Soldier's Choice by Morgan Blaze Read Free Book Online Page B

pay you a lot better.”
    She couldn’t read his expression. But a heartbeat later, he pulled her into a warm embrace. “I don’t mind,” he murmured. “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” She hugged him back—and wished Gage could’ve waited another fifteen minutes or so before he came for the drill, because she still ached with wanting Reese. Work was really going to suck today.
    “This is about the best thing that’s happened since I came back.” He eased back a little and reached out to stroke her hair. “Well, the second best.”
    “So what’s the best?”
    In response, he gave her a long, gentle kiss that melted her insides.
    “Don’t tell your brother.” He winked, squeezed her hand and stepped away. “I’d better go,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to get fired before I start.”
    “Okay. See you later.”
    She watched him walk out, and stood there for a long moment staring at the door. It was probably better that they’d been interrupted. She would’ve only been hurt more when he reminded her they were just friends. From now on, she was sticking to the plan—no more intimate, mind-blowing encounters with Reese Mathers.
    Okay, maybe just one more to make up for today. If he started, she wouldn’t stop him the next time. But that was it.
    * * * *
    Gage Dawson had a really big truck.
    Reese followed the jacked-up, bright red monstrosity with tires that were probably taller than him to the nicer side of town, and pulled in behind the truck when they reached a half-finished house. He got out just as Gage jumped the five or six feet to the ground. “Beauty, ain’t she?” the youngest Dawson boy said. “This is the Beast. Gets about ten gallons to the mile, but she could crush your ride like a beer can.”
    “I bet she could,” Reese said.
    “Come on. Let’s go talk to the boss.”
    He nodded and expected to be brought to Jonah—the oldest, biggest, and meanest of the bunch. Instead, Gage led him inside the small trailer settled on the front yard, where the middle brother sat behind a desk working on a laptop.
    Mark Dawson looked up when they came in, a sardonic smile starting to form on his lips. But it froze there when his gaze found Reese. For just an instant, pure anger flashed in the green eyes that looked so much like his sister’s.
    If Reese had to guess, he’d say Mark had the closest relationship with Luka. And he was the boss. This might not be the best news—because it looked like whatever they’d shared about him, it wasn’t good.
    “Guess what? I found us a new guy.” Gage smiled and clapped Reese on the shoulder. “Well, Luka did,” he said. “Does that mean we have to pay her a finder’s fee or something?”
    Mark stood slowly. “Reese,” he said. “It’s been a while.”
    “Yes.”
    While he debated offering a hand, Mark extended his. He took it—and felt his bones grind together with the strength of the other man’s grip.
    So he squeezed back.
    Mark smiled and let go. “All right, so you don’t just look strong. That’s good.” The squeeze had been a warning, and Reese knew it. But he wouldn’t mention that now. “Have you done any construction work?” Mark said.
    “Already asked him that,” Gage said. “He says some . And Luka mentioned he’s fixing up the old Ward place.”
    Mark raised an eyebrow. “What kind of experience is ‘some’?”
    “Well, my MOS in the Corps was Field 13.”
    “And that would be…”
    “Engineer, construction, facilities and equipment.”
    Gage let out a low whistle. “That’s some experience.”
    The lingering anger on Mark’s face melted away. “Well, damn,” he said with a grin. “I guess you’re hired. But…we can only pay you sixteen bucks an hour to start, plus time and a half for overtime. Company’s kind of small right now. That okay?”
    “It’s fine.” Hell, it was more than fine. Twice the hourly rate he would’ve made at the grocery store, a lot more hours—and none of the humiliation.