ahead of me. His shoulders were tense, but other than that, he seemed relaxed and totally at ease. I jogged to catch up to him, and maybe took three strides before I tripped over a raised tree root and stumbled again. This time I knew I was going down. I held my hands out in front, bracing for impact.
Two massive hands gripped my shoulders, hauling me towards the solid wall of man. I huffed out a breath as my breasts connected to his chest. He grunted with the impact. I inhaled a quick breath, taking in his deep masculine scent. His grip on my shoulders tightened before he ripped me away from him and took a step back, as if being close would cause him to catch some disease.
“Be more careful. That’s twice you’ve lost your footing.” His pale blue eyes burned his words into me before he motioned for me to proceed him. I lowered my gaze, but involuntarily glanced up through my lashes to watch him.
“You may have better luck not hitting the floor if you keep your eyes on where you are heading,” he deadpanned. There was no flirtatious teasing. I cleared my throat, pushed my glasses up my nose, and trained my eyes on the path ahead. All the while I was aware of him behind me. His footfalls eerily silent, he was like a ghost floating behind me.
“How do you do that?” I asked without turning to look at him.
“Do what?”
I startled when he was suddenly beside me.
“ That!” I screeched. “You mister, are huge. How the hell do you not make any sound when you walk? I’m half your size, and it’s like a pack of elephants are walking through the woods.”
He turned his head away from me, but I caught the amused curl at the corner of his mouth. “Habit, I guess. For years I didn’t exist. My job was to be unseen, unheard, get in get out. What was underfoot could end your life. I learned to be aware of where I stepped. It was either that or die. Men relied on me not to die. So I didn’t.”
I was staring at him, mouth open, so I snapped it shut. “What’s it like being a soldier?”
Ryan paused to stare at me. “I am not a soldier.”
“But I thought you were in the Army?” I was certain Dad had said so.
“I’m a Marine. They are not soldiers, and we are not in the Army.”
“ I apologise. I was just thinking Universal Soldier , you know Jean Claude...I’ll shut up.” I quieted when those piercing eyes fixed me with a steely glare. Maybe that’s the military’s secret weapon. Send grumpy pants in to stare them to death.
“Do you miss it?” I croaked, unable to keep quiet. I never chattered along this much, but he was making me nervous. His shoulders stiffened.
“Do I miss it? What part? Getting shot at? Having my life in peril? Watching my friends die? The heat? The scared women and children begging for me to save them? Not seeing my family? Coming home to no greeting? Which part Aloura?” he snapped.
I sucked in a breath. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to cry or slap him for making me feel like such an idiot. I continued walking. An awkward silence festered between us.
“I asked because you seem so angry to be here,” I bristled.
“With all due respect, you don’t know me. We’ve known each other for what,” he said, glancing at his watch, “thirty-seven minutes. I hardly think that constitutes an intimate acquaintance.”
“You’re eyes speak for you. Mr I’m-so-far-up-my-own-backside-I’m-on-intimate-terms-with-my-colon,” I said in one breath. I faced him, with my hands on my hips, and glared at the arrogant shit. “Even when you smile, you look sad. That’s why I asked. It’s like you’re missing something.” I lifted my chin in defiance before turning away and heading towards my sanctuary. I may have to ask Dad to speak to Will about replacing the conceited man.
“My house is through that clearing. Let’s get this over with,” I snapped. I whistled for Hercules to come out of the trees and strode ahead.
Pride swelled in my chest as I opened the door to my