Lieutenant Lee Mallory spends his time off duty playing video games. There isn't much else to do while stationed on the USS Nova out in deep space. Unfortunately, a run in with his commanding officer, Jonan Thomas, strips him -- and everyone else onboard -- of their gaming privileges. Thomas has had it in for Lee from day one, when they got off on the wrong foot. Now, banned from using the game server in the rec room, Lee sneaks online in his quarters after hours, looking to play. That's where he meets a fellow gamer onboard who's interested in a different kind of game. As much as Lee wants to hook up, though, he can't afford to get into any more trouble. Can Lee take command -- in the game and in the bedroom -- without further aggravating his CO?

Commanding Officer Thomas

“Was that directed at me?” the guy asked.


His voice was level, calm. Maybe Lee was misreading the situation. Still, just to be safe, he gave a one-shouldered shrug and made a noncommittal noise he hoped could be read as either yes or no, depending on how it was interpreted.


The guy looked unimpressed. “What’s your name, mister?”


Maybe he was interested, after all. Lee tamped down the flicker of hope in his chest. “Lee. Lee Mallorywith the 58th. This is—”


The blasé way he drew out Lee’s name set off all kinds of warning bells. “How’d you know my rank?”


Rubbing the towel over his close-cropped hair, the guy sounded casually disinterested as he replied, “You’re right. We haven’t been formally introduced. But I’ve heard all about you, Lieutenant.”


Beside him, Brenna groaned. “Oh no.”


Lee still didn’t get it. “What do you mean?”


“He’s our new CO,” Brenna moaned.


Chapter 4