candy moved toward the elevator not looking back to see if they followed. Inside the elevator, she pushed the second-floor button, holding the door open for the men.
Tumbel was arguing with the guy who’d made the smart-ass comment about her name. From what she heard, Tumbel was telling him to shut up. Her hearing was exceptional for an ex-pilot who’d been around for a while.
The short ride to the second floor was silent. As well as the walk down the hall to her corner office. Once inside, Tumbel grabbed her elbow and pulled her to the side next to the fireplace. She snatched her elbow free, narrowing her eyes at him. “I suggest you never touch me again,” Candy said.
Tumbel growled, and for a second, she blinked at his features. Fuck, he was close to losing his control. Then he took a deep breath and sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “Look, Candy—”
“It’s Sergeant Major to you, Director,” she sneered, standing defiantly in front of him.
“Fine,” he rumbled low and deep, curling his hands into fists at his sides, “Sergeant Major, I haven’t told my men about our discussion. And this whole mess is bogus. If we could just talk with Pommer, he will explain our special circumstance.”
“Pommer has no say in this decision. I report directly to the president,” Candy retorted now slapping her hands on her hips.
“That’s not what I mean.” Tumbel looked as frustrated as hell. She smiled. “Relax, Tumbel. I’ll do this gently.”
A voice came over her shoulder. “Can we watch you do it gently?”
“Day,” Tumbel snarled so roughly, her jaw almost dropped open. She couldn’t believe that sound came from him. It was so animalistic. “Go over there.” He pointed to the other side of the room.
“Sergeant Major,” he continued in that low, churned-gravel tone that was starting to make her skin hot. She’d never been turned on by a man calling her “sergeant major” until now. “Let’s hold off until after the ceremony. Can we at least do that?”
He was so cute when he was trying to sound composed, but she saw the lust in his eyes. She raised her hand, wanting to brush his bangs from his eyes. When she realized she was moving closer, she crossed her arms over her chest hoping to hide her silly intention. What happened to her go-to personality?
Being a hard-nosed bitch around this guy was nearly impossible for her. What was up with him? She cleared her throat and tugged on her green uniform top. She could do this. She’d been in a lot worse circumstances and come through rather unscathed. It would be the same here.
“I think we should do this beforehand, Tumbel.” She sounded like such a bitch in her own ears. A horny bitch wanting to jump every bone in this man’s body. God. She was disgusted with herself.
A noise like firecrackers popping in the distance reached the room. Her mind told her instantly that it wasn’t explosives, but gunshots.