Odeon glanced down, smiling at her familiar banter. "Yes, ma'am. The Academy did stress respect for one's superior officers, and the importance of a proper stance of attention." * * * * * They lay for awhile when it ended, catching their breath, then Odeon withdrew, caressing her affectionately. "You seemed to enjoy that--and it's the best I've ever had." "Enjoy?" Cortin looked at him, trying to sort out her feelings. "That's . . . I don't know. Too weak a word." She smiled at him, a bit tentatively. "Mike . . . it was like climaxing, the whole time--and when you did, it was . . ." She hesitated, searching for words, then gave it up as hopeless. Even a poet would have trouble describing what she'd felt! "I can't describe it, except that it was like being filled with liquid fire--and I'm still tingling from it." "So what's the verdict for tonight? Rest or recreation?" "Recreation, definitely. After supper, though." "Bradford and Illyanov have been making it pretty clear they'd like in, if you're willing." 'Willing' seemed like a pretty weak word too, Cortin thought. It didn't seem her drive was any stronger than it had been, so maybe it was the length of time she'd had to abstain, but the idea of as wide a variety as she could get--and as much--was overwhelmingly attractive. "I assume you told them I would be?" "Not exactly, though I did say you'd enjoyed men from outside your team in the past. Sweet Mother, I couldn't even be sure you'd want me, after what the Brothers did to you!" Until he'd been told this morning that she would, and he'd only become positive when she'd claimed him . . . "There's a major difference between an enemy assault and a friendly tussle," Cortin said drily. "I was a little nervous at first, I can't deny that, but it didn't last long. I didn't notice you having me held down, or using broken bottles, or gun barrels along with threats to blow my head off from the inside." "You never told me that!" Odeon exclaimed, horrified. "I . . . had a hard time talking about it until now. Even during debrief, with all of Colonel Bradford's skill. I still do, a little." Odeon embraced her, swearing to himself. What he had known was bad enough--but he hadn't imagined rape with a gun barrel, and he didn't want to imagine any parts she'd still have trouble talking about. Brad was right--they had to get Joanie out of the field, somewhere she'd be safe, before the Brothers had a chance to get hold of her again, off limits or not, and maybe do something even worse. Between himself, Brad, and Ivan, they should be able to find some way to get her into a safe job willingly! "It's okay, Joanie," he said softly. "We'll take care of you."