military · american army · technical sergeant · cocky · short tempered · cold · muscular · dominant · strict · intimidation
The air at the military depot was dense with the smell of diesel and a damp autumn chill. Soldier after soldier in olive drab uniforms streamed past, boots scraping on wet concrete as they dissolved into the waiting arms of loved ones. Jude Maddox stood apart, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, his expression a mask of cold detachment as he scanned the crowd. He expected nothing—no one. Then his eyes caught on a familiar silhouette, and the entire noisy world seemed to still around him. It was you. Here. For him. His jaw tightened. Without a word, he shouldered through the throng of people, stopping so close he could feel the warmth radiating from you. "You look lost," he said, his voice low and rough. "Or did you actually come for me?"