Chapter 4

Fraternization was simply not permitted. While casual sex tended to be ignored, no real bonding was tolerated, no connection likely to cause favoritism or distract any soldier from his or her duty. An officer was expected to have exactly equal concern for each of the troops he or she led, no favorites. The code was stern and unforgiving.

Jayce knew this, and he knew Balt did, too. Already Jayce sensed this was not going to be only a casual fling, a one-night stand. He’d been in much deeper than that since Kalibassi. They were treading dangerous ground from the very first moment.

The second knock on the door in less than thirty minutes interrupted them. They sprang apart, both breathing heavily. Balt grabbed for his tunic and shoved his arms through the sleeves, fighting the fabric as it tangled.

Jayce mumbled, “In a minute,” as if he were half-asleep. Silently, he gestured toward the closet-sized head, opening off the room.