Page 142 of Lethal Game

“Who the fuck says canoodling?” Jones demanded.

“I’m sick, I can say whatever I want.”

Eugene was laughing too hard to add much to the conversation after that.

An hour before her plane was to leave, Con invaded her hospital room. He glanced around at the air-med-evac people and said, “I need a minute with the doctor.”

Nobody argued, though a couple looked irritated with the interruption.

As soon as they were gone, Con kneeled on the edge of her bed and leaned across her to brace his hands on the blankets. “You are going to be okay.” He paused, his shoulders tense, his knuckles white. “Say it.”

She had to fight tears, but managed to croak out, “I’m going to be okay.”

He clenched and unclenched his jaw. “Again.”

Tears rolled down her face. He looked terrified but tenacious, so she repeated, “I’m going to be okay.”

“Again.”

She smiled and cupped his cheek. He needed a promise to convince him. “Kidnappers couldn’t stop me, a fire couldn’t stop me, rabies couldn’t stop me, and an insane madman couldn’t stop me. I’m going to be okay.”

He bent his head and let out a huge breath. “Okay.” His chin came up and he kissed her. “That’s my girl.” He kept kissing her until she was dizzy.

Washegoing to be okay?

She should remind him she needed him too.

“I’m sad,” she whispered to him as he nuzzled and nipped at her neck.

“About what?” He seemed only partially interested. His focus was on her neck, and it felt so good.

She pulled her blankets away, took one of his large hands and curved it around her breast. “I’m still a virgin.”

He reared back. “Fuck.”

“Yes, please,” she said with a small smile.

He stared at her, his eyes hot and his face ruddy. “I made you a promise,” he said lowering himself until his lips brushed hers. “I plan on keeping it.”

“You’re going to have sex with me?”

He shook his head slowly. “I’m going to make love to you.”

She sighed, “Okay.” And he kissed her again.

***

Three months later, Sophia stood in front of a group of soldiers who were beginning the process of becoming Special Forces soldiers. There were about thirty men present, and she was showing them how she collected samples for the Sandwich.

It was slow going because she wasn’t officially Army. She was a contractor working for the Biological Rapid Response Team, which meant she was considered fair game in the sexual sense. One of the trainees was particularly persistent. Said he had a thing for women with white-blonde hair.

She was trying to impress upon the entire group how important it was to work closely with their BRRT teammate. “Communication is key. You don’t always know what piece of information might impact the situation.”

“Baby,” Mr. Persistent said, “you can say anything you want to me, just take off your clothes while you’re doing it.”

Some of the men laughed, but there were a quite few in the group who looked as irritated as Sophia felt.

She’d given him two warnings already and she was done. She shut up and glared at him until the quiet got uncomfortable.

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