Mark stares into my eyes, and seems to weigh the offer. “I don’t think this is a good idea, beautiful. You wouldn’t offer to tell me your name unless you thought you had a good chance of winning.”

I hate him sometimes. “Or I just really want to tell you already and need some incentive.”

“Liar.”

“Maybe.”

“You know what? I have no doubt I’ll outshoot your ass, so I’ll take your bet.”

I smile deep within, but on the outside, I look a little scared. This is going to be so much fun. Of course, there’s a chance I could lose to him, but I’ll take that risk. He might play down to me, and I will be sure to get in his head a little.

We enter the range, which is on the outskirts of Virginia Beach. You can tell it’s a Special Operations type range. There’s a host of barriers and targets. It gives a wide variety of positions and angles to shoot from. Remaining shielded will be a challenge, but I learned how to shoot on the move. I think I actually have better scores when I’m forced to be mobile, since that’s how most shooting is done anyway.

It’s not very often that we fire our weapon from behind cover and have time to take a clear shot. I know all about adapting and still making a good shot. However, there’s no way to lie to myself that this isn’t Mark’s course. He has the advantage, so I really do need to be on point.

“Okay, do we want to just say best scores?”

“I think that’s the most fair. Three points for any center mass shot, two for body, and one for head?”

Mark scratches his head, “I won’t even ask how you know the Navy’s scoring.”

I grin. “I know my stuff, shiny vampire boy.”

“Oh . . .” He nods his head with a smile. “Now you want to trash talk on top of this?” Mark shifts back and crosses his arms over his chest.

“I figure we should keep it authentic.”

“Fair game then, Charletta.”

“What?” I laugh.

“I’m running out of names.”

“Come on, let’s go see your stellar skills.”

We grab the ammo, get our stations set up, and his friend behind the counter follows to monitor it and keep it fair. He seems easy enough to sway my way. I give him my best smile, bend a little to show some cleavage, and make sure he’s watching.

“Not happening.” Mark looks over with a no nonsense smirk. “Why don’t you just go over the rules, Pugh.” He gives him a look that I can only imagine makes the poor guy want to crap himself.

“Don’t be mean,” I scold Mark.

“Don’t show him your tits.”

“I wasn’t.”

He steps forward, grips my face, and kisses me breathless. I try to fight off the desire that builds, but I’m lost to him. I kiss him back, uncaring that anyone is around us. That this is supposed to be a competition, and I’m supposed to be messing with his head. All I care about is his lips against mine. The way he possesses me completely when he holds me like this. Butterflies flutter in my belly as I envision him making his claim in front of everyone. The testosterone he exudes makes me want him more. I’m so fucked.

“Now . . .” He turns me around and slaps my ass. “Let’s see how much you cry when you lose.”

And all the turmoil is gone. Just like that, he pisses me off and calls to my dominant side. “Yeah, let’s see who is the bigger girl.”

Mark grabs the nine, loads it, and holsters it. I close my eyes to avoid the throbbing taking place between my legs. He’s so sexy right now. Armed, in uniform—but I lose it when I open my lids to see him brushing his hair back. Now, I’m unable to stop myself.

I head over to him, fist my fingers in his hair, and practically climb him. My mouth adheres to his, and I can’t imagine doing anything other than this. He’s hot, and right now, he’s mine.

His hands hold the backs of my legs while I kiss the life out of him. I need this. I need to feel him, and I’m slightly hoping this catches him off balance—but this is want and I’m deluding myself.

After God only knows how long, I pull back. “Hi.” I’m a little out of breath.

“Hell-fucking-o.”

“There’s something about you and your hair.”

“I think you like me.”

I groan. “I think you’re hot.”

“And you like me.”

“Just your dick.”

“And me too. You can say it.”

He releases me, gives me a peck, and a smirk. “I don’t!”

“Whatever you say, Charlie.”

“Good! Because I say I don’t like you. Just the sex.”

Pugh stands to the side watching us. I forgot he was there. “You guys should make movies.” He shifts and adjusts himself. Gross.

Mark’s protective side seems to explode as he pushes the guy back so he hits the wooden pole between us. “Keep your fucking comments to yourself. Got it?”

“Relax, Dixon. Just saying that was hot.” He seems to be unimpressed with Mark’s hostility. “Let’s get to the game, eh?”

I stand back, leaning against the pole to watch the interaction. Mark seems to cool off as fast as he got heated, but really, Pugh just did my job for me. He’ll be slightly distracted.

We go over the rules, and thanks to a coin toss, Mark goes first. It allows me to see the course first hand, get the lay of the land, and prepare. It’ll give me a chance to almost run it with him in my mind.

“Okay, blindfold her,” he tells Pugh. He hands him a rag.

“What?” I squeak.

“No way in hell am I giving you any advantage here.”

“No way in hell are you going to blindfold me!”

“Charlie.” Mark sighs with exasperation. “Put the blindfold on. You’re not watching this. I would expect the same if you went first.”

No, no, no. I’m not doing it. During our night training, I was once blindfolded and left for hours. I refuse to experience that again. And I’m not telling him my name. Yet, I always honor my bets. Damn him.

Okay, I can do this. I can find the confidence. I can beat him because I’m Charisma Erickson. I’m a badass female who can outshoot any man I’ve ever shot against.

“Fine!” I allow my anger to flow through me. “Give it to me, you giant pussy. You’re sooo good that you need to blindfold me? Big, bad Navy SEAL is afraid of a girl.”

He grins. “I love it when you get all mouthy. Makes me think of new ways to shut you up.”

“Suck my dick!” I yell at him as I throw on the blindfold.

“How very G.I. Jane of you.”

“If you even think of touching me—I’ll bite it off.” I warn him as I slide to the ground.

“Okay,” Pugh says before we can continue our fight. “Highest score wins.” He reviews the course with Mark, and because I’ve lost my vision, my hearing is heightened.

I listen to everything I can. Standing, prone, kneeling, and then back to standing. I at least know the first four obstacles. If for some reason we tie, the fastest time will be the breaker.

“Ready?” Pugh asks.

“Oh, yeah,” Mark affirms, and I can imagine his face. That smug smile, the side eyes on me, before he runs his fingers through his hair.