Love and War

Chapter 24

James sprung to his feet at the sight of Mary's eyes fluttering. When her eyes finally opened, blinking in the lights of her surroundings, he nearly flung himself into her arms.
In the hours she'd been unconscious he nearly drove himself mad with panic. He wanted to yell his frustration, to scream at her stubbornness, but he held his tongue not wanting to disturb her rest. Making sure she was okay was his first concern the rest could wait a bit longer.

"How are you?" He asked before she could even assess her situation. At the mention of her injuries she felt her wounds throb in protest. She felt a rush of relief run through her at the sound of his voice. After nearly dying, all she wanted was to feel him against her to reassure herself that she was fine.

"I'm fine I guess. Hurts like hell but it seems you've patched me up okay," Mary said as she inspected the stitching on her arm and stomach, a hint of pride in her voice. She was happy that her medical ramblings had not gone unheard. James was always listening to her, too entranced by the sound of her voice not to pay attention.

"Well now that your okay," James took a step to the bed where Mary was now lifting herself from. "Why didn't you listen to me when I said to forget the damn map?!"

"Excuse me?" Mary managed to pull her pained body from the bed, anger fueling her. "Why would I not complete the mission when it's right in front of me?"

She stormed closer to him, hands pushing lightly at him. He could have easily stood his ground, but allowed himself to move back for fear of her falling.

"Because I told you not to." James took a step forward, reclaiming some ground. His chest was just a hairs-width from her own.

"I don't take orders from you." Mary turned away from him, unable to continue to face his dark face. She wanted to damn him for being so attractive, even if he was acting like a child. She couldn't believe the audacity he had to not only scold her for a job well done, but to also think he held some sway over her orders. "I got the map, because Steve told me to."

"No, you did it because you want to prove that you're a soldier. But Mary you're not. You're just putting yourself into stupid situations!" James frustratedly ran a hand through his hair. He wanted to tear it all out.

"You think I'm not worthy of being in the field?" Mary scowled. Her body shook with anger and exhaustion as she turned to face him again. "You think that now that we are dating, I'll play the meek doaty girlfriend role? Well you're a gommy lad"

James scoffed, "You? Meek? That I'd like to see." Being so close to her was intoxicating, she was a burning fire, a flame he couldn't help but want to stroke. He was barely holding himself from pushing her over the edge; he wanted to see her take out her anger on him. He knew egging her on was the wrong thing to do, but it felt so right. Her face twisted in anger, bringing a new level of heat to his body.

"Falbh dairich fhein, Seamus." Mary took another step from him. James reached out hand grabbing her upper arm and swiveling her around. Mary's breath stuttered at the sight of him, tall and dark--a true image of commanding. It bothered her that he wished to command her, and she needed him to realize that she wasn't his to control. But tonight, high off the adrenaline from surviving a gun shot, she wanted nothing more than to feel him in her arms.

"Às diedh dhut." James replied, his brooding expression fixed on Mary. His taunt was her final undoing. Mary's hands dragged him down by collar, lips feverishly meeting his. It was a battle to see who would win--both putting all their fear and frustrations into their movements. It was a sinful dance between their tongues; James' tongue stroking her own with careful deliberation, pulling her into him. His hand grasped at her hair, the other pushing her hips into his. She could feel his rising problem with her own hips, a wave of arousal washing over her.