Chains of Command

by Lily Harlem

  “Will do.” She picked up the notes. “Sleep well.”

  Jenna headed into the dark night. It was one of the few times she’d found the camp utterly quiet and she paused to enjoy it.

  The stars were a rich blanket of silver stitches above her. To her right a helicopter sat still, the blades drooping at the tips as if it were sleeping, too. She spotted a barrel with the last flames flickering in the distance. The troops who’d likely been playing cards or darts nearby had taken to their beds.

  She set off toward tent fifty-one. She had a good idea where it was. There was a tumble-down building to the east of the camp which was used as a watchtower. Several commander tents and a bunch of officer quarters had been set up nearby.

  Using a small flashlight, she navigated through the darkness. Every few seconds a pang of indecision or nerves gripped her.

  She shouldn’t be doing this.

  She’d lost her mind.

  On and on she went. Finally she reached location fifty-one. Tent A was set a little way from the others and against the perimeter wall. A dull golden glow shone from the thick canvas walls.

  She tugged her cardigan tighter and after checking no one was about, stepped up to the entrance.

  It was slightly open, and she stooped and tugged it wider.

  “Hey.” Seb stood by a small table covered in a white cloth. Upon it was a vase containing a single red flower, two plates covered in foil, and two wine glasses. “You’re early.”

  “The ward was quiet.”

  “Makes a change.” He kept his voice low. “Come in.”

  “I feel like I’m stepping into your lair.”

  He struck a match and lit a small candle in a glass holder. “Lair, no, this is date night.”

  “Date night? That’s when we finish the tour.” She frowned. “I thought you knew that.”

  “I’ll take another date then.” He blew out the match and set it aside. “But come on, Jenna, you and I both know in this game we have to live for the moment.” He rubbed his hand over his chest, where his tattoo sat beneath his clothing. “There’s no point saving days, or dates, when you never know when you’ll have your last.”

  “Don’t say that.” She shuddered at the thought of something happening to him.

  He stepped close and cupped her chin. “Hey, I’m damn good at what I do, and I’m old enough to know not to take risks when I don’t have to.” He paused. “But still, it’s a whole pile of shit out there and some days it feels as if everyone is trying to blow us up.”

  “They are.”

  “Not if we get them first.” He swept his lips over hers. “Come and sit down, you must be hungry after your shift.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  He pulled out a straight-backed chair. “I’ve been trying to keep it warm, I hope it’s okay.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine, thank you.”

  He sat opposite her.

  “A flower, too.” She nodded at the one flower. It had a couple of petals missing and the stalk was bent.

  “Ah, yes, it didn’t take kindly to being shoved in my pocket.”

  “Where’d you find it?”

  “Outside a village five clicks west of here.” He shook his head at it. “Best I could do, Interflora don’t deliver to Iraq.”

  “I love it.” She ran her fingertip over the highest petal.

  “I hope you love this more.” He reached beneath the table.

  “What?”

  He produced two small bottles of wine, airplane size.

  “Oh, Malbec.”

  “It’s not quite the same as the bottle we shared when we first met, but it’s not far off.”

  “I don’t even want to ask who you had to screw to get wine around here.”

  He chuckled. “No one, thank goodness.” He leaned closer. “I only have eyes for you, or hadn’t you noticed.”

  A little flush of heat traveled over her chest. “Around here, that’s not saying much. Females are slim pickings.”

  “Babe, if we were in the middle of Miss Universe, I’d still only have eyes for you.”

  “Good going with the romance, Major, you’re improving.”

  He winked. “I’m trying.”

  “So what delights are under here?” She jabbed at the foil.

  “It’s pie, what the content is I’m not sure.”

  She laughed quietly. “You really are recreating our first meeting.”

  “Happy coincidence, but I’m sure it won’t be up to the pies in The Dog and Duck.”

  “I don’t mind. I could eat a horse.”

  “That’s probably what’s in this pie knowing the chefs we’ve got on this tour, or camel.”

  She removed the foil. The food smelled and looked nice though she guessed there wouldn’t be much heat left in it.

  “Shall I pour, ma’am?”

  She smiled. “We shouldn’t really, but sure, go ahead.”

  “A small one never hurt anyone.” He half filled her glass. “And besides, you’re with me now, this isn’t contraband for my rank.”

  “I’m with you,” she repeated.

  “Yes.” He nodded and took a sip of his drink. “You’re with me now, Jenna.”

  She stabbed the middle of the pie and maintained his eye contact. There was something there that thrilled her. It wasn’t just the conviction in his statement, it was also the passion, desire, the need to put right what had happened and his determination to overcome the situation they’d found themselves in. “We have to get one thing straight.” She popped a forkful of pastry into her mouth.

  “What?”

  “You can’t out rank me when we’re alone together.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Go on.”

  “In the canteen, when you ordered me to sit down.” She paused. “Have you any idea how much I wanted to slap you?”

  “I can imagine.” He grinned.

  “But you still did it.”

  “If I hadn’t, would you be sitting here with me now?” He reached over the table and took her hand. His smile dropped. “You should know, from here on in, I’m not going to mess this up, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “Takes for what?”

  “To be your man.”

  She tugged her hand away and sliced up a chunk of meat from the middle of her pie.

  “You don’t want a man?” He made no move to start his dinner and kept his hand on the table, where it had rested on hers.

  “It’s not that.” She paused. “Well, it is that, or it was that. For a long time, I didn’t. I had a few boyfriends, nothing serious, and one-night stands don’t do it for me … present company excluded.”

  He inclined his head.

  “I just thought I’d be better off alone, with this job and being deployed. I’m my own woman with a career plan.”

  “And that’s one of the things that’s so alluring about you.” He finally started on his meal. “I don’t want someone who is looking to marry a soldier then kick back—”

  “Marry, whoa, hold your fucking horses, Major, this is a date with cold food, a broken flower and wine from goodness knows where, I’m not bloody agreeing to marriage.”

  He chuckled. “Say it like it is.”

  “I feel I should.” She frowned, regretting her summation of the evening he’d put effort in to. “What I mean is, this is a first date … maybe second, so don’t say the M word.”

  “Noted.” He popped some pie into his mouth.

  She ate more food, then, “My patient, Lieutenant Callum Bradley, he’s had a rough time. Do you know what happened out there?”

  He glanced away. “Yeah.”

  “It was bad, huh?”

  “They lost two boys.” He pulled in a deep breath.

  “Shit.” No wonder Callum was struggling. “He’s physically okay, but it’s not going to be easy for him to get his head around it.”

  “Never is.”

  She hesitated then, “Have you lost troops before?”

  �
�Sadly, yes. This is my fourth tour out here. It would be a goddamn miracle if I hadn’t.”

  “That’s hard.”

  “It’s hard for you guys, too.” He set down his cutlery and sat back in his chair. “You get mangled bodies you do your best with, but…”

  “Sometimes they’re too mangled to save.” She swallowed as a pile of emotions and memories flooded her mind. Quickly she pushed them away, it was how she’d learned to cope. There was a time and place for the sorrow and despair of war. There was also a time and place for self-preservation when in the middle of all the blood and guts.

  “I admire what you all do,” he said. “Without medics there’d be no hope for any of us if we took a bullet out there.”

  “Can you promise me one thing?” She carried on eating.

  He leaned forward and picked up his fork. “Anything.”

  “Don’t get fucking shot, okay?”

  He grinned. “I’ll do my best to bullet dodge.”

  Her gaze drifted down his body. The thought of him being wounded, bleeding, scarred the way so many of her patients were, spun a web of fear around her heart.

  “So how are you finding the internet connection?” he asked.

  “Okay. I’ve been able to touch base with my parents and a few friends back home.”

  The rest of the meal passed with a gentle flow of easy subjects. The pie was good, despite being a few hours out of the oven, and the wine was welcome.

  “I should go,” Jenna said after they’d shared a chocolate bar. “It’s so late.” She stood.

  “Yeah, it is.” He stood, too, and set the empty wine glasses and bottles on a makeshift shelf. The shadows were thick over his face. The candle had long since gone out and only a small lamp glowed in the corner. “But I don’t want you to go.”

  “I have to sleep in my quarters.”

  “I know.” He pulled in a breath. “Doesn’t stop me wanting you with me any less.”

  “Seb.” She understood his want. She was experiencing it, too.

  “It’s a feeling here.” He clenched his fist and pressed it to his sternum. “I haven’t felt it before, and never thought I would in the middle of Iraq.”

  She curled her hand over his fist and stepped up close. “Destiny is a strange thing.”

  He nodded. “Will we tell our grandchildren how we met?”

  She shoved him and smiled. “Would you stop planning our future?”

  “I can’t help it. It’s what I want.”

  The next thing she knew she was in his arms and he was kissing her.

  She clung to him and returned the kiss. It was a crazy wild kiss that reminded her of when they’d been unable to rein in their desires back in England.

  “I want you,” he said against her lips.

  “So have me.”

  “Here, are you sure?” He frowned down at her.

  “Yes, fuck, I’m sure … let’s fuck.”

  He picked her up and her butt landed on the table. A plastic plate scooted to the floor. “It’ll have to be quick,” he whispered hotly. “We’re playing with fire.”

  “Tell me about it.” She grabbled for his belt buckle, then quickly released it.

  “And be quiet,” he said against her cheek. “These walls are like paper.”

  She answered him with a kiss as she drew down the zipper on his combats and freed his cock.

  He moaned as she curled her hand around his shaft.

  “You’re definitely ready for action, soldier,” she said onto his lips as she rubbed him root to tip.

  “Yeah, you’ve got me standing to attention.” He tugged the waistband on her scrubs.

  She shuffled her butt, dropped her shoes to the floor and was soon naked from the waist down.

  “Like this.” He curled his hands beneath her thighs and pulled her close with his cocktip angled at her pussy. The table legs grated on the hard floor.

  “Shh,” she said, wrapping her legs around his waist.

  He clenched his jaw, set one hand against her lower back and the other at the nape of her neck.

  “Do it,” she whispered.

  He closed his eyes and forged in. Filling her fast and hard. Pulling her onto his cock as much as he drove into her.

  She clamped her lips together to stop from calling out.

  He pulled back, pushed in again. Kissed her. This time his body rubbed over her clit and she had to swallow a moan.

  “You feel so good,” he gasped.

  “Make us come.” She gripped his left shoulder with one hand, with the other she clasped his hair just behind his right ear. “Quickly.”

  “That’s the plan.” He set up a wild pace. Their bodies grinding together and his cock spearing into her.

  His urgency and determination gave her a heady sensation and soon the pressure was building in her pelvis. She clung to him, trying to get closer still even though they were joined. “I’m coming.”

  “Yes. Come, come for me.”

  “Ah … ah. Seb.”

  He clamped his big hand over mouth and stared into her eyes.

  A wonderful deep orgasm stole her thoughts and her breath. Her internal muscles spasmed around his cock as her limbs shook and she collapsed into his hold. After several seconds he moved his hand, buried his face against her neck and curled his hips under with enough force to shift the table, and them, across the floor.

  His chest expanded against hers, then he moaned and came high inside her.

  She held the back of his head, cradling him as a full body tremor attacked him. He moaned again, shunting in farther.

  She gasped and closed her eyes. Seb was much more than a one-night stand, or a soldier looking for a bit of fun. What they had was special. It had to be.

  Because never before had she been so reckless for a man, allowed rules to be broken or thrown caution to the wind the way she was right now.

  It had to be worth it. He had to be worth it.

  “That was…” He kissed the side of her neck. “Incredible.”

  Reluctantly, she pushed his chest. “I need to get dressed.”

  “Yes.” He stroked his hands over her hair, but made no move to withdraw. “You should.”

  “Seb.” She pushed him again. “Please.”

  He pulled out and quickly tucked himself away.

  She slid from the table and grabbed her underwear and scrub pants. She was damp between her legs. Within seconds she’d pulled on her clothing, and her shoes.

  Seb picked up the fallen plate and straightened the tablecloth.

  “I need to.” She jabbed her thumb in the direction of the exit. “Go.”

  “You okay?” His brow creased.

  She nodded. Emotions were bubbling inside of her. He’d stolen a piece of her heart the way he’d stolen her breath. It was a scary feeling. It made her vulnerable … to pain.

  She didn’t like pain.

  “Hey.” He slipped his arms around her waist. “What did I do wrong?”

  “Nothing. Nothing at all.” She paused. “That’s just it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She stroked his cheek. “It was a perfect date.”

  He smiled. “I like to think I went all out with the romance.” His smiled dropped. “So why has perfect made you look as if you might cry, babe?”

  “I’m not going to cry.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “I just…”

  He nodded. “I know this isn’t your usual style, Jenna. You told me that. One-night stands, hooking up with a major in the dead of night, it isn’t sitting comfortably, is it?”

  “I’m here to serve my country, not…” She glanced at the table.

  “Yes, but you’re entitled to a life, don’t forget that.” He brushed his lips over hers. “And for the record, this is all new for me, feeling like this about a woman.” He paused. “You’re special, what we have is special and worth a few risks.”

  “Nothing worth having is easy, right?”

  “Absolutely.”


  She smiled and her heart rate steadied. The bubbling emotions settled down and once again she had the delicious sensation of feeling totally safe in Seb’s arms.

  Chapter Ten

  Jenna woke to the sound of shouting outside her tent. The familiar whoosh whoosh of a helicopter shook the canvas walls around her. An engine roared and a round of gunfire was released.

  “Another day in paradise,” she muttered. It was then memories of the night before swirled into her mind. She smiled and thought of being in Seb’s arms. Of the sweet words he’d whispered, and of his strong, sexy body pounding against hers.

  As she showered and got ready for her day shift, she hoped she’d get the chance to see him later. Perhaps he’d sit with her in the canteen again. Or seek her out if the ward was quiet and he wasn’t on patrol.

  But the ward was busy. Before she knew it, four hours had passed and three of the beds were filled. A device had taken out a truck not far from base and seriously injured two soldiers and left another with a concussion and superficial wounds.

  She grabbed a drink of water then continued to help James with one of the men fresh back from surgery. His left leg was in a bad way. The surgeons had done their best to save it, now they needed a bit of luck, too.

  After ensuring the analgesics and anti emetics were working, she set to another round of observations. Once again, they proved he was stable. She hoped her patient would stay sleeping. The ward was noisy, and outside louder still. But with the power of morphine he should be able to sleep through it.

  “Jenna, two more. Admission room. Now!” James shouted.

  “Shit,” she muttered. She’d hoped to stay close to her post-operative patient. But he was out of immediate danger, comfortable and there were two other nurses on the ward. “Can you keep an eye on this one?” she said to Marie.

  “Yes, go. I’ve got it here.” She ripped an ECG recording from the machine and studied it.

  “Thanks.”

  Jenna dashed to the admissions room. Two soldiers were being rushed in on stretchers. Both were dirty and bloody, one had his boots off, his feet were clearly injured, and he was crying out. The other appeared unconscious.