Read Online Model Soldier by Cat Johnson - Free Book Online Page B

can’t do it.”
    He meant won’t do it. Emily couldn’t imagine that his captain really gave a darn what his sleeves looked like.
    “Maybe we can ask someone if it would be okay…”
    He actually laughed at that. “No.”
    With a huff she gave in.
    “Fine. Are you allowed to take off your blouse ?” Emily stifled a snort at the feminine word. “Can you wear just your t-shirt or is that against the rules, too?”
    “Yes, I’m allowed.”
    Finally, a yes, but still he didn’t move.
    “Could you please take off your blouse?”
    He smirked boldly but thankfully complied with a chuckle.
    Hands planted firmly on her hips, Emily asked, “What’s so funny?”
    “It’s been a long time since a woman ordered me to take my clothes off. Maybe this gig won’t be so bad after all.” Hawk took off his shirt/blouse and paused with a hand on his belt buckle. “Pants, too, doll?”
    Doll?
    “No, thanks. Maybe later,” she countered, eyes narrowed to aim a displeased stare at Hawk.
    Pig. And worst of all, a pig with bulging biceps and beautiful pecs beneath a very tight shirt. His dog tag chain nestled right between said pecs and Emily suddenly imagined him standing before her without the shirt.
    What was she doing? He was such a…a… There simply were no words to describe him.
    The chuckle from Jai’s direction didn’t help Emily’s mood. She shot him a nasty look as well.
    Emily turned back to Hawk and sighed. She had to get into a professional mindset. No more pouting that he wasn’t Prince Charming. No more bickering because he was acting like the typical difficult model. She was used to that, at least.
    Thinking like Katie would, Emily imagined the finished print advertising. Hawk, standing in his t-shirt and camo pants. Arms crossed…make that hairy arms crossed.
    Darn. BB was practically hairless but Hawk, no such luck. What were the chances of Emily being able to get him to wax the hair off his forearms? And if they chose to do a few topless shots, would he wax his chest? Probably his back would require de-hairing, also. Stifling a laugh, she figured the odds of him agreeing to that were slim to none.
    Could they airbrush out that much hair? And exactly how many tattoos were the tan t-shirt and camouflage pants hiding? Now that she was getting to know him better, he seemed the type to have ink, and lots of it. Probably a really crude naked lady or obscenities or maybe some morbid, bloody, skull tattoos, Emily guessed. She and Katie hadn’t discussed the possibility of tatts. Perhaps they could airbrush any of those out, too.
    Then a small detail she’d missed before hit her.
    She frowned. “Your shirt. It’s tan.”
    “Yeah, so?”
    “So, shouldn’t it be green? You know, Army green. No?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because it’s the rules.”
    “Oh, come on. I know I’ve seen military men in olive green shirts.”
    He nodded. “I’m sure you have. Marines wear green shirts. Army wears tan.”
    She sighed again deeper. Fighting “the rules” seemed useless but she couldn’t resist one last word. “Well, that tan does nothing to bring out the color of your eyes.”
    Hawk smiled broadly at that, looking genuinely amused, an expression Emily was beginning to doubt was in his repertoire.
    “I’ll make sure to point that out to my superiors. Maybe they’ll consider changing the regulation uniform in deference to the color of my eyes.”
    Well, that was the highest amount of syllables she’d heard come out of him all at once the entire day.
    Emily had a strong urge to stick her tongue out at him. He’d probably laugh at her for that, too, so she didn’t give him the satisfaction.
    She heard Jai’s shutter and looked up to see him snapping candid photos of Hawk, who went from a laughing smile at her expense, to a frown, to looking stern and kind of scary in a matter of seconds.
    “That’s great, sergeant,” Jai encouraged with a grin. “Perfect. I want your whole range of