Page 29 of Lethal Game

Chapter Six

Well, weren’t theya happy group.

Sophia walked next to Eugene, and in front of Connor and Max, both of whom looked grumpier than a couple of grizzly bears fresh out of hibernation. She understood why Eugene and Max were out of sorts. Jones had taken Eugene aside for a quick conversation about supplies, she said. From the shell-shocked expression on his face, Sophia doubted they talked about how many swabs needed to be ordered. Max had his own set of women troubles. He had an ex who could trample an entire team of Special Forces soldiers and she’d called him on his personal cell phone. Sophia didn’t know what she said, but Max had looked like he wanted to kill someone. Her boss also had a female weapons and self-defense trainer who was very hard to please.

Why Connor was suddenly in a crummy mood, she didn’t know.

He followed her into her office, where she found a tray of blood smears waiting for her to look at, as well as a stack of reports for her to review. She glanced over her shoulder to see him glaring at her.

“You’re harshing my mellow,” she told him. “Why don’t you talk to Eugene? I’m not going anywhere.”

Connor’s eyebrow climbed up his forehead. “Harshing your mellow?” He shook his head. “The new age was two decades ago.”

“Stop glaring at me and I might consider using a more current metaphor.”

He blinked, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Shit.” He muttered something else she didn’t catch, then said loud enough for her to hear, “Sorry, Sophia. Something I ate isn’t agreeing with me. If you have other work to do right now, maybe I’ll go see what Eugene needs.”

“I have to review these slides and reports. It’s going to take me some time.”

He nodded, still looking chastised, and left her office.

She stared after him. She’d liked the way he’d said her name. His voice, low and rough, made it sound exotic.

Stop daydreaming, idiot.

An hour later, she finished reviewing the reports and got up to take them to Eugene, who would make sure they got where they needed to go.

He wasn’t at his desk, but she could hear him talking to someone in Max’s office. Except she was sure Max was at a meeting with the base commander. Then she heard Connor rumble a reply and she relaxed.

She was about to return to her own office when she heard Eugene say quite clearly, “I really need your help. I’ve never been in a situation like this before, and I’ve got no one else I can ask.”

“Okay, okay,” Connor replied. “I’m not seeing the problem, though.”

“Thanks, man. The thing is, I don’t want a quick blow job, but how do you tell a woman no to that? She’s going to think I’m crazy.”

The wordblow jobfroze her in place.

“How many times has she offered?”

“Just the once, but that’s not what I want. I want a real relationship.”

“So tell her that. And then tell her what you want to do to her.” Connor’s voice was matter-of-fact. “In great detail.”

“I don’t know. I mean, I’m not so eloquent when I’m nervous, you know?”

“Gene, most women like it if you talk dirty to them.”

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