Free Target Engaged by M. L. Buchman

Richie would make it. He’d earned fourth spot on her own list. Richie Goldman was wiry thin, Jewish, and bloody brilliant. Add in enough Delta determination to survive selection and she’d gladly serve alongside him. If he made it, she’d be five for her top five…if Kyle had made it.
    This side of the building’s yard was empty except for one soldier sitting on the dirt with his back against the concrete wall, covered by the sliver of shadow that the building’s eave offered against the blazing midday sun.
    Kyle Reeves looked up at her and she could see it. He too had been accepted. And on seeing her demeanor, a huge smile washed across his face.
    Her next plan of action was improper in about a thousand ways, which didn’t make her hesitate even half a step.
    Carla knelt over his lap before he could even attempt to rise. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in and kissed Kyle Reeves hard on the mouth.
    Her momentum made him hit the back of his head against the concrete wall, but he didn’t even react to it. He had one hand jammed up into her hair and another one scooped down around her butt, holding her tightly against him. She’d known he was strong; she hadn’t known he was so powerful that his embrace made it tough to breathe, but she didn’t care.
    His kiss was rough as hell. The need echoed back and forth between them until it burned like live fire. This wasn’t about tenderness, greeting, or exploration.
    This was about thirty days of choking worry about the selection process and an equal portion of bottled-up lust mixed together and compressed down until the combination exploded into a single instant of raw heat.
    It didn’t matter if he’d maneuvered her into wanting him or the other way around. She’d never wanted any man more.
    The kiss built until the power of it finally blew them back apart, almost as hard as they’d come together. She tipped back off his lap and landed her own butt in the dirt facing him.
    â€œYou made it!” Kyle gasped out.
    Damn, he was impressive.
    No way could she form words around the way her heart was pounding, and her breath ran short.
    She nodded.
    He held up a hand and she high-fived it hard.
    The first woman in history through Delta Selection.
    How goddamn awesome was that!
    She dove back into his arms and scorch-level blew somewhere past incendiary before they tumbled apart once more, panting hard as if they’d just come off a battle royal.
    Oh God, this was going to be so much fun.

Chapter 5
    â€œMy name is Colonel Michael Gibson. Your group has the third highest passing rate in the history of Delta. Congratulations. Follow me.”
    Apparently that and a group photo made up their graduation ceremony—104 soldiers down to seven.
    Kyle had tried another kiss after they’d both gotten up off the dirt, but it hadn’t worked. Turnabout being fair, he’d driven her back against the wall and feasted greedily. He’d taken and she’d given, groaning with animal need as he grabbed her perfect handful of a breast and her leg wrapped around his waist.
    But it was too forceful, too sparky, and he could only tolerate it so long. They ended up like two gladiators held at bay by some emperor’s command—a pace apart and panting hard.
    â€œMaybe it would be better if we don’t try that again until we’re alone somewhere.” But he was sure as hell going to make certain that was real damn soon.
    She reached out a hand, but jerked it back after she’d left a searing palm print on his chest with just the lightest touch.
    â€œYeah.” Her nod of agreement tumbled her hair over her face. “Good idea.”
    He risked brushing aside her hair and tucking it behind her ear. The warrior looked at him from her one uncovered eye. Yep, they’d definitely be doing battle soon.
    They’d circled around to the front of the building, carefully a few feet