It's an mf novel, I believe set in the future.
The male lead is a general our military commander of their area of space. Pretty sure he's an alien. Don't remember the beginning at all.
Female human lead/main had a protection detail that she jokingly calls her boy toys! She's the representative at some kind of 3d chess-like strategy tournament where she plays a Bimbo to help her squad earn a lot on betting.
She bonds to some sort of lizard on another planet that's where they find the male lead's brother. He's been gathering spies for intelligence in the area.
The aliens? don't like the water.
So much forgotten about this book please help!