"You were supposed to be a quick lay. Forgettable." Seth rolled his head from side to side. 
 Rick grabbed Seth's chin and held him steady. "And you were supposed to be a stop on the way to a job that had me turned around." 
 This is the third (perhaps final?) installment of Helenkay Dimon's Tough Love series. I've read all of Dimon's m/m books and three of her m/f books. While she often employs similar tropes and her characters often have similar quirks, they work and they work well (at least for me). Romantic suspense - especially of the "spy" persuasion - is my favorite genre, but I think that this series appeals beyond that. 
 Seth (who works in covert ops for the Special Activities Division of the CIA) and Rick (who is also CIA but "embedded" in the State Department and serving as an interim consul general) have a smoking hot encounter in a Munich nightclub. They go their separate ways, somewhat reluctantly (which is a surprise to them both). Or at least they think they go their separate ways. A few days later, they come face-to-face as Seth learns that guarding Rick is his next assignment. They don't bother trying to deny their mutual attraction and have plenty of sexytimes while they attempt to uncover a weapons smuggling scheme. Of course, the sexytimes soon turn into more and they genuinely begin to fall for each other. Moreover, they share a painful past connection which is known (and kept secret) by Rick. 
 I'm not typically a fan of books in which the characters hook-up within the opening scene. I prefer observing the sexual tension and emotional connection build. Sometimes, though, these type of hook-ups actually enhance the tension and connection between the characters. I felt that happened here - their dynamic read as more intense, more urgent. Those familiar with the series will be pleased to see that Seth's trademark snark and sarcasm is on full display. Dimon is great at writing amusing banter and it was present throughout the book. Yet I also felt Seth's inner turmoil - the pain, the guilt, the doubts about his self-worth. Rick was slightly more of an enigma and I would have preferred a bit more time in his head. But he was, without a doubt, a charming, decent, respectable individual. Their relationship didn't read as deep to me as Zach and Fisher's relationship in Mr. and Mr. Smith, which is book one in the series. However, I felt that Rick gave as good as he got and that he was a good balance and match for Seth. And I ate up the reveal of their past connection. Dimon is adept as these types of reveals and subsequent angst. But ever fear - she is adept at writing the HEAs as well! I'm really looking forward to reading the spin-off series!