GAGE: A Bad Boy Military Romance

GAGE: A Bad Boy Military Romance by Cordelia Blanc Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: GAGE: A Bad Boy Military Romance by Cordelia Blanc Read Free Book Online
Authors: Cordelia Blanc
heavy as if he’d just woken up—I probably woke him up when I pushed off his body in my failed attempt to spring free. He stood up quietly and began to dress himself. I had nothing to dress myself in, except my shawl and the pantyhose I was already wearing. He tossed me a green shirt which had the word “MARINES” printed on it, and nothing else. The shirt was far too big for me, nearly touching my knees. He put on an identical shirt, which was so tight on his body, it appeared to be painted directly onto his muscles.
     
    “You should go back to your room,” he whispered in my ear before opening the door and leading me out.
     
    Our discreet escape was made easy by the loud humming of truck engines outside of the facility. Unfortunately, thanks to the very same engine humming, we were oblivious to what was awaiting us in the hallway. Gage put his hand on my back and led me through the door.
     
    As we stepped out into the hall, we found ourselves face to face with a small group consisting of a military man, a civilian-looking man with a bullet-proof vest that read “PRESS” in big, white letters, and the Playboy chaperone, Nancy Goodwin.
     
    Shit.
     
    The three swung their heads towards us in one simultaneous motion. Gage and I froze.
     
    The first thing I noticed, aside from Nancy’s conflicted smile, which managed to say “Good job” and “I’m so sorry,” at the same time, was the camera hanging from the press-man’s neck. It was a big, sturdy device, with a long, thick lens.
     
    “Good morning, Corporal,” the military man said to Gage. It was the same man who introduced us during our show, the night before. His nametag said his name was Richards, and his face was dark red.
     
    “Morning, Major,” Gage replied.
     
    “Hey—Aren’t you Ashley King?” the reporter said, his eyes lighting up.
     
    “Um, yes,” I said.
     
    “Mind if I take your picture?” the camera man asked. Before anyone could answer, he took a photo.
     
    Richards’s face became redder. “That’s not necessary, is it? Why don’t we finish our tour here, first?”
     
    “Just another quick photo,” the camera man said.
     
    “I don’t think Corporal Daniels and his friend here are in their best form at the moment. Isn’t that right, Corporal?”
     
    “Yes, sir. Could I have a minute to do my makeup, first?” Gage said with a smirk on his face.
     
    “Don’t be a smartass, Daniels.” Major Richards said through clenched teeth. He turned to reporter. “We gave the men a night to relax, last night. We thought it’d be a good idea for them to get everything out of their systems before you showed up. I’m sure you understand.” His face was still dark red.
     
    “I understand,” the reporter replied, nodding his head and narrowing his eyes as if Richards had said something very wise. “I totally understand. But I’ve been thinking a lot about this piece, and I really want to show the Iraq War in a new light—the real side of the war, what really goes on behind the scenes. I mean, think about it, Major—you’ve got two dozen men here who haven’t seen the frontlines. People back home don’t realize that this is the way it is out here. We have a war being fought by drones and airstrikes—but drones and airstrikes don’t make a story, Major. People make a story, and that’s exactly what you’ve got here.”
     
    Major Richards was almost purple now, confused, and flustered. His face probably wasn’t much different from the rest of us. Before Richards could object, the press-man snapped a photo of me and Gage standing next to one another. It wasn’t until he was reviewing his photo, saying “Wow—What a great shot!” that I realized Gage’s hand was still on my back.
     
    He showed his shot to Major Richards. “You can’t stage a shot like that. Perfect,” he continued. He didn’t bother to show us the photo, but his excitement had me curious. I couldn’t imagine what the appeal could be,

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