Read Dawn Endeavor 1: Fallon's Flame for Free Online Page A

Beach.”
    “Where in Virginia Beach?”
    They chatted by the expansive kitchen counter while Melissa fussed over dinner. All the while, Jesse kept his eyes on her, as well as his distance across the open, spacious area in the living room. The rest of the team joined him, cleaned and revitalized as they sparred back and forth.
    She turned her attention back to Jules. “Do you know what this mission will entail?”
    “Yes and no.” He sniffed and sighed. “I could eat a horse. I'm famished.” So much for getting any information out of the friendliest of the bunch. “I guess we'll find out when Mrs. Sharpe is good and ready.”
    He grunted, and she felt his flare of irritation. She intuitively knew it wasn't directed at her but at Mrs. Sharpe.
    “How well do you know Mrs. Sharpe?” she asked, conscious to keep her voice low.

    “Not well enough. She's new to Dawn Endeavor. Hell, we all are,” he murmured.
    Aware of Jules's probing gaze, she continued. “Mrs. Sharpe seems familiar to me, but I can't place her. I don't suppose you know where she was before she joined you?”
    “No, but it's interesting you say she looks familiar. I'm curious. From what I know, you worked intel systems in Dam Neck. No special-ops experience, no critical analysis in your bio, right?”
    “That's right.”
    “So why are you here? We normally find ourselves in hot situations. Dangerous situations,” he clarified.
    “That's a good question. My supervisor told me about an opportunity for temporary duty away from training. I made no secret I was looking to go somewhere else. Frankly, sitting around computers all day and teaching software to sailors and civilians who would rather be elsewhere isn't my idea of a good time.”
    “I get that.”
    “I'm not sure why he even allowed me time off, since we have an inspection coming up, but I jumped at it. The only prerequisites were for a native speaker able to deploy at a moment's notice. And I held the clearance needed already.”
    “Right.” Jules paused, then leaned closer, staring directly into her eyes. She didn't flinch, used to dealing with men trying to throw their weight around. He overwhelmed her, as he surely knew. What she found curious was her muted attraction. Though he clearly had looks, brawn, and intelligence, she wasn't drawn to him. Nor was she overly attracted to any of the others.
    Except for Jesse.
    This close to him, she'd nearly plastered him with a kiss.
    “ Mine ,” she heard echo in her mind.
    He leaned back, bemused, and she had the odd sense he'd heard that same voice. “Sorry, thought I saw something in your eye.”
    “My eye. Yeah, sure.” She huffed and deliberately turned her back on him to grab a cup off the counter. Shaken, she didn't know what to think. Sharing feelings had always come naturally to her. But thoughts?

    “Can't blame a guy for trying.” Jules shrugged, feeling not at all sorry for acting like a jerk.
    Actually his arrogance put her at ease. She was used to dealing with the macho type. “Sure you can. Hey, Melissa, what's for dinner?”

    “Breathe deep and focus,” Hayashi muttered, gripping Fallon's arm. “Damn. What the hell got into you?”
    Fallon wished he knew. Hell, after the rough sex he and the team had just indulged in, he should have been too tired to be turned on again. But something about Olivia drew him. His inner beast purred around her, wanting to touch. He'd been a hairbreadth from grabbing her and taking her up to his room for some fun, when Jules had arrived.
    Though he hadn't liked Jules's intervention, he'd needed it. But seeing his friend close in on his female bugged the shit out of him. Time to prove his worth, to flaunt his strength and superiority.
    “Mine,” he growled in a low voice and clenched his fists.
    Tersch grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. “What's that? You want to see some television? Great idea.” He forcibly sat Fallon down on the couch and sat beside him.
    Hayashi caged