Page 43 of Stand Fast

“Good point. Yeah, you should. At least most of ‘em.”

“And I guess you guys have some kind of buzzer or whatever, to alert us when someone messes up?”

Agent Maka’s face broke into a wide grin. “Yes, ma’am, we do.”

“Okay, so, teams,” Zaid instructed. “Rabani’s with me. You guys pick whoever you want.”

A flurry of movement followed as the team members repositioned themselves across from their partner. Zaid flashed her a grin as he dropped into the chair opposite her, and she smiled back. He was quite something to look at, and this gave her the perfect opportunity to do so without raising suspicion that something was going on between them. But man, what she wouldn’t give for the long, tight hug she’d been craving from him since the shooting.

“I probably should mention that I’m kinda competitive,” Jaliya said.

His eyes glinted with humor as he gave her a pretend shocked look. “No way!”

She laughed softly and settled back to await the start of the game. “Whatever. Like any of you aren’t just as bad.” Probably worse, actually, considering the grind to make it into the FAST program.

“Okay, ladies first,” Zaid announced, then held her gaze and murmured, “Ladies should always come first.”

Her face heated even more as the rest of the guys chuckled, but she folded her arms across her breasts and raised an eyebrow, not about to be cowed even though all she could think about now was the two of them rolling around naked together, and wondering about all the things he might do to her to get her off.

Though if he’d known how inexperienced she actually was, she doubted he would have teased her like that in front of everyone. Her one and only sexual partner hadn’t been able to make her come at all, so the only orgasms she’d ever experienced were self-induced. Something told her that wouldn’t be the case with Zaid. Her insides clenched, arousal stirring inside her.

“Really. A gentleman then, are you? Glad you feel that way.” She gestured to the helmet, anxious to change the subject because it was already hard enough to sit across from him and not think about sex without him stirring her up even more. “So. Let’s start building some points, shall we?”

He nodded once. “Right on.” Reaching into the helmet, he pulled out a yellow slip of paper and read the clue, then held it shielded in one palm while Maka perched on the edge of his chair to peer avidly over his shoulder.

“Go ahead,” Maka said when Zaid gave him the side-eye.

Zaid turned his attention back to the clue. “This is a word for someone who you use during an…” He paused, frowned before continuing. “The kind of work you’re doing right now.”

“Good catch,” Agent Maka murmured, eyes still fixed on Zaid’s paper.

Jaliya didn’t have any ideas yet and motioned for him to continue.

“It’s a term for that kind of person. For their role when you’re trying to figure out stuff on a case.”

“A witness?”

“Like our young friend we drove back from Kabul the other day.”

“Informant!”

He smiled and met her gaze. “Yeah.” Next to him, Maka looked disappointed. “Okay, our turn again.” Zaid pulled another clue from the helmet. Everyone else was busy watching, while digging into the box of junk food Agent Granger had brought in. As Zaid read the clue, he winced a little. “Ah…okay. Another word for a small, domestic pet.”

“Guinea pig. Hamster. Rabbit.”

“Likes to catch mice.”

“Cat!”

He made a circular motion with his hand, urging her to continue. “Cruder.”

Oh. “Pussy.” Theywouldput that one in there.

“Yeah!”

Two chairs down from him, Agent Rodriguez shook his head and helped himself to another handful of nacho chips. “You guys are getting all the easy ones.”

“Haters’ gonna hate,” Zaid said without looking at him, reaching for another clue. “Okay, this is the term for the force generated by a…” He seemed to struggle with coming up with a hint that wasn’t on the paper. “A vehicle that inserts us by air.”

---