Tactical Deception: Silent Warrior, Book 2 by J.L. Saint Page B

have no idea.” Threat delivered, she dug into the food—a little fried rice, a little Mongolian beef and possibly more than half of the pot stickers.
    He laughed and twisted off the caps for the beer then dished up his food. Several bites disappeared before he even sat back to breathe. “It’s been a long time since breakfast.”
    She halted mid-bite then swallowed, her brow knotting. “You mean they didn’t feed you at all?”
    “Coffee was it. The police station isn’t the Ritz.”
    “Still, they could have been decent. I can’t believe they think you had anything to do with this horror. That bowling-ball buzzard should have vouched for you. He was there in Peru. He knows you’re legit. And one phone call to your commander or to Jack should have put you in the clear.”
    “They did all of that first thing, but the situation is a little more complicated than just having an alibi and character vouchers. The scope of the sniper attacks implies that there is a well-planned conspiracy underway involving a number of men highly skilled with weapons. I am the only witness they have and the other man is the only suspect they have out of eight attacks all over the country involving over fifteen murders.”
    “I get that, but it sounds as if you are excusing their deplorable treatment of you. How can they believe you’re involved?” She popped a pot sticker in her mouth and licked sauce off her bottom lip. She sat snuggled next to him, which put her mouth within easy reach of his. In fact every part of her was in easy reach.
    Rico’s blood heated and it took him a second to realize she’d asked him a question. Was he sick in the head? They were in the midst of a terror attack on the whole country and he was thinking about her naked and licking sauce from every place he could pour it?
    Hell, maybe he was just human and so thankful she hadn’t been hurt today, so thankful that he was alive and not sitting in a jail cell tonight that he wanted to let loose and live the moment to the fullest.
    What more could he do about the sniper thing at that moment? He’d been going around and around with it to the point his head was about to explode. He needed a break from it all. He needed her.
    “In their line of work everyone connected to a case is guilty until proven innocent. I’m not excusing them, but understand that they do have to investigate everything thoroughly. I do too. I have to be damn sure I didn’t see something that I’m just not remembering yet, but all of that can wait until later.” He set his half-finished dinner on the coffee table and turned her way, watching her eat another pot sticker. The dumpling eased between her lips. Her mouth closed over the delicious tidbit. Her silky tongue slipped out, its pink tip sliding through spicy droplets. His erection pressed hard against his fly at the thought of him doing all of that to her and her taking all of that tongue action to where he wanted to feel it the most. He groaned.
    Her gaze flashed to his and her eyes widened. Her mouth moved more slowly as she chewed then swallowed. “Uh, considering the CIA kept Lauren for weeks, I, uh, guess we’re lucky you’re here tonight.”
    “Yeah.”
    She looked at the plate he’d set down. “You’re not hungry?”
    “I’m starving. Hungrier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.” He’d waited for weeks for the right time and even though it was the worst timing possible, he couldn’t wait a second more.
    Her jaw dropped as he took her plate from her wobbly grip.
    “I, uh, am in desperate need of a shower.”
    “Me too,” he whispered, then leaned in and pressed his mouth to her lush lips. She opened immediately for him, inviting his tongue and more as she sighed and sank closer against him. He thrust deep into her mouth, tasting the spicy sauce, tasting her, and plundered for more as pleasure washed over him like a benediction from heaven.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Fort Bragg, North Carolina
    He was in