Throwback Thursday ~ Command and Control
Today’s throw back excerpt is from Command and Control. Book 2 in my Holding out for a Hero series. This book took some researching just what our soldiers go through, and I really can’t thank those who’ve served enough.
EXCERPT
Out of habit, Trevor started to shrug out of his light jacket to offer it to her, but she shook her head and stepped back, her expression pinched as she looked him over.
“Let’s just be clear about this,” Megan said. “I’m not really happy being buddied up with you, Trevor. I’ll do it because I care about your family and this wedding, but don’t be getting any ideas about us.”
Had she been practicing that little speech in her head all through dinner? He arched an eyebrow. “Ideas, angel?”
“Don’t call me angel anymore. And yes, ideas. What happened this afternoon was a complete mistake. A fluke.” She turned on her heel and started toward her car.
“You coming on my finger wasn’t a fluke, Megan.”
She spun around in an instant, her palm arcing toward his face. He caught her wrist before it connected, barely blinking at her sudden attack.
Beneath the streetlamp he saw the anger and humiliation blazing in her eyes.
“Whether your mind is ready to acknowledge it or not,” he continued softly. “Your body still wants me.”
“Yes, well my body would also love to eat a half dozen cupcakes a day, Trevor. Fortunately, I have a brain to overrule its bad instincts.”
His lips twitched. “Hmm. Guess it wasn’t working this afternoon?”
Megan let out a growl and tugged her hand free. “My original point was—and still is—I’m not sleeping with you again.”
“Why not? Would it really be so bad?”
“For one, I’m dating Henry.”
He shook his head and called her bluff. “Henry means nothing to you. You’re barely dating him. I bet you haven’t even let the guy kiss you.”
The way her cheeks went red made him realize he was likely right. A wave of relief and triumph swept through him, easing some of the tension from his muscles that had appeared when she’d thrown Henry in his face.
“Regardless of what I’ve done with Henry, I am still seeing him.”
Something about the way she kept throwing the other guy up as a barrier made his blood pressure kick up a notch.
“So call it off,” his suggested tersely.
She stared at him. Hard. Until Trevor felt heat stealing up the back of his neck now. He knew it was an asinine request.
“Answer me one question, Trevor,” she finally said, her gaze searching his face. “Are you getting help?”
Trevor’s abs clenched as if she’d just kicked him. All the emotional doors slammed shut inside him and his expression become flat. Stoic. He went to that place in his head, where everything was automatic and disciplined. It was easier just to be in soldier mode.
“I don’t need any help.”
He couldn’t tell if it was a trick of the light or if her eyes shimmered briefly with tears. Then she blinked and gave a short nod.
“Right. Then a year’s gone by, but we’re still at an impasse.” She turned and unlocked her car door. “I’ll contact you soon about us planning a menu for the reception barbeque. Good night, Trevor.”
He didn’t make any attempt to stop her this time as she climbed into her sports car and revved off into the night.
Amazon | Samhain Publishing | Barnes and Noble
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Here’s a fabulous, recent review on this book from a reader named Janet:
“Some times you if you are a great author pack more into a little book than draw it out in a big book! Command and Control Trevor and Megan tackles PTSD and how far will someone go to save someone they love! This is a great and intense series set in a small sleepy town with powerful men and a loving family named Wyatt ! It is a must read!!!”
