Roger nodded. In all honesty, he felt a bit let down. He could, between rounds, almost imagine having a long distance relationship with her. But, she was right. Keeping it casual was probably for the best. “I understand.”
She reached out and ran her hand along the side of his face. “You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”
Roger feigned surprise. “Who? Me? Nah.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “I mean, yeah. The idea of maybe this forming into…something, did cross my mind. But you’re right. It’s better left to a one night stand.”
She raised a brow at him and a smile started to form. “A one night stand? Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before.”
Roger shrugged. “Hey, you said it first.”
She shook her head. “No, actually I said that I was satisfying a long time curiosity. Or something like that.”
“So, I’m just an itch scratcher,” he teased as he pulled her close. She rolled to her other side and snuggled up to him, spooning under the thin cotton sheet.
“You’re definitely something. I don’t know if I’d call you an ‘itch scratcher’ though.” She turned and gave him another mischievous smile over her shoulder. “You might have to increase your endurance to be able to call yourself an ‘itch scratcher.’”
Roger groaned while she relished in her joke.
“Fine. I’ll work on my staying power and maybe you can promote me the next time we…well…” He paused and shrugged. “I guess there won’t be a next time, will there?”
She wiggled in closer and he felt her firm bottom grind against his groin. “I didn’t say there wouldn’t be a next time. Just that I’m not looking for anything long term.”
Roger closed his eyes and inhaled deeply of her hair. “You let me know when you want to test my endurance again. I’ll find a way to get to you.”
She smiled and took his hand into hers as he drifted off to sleep.
Karachi, Pakistan
BRIDGER STEPPED OFF the plane and used his hands to shield his eyes from the sun. “Good lord, I forgot how hot it was here.”
“You thought Texas was bad.” Deric pushed past him and waved to the driver.
Jay stepped from the plane and clicked his phone shut. “Jeff’s gonna meet us at the office.”
Bridger turned and gave him a curious stare. “You maintain offices here?”
Jay shook his head. “At Jeff’s office.” He stopped and held a hand up in front of Bobby. “And, for the record, here in the ‘stan, Jeff is just Jeff Green.”
Bobby nodded. “I guess the name Greenberg doesn’t fly too well with the locals.”
Gregg slipped past the pair carrying a heavy duffel. “I dare the fuckers to mess with him. Jeff takes no prisoners.” He dropped the duffel on the baggage cart and stretched his back. “Damn. I think Steve packed half the office.”
“It’s like a condom, Slippy. Better to have one and not need it…”
“Yeah, yeah. Next time you carry it.” Gregg planted a hand on the small of his back and hobbled off.
Jay watched as the drivers hauled their gear then made a circle with his hand. “Load up.”
The drive through Karachi wasn’t hurried and Bobby saw many familiar sights along with many new things he hadn’t expected. The team arrived at the well disguised branch CIA office and Jeff was waiting outside for them as the stretched van pulled to a stop near the entrance.
Bobby looked up through the tinted windows and raised a brow. “A coffeeshop?”
Jay shrugged. “Why not? Americans love their coffee about as much as the hajis do.” He opened the side door and Gregg practically jumped from the cramped vehicle. “Maybe next time you can wait till the car stops.” Jay hiked a discerning brow at him.
Gregg shook his shoulders off and reached for the bag that held his computer equipment. “Sorry boss but I get nervous in anything that isn’t armored.” He snatched the bag and turned for the door.
Jeff reached out a hand and Gregg slipped a dollar into it. “Grab my bags, will ya?”
Jeff gave him a dirty look and pocketed the dollar. “Good to see you too, Gregg.”
“Don’t mind him. He’s still cranky about the in-flight movie.” Jay grabbed his own duffel and slung it over his shoulder. “Have you heard from our contractors?”
Jeff paused and stared open mouthed at the large bald man. “Contractors? Tell me you didn’t.”
Jay pulled his sunglasses off and smirked. “Oh yes we did. We wanted eyes on. Who better than your favorite pair of ex-operators.”
“There’s no such thing as an ex operator. You know that.” Jeff held the door while the rest of the men disembarked and retrieved their collective bags. When Bridger came around from the rear of the van Jeff nearly choked. “Bobby Bridger. I thought you quit and fell off the planet.”
Bobby smiled and reached out to shake the man’s hand. “Jeff, it’s good to see you again.”
“What happened to you? I mean…have you been underground this whole time?” Jeff waited until the men had entered the coffeeshop before pulling the door shut and pointing toward the rear of the building.
“Actually, yeah. Literally.” Bobby walked alongside his ex-partner and spoke softly. “I retired to a hole in the ground in North Texas. And when I say a hole in the ground, I mean a hole in the ground.”
Jeff shook his head. “Let me guess, an ex military bunker?”
“Nearly.” Bobby stepped down into the darkened back room and glanced around. “Is this where we’re setting up shop?”
Jay shook his head. “Negative. We’re here cashing in a favor. We’ll be heading to our offices shortly.” He turned to Jeff and reached out a hand. “You got it?”
Jeff squirmed a moment then reached to the closest cabinet and pulled a file. “Yeah. Hello to you too,” he mumbled as he passed the file over. “Remember, you didn’t get this from me.”
Jay sat on the corner of the desk and rifled through the sheets. “Who are
