Shattered (Anderson Special Ops #4) - Melody Anne Page 0,16
said as he ate a cheese stick. Then he smiled. “I graduated summa cum laude with degrees in Physics and Biochemistry. From there I was drafted by the 49ers. It was the best two years of my life. I was rookie of the year my first year and was on pace to lead the league in yards and touchdowns my second season. Then, in week sixteen, I broke my left wrist. Unfortunately, it didn’t heal correctly, and I wasn’t able to grip the football when trying to catch it, so I moved on.”
“Just like that?” she questioned. He ate a few more bites and shrugged. “We can dwell in things we can’t control, or we can move on. I chose a new direction in life. My football career was over, so I jointed the military. I served for ten years in mostly covert ops in the toughest parts of the world, and I met a lot of amazing men in my time in the service. One door closed and another opened. I’ve loved each step in my life. I have no regrets on any of the things that have happened or the things I’ve done,” he said, truly meaning the words.
“I don’t see that attitude with a lot of people. So many just wallow in self-pity instead of seeing a new opportunity in front of them,” she told him.
“I agree. But my mother would destroy me if I ever did that. I’ve truly seen tragic situations. I might not have had a lot growing up, but I had far more than many others. And I have drive. With that combination I knew there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish.”
Amira took a drink as she thought over his words. “I grew up with everything. I had people tell me I didn’t need to work, that I could simply lounge around and have some wealthy man take care of me. They said I certainly had the body.” She stopped and chuckled as Smoke took that opportunity to slowly trace the curve of her breasts.
“As I was saying I might have the body, but that was genetics, and I don’t use my body to get what I want,” she told him, then waited for his eyes to meet hers. He didn’t look in the least apologetic.
“There’s nothing wrong with using the gifts God gives you,” Smoke said.
Amira laughed. “That’s why I’ve used my brain,” she countered. They both laughed.
“Tell me something more personal about you,” Amira finally said after a comfortable silence. The night was going better than either of them had expected.
“If I do, do I have a chance at a second date?” he pushed.
She laughed again, her cheeks flushing and her eyes sparkling. He liked this easier, lighthearted version of Amira. He hadn’t gotten to see this side of her while they were in Fiji. He’d have thought anyone going to Fiji would be able to let their hair down. Of course, she’d been there as Katherine’s doctor so maybe she’d wanted to stay professional.
“I’m not making any promises, but it can’t hurt to butter me up,” she said. He wanted that date, and he knew he was an impressive man, so why not pull out all of the stops?
“Hmm, let’s see,” he said with a grin. “I’m the fastest runner in any group I’ve ever been in.”
“What do you mean, the fastest?” she pushed.
“I mean that not one single person has ever been able to beat me in a race since I was seven years old,” he told her. He almost didn’t want to brag about that because it came so easy for him, but it did seem to impress a lot of people, and he needed to impress this woman.
“What kind of races?” Amira asked.
“I don’t really race. I ran in practice for football, ran in the military for training, and run with my co-workers for fitness. I always win without breaking a sweat.” He paused and took a bite of his jalapeno popper. It wasn’t nearly as good as Hendrick’s cooking, but it was sufficient. Not many places cooked as well as his friend. That man was a genius in the kitchen.
“If you’re so fast, why didn’t you try to compete in the Olympics?” she asked.
“I had coaches ask the same thing, but I run for fun and to burn energy. I’m not competitive in racing, I just love to run and I’m damn good. You have to really love something to compete in the Olympics,” he told her.