Page 50 of Lethal Game

“I understand. I’ve only known Con for a few days, yet the length of time doesn’t seem to matter. He’s the first soldier who didn’t dismiss me as irrelevant the moment he met me.”

“Like I said, these guys...soldiers don’t even know where the damn box is that most people spend their lives in.”

“She doesn’t know where the box is either, Max. She’s one of the people who makes suretheydon’t.”

“Unfortunately, the box isn’t the only thing she doesn’t see.” He dropped his arms and gave her a patient look. “Your report?”

As much as she wanted to help him, this was something he had figure out on his own. Like how she had to create a working relationship with a man she wanted for something other than work. “Can I write it in my office?”

“Of course, make sure Button writes his too.”

“Yes, sir.” Sophia left Max’s office. Relief, anxiety, and anticipation made her muscles shake and her head dizzy.

She wasn’t sure how her sexual encounter with Con was going to impact their ability to work together. Would it change the way he treated her during their working hours?

She couldn’t stop thinking about it, but Max and General Stone were keeping such a close watch on them, Con wouldn’t want to risk getting caught with his pants down. Or his hand down her pants. Whichever.

A large part of her wanted more. The rest of her was uncertain and a little afraid of the way she’d lost total control with him.

Con was standing next to Eugene’s desk talking with the young soldier. Both of them had determined expressions on their faces.

“Are you good?” Con asked her.

No, I’m not good. I’m terrified, turned on, and two seconds away from throwing up.She couldn’t tell him all that in front of Eugene, so she found herself lifting her chin. “I’m going to write my report in my office. You’re supposed to come with me. You can use Dr. Samuels’s computer to write yours.”

He nodded, then said to Eugene, “Let me know if you have any problems.”

“Of course, but I don’t expect any. Colonel Maximillian’s team is high on everyone’s priority list.”

Con walked with her to her office, and for the first time since she met him, his height and size made her feel...awkward. “What was that about the extra men you want on my security detail?”

“Yeah. I’ve asked for two specific guys. Demolitions and Engineering Sergeant Lyle Smoke and Medic Walter River.”

“I know Smoke. He was assigned to Dr. Samuels for a short time when she was here recovering from getting blown up and infected with anthrax.” She paused. “I didn’t know his name was Lyle.”

“Don’t use his first name. Ever.”

“I know. He told me when I asked him if Smoke was his first or last name.”

Con glanced at her, his brows raised. “He talked to you?”

“A little. He gave me a nickname.”

Con’s eyes widened. “This I can’t wait to hear.”

“Ghost. You know, because I’m so white.” She pointed at her hair, then turned on Dr. Samuels’s computer, entered the password, and waved at Con to sit. “I don’t know the other man. What’s he like?”

“River is an interesting guy. He has an eidetic memory.”

Sophia paused in the process of entering her password on her computer. “Really? I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse.”

Con tilted his head. “Most people get excited and start imagining all the ways River can use his memory to their benefit.”

“My memory may not be eidetic, but it’s pretty good, and there are plenty of things I wish I couldn’t remember. Not being able to forget would be torturous.” She met Con’s somber gaze. She wasn’t the only one who wished they could forget. “How does he cope with the bad stuff?”

“You’ll have to ask him.”

“When will they be here?”

---