Authors: Wendy Stone
"Honey, you couldn't afford me,” Michaels chuckled, never taking his eyes off of Gideon. “Mr. Tanelli put out the order on this guy and he's got to go.” He aimed the pistol carefully. “I'll make this easy on you, Hawk. Head or chest?"
Kenzie was horrified. “Head or chest what?"
"Jesus woman, you need to learn. I can shoot him in the head and it'll have to be a closed casket funeral. I shoot him in the chest, it might take longer to die, but everyone can see his handsome face at the viewings. Now decide or I'll decide for you."
Mac threw herself forward, launching her body over Hawk's. She wrapped her arms around his chest, squeezing her eyes closed. A shot rang out, echoing harshly in the enclosed space and she screamed.
She heard Hawk's voice over the loud thumping of her heart. If he wasn't dead, which his voice proved, than she was the one hit by the bullet. Without opening her eyes, she ran her hands over her body, searching for the hole that would drain out her life's blood.
"Mac, honey,” Gideon whispered, a chuckle sounding in his voice. “While I don't mind the show you're putting on, I think Angelo might get the wrong idea."
Kenzie opened her eyes slowly, staring down into Gideon's. “I'm not dead?"
"No,” he said, his hand coming up to brush across the soft skin of her cheek.
"But I heard the shot..."
"That was my partner coming to our rescue.” He turned her head so that she could see Angelo bent over their assailant who lay upon the floor, his gun kicked out of his reach, his hands being cuffed behind his back. He was bleeding from a gun shot wound to the shoulder and cursing profusely.
"Oh God,” Mackenzie said, a sob breaking her words. “I thought we were both dead.” She sat up, standing easily before reaching for his hand. “Are you okay?"
"Better than he is."
Angelo lifted the man by his arm, almost grinning when the guy groaned in pain. “Sorry about that,” he said cheerfully. “I should have grabbed the other arm."
"I need a hospital. You fucking shot me, man!” Michaels yelled, turning pale as he saw his blood on the floor where he'd fallen.
"Yeah, yeah, they all think a little blood will kill them.” He handed Michaels over to one of the uniformed cops that had followed him into the room. “Read him his rights and I want my cuffs back when you get done with them.” Then he turned and held out his hand to Hawk as well. “You just can't seem to stay out of trouble. You taking lessons from this one?” he asked, nodding toward Mackenzie.
"Thanks so much,” Mac snipped, accidentally moving her elbow so that she hit him in the gut. “Oops, sorry about that.” She grinned innocently, hearing his grunt.
They lifted Hawk up to his feet and then back to the couch. His head wound had opened and was bleeding again.
"You've torn out some stitches.” Kenzie went into the kitchen for the first aid kit and some paper towel. “Who was that guy?” she asked the room in general when she came back in.
"A hired gun, one of Tanelli's favorites.” Angelo sat in a chair the furthest away from where Kenzie was nursing Hawk. “We got the call that he was in town and set up a stake out waiting for him to make his move."
"You couldn't have called me?” Hawk growled, flinching when Mac's gentle fingers brushed against his wound. “Don't you think a heads up would have been called for?"
"There wasn't any time. We barely made it over here when we spotted Michaels outside your building. Tanelli's really got a hard on for you and not in a good way.” He pulled his bulky body out of the chair. “Besides, we got him. You're not hurt and once more, good vanquishes evil. All in a day's work, right?” He patted Hawk on the shoulder, careful not to look too closely at the oozing wound. “Come in when you feel better to file the complaint."
"Yeah,” Gideon growled. “Thanks so much Angelo."
Mac waited until Angelo let himself out. It was so quiet, she swore that the sound of her heart racing in her chest would be deafening. “Are you all right?” she asked him, carefully brushing his hair back.
"Yeah, just a few extra bruises.” His jaw hit the ground when she doubled up her fist and hit him in the shoulder, hard. “Hey! What's that for?"
"You scared the bejesus out of me! Don't ever, ever do that again!” She got up, pacing around the room, her entire body shaking with reaction.
"I told you to run,” he grumbled, dropping his head into his hands.
"Sure, I'm just going to turn around and run out when someone is beating on you.” She rolled her eyes, her hands falling to her hips. “I can't believe you yell at me about being in danger. You've been shot and beaten up and...mmmphhhh."
Gideon rose, grabbing her around the waist and hauling her into his arms. His lips came down hard on hers, cutting off her words. He kissed her until her hands rose to his shoulders, holding on as his tongue explored her mouth. “You done?” he said softly, against her mouth.
"Done?"
"Yelling,” he said, his fingers stroking over her cheek, pushing her hair behind her ear.
"Yeah,” she said with a smile. “I guess I'm done."
"Good because you can't stay here tonight.” He kissed her again, a quick peck before letting her go. “I don't know how many guys Tanelli has sent after me, but I'm not taking any chances on you getting involved with this."
"Don't you think I'm already involved?"
"He's not sending out hit men to kill you, Mac. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you.” He sat down on the couch again, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
She was quiet, too quiet, he thought, waiting for the explosion. Just as he was about to open his eyes, he felt the couch shift, felt her straddle his lap, her hands coming down on his shoulders. Gideon smiled as her lips found his, his hands rising to settle against her bare hips.
Wait a minute, bare hips? He pulled his mouth from hers, opening his eyes to find her naked against him. “Mac, what are you..."
"Shh,” she said, letting her finger rest against his lips. “If you're kicking me out of here, the least you can do is make love to me before I leave."
"Now isn't the time to be...ahh...Mac stop that,” he groaned as she rubbed up against him, his cock swiftly rising under the loose scrubs. She played with him, teasing him with her body, using all the finesse of a consummate stripper giving a lap dance to a high roller in Vegas.
"You don't really want me to leave,” she said breathlessly, her amber eyes glowing with need, “because if you do, I'll stop right now.” She held her body away from him, just far enough that he could feel the heat of her.
"No, I don't want you to leave,” he growled, his hands forcing her body back to his. “I just want you safe.” His hands moved her over him, his eyes staring up and into her flushed face. “I can't guarantee your safety here.” He cupped her breasts in his big palms, his thumbs brushing across the hardened tips.
Mackenzie shuddered against him, her head falling back, her eyes closing in pleasure. “I'm a reporter,” she breathed huskily. “Safety is never a guaranteed thing. Besides, you'll protect me.” She moaned, arching her back further as his lips caressed her nipple, his tongue lapping against it.
Her hands went to his head, carefully holding him to her. Her hips moved against him, her thighs quivering as the pressure of his lips created a havoc of emotion deep in her belly. He moaned around her nipple, the vibrations against her skin causing a gasp of pure lust to escape her full lips.
"I want you, Mackenzie Hunter,” he said with a groan, forcing his mouth away from her sweet flesh. “But I won't put you in danger."
"Then come with me,” she said, dropping her head to find his mouth. “A nice hotel, room service, a hot tub for two?” she coaxed, slipping her tongue between his lips to tease him further. “You and I sleeping in, no one knowing where we are?"
"You're evil,” he groaned, capturing her mouth for a long heated duel of lips and tongues. “I can't."
"Why not?” she panted, her hips moving her wet flesh over his cock. “You want me, I want you, what could be more perfect?"
"Tanelli's men would find us, Mac. The man has connections throughout Monroe City."
"Then I guess I stay here with you.” She kissed him quickly, stopping his words. “We can take turns being lookout,” she teased.
"Dammit Mac!” he growled, his hands going to her waist to pull her off his lap, standing to leave her sitting on the couch naked. “This isn't a game. When are you going to get it?"
"From the looks of you, I'm guessing it won't be tonight,” she grumbled under her breath, standing to reach for her clothes.
"What did you say?” he asked, staring at her in astonishment.
"Nothing,” she grunted as she slid her shirt back on over her head. The tails hung down over her hips, stopping just at the tiny vee of dark curls at her sex. “Come with me,” she pleaded suddenly, moving toward him and holding out her hand. “Please?"
"Mac...” he began, only to be interrupted by her.
"How will you know I'm safe unless you're with me?"
"I don't think you're in any danger unless you're around me, Mac. This is the second time today that Tanelli tried to do me in. The third time might just be the clincher. I don't want to take the chance that you get caught in the cross fire."
"That's no way to get me to leave,” she snapped, stomping her foot. She'd left her bra off when she'd thrown on her shirt, her breasts swaying freely under the dark blue fabric.
Hawk's eyes were drawn to her slim figure, riveting upon the lush curve of her unbound breasts. He took the two steps that would put him within touching distance of her, unable to help himself. “You're so beautiful, Mac. If something happened to you I'd never forgive myself. It would haunt me the rest of my life."
"Nothing is going to happen to me, Hawk,” she whispered, her hand coming up and touching his cheek. Brown eyes met amber, and she lifted up on tiptoes to reach his lips. “Come with me,” she pleaded against his lips.
Hawk's shoulders slumped. “Okay,” he said, defeated by the tiny minx of a woman he held pressed against his body.
"Really?” she asked, unable to believe he was giving in.
"Yes really. It's against my better judgment..."
Mac grinned. “But you can't resist me, can you?” she laughed.
"No,” he sighed, his disgust evident in his voice. “I'm afraid you have me wrapped right here.” He lifted her hand and circled her little finger with one of his. “Let me grab some clothes."
The hotel he'd chosen was a little off the beaten path but the rooms were nice and the price was reasonable. They had a mini bar and a Jacuzzi in their room as well as a huge king-sized bed. Mac stood in the middle of the room and spun, staring at the soft colors on the walls, the non-tacky paintings on the wall and the soft looking comforter on the bed.
"Wow,” she said. “Nice place."
"Yeah,” Hawk said. “A friend of mine owns it. He is a firm believer in making you feel at home."
"Home was never this nice,” she grinned, walking over to him and pushing him down on the side of the bed. “Let me see."
"See what?” he asked warily.
"Your head. I want to make sure you're not bleeding still.” She carefully unwrapped the gauze, breathing a sigh of relief when there was no new blood upon the bandage. “I still think we should get you to the hospital, let the doctor stitch you up again."
"I'm fine,” he said, a bit exasperated. She'd been singing the same tune all the way from his apartment. “It's not bleeding. Let me take something for the headache and I'm good as new.” He grabbed her wrist, biting it gently as she continued to probe and prod at the wound. “Ouch!"
"It's only what you deserve,” she smirked, narrowing her eyes at him. She quickly bandaged the wound, then she bent, kissing him. When he went to deepen the kiss, she pulled away, reaching into the plastic bag for the bottle of pain killers the doctor had prescribed. “Let me get you some water."
When she came back, he'd kicked off his shoes and pulled off his shirt, leaving him lying on the bed in nothing but his jeans, which he'd unbuttoned. She stopped dead in her tracks, her amber eyes roaming over the decadent picture he made. He had wide shoulders, made even more so by the arms which were tucked under his head. His chest was well muscled tapering to a lean waist, a tiny trail of dark hair beginning just under his navel and disappearing into the waistband of his jeans.
With his shaggy hair and the hint of stubble upon his cheeks, he looked dark and dangerous, sending a shiver of almost fear through her. Then he looked at her, his lips curving into a smile, his dark eyes lighting up as he saw her.
"Is that for me?” he asked, indicating the glass she held with a nod of his head.
"Uh, yes,” she said hurriedly, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her belly that mixed with the chaotic need for his touch she always felt when he was near. She held the glass out to him, jerking when his fingers brushed over hers, spilling the water down onto his stomach and chest.
"Shit!” He jumped, dropping the glass so that it fell on the bed, splashing him again with the icy water.
"Oh God, Gideon,” Kenzie groaned, running over to grab a towel from the bathroom. “I'm sorry. God, I'm such a klutz.” She hurried back, wiping at the water that had spilled onto his chest and had soaked into his jeans.
The towel was suddenly whipped out of her hand and he grabbed her arms, rolling over in the bed until she was under him. “It didn't work,” he said, staring down into her flushed face.
"What didn't work?” Her amber eyes were full of confusion even as she stared up into his.
"The cold shower you just gave me. I still want you, Mac, probably more now than ever.” He ducked his head and she felt his lips on hers, softly at first as if afraid to startle her.
Then he groaned, his arms becoming like steel around her, holding her closer. His lips parted, twisting against hers until she opened for his tongue, tasting the heat of his need with her own. She arched, pressing her aching breasts into his chest, feeling the tiny drops of cold water she'd missed with the towel soaking through her own shirt...