Beyond the Call of Duty by Wendy Stone Page B

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