Close Quarters by Lucy Monroe

feel safe and that was not a sensation she’d been accustomed to since reaching adulthood.
    There was no guarantee that sex with Roman would include affection, but she had a feeling he would be so good at the sex part, she wouldn’t mind. He exuded masculine sexual magnetism and primal aggression, an irresistible package wrapped in darn near irresistible pheromones.
    Besides, holding out for a relationship had only left her alone…and lonely. Chances were, she’d spend her life as alone as Fleur and maybe it was time to face up to that reality.
    Why shouldn’t Tanya take comfort and human connection where she could get it? It wasn’t as if she was going to start sleeping with any man who would have her.
    She still didn’t like the idea of casual copulation, but sharing her body with Roman wouldn’t be casual. Just because he had no feelings for her didn’t mean she couldn’t indulge in the feelings that had been growing inside her since their first meeting. After all, Quinton had not loved her either, but she’d loved him.
    Okay, she’d believed he loved her, but that only made her a fool, not a moral paragon. Knowing Roman’s feelings for her extended only to the physical had to be better than the self-delusion she’d lived under with Quinton.
    If there was a chance of sharing intimacy with Roman, she owed it do herself to pursue it, for the short time it could last.
    Didn’t she?
    Wasn’t a slice of happiness, no matter how temporary, better than none at all?
    Â 
    Ben thought nothing of dosing the dinner of the Marine sharing his room that night with a compound that would induce heavy sleep. The private would wake the next morning feeling refreshed and no worse for wear. The other young Marine sharing the room was on guard duty and would actually be easier to slip by than a well-trained soldier sleeping lightly in the same room.
    Keeping to the darkest shadows, Ben made his way silently to the far side of the compound. He used his satellite phone to connect to TGP’s server and made a text call to Whit.
    He had to wait about ten minutes for the Old Man to answer.
    They exchanged pass codes.
    Whitney texted, “What is your status?”
    â€œIn the compound. Think four of the guards in my ‘security’ detail may be undercover military black ops,” Ben sent back.
    â€œHell.”
    â€œAnswers one question, sir.” Ben typed. “The military has not approved the technology leaks.”
    â€œAt least whoever ordered these agents didn’t approve them. We know damn well one arm of the military doesn’t always speak to the other.”
    â€œJust the like the government.”
    â€œExactly.” The one-word text managed to convey both disgust and cynism.
    â€œProceed as you think best.”
    â€œPermission to reveal my own assignment?”
    â€œIf necessary, but under no circumstances reveal your agency.”
    Ben smirked as he typed, “I’m just a drone for the State Department.”
    â€œPrecisely.”
    â€œOne last thing…” He wasn’t sure exactly how he wanted to break this news, but with the Old Man direct was usually better.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œOne of my guards is Elle’s brother.”
    It took a few seconds to receive an answer, which said more than any texted words could have. “Our Elle?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThat could complicate things.”
    Ya think? Ben shook his head even as he texted back. Complicated was a simple word for a very complex situation. “Yes. He didn’t tell his family he would be seeing Tanya Ruston.”
    â€œShit.” So, his boss had drawn the same conclusion Ben had.
    Ben typed, “I concur.”
    â€œI met her at the wedding. She’s a good person.” Despite the silent nature of their communication, Ben could “hear” the frustration and concern in his boss’s words.
    â€œAgreed.”