Texas Stand-Off: The Omega Team Novella (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Free Page B

with her presence or if something more was troubling him. Fortunately, she enjoyed a mystery. “My background is Russian. I have no formal training. My father was my teacher.”
    This same meager amount of information Gray had shared told him volumes. She wasn’t qualified. “What gives Holden the idea you are Omega material? Do you have special talents that would make you worthy to be on the team? Do you shoot? Fight? Speak a dozen languages–what?”
    “Yes.” She gave one answer to all of his questions. “Test me. I am well-rounded.”
    “With pleasure.” He gave her a quick raking glance up and down. The woman wasn’t lying–she was well-rounded in several areas. Breasts. Hips. As he stared, Natasha Levin didn’t bat an eye. She certainly was a cool little cucumber. For a moment he wondered if she’d be cool in bed or a hot little wildcat. Stop. He didn’t need to know. “Tomorrow we begin. I’ll put you through your paces. Endurance. Combat readiness. Intelligence.” 
    “I look forward to it,” she said simply. It was a shame this man was off limits to her, she found him to be very appealing. He stood, so she stood also.
    “Grey didn’t give me much notice. In fact, I didn’t know you were coming until you were already here.”
    “Sorry.” He didn’t seem like a man who’d like surprises. Too bad. She certainly intended to surprise him.
    “So, I guess we’ll begin tomorrow at first light.”
    “All right.” She stood there as if waiting for something, so he gave her a hard, questioning stare with one eyebrow raised. “Am I supposed to drive back to Austin, stay here in the house with you or sleep in my RV?”
    There was that frown again. “Stay in your RV, I guess.”
    He looked so lost and confused, Taz didn’t even bother to ask if he had hook-ups. She’d tackle those details with him tomorrow. For tonight, she’d make it. There was sufficient water in the tanks for a couple of nights, and she had food and an extra quilt. The only light she’d have was a battery powered lantern, but Taz had suffered worse. Much worse. “All right. Thank you.” She started to walk away, then stopped. “I can tell this isn’t your choice. You’re doing a favor for Mr. Holden. I just want you to know that I really want this job and I’ll be good at it. I appreciate you for giving me the chance.”
    Deacon tried not to notice those big dark eyes or the completely feminine shape she just couldn’t hide. “Don’t thank me. You won’t make the cut. As far as I’m concerned, this is a total waste of my time.”
    She gave him a curt nod. The man was entitled to his opinion. Her job was to prove him wrong.
     
    *  *  *
    Just knowing Natasha Levin was nearby worried Deacon down to a nub. He was used to being alone. He’d been alone since his wife walked out on him after he’d lost his leg. Alone was the way he liked it. If he needed sex, he had porn and an able right hand. Yet tonight, all he could do was lie here and imagine all of Levin’s soft curves beneath him as he…hell! Just knowing that sexy woman was under his roof was nearly driving him around the bend. Well, she wasn’t actually under his roof, he’d sent her back to her RV…
    To her RV, which was parked in the garage. Without electricity. Did she have a generator? Or lights? Or running water? Dammit! He didn’t want to feel remorse or guilt. He sure as hell didn’t want to feel desire. “Of all the ridiculous…” He’d just gone to bed and now he couldn’t rest. Who the hell knew he still had a conscience?
    Rising, he pulled on his prosthetic and his pants, then opened the nightstand to grab a flashlight. Padding across the hall, he walked down the stairs and out to the annex. With the push of a button, he entered the garage. Instantly a chill hit him. Damn, it was cold in here. All concrete, northern exposure, no heat. No wonder.
    Switching on the flashlight, he shone it at the RV. Total darkness. She must be asleep.