Page 34 of The Commander

“One of the guys,” I muttered.

“Someone you know, I hope.” He signaled and turned onto the base, and we both showed our IDs. “Do I know this person?”

“You don’t know everyone on base, and even if you do, I’m a grown woman. I’m a soldier. I can take care of myself.” I attempted to divert the conversation.

It wasn’t as if he disliked Noah, but he’d made enough snide comments about me not getting a name for myself with the men on the base that I knew it was best to stay quiet.

“That’s irresponsible. I like that you can defend yourself, but the men here are strong, Quinn.” He guided the vehicle into a spot near my car and waved out to Dan. “If someone tried to force you, you wouldn’t be able to defend yourself.”

I sighed.

I couldn’t fault my father for loving me, but his sexist undertones were a constant trigger and reminder of why I couldn’t have anything with Noah.

Ever.

“Perhaps you should watch me spar with the guys in my platoon sometime. Many of them are lightweights.”

Dad turned. “You’re five foot four and a hundred pounds. A man crazed by lust would overpower you.”

A hundred and ten, but I’d take the compliment...even if it wasn’t meant that way.

“Crazed by lust? Dad, would you stop?” Then it just fell out. “Captain Jenkins drove me home. You know him. I wouldn’t just get in a car with any man.”

I thought knowing it was Noah would appease him, but how wrong I was. Dad’s cheeks burned, his lips pressing hard together.

“Well, that’s even stupider,” he bit out.

My mouth fell open. “I’m sorry?”

“Captain Jenkins is your commanding officer, your senior by at least seven years. Not to mention, he has a reputation with women. What were you thinking?”

A reputation?

Noah had been single for most of the time I’d known him, aside from dating one or two women. As for a bad reputation, I wasn’t aware of that at all. Sure, he was a very good-looking man, and a lot of girls on base got their fill when he walked past. But he wasn’t exactly a playboy.

That I knew of.

Had I missed something?

“What kind of reputation?” I asked, despite myself.

“The kind you do not want to know about. He’s not suitable. I need you to listen to me. Someone like Jenkins would mouth off in the locker rooms about the woman he drove home and took advantage of.”

I recoiled.

“First, he didn’t take advantage of me!” I snapped, remembering us sharing spaghetti while I stood half-naked in my kitchen. How earlier my wet T-shirt had clung to my boobs, and my nipples had almost pierced the cotton, they were so hard.

“And thanks for calling me a slut.”

I ripped the door handle open and climbed out furiously. Then I stomped over to my car where Dan was waiting for me to unlock it.

Instead of apologizing, Dad glared at me and strode to where Dan was fussing under the hood.

I crossed my arms and seethed silently.

Fucking men.

Dan wiped his hands on a rag twenty minutes later. “That should get you back on the road, Quinn.”