Free TheSatellite by Storm Savage Page B

spunk!”
    Flame lifted one corner of her mouth and cocked an eyebrow. This man would be hard to figure out. He came off serious and cocky with a strange sense of humor.
    “If you’ll excuse me, guys, I’d like to change into cooler clothes.” She left them to find her backpack and some fresh clothes, relieved to find an opening to escape the pretense.
    Her bag had been placed in the foyer. She grabbed it then headed up the steps to change in the only room in which she felt comfortable.
    “Made yourself right at home, eh, love?” Hatch said from the doorway.
    She swung around, hopping on one foot while pulling on a pair of jean shorts. “I don’t know my way around his house very well.”
    “And this is the only room you could find to change in?” Jealousy hung on his voice.
    “Yeah…you were so drunk and obnoxious last night I slept in here.”
    “Alone?” He stepped toward her after closing the door.
    After fastening her shorts, she pulled on a clean half-top that scarcely covered her breasts, leaving her midriff bare. “No.”
    “Is that all you’re wearing today?” His gaze slid over her in open lust.
    “For now. I brought a jacket in case the nights get cold. It is October, after all.”
    “Maybe you want to seduce Ian and Coop today, collect the others, too.”
    Her lips grew tight. She glared at him through narrowed eyes. He reached out and slid a hand under her top. In a flash she brought one arm up to fend off his uninvited touch, then swung her other hand around to backhand him across the face.
    “I’m fed up with your petty jealousy and controlling ways. Clearly, you can’t handle who I am or what I do. I’m just a nightmare to you unless I’m your puppet. I’m calling off the engagement.”
    He rubbed his jaw. “Are you serious?”
    “I don’t let anyone jerk me around anymore. Those days are long gone.”
    Hatch backed down immediately. “Baby…I’m sorry. I can’t help my jealous nature. You are one-of-a-kind and I don’t want to lose you.”
    “Too late. The fastest way to lose something is to not let it breathe.”
    “This is about Raef, isn’t it?”
    “No. This is not about Raef.” She jutted her hip out sideways and placed a firm hand on it. “This is about you trying to control me, and your subtle digs anytime you get a shot. But don’t expect me to put Raef on ice just because you can’t handle the fallout.”
    “You really are a badass chick, aren’t ya?”
    “I don’t see myself that way. I am who I am.” She tucked a few strands of hair behind one ear while staring back at him. “I am a warrior, you know this. I didn’t plan for you to know this, but it happened, and now Ian knows it, too. I’ve been called upon for a dangerous mission and now I have to deal with their scruffy, cocky, belligerent leader.”
    “Yeah, Coop isn’t much fun.” His tone of voice softened. “I think you’re under too much pressure and that’s what’s going on here. I’m not giving up on us yet. Once all this Satellite nonsense is out of everyone’s system, your thoughts will clear and we’ll go back to New York to resume living normal lives.”
    She blinked in surprise. “Have you not heard me? We are no longer engaged.” She reached into her bag and pulled out the ring then shoved it into his hand. “Here.”
    “I’ll hold onto it if you want. I know you’re stressed right now, babe. I’ll sit back and let you do what it takes to help the guys. Then we can sort our relationship. I can understand why you need to put on a tough front around Coop. He’s a hardass character.”
    His refusal to let go troubled her. She failed to grasp his sudden switch in demeanor. Regardless, she had a battle to win.
    “Doesn’t matter. We aren’t going on a joy ride. Probably better that he’s a scoundrel for what we have to do. I can’t have men on my team who’ll go weak when the blood starts to fly.”
    “I’m going with you.” His tone of voice indicated he