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  She was worth the risk.

  “Maybe what I should have said was this—if I come in, I won’t be going home.”

  That caught her off guard. There was no way she’d heard what he’d said. It had to be the wine that made her hearing go and her mind fuzzy.

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Gabriel.”

  “No, it’s my turn, Livy. I need to get this off my chest. I’m all twisted up in knots, and I don’t like it at all. In fact, I hate it. I pride myself on being controlled, and this isn't like me.”

  He was thinking about the kiss. It made his body ache even more than it had been before she touched him. At that moment, he was erect, and that was despite getting nailed in the balls.

  She just didn't notice.

  “Okay, Gabriel. I understand.”

  “I need all the facts to make a logical decision. I need to see the whole picture because that’s how I live my life.”

  “Okay.”

  “Did you stalk me to the park today? I think it’s only fair you be honest with me so I can work through this.” And he needed to see if she’d lie. He already knew the truth, but he wanted to see if Olivia Spencer was dead serious about what was potentially brewing between them.

  “Yes.”

  “Why, Livy? I need to know why.”

  “I did it because I wanted to see you outside the FBI building. I’m interested in you. There’s something about you that makes me feel all mushy and stupid inside. When you’re around, I find myself staring. I can’t help it.”

  He watched her. This woman was gorgeous. He wanted to run his fingers down her cheek.

  “I’m a horrible bet. I’m bossy, loud, controlling, and incredibly difficult to get along with. I get focused on my job, and I forget everything else around me. I don’t know how to be in a relationship with anyone, because the only love affair I’ve ever had is with the FBI.”

  She listened.

  “She’s my mistress. If you get entangled with me, you won’t be happy. You’ll rarely see me, and I’ll probably make you cry more than anyone else would. I’m going to hurt you, Livy, and I hate that it’ll happen.”

  “I don’t cry easily, Gabriel. I think you’re forgetting that I have the same job as you do. It goes both ways.”

  “No, when I say that I’m obsessed with work, I really mean it. I have a five year plan, and it’s not going to be an easy journey. Any woman who signs up for it is going to be miserable. I’m going to make you hate me.”

  She saw the hurt in his eyes. In the streetlamp glow, she could see he was doing something he never did before. His eyes gave him away. He was giving her a look inside.

  So, she opted to lighten the mood.

  “Holy shit! You’re a male Elizabeth. No wonder you two get along so well. Now I get why the both of you have to work overtime and give the FBI more of your souls.”

  He didn't even flinch.

  “That’s the point. I’m not a good choice. I sold my soul years ago.”

  “Gabe, you’re thinking too hard.”

  “Am I?” he asked, running his hands through his hair in frustration. This woman drove him to madness. She turned it all upside down. Now he had to deal with the ramifications of that one kiss.

  “Yes, you are. This should be my choice, shouldn’t it? If I want to risk my heart, I should be allowed to make the decision without you telling me what to do. You’re my boss, not my keeper.”

  He watched her with a wariness he seldom felt about anything else in life. He’d been shot, chased, nearly killed, and none of it scared him like this.

  Like her.

  “I don’t know how to stop control freaking it to death. I don’t know how to…live. This is new to me.”

  Livy felt horrible for him.

  He was being serious. Gabe really didn't know how to relax and let his heart lead him.

  “It’s easy, Gabriel. All you have to do is jump in. You close your eyes, hold your breath, and don’t look back.”

  He didn't move.

  Livy laughed.

  “Or you find a woman who can do it for you,” she offered. Then, she took the plunge.

  Livy stood and found a step that would put her on the same level with his face. The entire time, he watched her warily. “Oh, Gabriel, what am I going to do with you?” she asked.

  He didn't have an answer.

  What he wanted to yell was, ‘love me’! He’d never felt any of that in his life. He had a taste of what it would feel like to be wanted, and he longed for it to never end.

  That was why he buried it under work.

  Her fingers gently stroked the worry lines on his face, but it didn't ease his stress.

  “We shouldn’t.”

  “You’re probably right,” Livy said, moving her mouth closer to his. “This is the close your eyes part.”

  He did what she said.

  “Next comes the hold your breath.”

  “Livy,” he whispered, when her mouth was a breath from his. He could smell the wine she’d been drinking, her perfume, and the scent of her skin.

  He craved her.

  Despite it all, he wanted her in the worst way.

  “Now we jump in.” When he tensed, she offered him the best reassurance she could. “Gabriel, I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  The words rocked through his body, destroying his control. He wanted to believe her, but in the end, he knew the truth. Someone was going to get hurt. He only prayed it was him and not her.

  He didn't want to break this woman. He cared far too much about her.

  Livy waited for him to take the plunge.

  Gabe didn't hold back. She’d kissed him in the restaurant, and now he was going to return the favor. Yanking her forward, her body pressed to his, he took control. This time, he did hold onto her. One of his hands found the back of her head, and the other the small of her back.

  She was trapped and Livy loved every second of it.

  His mouth took.

  Nothing was off limits. As his lips, tongue, and even teeth plundered, Livy felt like she was tumbling down into the darkness. She didn't expect this from him. No matter what she believed was coming, this wasn’t it.

  The man was filled with fire.

  On the outside, he seemed cold and empty, but on the inside, the opposite was true.

  The flames of need licked at her, catching her ablaze. There was no way she was going to survive this. It was like Gabe had let go of everything he’d kept dammed up for all these years. He was out of control and taking her with him.

  Livy moaned.

  It incited something so powerful in him.

  Gabe let everything go.

  She told him to jump in and not look back, and he didn't. For the first time, in a long time, he didn't hold back. This woman had been baiting him, and he was man enough to control it until they kissed. That had set something free in him, and he was helpless to keep it reined in. She unlocked this in him, and now they’d both have to suffer the consequences.

  He’d asked her if she wanted a quick lay, and she said no. It was probably a damn good thing. If he was going to lose his job, risk his future, and ruin both of their careers, it was going to be epic.

  There’d be no prize for second place.

  He was going to win this battle between them. Then she’d run, because she’d see what a disaster he was.

  She’d been warned.

  As his mouth tore down her resistance, his own was crumbling. Her one hand was wrapped in his tie, and the other was on his neck. Surely, she could feel his pulse throbbing in his throat.

  A moan broke free, and he was pretty sure it was from him this time. She rubbed against him, offering herself up.

  Well, he would take a raincheck.

  He had to.

  Gabe wasn’t in control.

  “Livy,” he whispered. “I have to stop.”

  She couldn’t think. The man had tied her in knots and she was trapped in tha
t moment. Her brain was a puddle of mush.

  She’d been wrong.

  Gabriel, the Dragon Slayer, had slayed her too. She was lost. Her whole being was on fire, there was a wetness forming between her legs, and she wanted to climb up his body to find that release.

  “Gabriel,” she muttered with his lower lip between her teeth. She didn't want to let it go. The fullness only made her want to taste him even more.

  Holy shit!

  This man kissed like there was no tomorrow.

  Slowly, he freed himself from her. “I have to go.”

  “But…”

  He shook his head. “What you just saw was only part of me, Livy. That’s what lives in me for you. If you still want to get entangled in this, think about it. Think about the consequences, because there will be ones that will change us forever. There always is when you begin something so dangerous.”

  She stared at him.

  “I’ll be honest. I’m not looking for a one night stand. I don’t do them. If we go to bed, it’s going to matter. It’s going to be about a future. If you lied about wanting a quick roll in bed, you need to make the choice to walk away. If you’re serious about me, then I’m ready.”

  He couldn’t believe he was saying it, but he was. The ugly truth was out of the bag. His past had created this in him, and if they came together, she deserved to know what was coming.

  He deserved it too.

  She heard his words but couldn’t speak.

  “Can I see you tomorrow night?” he asked.

  She nearly fell over. “What?”

  “I want to take you out on a date. Tonight was something you and Elizabeth fabricated to trap me. I want to be in charge of my fate, not a pawn. That’s something else about me. If you fall into this with me, you’ll have to know that I’m the boss. It’s who I am.”

  She opened her mouth but her brain was so melted that she couldn’t even come up with a single solitary objection. In fact, she got warmer.

  Him.

  Dominant.

  Sexy.

  In charge.

  Yeah, she got it, and she loved every second of it.

  “Tomorrow, Olivia?” he asked, using her full name on purpose. She needed to know that he was going to run her over, breaking her in the end. Despite him knowing that, he wanted her to realize that no one told him what to do.

  She nodded.

  “I’ll pick you up here.”

  Livy finally got the words to form in her head. “How about I make you dinner?” she offered. “I love to cook.”

  He was more than fine with that. He wanted a date, and he could handle trapping her inside. “I think I’d like that. I’ll bring the wine. Now, head in. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

  She did what he asked.

  He wanted to laugh. She didn't even fight him. This had to be a first. Livy and Lyzee were trouble, and he couldn’t control them. Had he known kissing the one woman would work, he would have done it weeks ago.

  “Good night, Olivia. I’ll see you in the morning for work. Don’t be late.”

  She opened and closed her mouth. Yeah, he wasn’t kidding. He was definitely going to be the boss. Still, that excited her. He was sexy and strong, and that appealed to her.

  “Do you really mind if I call you Olivia?” he asked, testing the water.

  “I don’t mind.”

  He smiled at her.

  Livy’s heart skipped. She wanted to kiss him again. It was eating away at her like some vicious disease. If she didn't get her hands all over him, she was going to suffer.

  “I’m glad, because I like it. Despite what you think, it suits you.”

  She opened her mouth, but Gabe cut her off.

  “I told you. I’m stubborn. You were warned about me, and you still accepted my offer of a date. You can cancel tomorrow if you come to your senses. I’ll understand. Now, head in.”

  She opened her door and did what he asked.

  He waited.

  She stood there inside the door, still not closing it.

  It was like a battle of wills, their gaze never breaking. Finally, she obeyed and locked the door.

  Gabe smiled.

  It appeared that he’d won that round. Tomorrow, he was going to show her the real him. Then he’d see if Olivia Spencer was going to stick…

  Or get some sense and run for her life….

  * * * B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x * * *

  He was watching her.

  He was hidden in the shadows across the street. He’d been following the one Fed around. Since seeing her at the crime scene, he knew that she’d be perfect.

  He would make her into one of his greatest works of art before it was all done.

  When his time in DC was over, she’d be his grand finale. There was no doubt in his mind it had to be her. The woman’s partner was beautiful too, but she didn't quite fit. Even with her pale skin and blue eyes, she didn't match the picture in his head.

  If she was Irish, it was back alley, and that made her unworthy.

  Yet, the other one…

  She was perfect.

  Oh, he’d have to add her to his plan. An artist had to be flexible, and he would switch it up a bit to make it work. He couldn’t pass this up. She was too perfect.

  Their crossing of paths was meant to be, and he could see the outcome now.

  But…

  Until then, the game had to continue.

  He had a date with his next victim, and he didn't want to be late. His work was important.

  His plans were vital.

  The next woman…

  In his mind, she was already dead.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The Bog

  When they arrived at the pub, Chris Leonard was practically on top of her. Elizabeth wasn’t quite sure if it was because he was freaked out or if he wanted in her pants.

  It was a tossup.

  He was crowding her to the point that they were going to be sharing personal space at any second.

  Maybe this had been a horrible idea.

  When she told him to sit and went to the bar to grab them some beers, he was staring around the room with one hell of a look on his face.

  When Elizabeth returned, she wanted to laugh. The man looked lost.

  Sitting, she handed him the pint of thick heady ale.

  “What’s this?” he asked.

  “I bought you a beer.”

  “Should we be drinking?” he asked, taking the glass and staring at it like it was something so foreign to him.

  “We’ll stand out like sore thumbs if we don’t drink, Christopher. The whole point is to look like we’re here to have fun. You look like you’re ready to bolt.”

  In a way, he was.

  “Can I ask a favor?” he said, tentatively tasting the beer before glancing over at her.

  “Sure you can. What do you need?” Elizabeth hoped she didn't regret saying that.

  “Do you think there’s any way you can call me Chris instead? When you call me Christopher, I sound like a child.”

  She smiled into her beer. He was a child. This man was super green, and super sheltered. She could tell.

  “Well, I can do that, but honestly, Chris, I like your name. It sounds dignified and important, like the job you hold. Chris is great, but Christopher makes me think of some suave and smart man who works hard.”

  He stared at her. “You can call me Christopher.”

  Elizabeth grinned at him. He was a great guy. She could tell. He just needed to have someone get him through the awkward newbie years. He wasn’t going to ever be tough and hardcore. He was simply a good man to his core.

  “Drink up, Christopher.”

  He started chugging like there was a race. When he stopped, she’d realized what the hell she’d just done. Elizabeth let the kid into the candy shop.

  “Please tell me that’s not your first beer,” Elizabeth stated, suspecting the worst.

  “Yes, it actually is. We didn't have alcohol
in my house growing up, and I didn't drink in school.”

  She stared at him. “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “How the hell did you get through college without drinking? Shit! You went to med school. There had to be parties, drinking, and babes.”

  His look said it all.

  Oh boy.

  This was bad.

  “Actually, I graduated at the top of my class. I didn't have time to drink and party. I wanted to be an ME and work for the FBI. You don’t get to do that by screwing around.”

  “I partied and had fun. I’m in the FBI.”

  “Maybe you went to a party school. I went to Harvard, and they were dead serious about the competition.”

  Elizabeth smiled. No one knew she went to Cornell. No one had a clue she graduated with two majors, top of her class, and was practically begged to join the FBI. What they didn't know would work to her advantage.

  “Well, we all got here anyway, so why stress it.”

  He drank more of his beer.

  The man was going to be sick if he kept drinking it like it was water. Maybe this was a horrible idea.

  “You should slow down.”

  “You told me to drink up.”

  She laughed, blue eyes sparkling. “I said drink. This isn’t a naked kegger.”

  He stared at her like he didn't know what the hell she was talking about.

  How was that possible?

  “That’s when you go to a frat… Never mind, Christopher. It’s best we learn one new thing at a time because I don’t want to fry your circuits.”

  He went back to his beer.

  Elizabeth scanned the room. Everything there looked normal. There were people drinking at the bar, the tables around them, and while playing darts. This was nothing more than people decompressing after a long day at work.

  She did it all the time.

  “Thank you for bringing me,” he said, his tongue loosening up from the beer. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

  Elizabeth glanced over. He was done with his beer.

  Oh boy.

  She was going to be babysitting someone later.