ExtremeCircumstances Read Free Page A

experienced
what you’re going through. You should talk to them.”
    Uncomfortable with the idea, Julian shuffled his feet.
    “Talk to the men,” Gates repeated with a smile. “Sure
they’ll tease a little. But really, what family doesn’t give each other a hard
time every now and then?”
    He found it difficult to believe Gates’ men cared about him.
They’d just met him. Maybe after a few missions, sure. He could see them
growing to think of each other as family after they’d been through some rough
times together. But just because he was modified? He doubted it. Still, he
couldn’t tell Gates that. “I’ll give it some thought.”
    “Do that.”
    “Regardless, I appreciate you talking to me.”
    “If our little chat has helped then I’m glad you found me.
Regardless of the circumstances.”
    Julian chuckled and shook his head. “And on that note, I’d
better get back so I can try to get some shuteye. Oh, and Hicks is looking for
you.”
    “I’m glad he didn’t find me.” Gates got out of the pond and
Julian had to look away to avoid the temptation to stare at Gates’ toned body.
“He’d never let me live down that little scene you walked in on.”
    “He gives the men someone to laugh with.”
    “True, but I’d prefer they not be laughing at me.”
    Julian could relate to that.
    As the commander dressed, Julian thought about starting his
walk back to the camp. He could use some alone time to recover and get control
over his body’s reaction to a naked Gates. But he resisted the urge. He liked
Gates. And not just because he felt an attraction toward him. Gates had taken
an embarrassing moment for both of them and had risen above it. More than that,
he’d turned an event that could’ve become a wall between them and made it into
a bridge. And Julian didn’t want to rush off and undo that.
    When Gates was dressed, they made their way back to the camp
together. The men teased Gates a bit about getting lost and needing the new guy
to help him find his way back but Gates took it well. He laughed it off and
then thanked Julian for his help before walking toward his tent.
    “Don’t forget your netting.” Julian tossed a pack toward
Gates.
    “Because you wouldn’t want that baby-smooth skin of yours to
get a blemish, now would you?” Lieutenant Marx teased.
    Gates quirked an eyebrow in response but didn’t laugh. “No.
And neither do you. Everybody uses the netting and that’s an order.”
    “Because Commander Gates has the best-looking squadron in
the military.” Hicks struck a pose that was equal parts pinup and comedy.
    “Got that right. You screw up that pretty face of yours and
you’ll be with another squadron so fast you’ll get whiplash.” Gates finally
smiled just before he retreated into his tent with his netting.
    After the commander left, the group started to break up and
settle in for the night. Julian found his own tent to be snug and the netting
confining. Even as exhausted as he was, he just couldn’t overcome the
discomfort. Especially when his mind brought up the image of Gates’ naked body.
    It was all too easy to imagine what Gates’ skin would feel
like under Julian’s tongue. His chest would be firm and his nipples coarse with
a light sprinkling of hair. And his abs would ripple under Julian’s mouth as he
kissed and licked his way down them. Gates would run his fingers through
Julian’s hair and try to direct him lower, toward his erect cock. But Julian
would make him wait. Julian would take his time appreciating Gates’ body. When
he finally made his way to Gates’ cock he would lick him slowly from the root
to the tip.
    Julian slid his hand down his pants and gripped his cock as
he imagined the scene. He was already hard and he hissed with pleasure at the
feel of the strong hold. In his mind it was Gates jacking him off as he took
Gates’ cock deep into his mouth.
    Pressure built in him. The ball of desire in the pit of his
stomach grew until it filled