shaking his head. “I’m done.”
I nodded and sat down as I began unpacking a few things.
“You did real good out there today,” he said.
“Thanks, but I hope Max noticed,” I replied.
“You have hopes of being promoted so soon?”
“Don’t you?”
“Nope,” he said, stretching out and putting his hands behind his head. “I’m just here for the big bucks.”
“And the small deers, too?” I joked.
“Good one,” he said, laughing.
The other guys started streaming in and instead of sitting around listening to them, I grabbed my toothbrush and headed to the communal latrines to shower.
I felt Jesse’s eyes on me as I left and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was feeling the same things I was.
Chapter 13
Jesse
How in the hell am I supposed to make it two weeks working next to that woman? I watched her walk out of the tent and my stomach flipped.
She’d handled herself like a pro today and I was impressed as hell with her. I’d had my doubts at first, but she’d won me over. She needed no instruction and her skills were on par with my own. She’d kept up with me physically, every step of the way and her axe skills were superb.
I was even more impressed at the fact that she was back in our tent like last night had never happened. Her demeanor almost dared us to fuck with her again. And if her knife wielding skills were anything like her accuracy with the axe she’d shown me today, then I would advise anyone not to take that chance.
I watched with growing concern, though, at the looks the guys were giving her as she walked out of the tent. I’d seen that unbridled hunger in many men’s eyes before and the fact that they were throwing those looks her way pissed me off to no end.
I kept my mouth shut, though.
The last thing I needed was anyone thinking I was soft on her.
“Guess the bitch is back,” Brick muttered.
The others laughed and I shot a glance over at Charlie. I had no idea if the others knew what went down last night, but I’d spared Charlie the embarrassment of telling them what a huge idiot he’d been. Apparently, he wasn’t willing to help himself out, though.
“Bitch pulled a knife on us last night,” he said.
“Us?” Frenchie asked, shooting me a quizzical glance.
“Don’t think she was pulling it on me, Charlie,” I said, shaking my head.
“What happened?” Brick asked.
“Hey, man, I was drunk,” he replied, putting his hands up.
“No fucking excuse for behavior like that, dude,” I said. “As far as I’m concerned, she should have fucking knifed you. Would have been totally warranted.”
“Damn, Charlie, are you trying to get fired? What the fuck?” Frenchie asked.
“Well, she’s fucking hot, and she’s the only woman here, so what does anyone expect from me?”
“You could try a little respect. Or not being a total dick. Or, hey, maybe not try to rape the woman who’s only here to do her job? You think she signed up for the hotshot crew just so she could have the pleasure of lying under your sweaty body while you grunt like a caveman?”
“Fuck you, Pearson!” Charlie said, almost pouting.
“Yeah, fuck you, too, dude,” I said. “You’re lucky I came in and saved you before she cut off your fucking dick.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Charlie said.
I chuckled, shaking my head.
“I should have let her cut you, you bastard.”
I turned over and faced the wall of the tent, done with his idiocy.
Chapter 14
Fiona
I heard every word from outside the tent.
Jesse had stood up for me, last night and again tonight, and I was thankful for that. True, I didn’t need him to take care of me, but it was nice to know that someone had my back, even when I wasn’t in the room.
I finished my journey to the latrine and showered and brushed my teeth before heading back. It took all my strength to walk back into that tent, and I made sure to pull my knife out of my pocket and place it under my pillow before pulling the covers over me.
I couldn’t help but allow myself to feel just a tiny bit of comfort knowing Jesse was so close.
Even so, I attempted to push away all thoughts of Jesse, and anyone else, taking a moment to run over the events of my first day on the job. It was everything I’d imagined it would be.
Grueling. Exhausting. But, oh, so exhilarating. Fighting on the front lines of the flames,