Lured

Prologue

I watch as the woman steps out of the humvee, the khaki green cargo pants hugging her legs in a fashion that was definitely not military code. Her button down khaki top flattered her figure effortlessly and I got the feeling this woman could have looked stunning in a hessian sack. I noticed that I wasn't the only one to notice either. 

Heads turned, male and female alike as if just by being present she drew attention to herself. I kept the grumbling mental, knowing just how keen everyone's sense of hearing was if I decided to curse out loud. She would be a damn liability on the field. At least out on the field she'd be covered head to toe in gear. Her almost luminescent skin would be hidden.

As if she felt my thoughts, her hazel eyes pinned me to the spot, and a beatific smile crossed her lips. With that one look it was like all my concerns melted away, leaving me wondering why I had any worries in the first place. 

She strode up to me, as if she'd judged me to be the one in control. Perhaps it was the balaclava with a skull on it. Perhaps it was the fact I was one of the tallest soldiers waiting. Or most likely, it was the fact I was the only one actually waiting without any other task on my hands. Either way, she judged correctly. Her casual stroll rolled her hips in a way no soldier walked in combat boots, her posture relaxed as if she approached masked soldiers on the daily.

"I'm Ceri," she said, holding her hand out to shake mine. Her voice was surprisingly rich. I had expected a higher pitched feminine voice to go along with her feminine beauty. It was smooth as if honey had a sound. It was a voice I'd be willing to listen to forever. I automatically reached out a hand to shake hers, noticing instantly that it was so much smaller than my own. I curled my fingers gently around her dainty hand and shook carefully.

My gentleness didn't go unnoticed by her as she laughed and gripped my hand firmly. "Relax, Lieutenant Riley. I'm stronger than I look."

Her laugh seemed so much more normal than her voice that it seemed to break the trance I'd been in. I smile ruefully, the balaclava crinkling as I do so. 

"My apologies, Ceri, you just seem so much smaller than I am."

"I'm average in size. You're just massive." She smiles again. "I assume you're my greeting party for today?" She asks, her expression inquisitive.

"I am indeed. You can call me Ghost. Price has asked me to direct you to his office. All rookies are under the care of either myself or Soap until you are cleared to attend the field."

I watch as she grins up at me as if she knows something I don't know, but doesn't say anything on the matter. "Sounds good," she says instead. I direct her to Prices office and it's only several hours later that I wonder how she knew who I was.