Page 45 of Deadly Strain

He got the hint and lay down. “I’m beyond that. I think this has been planned for a long time. Someone has studied our responses to other...emergencies and very carefully crafted a way to strike at the Afghan authorities and their American allies in multiple ways during the same event.”

“Emergencies,” Grace huffed. “You make it sound like you’re a firefighter or something.”

“Different training, similar mind-set. We all put our lives on the line to save others.”

Oh yes, the noble sacrifices men make. “What about the people who love you? Do you think about what yoursacrificedoes to them?”

“I don’t give a shit if my dad likes it or not. My mom succeeded in working herself to death when I was sixteen.” He speared her with a glance. “She was a nurse.”

Grace wasn’t going anywhere near that, not even with a bio-suit on. “And your girlfriend? How does she feel about it?”

He shook his head. “Don’t have one. I’ve watched too many guys get Dear Johned. That shit can fuck you up.” He cleared his throat. “Not that I think you’d do that.”

Me?He was out of his mind. “Donotgo there.”

“Where?”

“Crazyland.”

“I don’t know, crazy can be a good place sometimes. A necessary place.” He looked around them at the cave they were in. “Better than this place.”

Chapter Ten

Sharp watched Grace’sface as she thought about what he said and didn’t say.

He opened his mouth, but he never got the chance to say anything.

She kissed him.

He froze, letting those soft lips slide against his own.

After a couple of seconds, he let his lips follow hers, allowed her to take the lead. When she nibbled on his bottom lip, he groaned. She took total advantage of his lapse by sending her tongue on a teasing foray into his mouth. He had to fight with himself to keep his hands off her, to let her set the pace.

She pulled back with a frown. “What the hell am I doing?”

Sharp played dumb. “Kissing?”

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