Jake glanced up in surprise. He nodded and gave his friend a rueful smile.
“Thanks, Brady. I just wish I could explain it to my dick. He’s not into this honorable crap. Can’t figure out what the hell is going on.”
Brady whistled again. “It’s gotta be tough, big guy. That is some woman in there. Looks that have every guy in the room hitching up his trousers and a feisty attitude that’s gotta drive you crazy, especially a protective son of a bitch like you!”
Jake gave a heartfelt sigh. “I gotta tell you, Brady. She is driving me crazy. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. She’s got me ass over elbows and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it!”
He stopped for a minute then glowered. “Know what I found out tonight? That fucker not only was in her room at the motel, but he was pawing through her underwear! Playing with it! And he left it in a way to make sure she saw it, just to torment her.”
Jake hesitated trying to quell the red haze settling over him. His voice was whisper soft. “And she didn’t bother to tell me about it.” He added with a disgusted snort. “Oh, no, she just planned to handle it herself.”
Brady shook his head. “That’s hard, big guy. Not to pile on, but you haven’t exactly been approachable these last couple of days.”
Jake looked up, surprised, then shook his head in agreement.
“You’re right. I’ve been an overbearing prick. But, dammit, she won’t listen. She’s as stubborn as a mule after a fresh load of hay. She’s impervious to the danger. No matter what the threat, she’s convinced that she has to go it alone. Christ, Brady, you and I both know the message that perverted fucker was sending. Playing with her panties! They’ve marked her. She’s on their list.”
Jake’s stomach heaved. He choked back the bile rising in his throat. Fighting for calm, he shook his head.
“Do you want to know what that bar scene was about tonight? You ready for this, Brady? She’s putting herself out there. For bait. She’s almost at the place we are in the investigation. She knows Anthony was focusing on
Jake stopped his rant and ran his hands through his hair. Pacing up and down the sidewalk, he didn’t know when he had been more frustrated.
Brady gave another of his low whistles. “Well, if her goal was to get noticed, she was a stunning success. Hell, that little show tonight will be the talk of the base and the impetus for a hell of lot of jerk offs for months to come.”
He sighed and gave Jake a sympathetic grin. “Yeah, Jake. I don’t know when I’ve met a more determined, independent minded woman than that one. I’d say you more than have your hands full with that feisty little minx.”
Jake grunted, a deep frown creasing his brow.
“You’re right, Brady. Independent doesn’t begin to describe her. Damn. She puts that chin of hers up in the air and I don’t know what I want to do more, turn her over my knee and paddle her ass or take her against the wall.”
Brady quirked a surprised brow then said with a salacious grin, “Yeah, man. I can see where that would be a hard choice.”
Chapter 16
Ignoring the gasps and gapes of the men who parted to let her through, Lexie sauntered to the far end of the dojo, staking out the punching bag in the corner. Tugging on her leather practice gloves, she slipped off her sweats and tossed them on top of her duffle bag. She yanked on the bottom of her abbreviated shorts to make sure they covered her butt. She’d long ago eschewed the regulation gi. An exercise bra and shorts allowed the unrestricted movement she needed for her rigorous practice. No matter what she wore, the men around her ogled her. May as well be comfortable, was her theory.
All Jake needed to find her was to follow the line of military grunts with their tongues hanging out and their hands discreetly over their groins. Across the huge room, he saw her blond ponytail and headed her way. Standing at a distance, he shook his head in admiration. He didn’t see how that bag could hold up under the fierce barrage of her feet and fists. He was so taken by her skill that he could almost ignore the fitted exercise bra and boy shorts that had every guy he passed refusing to meet his eyes. He thought with a satisfied grunt, at least he had done something right last night. After that exhibition at the bar, he doubted there was a soldier on the base that hadn’t heard about his outrageous claim. He grimaced. Nothing like marking your territory. He knew he should be embarrassed, but looking at the gorgeous woman attacking the bag with fierce determination, he wasn’t. His claim stood. Glancing around, he dared any man to cross into his territory.
She was so absorbed in her practice that he was sure she didn’t hear him approach.
He chuckled. “As Grandpa Peter John used to say, ‘leave some of that bag for the buzzards, darlin’.”
Lexie spun around, startled. Jake didn’t miss the flush that flooded her cheeks or the flash of excitement in her eyes. It was a good thing, because within seconds that unintended welcome was displaced by a scowl.
Her voice was curt.
“What are you doing here, Jake? Are you following me?”
He grinned. “Yep. That’s exactly what I am doing.”
He moved up next to her.
“I came to spar with you.”
Lexie started and stepped back. Giving her head a dismissive toss, she turned back to the bags and said over her shoulder, “Too bad! I didn’t come to spar today. I‘m working the bags.”
Jake arched a brow. His voice was soft. His eyes narrowed.
“That wasn’t an offer, sugar.”
He motioned to her duffle. “Get your things, Lexie. I’ve reserved a practice room for us.”
Lexie drew herself up to her full height and glared at him. Looking around, she saw the surreptitious glances of the fighters near them. Lowering her voice, she spit out a harsh whisper.
“Do you honestly think you can come in here and order me around like some flunky private?”
Jake flashed her a brilliant smile.
“The privates under my command are well trained. They rarely need orders. Now, you on the other hand…” He chuckled and reached for her bag.
“Let’s go, Lexie. The room is down the hall.”
She flushed, indecision warring across her face. She glared at him, then apparently deciding she couldn’t win, she reached over and grabbed the sweat pants out of her duffle.
Jake drawled, “Those aren’t necessary, darlin’.”
“Like hell they’re not,” she muttered as she pulled them on.
He grinned. “Too bad. Like every other guy in here, I’m kinda partial to those shorts of yours.”
He led her across the dojo to one of the private sparring rooms Master Wong set aside for training classes.
When they got inside, Jake closed the door behind him and leaned against it. Lexie’s eyes sparkled with anger.
“What are we doing, Jake? Why are you here?”
Jake studied her from half closed eyes. He worked hard to keep his anger at bay, instead said quietly, “Well, tell you what, Lexie. It’s like this. Since you’ve decided to take on the world single handed, I want to check out your
