Shaking out her hair one last time, she straightens and stares at us. Carson continues to laugh. I meet her gaze and raise my coffee mug.
"Time to get up," I call.
"You put him up to that?" She flushes. I'm not sure if it's anger or in memory of last night. Either way, it's sexy as hell.
"Friendly reminder. You guys are within -" before Petr can finish, a shoe is flying at us.
It's a damn good throw, aimed at my head. I duck, and it sails over me. The second catches Riley in the chest.
He laughs.
Furious, Katya disappears into the tent.
"Show's over," Petr says with the gruffness of a protective brother. "Go inside before she starts throwing something that can do damage."
I turn away from the tent, warm for more reasons than because I just drank coffee. Morgan has the team lined up and waiting anxiously. Word about bacon and French toast must've spread, because they're unable to stand still more than usual.
Satisfied with my morning thus far, I walk them over to the mess tent then let them loose. Knowing what our day will be like, I load up on French toast and sit with the team.
It's fantastic. Vanilla, cinnamon, bread so fresh I almost groan … Why the fuck have I been eating yogurt for three days?
Katya. Trying to be an honorable guy and respect her. Because of that, I missed out on incredible food and getting laid.
She's absent again from breakfast. I'm not sure if she's pissed at me or what's up with her, but she missed dinner last night as well.
"You get in a fight with a bear?" Riley calls over to Harris, who walks in beside Harper.
"Allergies," Harris mumbles and ducks his head. He's got a swollen eye.
Riley catches my gaze and nods towards the civilian, amused. I shake my head. The guy clearly had a run in with someone. All the members of my team have had black eyes, whether from fighting enemies or sparring among themselves. We know what one looks like.
The creep probably deserved it.
I'm starting to consider taking Katya a plate of food to make sure she eats. I don't know that being alone with her is a good idea. Then again, when have I ever backed down from a challenge? After a moment of arguing with myself, I finish eating and stand.
She twists me into knots, and I hate that. Ordering the internal dialogue silent, I duck out of the mess tent. The kids aren't even halfway done, so I have time to check in on her and return for them.