STORY EXCERPT
Gideon stopped and turned to look at her. She was tiny compared to him, her head barely reaching the center of his chest. As close as they were she had to crane her neck up to see his face. A face that still showed how angry he was, his eyes were flashing blue green sparks and his firm jaw was clinched.
“When we get there you’ll know.”
Short and not so sweet—that was Gideon.
“Look, I know that you’re upset with me and I admit that I did a stupid thing tracking those drug runners by myself, but I know these mountains better than anyone. I know every tree, every bush, and the animals that live here. I can be of some use.”
Gideon stared at her for a moment before he answered her. “Yeah, well, you may know the mountains, but I know how to escape and evade. My job is to keep you safe, and I’m damn good at my job. So you just follow me like a good little girl and just maybe we’ll get you out of this alive.”
“I’m not an idiot! I know that you’re good at what you do! Why can’t I know where we’re going?” She was almost screaming at him.
“Because I said so, that’s why. And I don’t have to explain myself to you, little girl! You’re in enough trouble right now, and making me even angrier is not a good idea!” Gideon turned and began walking again.
“Stop calling me ‘little girl’!”
“Then stop acting like one!” he retorted back to her over his shoulder.
Elizabeth growled in anger, and she caught herself almost stomping her foot like the little girl he accused her of being. This was a nightmare! Maybe if they just didn't speak to each other she’d manage to get through this. Yeah, right like that was going to happen. She and Gideon had been striking sparks off each other from the day they met. He thought she was a spoiled little brat, and she thought he was an arrogant pain in the butt. This was sooo not going to be fun.
Early in the afternoon Gideon called a halt for rest. Digging in his pack he pulled out two protein bars and handed Elizabeth one. She took it gratefully and tore off the wrapper. She was starving but she’d never tell him that. She’d rather starve than show any weakness in front of him.
Gideon pulled out a bottle of water, took off the cap, and took a long draw before handing it to her.
“Thanks,” she said quietly and drank.
“We should be at our stopping point in a few more hours. Can you hold out until then?”
“No problem” she replied, still fuming at him.
He eyed her and sighed heavily.
“Look, Elizabeth, we’re going to be stuck with each other for a while. Can we call a truce?”
“I didn't know we were at war.” She shifted on the rock she was sitting on and looked away from him.
Gideon reached out and with his index finger turned her face toward him. “We may not be at war with each other, but we don’t exactly see eye to eye on anything either.”
He gave her a rare small smile. She looked into his eyes, and for a brief moment they softened.
“Look, Gideon, I’m willing to try if you are. Just don’t go giving me orders all the time. I’m not one of your team members or your lackey.”
He grasped her chin with his fingers and brought his face within inches of hers. “No you aren't. But when it comes to your safety, there will be no compromise. You’ll do exactly what I say, when I say! You got that?”
Elizabeth jerked her head away from his hand. “I got it! Now let me tell you something Mr. High-and-Mighty. Just because Heath assigned you to protect me does not give you the right to lord over me! I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself!”
“Yeah, I can see how good you are at that. You've almost gotten yourself killed twice in the last year. That’s not such a good resume.” Gideon snorted.
“Who the hell do you think you are? Some cocky, arrogant Rambo wannabe with delusions of grandeur?” She ranted.
“Baby, Rambo’s got nothing on me. I know what I’m capable of, and it’s not like the movies. I’m the real deal, flesh and blood. You’d better realize the difference before it’s too late.”
“Why you overbearing, arrogant, cold—”
She never finished her sentence because Gideon grabbed her by both arms and yanked her to him. At the same time he brought his lips down onto hers in a raw, punishing kiss. Elizabeth used both hands to push against his chest, but the man was made of stone, and nothing she did could move him. She twisted her head to get away from his lips, but he just followed her, keeping contact. This kiss was not because he wanted her. It was punishment for putting herself in danger and scaring the shit out of him. He’d never forget how helpless he felt when he was told that she was missing.
ADULT EXCERPT
Gideon turned her in his arms and bent down to kiss her. Elizabeth put her arms around his neck and gave herself over to his keeping. With both hands he reached down and grasped the hem of the shirt she wore and slowly worked it up, then breaking their kiss momentarily, he pulled the shirt the rest of the way off.
Elizabeth moved her hands to his shirt but he stilled them.
“No, baby girl, not this time. This time I’m completely in charge.”
She took a deep breath and watched him as he left her standing by the window and moved toward the bed. Sitting on the edge with his legs spread, he used his finger to indicate exactly where he wanted her. “Come here, Elizabeth.”
She walked slowly over to him and stood exactly where he had pointed. She made no attempt to touch him as he watched her face. He drew his finger down her chest between her breasts and continued on down her belly before reversing course and going back up. He kept going up and down the front of her body, never quite reaching her mound.
Elizabeth felt the heat in her rise again. Her heart rate kicked into overdrive, and she licked her lips to moisten them.
“You keep looking at me like that, and I’ll put those pretty lips to good use.”
Just to arouse him more Elizabeth licked her lips again. Smack! Gideon popped her on the behind. She yipped but didn't respond verbally.
“Behave or you’re going to get yourself in trouble.” He rubbed his hand over the stinging spot on her behind. With his other hand, he began to massage her breast and graze over her nipple. His roughened fingertips added to the sensation and sent electrical shocks down through her body. She could feel her pussy clenching.
Leaning in to her. he flicked her already sensitized nipples with his tongue. Elizabeth arched her back in response to his stimulation, craving more. Her feminine channel flooded, and the scent of her arousal surrounded them. Gideon's hand skimmed over her smooth satiny belly and then moved down to the soft delicate lips of her mound.
Still sucking her nipples, he slid a finger between her thighs and into her pussy. Her felt the wetness that gathered there. She was hot and ready for him. and she pushed against his finger in an effort to ease the growing tension.
Gideon moved suddenly, and Elizabeth found herself lying on the bed with her legs hanging over the edge. She felt like she was on fire and couldn't breathe fast enough. Gideon pushed her thighs farther apart to gain better access to her nether regions. He blew across her distended clit and then licked it sending wave after wave of pleasure through her. Elizabeth writhed on the bed trying to gain relief from his torture, but he grasped her hips to hold her in place.
“God, Elizabeth, you taste so good! So fucking good!”
Then he speared her with his tongue in an imitation of the act that would soon follow and she soared. Grasping the comforter she screamed as her release exploded within her. She felt so hot that she wondered why the bed didn't catch on fire. Before she could come down completely from her high, Gideon was tweaking her clit again with his tongue. He reached up with one hand to squeeze her breast and pinch her nipple. .
“That’s just the beginning, baby. That was just to get you ready for what’s to come.” Gideon’s voice sounded hoarse with his own pent up passion. He wanted to make sure that she was ready for him. Slowly he began a torturous attack on her senses. He continued to strum her clit with his fingers as he made his way up her body. He kept his legs between her thighs to keep her open for him. Grasping her head with one hand, he kissed her deeply like a man possessed.
“Taste yourself on my lips,” he murmured to her. “So sweet, like honey.”
Gideon drove his tongue into her mouth, taking total control of her. Just when she thought that she wouldn't be able to stand it any longer he broke off the kiss to begin a relentless foray down the side of her neck to her shoulder. He caressed her body, and ground his pelvis against her mound. Elizabeth pushed herself against him, completely at the mercy of her passion. Her body was coiling tighter and tighter, trying to gain relief, but Gideon wasn't ready to give that to her again yet.
“Move to the center of the bed, baby.” He lifted off her and struggled to maintain his control.
Elizabeth eyed him but did as she was instructed. She trusted Gideon and she knew that he would take care of her needs, eventually.
Gideon stood at the end of the bed and watched as Elizabeth shifted to the center of the bed. Slowly he began to unbutton his shirt. It was like watching someone opening a present. The anticipation was killing her. All that warm smooth skin revealed one small portion at a time. There was not an ounce of fat onhim. His body was a miracle to her. She kept her eyes on him, watching and waiting for his next move. Once his shirt was removed he moved down to the button and zipper of his jeans.
Elizabeth wanted to say something but she wouldn't break the spell between them. Watching Gideon undress in front of her was one of the most erotic moments in her life and she didn't want to spoil it with words.
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