Beyond the Call of Duty (11 page)

He hadn’t had a completely clean-shaven face since high school. The thought of shaving now appealed to him, and he began to look around in the bathroom, finding shaving cream, razors, a small pair of scissors and a towel.

Moving around caused him to start shaking, and he sank down on the closed toilet. He drank a cup of water and took slow, even breaths. After a few moments, he felt better and went back to the mirror, picking up the scissors and making the first cuts before he could change his mind.

Twenty minutes later, he wiped the last of the bits of shaving cream off his clean-shaven face and stared at himself in the mirror. He looked younger. That was the first thought that came to mind. Not that he looked old before; the beard gave him maturity. Without it, he felt about ten years younger.

A knock on the door of the bathroom caught his attention. “Yes?”

“Gabe, I came in to check...” the words slowly drifted away as she stared at the man in front of her. “Y-You shaved?”

He smiled, reaching out a hand to lift her jaw. “I knew they made you a U.S. Marshal for some reason. Yes, I shaved. You approve?”

Lexi smiled, her eyes gleaming with golden highlights as she moved around him. “Oh yes,” she said softly, bringing her hand up to feel his smooth skin. “I very much approve.”

He grabbed her hand before she could take it back and tugged her into his arms. Leaning against the counter, he held her close, pulling her off balance so she leaned into him. “You could show your approval in another way,” he said, smiling into her gorgeous amber eyes.

* * * *

Lexi didn’t struggle. She was where she wanted to be. It didn’t matter to her that Gabe had run with the mob or that he might be a criminal. What mattered to her was how she felt whenever she was around him. She was nervous, but not afraid, her skin felt hot and her heart seemed to race, especially when she was as close as she was now. She’d never been as attracted to a man as she was to Gabe. Everything else was second place to him.

A sly smile touched her lips as she ran her fingers through his longish hair, raking it back from his forehead. “Some other way, huh?” She wrapped her fingers in the side of his hair and yanked his head down, and then lifted her mouth, instinctively parting her lips to meet his. His mouth was hot, the skin around it smooth. It was almost like kissing a completely different man who had his mouth, but she took complete advantage, slipping her tongue past his lips to play, listening to his moan of pleasure.

“I’m not letting you leave my arms again,” he whispered against her lips as she curled up her mouth. “I let you go, and you leave me alone. Do you know how badly I wanted to wake up with you in my arms?”

She moved her hands across his bare shoulders and slid her palms down his chest. “Gabe, you know why I had to leave. Jack would pull me from the case if he thought I was getting too involved with you. He would be worried about me missing something or being an instant too late or not doing my job right if I care about you too much.”

“So you do?” he asked, nuzzling his nose into the soft spot next to her ear.

“Do what?” she breathed, shivering as the heat of his mouth tickled her skin.

“Care about me too much?”

She drew in a deep breath, backing away to put herself at arm’s length from him. “Are you asking if I love you, Gabe?”

“Well, no, actually. I was just wondering about you caring about me, but if you love me, I wouldn’t mind hearing about that either. I mean, I know I’m pretty irresistible.”

“You have a very healthy sense of self.”

He trapped her against the counter, moving closer so she could feel his heat through her clothing. “Well, I’m more interested in what you think of my sense of self.” He dipped his head before she could answer and brushed his lips with hers, softly, gently tasting. Lexi couldn’t resist the teasing brushes and moved her hand to his hair, tipping her head to bring their lips in closer contact. The kiss was deep and heated, their tongues dueling. He finally pulled away, just the tiniest bit, his breathing heavy, her breasts rising as spasmodically as his own chest.

“So?” he whispered against her mouth, nibbling against her lower lip.

“So, what?” she asked, her voice sounding as dazed as she felt. No one had ever taken her to heat as fast as this man did with just a kiss.

“Do you love me, Lexi?” He lifted her in his strong arms, setting her down on the countertop, sliding his hands under the polo shirt she was now wearing. She shivered at the heat of his hands, but her eyes never left the amazing warmth in his hazel eyes.

“Yes,” she said, unable to hide anything from him when he held her with such careful hands, his attention focused completely upon her. “I promised myself I wouldn’t tell you. I shouldn’t feel like that, but I do. It’s probably the most stupid thing I’ve done, and I should have never told you,” she said with a sigh.

“Being in love with me is stupid?”

She let her fingers roam over his face, feeling the slash of his cheek bones, the deep contour of his jaw. “I love you, and I lose all objectivity, Gabe. My job is to protect you with my life if necessary. I’ve given an oath to the office that I work for, and to the President of the United States, that I would perform my duty to the best of my ability. That ability is now in question.”

“I don’t doubt your ability,” he said softly, moving his hand over her dark curls. “I’ve no doubt you wouldn’t throw yourself in front of a bullet for me.” His voice grew curt as he spoke, and he curved his hands into fists. “I’d be pretty damned pissed off at you if you did something so God-damned stupid, Lexi.”

She looked up, surprised at his words and his tone. “But—”

“But nothing. I’m capable of ducking or of hitting the deck if need be. I don’t need you to throw yourself in front of me, maybe getting yourself killed on a bullet that had my name on it. I love you, Lexi. I’ve never in my life told another person that and meant it.” He sighed almost as if he was disgusted with himself.

She smiled, she couldn’t help it. Hearing the words spoken back to her, even in that disgusted tone of voice, had her heart swelling in her chest. Her eyes sparkled and she reached up once more, bringing his mouth to hers. “Tell me again,” she whispered against his lips.

“I love you, Alexandra Hunter.”

She melted against him, kissing him with every bit of love she felt for him. Gabe growled in answer, his mouth growing harder, more ardent, his lips demanding her response. He lifted her in his arms despite her muffled protests, taking her back to the bed. He laid her down in it and pulled her arms from around his neck. “Just a minute,” he said softly.

He went to the door, turning the lock before moving back to the bed. Lexi was pulling the polo shirt off her head as she turned toward him, a beautiful sky blue lace bra hiding her full breasts from his eyes.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” he growled, reaching for her as she pushed the covers down below their feet.

“You’re just biased.” She arched her back, feeling the heaviness of his chest against her breasts. The feel of him against her like that sent a shocking sense of need through her, plaguing at her for more. “You feel so good, Gabe.”

He pulled aside the clip she’d used to corral her unruly locks. “I don’t know why you keep these trapped,” he growled, running his fingers through her beautiful dark locks.

“They get in my eyes,” she said, rubbing her head against his hand. “They can ruin my aim. Kiss me, Gabe.”

He did, but it was too short, too teasing. He grabbed her hands when she tried to force more from him, holding them next to her shoulders. “Slow down, baby,” he whispered against her lips. “We have time. We have lots of time.”

She twisted her wrists in his grasp. He held her gently, but she couldn’t get loose and growled her frustration. “Gabe, I want to touch you,” she pleaded.

“Not yet,” he said with a smile. “When I’m ready.”

He rubbed his face against her lace-covered breasts, circling his chin against the hard nubs of her nipples. “Are you excited, Lexi? Am I turning you on?”

She felt her face flush red and stumbled over her words. “G-Gabe...”

“Tell me, Lexi. Tell me how I make you feel.”

“F-Frustrated.” She arched her back, pushing her breasts harder against his face. “I want to feel you.”

He chuckled, using his nose to tease her nipples. “You can feel me.” He took the dimpled lace in his mouth, nibbling and teasing her more.

“No, I want more. Please, Gabe. You’ll drive me mad.”

He kissed her cheek, moving her wrists so he could hold them in one big hand. “I just want to love you, Lexi.”

Her jeans felt too tight, the middle seam driving her to distraction against her swollen clit. She rubbed against him, sliding her feet against the sheet as she tried to get even closer. He smiled darkly, reaching out to fiddle with the button of her jeans. “You really do want me,” he said, his amazement easily discernable on his face.

“Yes,” she almost cried, lifting her head off the pillow to find his lips.

The knock on the bedroom door shocked both of them to sudden stillness. Lexi spoke in the tiniest of whispers. “They know I’m checking on you.”

“Then you’d better answer them.” He touched her neck with his mouth, and she gasped as she felt his teeth and the thrill that went through her to her toes. The knock came again, and she cursed her team for being so damn cautious even though she knew they were only doing their jobs.

“Gabe! Lexi was coming up to check on you. Have you seen her?”

“I’m fine, Gerald. Gabe was up and shaving when I came in. He did way too much, so now I’m just helping him back to bed. I’ll be down in a few.”

“Hours,” Gabe whispered, unwilling to let go of her arms.

“Why is this door locked?” Gerald called, rattling the door knob.

“Uh, it must have locked when I closed it to help Gabe. Give me a couple of minutes, Gerald. I’ll be right down as soon as I get him comfortable.” She managed to shove Gabe back, rolling on the bed and grabbing her hair clip and her shirt from the floor. She turned, throwing the covers over him, giving him a look that spoke volumes. She pulled on her polo shirt, a deep sigh coming from between her lips.

Her hair was twisted and clipped, and she glanced at the mirror over his dresser. The light was still on in the bathroom, and she could see her flushed features, her passion-dazed eyes and the fact her lips looked as if they’d been locked to Gabe’s since she first walked into the room, which they almost had.

There was little chance of fooling her team, but she was giving it a good shot. She smoothed down her shirt and turned toward Gabe. “Stay in bed, Mr. Elliott. I don’t want to have to scoop you off the floor again.”

He grinned and shook his head. Grabbing a pillow, he stuffed it under his head to watch the next stage of her production.

Lexi went to the door and rattled the knob. “It’s stuck, Gerald. Give me a minute.” She rattled the knob again before finally flipping over the lock and tugging it open. She barely glanced back at the half-naked man she’d left in bed, slipping out the door to leave it partially open.

“Situation report,” she growled.

“All’s quiet, boss. The team Jack left is walking perimeter. They haven’t seen anything. Joe’s taking first shift and he’ll wake me up at 0400. If you say our package is still alive and kicking then I say good job for the day.” Gerald reached out and pulled a tiny white feather, caught in her hair from Gabe’s bed. He didn’t say a word, but let it drop from his hand, watching as it waved its way toward the floor, only to be caught in the up draft of the air conditioning.

“Go to bed, Gerald. I’m heading that way myself. Wake me at 0600. Make sure the coffee’s hot then too. Goodnight.”

She watched him walk to the stairs. He would bed down on the couch on the first floor. That way, if anyone busted in, and Joe needed help, Gerald wouldn’t be a flight of stairs away. It was one of the things she required of her agents; to understand the needs of their partners and be able to fulfill those needs before a situation could occur.

There was a creak behind her, and she crouched and spun, grabbing the intruder’s hand and starting to pull him forward, determined to use her hip to knock him to the floor. She stopped mid-maneuver. It was Gabe. “I could have killed you,” she growled.

“But you didn’t,” he said with a tiny smile. He took one of her hands, lifting it to his mouth. “You’re off duty until 0600 hours.”

“Gabe...”

He blinked down at her innocently. “Don’t even try that butter-won’t-melt look with me, Gabriel Jacob Elliott.”

“Aww, now you’ve gone and done it.” He stared down at her with a pained expression. “Now you sound like my mother.”

“I don’t know whether I should be flattered, or if I should ball up my fist and smack you for that crack.”

“Oh, smack me,” he wheedled, pulling her closer. He kissed her softly as she parted her lips and speared the tip of her tongue into his mouth. He hung on to her, dragging her even closer. “I love you,” he whispered when he lifted his head. “You are going to get so tired of those three words.”

“Never, Gabe, but I have to get you back into bed and grab some sleep myself. You’re the only one allowed to sleep in, honey.”

“I can’t talk you into getting that sleep with me?” He grinned like an unrepentant school boy.