Above All Else: A Bad Boy Military Romance (Easy Team Book 2) by Gemma Hart Page A

consideringly. “Why would you go five days without food?” he asked softly, clearly taken aback by my answer.
                  I rolled my eyes a little in exasperation. “No one tries to go five days without food.” I stared at the large mug that was held frozen above me. “What is that?”
                  As if my question snapped him out of some reverie, he brought the mug down and I got a whiff of something delicious and savory. He pressed the mug to my lips. I tried to lean away, not liking being force-fed something I don’t even know but Xander put an iron arm behind me, keeping me still.
                  Having no choice, I opened my mouth and tasted the thick creamy soup. When Xander had made sure I had gotten a good mouthful, he pulled the cup away. “If you can’t be trusted to feed yourself, then I’ll do it for you. Number one goal as a bodyguard is to not have your ward die of starvation, no matter how pigheaded she is.”
                  Mouth full, I glared up at him, unable to say anything else. Xander grinned.
                  “What is this?” I asked, swallowing. Before answering me, he pressed the cup against my lips again, forcing down another delicious mouthful.
                  “Potato soup,” he said as I swallowed. “Old family recipe.”
                  It was delicious. Rich, creamy, with soft pillowy potatoes that melted in my mouth. Already, I could feel my head clearing up and the dizziness dissipating. It had been because I hadn’t been eating. It was a stupid mistake but the stress of the last few days had scattered my brain.
                  Xander pressed the cup to me again, urging down another mouthful.
                  “I have hands!” I gurgled, dribbling a little bit of soup down my chin. Xander clucked reprovingly and transferred the mug to his other hand so he could swipe his thumb across my chin, cleaning up my mess.
                  “Yes you do,” he said in reprimand. “And I’ve seen how use them to toss away good food. Now why not try to eat without drooling?”
                  “I don’t droo—”
                  But before I could finish protesting, he pushed the mug back against my lips, silencing me with the rich creamy goodness.
                  I rolled my eyes.
                  “This is stupid—” I tried again to protest.
                  Xander cut me off with another forced sip before giving me a sardonic look. “Yes, it is stupid,” he agreed. “That a grown girl could go days without realizing she hasn’t eaten a bite. That is stupid.”
                  I huffed.
                  Although it was a little embarrassing having Xander feed me like a child, there was also something kind of comforting about it as well. I had almost no memories of my parents and no recollections of ever being hugged or held as a child. My heart felt warm and soft as Xander held me carefully, firmly, protectively, while feeding me.
                  And instead of anger or abuse, he gently admonished me instead while feeding me. He was annoyed, exasperated, and probably sick of my many escape attempts but he wasn’t brutal or cruel.
                  I slowly chewed the thick soup, staring up at him in silent curiosity.
                  Xander swirled the mug a bit to gather all the good bits up before asking in a deceptively casual tone, “So why did you go five days without food?”
                  I took in a deep breath before saying, “My governess had seen me spill a bit of soup on the dining table during dinner. And she said if I couldn’t learn to eat like a princess, then I might as well not eat at all.” I tried to shrug but trapped in the blanket and Xander’s arms, it came out as more of a wiggle. “That was