I hope you'll give me some leeway because I know the calendar thingy is a stretch!
I appreciate all the likes/favorites/feedback to my stories. It keeps me going. :)
Hopefully you'll enjoy this one as well.
Much Obliged,
Abby
Giving In
Chapter 1
Team are having breakfast when they heard the coms alerting them of a call from Director Campbell.
Adam pressed the button and Patricia appeared on the screen. "Adam, sorry to interrupt your breakfast. I have something to run by you. It's has an approval from the higher ups but as I have told them, this will be at your discretion."
He tensed and crossed his arms. He gave a slight nod, waiting for Patricia to continue.
"We are participating in the "Men & Women in Uniform" calendar series this year. Among the list of all officers, higher ups created a list within their own sectors and in ours, you're one of the lucky ones."
"Um, what?" Adam bellowed.
McG grinned, stood up and clapped Adam's back. "Congrats brother, who knew that when you grow up, you'll become a pin–up model for the Army."
Amir was signaling McG to shut it because Adam is not looking happy at the moment.
Preach voiced out his concern, "Ma'am, how about the security of this project?"
"I aired the very same concern Preach. Those chosen may opt to just use a nickname, can be real or not. So for example it will be "Mr. February – Top, Army" they say that's all that will be printed. No sensitive information." explains Patricia.
"Uh, I – ah," Top is still flabbergasted.
"The reason I thought this merits your attention Adam, is the fact that 100% of these proceeds from the calendar sales will spread out to go to support several veterans groups even including the K-9 projects. I'm aware that all of you do your own part in supporting these causes. A representative from the company handling this photoshoot, will be arriving at the airbase at 1600 today to explain more details and secure your approval. Let me know what you decide Adam." Patricia ended the com.
Jaz jumped in. "If that's what the calendar will just say, can't they just get models and say they're from the Army or Navy or whatever. Why risk identities of real officers?"
"Why risk the models? If something terrible happens like God forbid they be kidnapped or held at gunpoint, they can't defend themselves like we do." Adam rebutted.
His response made Jaz pause and see it from a different perspective. One look at the brooding Adam and Jaz knows that he's seriously considering doing this. They've used the magic words "for veteran groups" when they made their pitch.
-OOO-
He gave out chores to the team and all were doing their jobs silently in their different corners of the Quonset hut which Adam was thankful for. He needed the peace and quiet to think.
They heard a car approach and its doors opening then closing. They heard a woman's voice say thank you and bye. They all looked towards the door. They first saw a sexy black stiletto followed by another one. Long toned legs came into view then a tight emerald bondage type dress that hugged the owner's curves. Bouncy brunette waves cascades on her shoulders. Her face gorgeous, minimal to no makeup at all. Natural red lips that she's biting at the moment. She's looked at her phone then stood there awkwardly.
Nobody was moving. Jaws dropped. All eyes on her, yes even Jaz's.
Preach was the first one to come out of the trance. "Sorry about that ma'am. Name's Ezekiel Carter. You can call me Preach." He offered his hand and she shook it.
"I'm Janice Springfield from Next Level Events. Nice to meet you Preach."
Amir and McG hurriedly stood up and were bickering on the background like 10 year olds. Amir cleared his throat and went ahead of McG. "Amir Al-Raisani, welcome to Incirlik Air Base Ms. Springfield." She also shook his hand and said a friendly hello.
McG gave one of his drop dead smiles and closed in. "Howdy ma'am. The name's Joseph or you can call me McG."
Janice blushed a bit seeing the handsome medic up close and let out a giggle. She tries not to appear unaffected so she looks away and that's when she sees Jaz sitting by the couch. Happy to see another female, she hurriedly approached Jaz introducing herself with wide smile. "Hi, I'm Janice."
Jaz's brows rise a little bit. Bubbly much? Jaz looked at the extended hand before her for a minute then decided to take it. Damn, her hands are soft. "Jasmine Khan, Sniper" she said the last word with a bite. She doesn't know why she said it. The others didn't say what they do. Maybe it's to explain to her why my hands are not as soft as hers.
Janice's mouth formed an O, looks genuinely surprised, smiling at Jaz. "I wasn't expecting that."
"She's my secret weapon." says Adam coming in closer from behind her.
Janice turns around and locks gaze with Adam. He introduced himself and shook her hands.
"Wow, the photo they sent me didn't do you justice Sir Dalton." she says seemingly entranced.
"Not a sir. Just call me Adam." He said with a chuckle, his cheeks reddening a bit.
Their hands are still connected, eyes still locked with each other. The team was now looking at them, back and forth, like they're watching a tennis match.
Jaz was irked that Adam still looking at Janice, still holding hands. She wanted to jump in, wave her hands between them and say "Hello, your secret weapon here" something… anything to break their connection. She didn't want them to know that she's jealous so she just cleared her throat loudly.
It worked because both of them suddenly looked at her and Adam dropped Janice's hand. McG decided to save Jaz from a potentially awkward situation "Woah, let's have the throat of yours checked out Jaz. We wouldn't want our secret weapon to get sick."
Adam gaze follows Jaz as she's being pulled away by McG. He turned his attention to Janice. "So, when can we talk about it?"
"Can we meet tomorrow around 2pm? I would have change first before going here but my luggage got left behind in the layover flight. I have to do some shopping tonight before the mall closes or else tomorrow you'll see me in my birthday suit." Janice shyly smiles at Dalton.
Of course Jaz and McG were still at an earshot and overheard the last past of the conversation. Jaz can't believe what she just heard.
Tomorrow you'll see me in my birthday suit?! That woman just met him and already jumping on him. What. The. Fuck.
McG held on to Jaz's wrist. "Easy there tiger. Retract your claws Jaz. We don't know what they're talking about. Plus, it's Adam. We both know he won't make a move."
Reluctantly Jaz agreed to let them be but she needed to vent so she decided she will do some boxing instead with McG as her sparring partner.
Adam put his hand at the back of his neck like his trying to rub away some tension. He also was confused by the statement. "Uhm?"
Janice's beautiful face turned a little pinker. "Oh, sorry. Today is my birthday. Hence the outfit. My only outfit at the moment." She gestured her hand to move from her chest to her knees. Adam's eyes followed her movement.
"My friends threw me a birthday slash congratulations party and didn't stop until I got to the airport. I almost missed my flight. This is my first travel outside the US and my first spearheading a project so I'm very excited to be with you. I mean …to work with you."
Adam smiled. "Well then Happy birthday Janice. Nothing pressing at the moment, we can all go out for dinner."
Surprised by the gesture but Janice shakes her head, "No Adam, thank you but there's no need …"
Adam's mind is made up. He introduced her to Patton and told her to make herself comfortable while the team change into more casual clothing.
Adam gathered the team and told them that they're all going out for dinner because it's Janice's birthday. He also explained the outfit and luggage situation. He told Jaz to accompany Janice on her shopping trip later. Not really expecting any unfavorable response or reactions to his announcement, Adam immediately turned around to the direction his room. Had he look back like what McG is doing now, he will see for himself that Jaz is stewing.
McG knocked at Adam's door. "Hey Top, got a minute?"
Already dressed in dark jeans, Adam picks out his favorite blue Levi's shirt. "Yeah, what's up?"
"Do you know what you're doing?" McG asks.
"What, this shirt doesn't go with these pants?"
"No man, not talking about your outfit. I'm talking about Janice. You maybe interested in her?" he asks testing the waters.
"She's a very beautiful woman. There's a spark. I admit I wasn't expecting that." he says honestly and then beams at McG. "C'mon let's go. Let's not keep her waiting." tapping his back walking out the door.
McG sighs deeply. Oh boy. Dinner is gonna be interesting.
