Free ExtremeCircumstances by Chandra Ryan Page B

He moved to sit up when Gates stopped him by
wrapping a hand behind Julian’s neck and then he pulled him down. Julian moved
quickly to put his hands on either side of Gates’ head so he could brace his
weight on them and wouldn’t crush the man. “Was there something else you
needed, Commander?” His voice was husky and his cock was already hard at the
promise of the position.
    “Yeah, I need you to shut the fuck up for a second.” Gates
pulled him the rest of the way down until his mouth collided with Gates’. The
kiss was harsh and demanding. Gates’ mouth was firm and unyielding under his.
Just the way Julian liked to be kissed. Julian moaned deeply at the touch. It
was a reminder that Gates had indeed survived. He would be fine. And Julian
needed him to be fine. Gates was his commander. He embodied strength and
leadership. Without that, their entire team would be lost. Plus he sucked cock
better than any other man Julian had ever been with. It’d be a damn shame to
lose that just after discovering it.
    He had to pull back when his dick became too hard for
comfort. “That is one way to shut me up.”
    Gates winked but let go of Julian. “Sleep tight, Jules.”
    “Don’t let anything bite, sir.”
    Gates chuckled. “No shit.”
    Julian smiled as he sat up. “And Commander.”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m glad you’re okay.”
    Gates smiled and nodded. “Me too.”
    A gentle night breeze hit Julian as soon as he left Gates’
tent. There was a spiciness to the air that comforted him and made him relax.
Though knowing Gates was going to be fine definitely helped lighten his mood as
well. He suspected it was ridiculous to believe that just because their
commander had made it, their mission would follow suit. But he did. Gates might
bitch and moan about it but he would be front and center tomorrow. If for
nothing else he’d be there for the boost it’d give the team’s morale. And he’d
probably be back to bossing everyone around again. Gates did everything bossy.
Even kissing.
    Julian smiled as he remembered the kiss. Yeah, he liked
bossy kisses.
    “Hey!”
    Julian looked up to find Prescott walking toward him.
“Yeah?”
    “Grab some food then it’s your turn guarding the traps.”
    “Yippee.” His sarcastic tone was in direct contrast with the
burst of adrenaline that swept through his body. It couldn’t be helped.
Soldiers didn’t jump up and down and clap their hands with glee like little
schoolgirls no matter how much they were looking forward to an assignment.
    Prescott smiled and nodded as if he’d sensed Julian’s
excitement. “And make sure you put on fresh bug-be-gone.”
    “Thanks.” Julian exaggerated the dry tone of his voice.
    “I’ve got the shift after yours so don’t be looking this way
for any sympathy.”
    Julian smiled and shook his head as he went to get his
rations. None of the men were looking for pity. Not tonight. No one needed to
say it out loud though. Julian could feel the anger radiating through the
encampment. They all wanted to be the one who got a little retribution for
Jones and the commander.
    The food tasted like cardboard as he ate it. But that wasn’t
new. Rations weren’t designed to taste good. Still, they kept his body going
and they filled that aching void in the pit of his stomach, so he ate every
last bite. And then he set off with a group of four other men to the traps.
    They had flashlights but that might give away whatever
element of surprise they had left. So instead they wore night-vision visors
that’d been amplified to pick up even cold-blooded life forms. No one knew for
certain if the reptile men were cold-blooded but if they were, the soldiers
wanted to be prepared. When they made it to the traps the new watch signaled
the group they were relieving and then they took their posts. The whole
changing of the guard was done in almost complete silence. All that was left to
do was settle in and wait.
    The night passed slowly and every noise seemed