Chapter 12
In the military, you didn't question orders, you did as you were commanded. But Kate's naturally inquisitive nature was one of the reasons she was a top analyst and Ethan would have to remember that fact.
He waited for Kate to roll her eyes, but she simply closed them, following his command. A hum of pleasure slid down his spine at her unexpected acquiescence, as did the rapid rise and fall of her chest and the way the morning sun made her pale skin glow.
Focus, dammit. Kate's safety was far more important than his base needs. “Tell me what structures are around you.” He decided to start with the basics.
“The house is to my right, a small barn further behind me and a tan tent to my left.”
“Good. What about doorways? There could be attackers hiding in there waiting.”
“The kitchen door and barn door, but it's open. Is that it?” She cracked open an eye.
“Close your eyes.”
“Yes, sir.” Her snarky tone made him smile.
“Now, tell me how many people are in your immediate vicinity.”
She paused, her brow pulled low in thought. Ethan took the opportunity to motion for Aaron to come forward, silently, behind Kate.
“Three men, not counting you.” Her lips curled up into a soft smile of satisfaction.
She was good. Merc and Riser were bent over the table about twenty feet away, studying different documents and maps. Aaron stopped about ten feet behind her.
“How many of them have weapons?” Weapons, people, suspicious behavior - these were things Ethan took stock of everywhere he went.
Like the fact that Aaron had a nine millimeter sidearm on his hip and Ranger had double holsters under his arms. He even noticed a bulge at Riser’s back when the material of his shirt shifted.
Her smile dropped into a frown and she chewed her bottom lip, leaving Ethan staring at her mouth once more.
“Who's armed? Who poses the most significant threat? To you and your HVT?”
“I don't know.” She opened her eyes, the confidence from earlier suddenly shaken. She’d been so sure she already knew everything, that she just needed a bit of brushing up on her skills.
But Ethan had taken her complete self-confidence and replaced it with the knowledge that she did need him and did need to listen.
Ethan didn't like that vulnerable look one bit. He eased closer, drawn to her, to the need to touch her. “You’re doing really well. Now, we're going to practice this over and over until you get comfortable.”
“You think I've got enough time to learn?”
“I think you'll surprise yourself.”
Ethan caved to his need and touched her shoulder, a move that to anyone else would look like a confidence booster, when in reality it was because he couldn't stand not to. And this time, Kate didn't jerk away.
Heat trailed from her shoulder into his fingers, up his arms and spread wide and deep across his chest. Kate trusted him.
Damn. She was relying on him to teach her the skills needed to save her life. He should be clamming up but he felt taller, more confident, and suddenly Ethan wanted nothing more than ever to live up to the expectation he saw in her gaze.
“Aaron, get Celine back out here. She's gonna be our Caroline. I want Kate to practice with a body to protect.” Ethan stepped back, breaking that precious contact, and vowed he'd do whatever it took to ensure Kate was ready.
“Dude, she won't listen to me,” Aaron protested.
“Tell her it’s life or death. She'll listen.” Grey seemed to just appear on the mat out of thin air. “And tell her to bring the shoes.”
Aaron groaned and headed to the house, his feet literally dragging in the grass. “You’re gonna owe me big time for this.”
“Kate, you’re doing really well. I think with the rest of the week to practice, you'll be more than ready.” Grey's voice was steady with confidence.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Ethan, when you finish, come find me.”
“Yes, sir.”
Grey went back to the tent, joining Ranger at the table. The back door slammed shut and Celine emerged, dangling a pair of heels from her fingers, with Aaron trailing behind.
She went to Kate and held out a hand. “Mr. Grey over there wants you ready for the wedding night.” Celine extended a pair of what had to be five-inch nude heels.
“And those are supposed to help me how?” Kate didn't take the shoes.
“This is what you'll be wearing with your dress. Give me your sneakers and put these on.”
“You're serious?” Kate turned to Ethan, her eyes wide. “I can't wear those. How do you expect me to run?”
Ethan shrugged, “Orders are orders.”
“You don't understand. I don't wear heels.”
“And what's wrong with my choice in shoes? They're gonna make your legs look drop dead gorgeous,” Celine said.
“Not when I fall on my ass,” Kate said.
“Well you can't wear tennis shoes to the wedding, especially if you’re posing as Caroline's stylist. You'll stand out like a sore thumb,” Celine said.
“She's right. You need to blend in.” Ethan scratched his beard, drawing Kate's attention. “Like me.”
“You're kidding, right? You can't compare having a scraggly beard to wearing those torture devices.”
“Oh, honey, you'll get used to them as quick as you can turn around. I swear,” Celine dangled the shoes a little higher, as if baiting a fish.
Kate raised her jaw and Ethan instantly recognized the stubborn set. “What if we compromised? Celine, do you think you can come up with something a little bit shorter?”
Celine frowned, obviously not happy with changing her plans, but nodded. “I guess I can make a run to town and find something a little lower.”
“Kate, will that work?” Ethan asked.
“I can do three inches, tops,” Kate said.
“I can work with that. Maybe we can find some cute wedges.”
“Good. It's settled. Let's continue in your tennis shoes for now. Tomorrow though, I want you in the shoes you'll be wearing at the wedding. When I train for missions, we always simulate them as close to real as possible,” Ethan said.
“Does that mean I'll be doing a run through in a dress, too?”
“Absolutely.”