Free Lethal Pursuit by Kaylea Cross

full of medical gear, he hopped out of the helo and headed across the empty expanse of dun-colored ground to where the SF guys had already set up shop at the village’s perimeter. Doing a MEDCAP with an A-team helped on several levels, especially since they were all linguists and could speak Pashto. A real bonus out here, where none of the villagers spoke any English and what Pashto Jackson knew wouldn’t fill a coffee cup. Two more H-60s landed behind the bird he’d just exited, remaining on the ground only long enough for their passengers to disembark before powering up and lifting off again.
    As he neared the SF guys, he noticed Maya off to the right with some other Security Forces personnel, likely setting up last-minute security details for the upcoming press promo op for an unnamed senior U.S. official. Nothing better to show the voters back home how much the current party in power back stateside loved to help the Afghan locals. At least this setup saved him from an awkward episode with Maya. They both had jobs to do here, and there was no doubt in his mind Maya would let nothing come between her and her duty.
    It still shocked the shit out of him that she’d sought him out last night. He’d never encountered a woman so sexually aggressive, let alone have one be so detached from her own pleasure during sex. It not only bothered him, it made him want a repeat so he could make sure this time ended differently for her. Things felt too unfinished between them.
    Cam caught up with him, carrying his own load of gear. A group of villagers had already assembled near the SF troops. Mostly women and children waited, standing a short distance behind the village elders to await permission to come forward.
    “You got enough stuff for the kids if I run out?” Cam asked.
    “Should have. Let me know if you need it.”
    The SF Team Sergeant directed them to the two small tents set up at the eastern end of the village. Maya was farther down, directing a few of her soldiers into place. Even if her rank hadn’t been displayed on her uniform, there was no doubt as to who was in charge there. The woman wore her authority like a Kevlar cloak.
    “You know anything about her background?” he asked Cam, still watching her.
    Cam followed his gaze and answered. “Some. Dev told me she didn’t get to know her real well at Bagram, but apparently she was raised by her grandmother in L.A. Tough neighborhood, lots of drugs, gangbangers. She must have learned to kick ass early on to make it out of there without getting sucked into that kind of lifestyle.”
    “Makes sense.”
    Cam shot him a sideways glance. “Why do you ask?”
    “No reason.” It was just that he couldn’t fucking figure her out. He’d always prided himself on being able to understand a woman and how her mind worked. God knew his mother and sisters had tried their best to get him to understand them while they’d raised him. What happened with Maya last night had left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He wanted to be the one to make her let go of all that hard-won control, watch her melt in his arms when he got her underneath him next time. And there would be a next time. He’d make sure of that.
    “She’s stumped you, huh?”
    Cam knew him too well. He didn’t bother denying it. “I think maybe, yeah.”
    “Well, that’s one for the history books. I can’t wait to tell Went.” His eyes sparkled at the prospect.
    “Yeah, I’ll bet.” And once Ryan heard about that, there’d be no end to the ribbing he’d take. The “woman whisperer” had finally met his match and lost? It’d be all over the Bagram Spec Ops compound by morning.
    “I’d tell you to send her flowers, but she doesn’t seem the type,” Cam continued with a wry grin.
    Jackson wasn’t so sure about that. Back in November, when he’d hand-delivered a bouquet of wildflowers on Ryan’s behalf so Maya could give them to Ace, she’d seemed stunned by the gesture. No, he was pretty sure