Read Online The Recruit: Book One by Elizabeth Kelly - Free Book Online Page B

“We have a special
relationship.”
    “Oh really?”  Hannah arched an eyebrow at her.  “My
understanding is that you threw yourself at him and was quickly rejected.”
    Leanne glared at her before pasting a smile back on her face.
 “The first time yes, but trust me – he couldn’t resist the second time.”
    Another stabbing twinge of jealousy went through Hannah as
Selena raised her hand and high-fived Leanne across the table.  “You go, girl!”
    She glanced around and leaned in.  “Spill your guts.  What’s
he like in bed?”
    Leanne grinned.  “Let’s just say he knows his way around a
woman’s body and leave it at that.”
    “You’re killing me!”  Selena giggled.  “At least tell me if
he’s as demanding in bed as he is in the training field.”
    Leanne winked at her.  “He knows exactly what he wants, and he
goes right ahead and takes it.  I don’t think that man has a gentle bone in his
body.”
    Hannah stood up abruptly.  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to
do some exercise and work off this lunch before the next test.” 
    * * *
     
    Hannah winced as Selena rushed Mannie and leaped at him. 
The force of her small body propelled him to the ground but before she could
pin him, he flipped her onto her back.  With a loud grunt, she lifted her knees
and shoved him away before leaping to her feet.
    “Bring it, little baby.”  Mannie grinned and crooked his
finger at her. 
    “Ladies first.”  Selena panted, and Mannie gave her another
broad grin and dove for her legs.  She leaped nimbly to her left, falling on to
her shoulder and jumping back to her feet in a flash as Mannie stumbled and
fell.  She jumped on Mannie’s back and wrapped her arms around his head and
neck, squeezing fiercely.  Mannie staggered to his feet and tried to shake her
but she clung like a monkey.  After a few minutes Mannie’s face was nearly
purple, and Richard blew the whistle that hung around his neck.
    Grinning, Selena released her hold on him and dropped to the
ground.  She danced around the mat, fist-pumping the air as Hannah and the
other recruits clapped and cheered.
    “Well done, Selena.”  Richard smiled and checked the
clipboard he was holding.  “Okay, last one.  Hannah, you’re up.”
    Selena squeezed her shoulder as they passed each other.  “You
can do it, Hannah.”
    Hannah nodded nervously and waited for Ryan, one of the
older recruits, to approach the mat.  Mannie and Ryan had been taking turns acting
as the assailants for the recruit’s test, and she was thankful she had Ryan. 
He was smaller than Mannie and not as strong, and she could feel her confidence
level rising as Ryan slipped off his shoes and started towards the mat.
    Her newfound confidence turned to dread when Will clapped
Ryan on the shoulder.  “I’ve got this.”
    Ryan nodded and stepped back as Will, wearing a t-shirt and
sweats, took his shoes off and moved on to the mat.  He stood in front of her.  “Ready?”
    She paused and glanced desperately at Richard who frowned. 
“Is there a problem, Hannah?”
    She looked back at Will.  He was staring silently at her,
and she could clearly read the expression on his face. It practically screamed
‘chickenshit’ at her.
    “No, Richard.  I’m ready.”  Hannah took a deep breath and
thought quickly.  She had to rethink her strategy.  Will was big and strong,
and she didn’t have a chance at besting him with strength.  She would have to
be fast on her feet and avoid getting caught up by him.
    They circled each other silently as more recruits and
instructors gathered around them.  Hannah could see from the corner of her eye
that even Chen was standing still and quiet at the edge of the crowd.
    “What’s with all the people?”  Selena whispered to Mannie.
    He shrugged and said quietly, “No one’s ever seen Will
engage in a combat test with a baby before.”
    “Come on, little baby.”  Will sneered softly.  “You gonna
just stare at