Cassidy smiled. “I hope that’s a good thing.”
Alex cupped Cassidy’s face in her hands. “The best thing. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Cassidy.”
Cassidy’s reply came in the form of a reverent kiss. “Let me love you, Alex,” she said.
Alex closed her eyes and let herself begin to fall away under Cassidy’s tender caress. Cassidy’s lips softly danced over Alex’s throat and back up to claim Alex’s lips with a searing kiss. Alex’s hands held onto Cassidy’s hips, pulling her closer.
“Cass…”
Cassidy pressed two fingers to Alex’s lips. Her eyes twinkled with affection and admiration as she touched her lips to Alex’s sweetly. “Always thinking.” Cassidy smiled and slipped her hand under Alex’s shirt and tugged it free. She bit her lower lip to quell the moan she felt building in her throat. The feel of Alex’s skin instantly sent her soaring. Her hand glided lovingly over Alex’s abdomen and up to her chest. She cupped Alex’s breast through the bra Alex wore, raised an eyebrow at her wife, and sat back on her knees.
Alex stopped herself from chuckling. Cassidy was issuing her a silent order. She took the opportunity to sit up and remove her shirt. Cassidy gazed at her appreciatively, and raised her brow in challenge again. Alex held Cassidy’s gaze firmly as she released the clasp of her bra and tossed it aside. This was a dance that had never become familiar. Each time Cassidy touched Alex, every time Alex made love to Cassidy, it felt like a new beginning for them both. Making love had never been about seeking momentary satisfaction between them. It had always served as an expression of love, desire, and commitment to the life they sought to build and share.
Cassidy pushed Alex back on the bed and hovered above her. She kissed Alex’s forehead gently, then her nose, then her lips, so softly that Alex barely felt the connection. Yet, when Cassidy pulled away, Alex felt the loss acutely.
Cassidy’s lips and tongue began a graceful dance over Alex’s flesh, down her throat to her cleavage. She glanced up at Alex before tasting a straining nipple. Cassidy held Alex’s gaze as her lips descended steadily lower. She unbuttoned Alex’s pants and pulled them off steadily, her kisses leaving a trail over Alex’s legs until Alex was free. She kissed her way back to Alex’s stomach, over her breasts, and claimed Alex’s lips once again with hers.
Alex’s hands worked to free Cassidy of the tank top she was wearing. Cassidy decided to help her wife. She sat back and removed the top and tossed it to the floor. “So, beautiful,” Alex spoke the words reverently.
Cassidy smiled at Alex and gently pushed her back. Captivated—Cassidy had always been captivated by Alex. The surge of emotion that coursed through her required nothing more than Alex’s presence. She seldom stopped to consider the reality. Cassidy accepted their connection as part of the life she shared with Alex. Still, Alex’s ability to stir passion within Cassidy continued to astound her. Every time Cassidy made love with Alex, she felt a sense of gratefulness, and a need to convey the place Alex held in her life.
Alex reached out and caressed Cassidy’s cheek. Cassidy leaned into the touch, reveling in the simple gesture. She lowered her lips back to Alex’s and spoke softly. “Just feel me, Alex,” she requested. She heard Alex’s sharp intake of breath and kissed her tenderly. “No thinking,” Cassidy whispered in Alex’s ears. “Just feel me,” she repeated her request.
Alex closed her eyes. Cassidy understood her like no one else ever had or could ever hope to. Only Cassidy had the power to quell Alex’s spinning thoughts and competing emotions. Cassidy centered Alex, created both escape and focus in Alex’s life. Love possessed many contradictions. Alex had learned that contradiction did not need to equate to confusion. At times, opposite ideas and opposing realities could collide in unexpected ways, even fuse together. Love was the catalyst at those moments. Cassidy had always been able to lift Alex away from the swirling of her thoughts. Alex understood that quieting her questions, and carrying her away was what Cassidy intended to do now; knowing that when Alex eventually fell into her, all the whirling and wondering would slow. When she landed back in Cassidy’s arms, Alex would see the picture before her clearly.
Cassidy watched Alex close her eyes as she began to let herself go. Cassidy’s fingertips lovingly caressed Alex’s skin, slowly spiraling down Alex’s body, memorizing each sensation as they wandered over every inch of Alex’s skin. She placed her lips against Alex’s again and whispered one last time. “I love you,” she reminded Alex.
Alex’s mind stilled in an instant. Cassidy’s kiss began tentatively; tenderly reminding Alex of their connection. Alex felt Cassidy’s hand drifting toward her breast and she deepened their kiss.
Cassidy responded to Alex’s urgency gently. She cupped Alex’s breast and enjoyed the moan she felt reverberate through her body when Alex responded.
“Cass,” Alex pleaded with her wife when Cassidy pulled away from their kiss.
Cassidy’s lips traversed Alex’s shoulders, and meandered across her chest. She kissed a circle around Alex’s breasts, teasing her until Alex’s hips arched in a silent plea. Cassidy answered the request with a faint kiss across Alex’s nipples. Alex groaned in frustration.
“Easy,” Cassidy said. She sucked gently at first, feeling Alex’s hands reach out for her, and grip her back firmly.
Alex marveled at Cassidy’s touch. It often became insistent, almost demanding, but it never ceased to be sensual and loving. She pulled Cassidy closer to her, needing to feel connected. Cassidy’s hands kneaded the muscles on Alex’s abdomen as her mouth left its prize and descended lower. Anticipation consumed Alex. Cassidy’s descent came in a painfully slow exploration that covered every inch of Alex’s body, lingering whenever Alex’s breath would hitch in response. Cassidy glanced up at Alex’s face. Alex’s eyes had closed and her head was back. Intoxicating—watching Alex, feeling Alex was intoxicating. The way strength and softness existed simultaneously in Alex’s movements and expressions aroused Cassidy unlike anything else ever had. She marveled at the woman beneath her. Alex possessed the gentlest soul of anyone Cassidy had ever known. Most people saw Alex’s power. They admired her intellect and her determination. Cassidy cherished all those parts of her wife. She’d felt their presence in Alex’s touch, in Alex’s words, and in Alex’s kiss. But, more than anything it had always been the underlying tenderness that Alex often tried to disguise that drew Cassidy to her.
Cassidy reached for Alex’s hands. They would serve as Alex’s tether when Cassidy carried her away.
Alex called out for her when Cassidy’s kisses reached their intended destination.
“Cass…”
Cassidy lost herself in Alex; in the way Alex’s hips moved, the sound of Alex’s desperate sighs, and occasional pleas for release. She teased Alex mercilessly, wanting Alex to fall away from reality and into her.
“Cass, please,” Alex begged.
Cassidy answered Alex’s request and brought Alex over the edge of sanity, carrying her along until she fell in ecstasy, calling out for Cassidy.
Alex gripped Cassidy’s hands as her body disobeyed any command she might issue, responding only to Cassidy’s will. Cassidy refused to let her crash. She carried Alex higher until Alex thought she would drown in a sea of pleasure and emotion.
Cassidy gentled her touch until slowly she felt Alex’s shuddering give way to faint quivering. She crawled back up Alex’s body and kissed her lovingly.
Alex’s hand began to wander over Cassidy’s hip, and Cassidy stilled its movement.
“Cass…”
“Shh,” Cassidy placed a sweet kiss on Alex’s lips. “I just wanted to love you.”
Alex looked at Cassidy in amazement.
“What?” Cassidy wondered.
“I don’t know what I would do without you,” Alex confessed.
“I’m not going anywhere, love.”
“I’m serious,” Alex said.
Cassidy smiled. “I know. So am I.” She laid back besi
de Alex, and enjoyed the warmth of Alex’s embrace.
Alex sighed. “How did you know?”
“What?” Cassidy asked.
“That I feel like I need to go back.”
Cassidy smiled and pulled herself up to look in Alex’s eyes. “I know you.”
“I never thought…”
“I know,” Cassidy put Alex’s thought to rest. “I’ve always expected this day would come.”
“I hoped it never would.”
“You can’t run from what you are called to do,” Cassidy said. “I would never want you to. Neither would the kids.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so,” Cassidy replied. She kissed Alex and stroked her cheek. “I fell in love with all of you, Alex, not just the easy parts.”
Alex nodded. “I want you to promise me something.”
“If I can.”
“If you need me,” Alex said. “I mean for anything; if this gets to be too much, you tell me.”
“Stop worrying.”
“I mean it, Cass.”
Cassidy sighed. “I promise.”
“Good.”
“Will you do me a favor?” Cassidy asked.
“Anything.”
“Don’t tell this one that I use too much milk.”
Alex laughed. “Anything for you, Cass.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Are you taking me?” Mackenzie asked Alex.
“No, Mom is taking you to school this morning.”
“Why?”
Alex took a deep breath. “Because I have to work.”
“You always work.”
“Kenzie…”
“Mackenzie,” Cassidy’s voice called for her daughter’s attention. “Let your mother breathe, please.”
Mackenzie grumbled and started to stomp away.
“I know you aren’t stomping down that hallway,” Cassidy called after her.
Alex shook her head. “Cass, I can…”
“No,” Cassidy held up her hand. “No, Alex. She’ll be fine.”
“I’ve always taken her.”
“Yes, well, now she will have to suffer my driving or take the bus like Dylan did.”
Alex chuckled. Cassidy loved their children, but she was no pushover. Alex had to admit, Mackenzie could test the patience of a saint at times. She was about to offer to talk to their daughter when her phone rang. Cassidy offered Alex a wink and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ll take care of it,” Cassidy assured Alex.
Alex looked at the phone and sucked in a deep breath. “Hawk.”
“Morning, Alex or can I call you Agent Toles?”
Alex was tempted to answer, “bite me.” Hawk would have had an immediate comeback for that. “That depends. When do I get paid and how much?” Alex replied.
Hawk laughed. “When everyone else does and the same shitty wage you’d expect.”
“Great.”
“You’re welcome,” Hawk said.
“So? What’s next?” Alex asked.
“I’m glad you asked. AD Bower asked about assigning you a partner. I told him you deserved the best. I expect your ride should be there any minute.”
“My ride?” Alex asked.
“Right; your ride. I imagine your new partner is a few blocks away.”
“Why does everyone assume that they can just show up at my house?” Alex asked.
Hawk chuckled. “You are so predictable sometimes.”
“Cute, Hawk.”
“Just do me a favor?”
“What?” Alex asked.
“Give this a chance.”
Alex groaned. “I’ll do my best, Assistant Director.”
“Hey, you could’ve had this job a long time ago.”
“No, thanks,” Alex said. She heard a car pull in the driveway and Mackenzie scream for Cassidy.
“Mom! Someone’s here!”
Cassidy made her way to the door and opened it. She grinned from ear to ear when she saw a familiar face emerge from the black sedan in the driveway. “What on earth are you doing here?” Cassidy stepped outside and pulled the woman into a hug.
“Hi, Cass.”
“Hi, Cass? I didn’t know you were coming. Why didn’t you call?”
Alex trotted down the stairs, following Cassidy’s excited voice.
“I guess your chariot has arrived,” Hawk said.
“I don’t think so,” Alex replied as her feet hit the bottom stair. “Sounds like it’s a friend of Cassidy’s.”
Alex stepped into the front door and stopped cold. “You have got to be shitting me,” she muttered.
“Agent Toles.” Claire Brackett broke from Cassidy’s embrace and ambled toward Alex. “Are you wearing that?” Claire looked at Alex incredulously.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Alex pointed to Brackett’s partially unbuttoned blouse. “Button that shit up.”
“Why? Do you find it distracting?” Claire grinned.
Cassidy rolled her eyes and made her way toward the pair. Some things never change.
Alex held up a finger and turned her back to Brackett. She lifted her phone back to her ear. “Brackett? You sent Brackett here?” she asked Hawk.
“She is the best we have,” Hawk replied.
Alex lowered her voice. “This is not over.”
“Have a good day, Agent,” Hawk said cheerfully and disconnected the call.
Alex looked at the phone in disbelief. She pinched the bridge of her nose forcefully, and took a deep breath before pivoting back to the woman behind her. “Okay, joke’s over,” Alex said.
Claire stared at Alex for a moment and then offered a sickly, sweet smile. “You mean, you’re not my chauffer for the day?”
Alex took a deep breath.
“Claire!” Mackenzie’s voice rang out.
“Great,” Alex muttered. Cassidy made her way to Alex’s side.
“Hey, kid,” Claire greeted Mackenzie.
Dylan appeared behind Alex and smiled. “Hi, Claire,” he waved.
“Hey, Dylan.”
Alex grumbled something unintelligible and Cassidy giggled. “It’s not that bad,” Cassidy whispered in Alex’s ear.
“It’s Brackett,” Alex whispered back.
Cassidy kissed Alex on the cheek and patted her chest lightly. “Well, look at it this way, you’ve always said that she needs direction.”
“I didn’t mean…”
Cassidy winked. “I have every faith in you.”
“Great.”
Cassidy turned back to Claire. “Are you two going to be here for a while?”
Claire shook her head. “Sorry,” she apologized to Cassidy.
“Well, I guess it’s safe to say I will see you soon,” Cassidy observed.
“Great,” Alex mumbled again. Cassidy whacked her gently.
“I have to get Kenzie to school. Play nice,” Cassidy told the pair of FBI agents.
“Bye, Claire!” Mackenzie waved.
“See ya, kid.”
Alex rolled her eyes. How Claire Brackett had managed to become a family member still puzzled her. Cassidy—it had been Cassidy. Alex still wasn’t sure what Cassidy saw in Claire Brackett, but the strange truth was, Cassidy loved Claire like a little sister. Stranger still, Claire worshiped the ground Cassidy walked on. It had been that way for the better part of five years. At first, Alex had tried to convince Cassidy to keep her distance from Claire. Cassidy held her ground. That did not surprise Alex. What did surprise Alex was the fact that the relationship between her wife and the younger agent was undeniably genuine. It was almost as if they had been meant to find each other. She watched as Cassidy leaned in and whispered something into Claire’s ear. Claire nodded and smiled. Alex found it fascinating. Brackett’s bravado virtually disappeared. Cassidy looked back at Alex. Alex didn’t need any words, she understood Cassidy’s silent message. Give her a chance.
Once upon a time, Claire Brackett had been determined to undermine Alex at every turn.
While Cassidy had been able to forgive Claire, Alex still struggled to let go of the past. Claire had jeopardized more than an investigation; her actions and her alliances had put both Alex and Cassidy in danger. That was something that Alex had a difficult time letting go. She found herself recalling a conversation she and Cassidy once had about the younger woman’s presence in their life.
“How can you trust her?” Alex asked. “Trust is earned, Cass.”
“No, it isn’t,” Cassidy disagreed. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“You know, like what. Trust is given until it’s broken, Alex. That’s the truth. We don’t come into this world knowing that we should doubt people. That’s something we learn through the disappointments and betrayals we face.”
Alex sighed heavily. Cassidy was referring to her father. “You mean your father.”
“I do. But I don’t only mean my father. When you met Claire did you trust her then?”
“I suppose. She was a fellow agent.”
“And, what made you stop trusting her?”
“You know that answer. She was put in the FBI to undermine me. Jesus, Cass, she was sleeping with Carl Fisher. She was traveling with O’Brien! How am I supposed to trust her?”
Cassidy smiled and took hold of Alex’s hand. “Alex, Claire followed someone she wanted to trust.”
“You mean her father.”
“I do.”
Alex huffed. Claire and Cassidy’s bond oddly enough had been formed by betrayal; not by each other, by the person they each had once revered as a hero—their fathers. Cassidy’s father had disappeared for more than twenty years, allowing his family to believe him dead. Claire’s father had spent most of her lifetime filling her head with lies, trying to convince her that what she knew was real was only the active imagination of a child. It hadn’t been Claire’s imagination. She had watched her father choke the life out of her mother. That day had instilled fear and hopelessness in Claire that would manifest in dangerous ways in her adulthood.
“Alex,” Cassidy began. “When you learn that everything that has shaped who you are is a lie; you have to question who you are at all.”
Untold Page 7
