Sworn to Protect

by A K August

  I tried to look at Katie through different eyes as if I wasn't an FBI agent assigned to protect her. If I'd met her in the park or at a restaurant and gotten to know who she was, what about her did I find attractive? Would I be as driven to pursue her?

  She was beautiful and passionate. She knew what she wanted and focused on how to achieve it. She worked hard for what she had and was proud of what she'd accomplished. She believed in giving back and was loyal to her friends, who were loyal back.

  Oh, yeah. I would still be clamoring to spend as much time with her as possible, which makes my stomach clench as I listen to Katie question whether she feels the same.

  "But, I'm willing to take the risk, Anthony."

  My brain flung itself against my skull. Did I just hear Katie tell me she wants to try? I surged out of my seat and was halfway across the floor when Katie held up her hand.

  A soft smile played on her lips and I wanted to crush them against mine. "I'm glad you are willing and raring to go," she chuckled. "But before you agree, I need you to understand something."

  I took a deep breath, hoping to calm my raging erection that was thrusting toward Katie with wanton lust, and met Katie's nervous eyes.

  "I don't do relationships, Anthony. At least I never have. When this craziness is over and we go back to our normal lives, I don't know what I'll want to do. I don't want to hurt you, so know that I want to kiss you, have fabulous sex, and generally enjoy our time here, but it may end with the investigation. Are you okay with that?"

  I had to take a moment to process what she told me. "We started as strangers, Katie. I like what I've gotten to know about you. There's always a risk that one of us may decide we don't want to continue. As long as we're honest with each other, we will be fine, whatever happens."

  She nodded and took a step forward. It was all the invitation I needed to close the distance. My hands on her cheeks, I softly kissed her lips, then looked in her eyes, desire waging war with her fear. She doesn't do relationships, she said. Yet, she thought what we started could become something more, something she didn't understand. I wanted to ease her fear, replace it with happiness and trust. I dipped to lightly kiss her once again, determined to savor every moment.

  Her eyebrow rose. "Too slow, Mr. Reece," she said, right before she captured my mouth in a plunging kiss that sealed her to me. The bourbon still played on her lips, the spiciness mixing with her scent, driving me wild.

  I bent down and scooped her up, my hands cupping her ass as her legs twined around my waist, and I carried her to my room, falling to the bed together. Katie somehow ended up on top and her hands went to work divesting my clothes. I peeled her nightshirt over her head and spun so she was under me as the shirt captured her arms suspended above her head. I held them with one hand while the other explored her body. Katie writhed under my hands and mouth, straining to get closer to me, to free her hands, her hips rising from the bed, grinding into mine.

  "All in good time, sweetheart," I whispered in her ear.

  She huffed in response, her heart pounding in her chest, her eyes slaying me with her need. She wanted the release sex offered. That appealed to me as well, but I also craved the connection we had. I wanted to build on that, show Katie how much better it could be. Secretly I wanted her to crave me as much as I did her, both in and out of bed. I could work on 'in bed' for now.

  I spent the next half hour getting to know parts of Katie, the sensitive spot on the backside of her arm, Katie panting as I lightly ran a finger over the vein; or the curve under her ribs between the hip joint that fit my palm perfectly, like she was made for me. I brought her to the brink with my fingers and my tongue, but saved the best for last, wringing two orgasms from her as I merged our bodies, both of us sighing in relief.

  As we fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms, I thought I'd strengthened our connection, broke through some of her worries. I woke to an empty room, the other side of the bed cold. I didn't want to feel heartbroken that Katie left.

  ◆◆◆

  I examined Katie's mood the next day, concerned she was having second thoughts, but she was happy, offering me coffee and talking about what we should do for lunch. I had to know.

  "Are we okay?"

  Katie searched my face, looking for something; she scrunched her forehead when she couldn't find it. "I think so, why?"

  I told her we needed to be honest, so I tried to be matter-of-fact in my reply and not seek blame. "I woke up alone. I didn't like it."

  She looked relieved. "I'm sorry, Anthony. You did nothing wrong. But this is new to me. I'm not used to being around someone all day long, then staying with him all night. I think I just needed space."

  I could accept that, and I wouldn't push her. "I understand. Thank you for telling me." I left it at that, and we enjoyed our coffee on the deck overlooking the creek.

  The next day I was feeling restless, having gone over all the material from the case twice and searched everything I could think of that might pop a lead. The only thing that could help now was hitting the pavement—visiting the sites to see if anything was overlooked, interviewing witnesses, things that I couldn't do from the middle of Virginia. I couldn't sit at the computer any longer.

  I got up and poured a couple of glasses of lemonade, setting one down next to Katie. She was absorbed in her project, placing interview clips in a timeline and clipping and organizing shots she wanted to use in between the interviews. She mumbled thanks and I kissed her temple without thinking about it.

  "I'm going for a run."

  She stopped what she was doing and looked up from her seat. "Do you want me to go with?"

  The question had a strange intonation. "Do you want to go?"

  She bit her bottom lip. "I should stay and finish this section, but I thought…. you know… we had to stay together."

  I smiled. "I think we're pretty safe out here right now. The first couple of nights I was on guard. If we left a trail, they would have caught up to us. But I think we're in the clear; we can relax. If you need to stay and work, do that."

  I grabbed the disposable phone off the counter. "I'll have my phone on me. I programmed the number in yours. I won't be far, but if anything happens or you need me, call."

  She took the phone from me and smiled, genuine, comfortable, relaxed. It lit up her eyes, the gold flecks twinkling. What is it about this girl that gets me hard with just a mere smile?

  I wanted to jump her, but restrained. A run would help. I may need to add an extra mile, just to be safe.

  She stood and kissed me hard. "Have a good run."

  She returned to her work, leaving me pulsing for more. Okay, I'll add two miles.

  Three mornings later, I woke with Katie still in my arms. I closed my eyes and absorbed the feeling, assuming it was a dream and wanting to sink deeper into my subconscious, delay waking up entirely alone and feeling disappointed, as I had the previous few nights. I snuggled against her back, tightening my arms, nestling my chin in the crook of her neck.

  "Good morning." Katie whispers.

  My head came up and she turns to her back, a smile in her eyes. "Good morning to you." I don't want to make a big deal out of this and scare her, so I stretch and yawn before rolling out of bed.

  The disappointment on her face has me rethinking my strategy and I jump back in bed. "On second thought, how about we do breakfast in bed?"

  She looks confused then I flip the sheet up and bury my head between her thighs. She giggles until I nibble on her clit, causing her breath to hitch.

  "Hmm. So far, the best breakfast, ever." I continue to circle my tongue, inserting two fingers in her channel and scrape them along her g-spot as Katie whimpers under me. I hold her in place and continue bringing her along, increasing my pressure as Katie tumbles over the edge, and I lap up her juices like I'm cleaning my plate after a stack of flapjacks loaded with maple syrup.

  So good, this woman.

  I slowly crawl up Katie's body, kissing the significant highli
ghts along my journey until my stiff cock is at her entrance, requesting permission to come inside. She shifts her hips, rising to line us up and I enter slowly, taking time to see and feel everything she does. She breathes in the sensation, holding it, then letting go of everything with a long seductive moan as she opens wider for me. I slide along her tight channel, sheltering inside her, soaking in the exquisite awareness of our joining. I want to belong to this woman, take her whenever I can, and let myself be taken by her. I lean down to kiss her lips, meeting her eyes. Mingling in our reflected heat is something else, trust. I groan as my cock swells, and I bury myself deep in her core. More than anything else, trust is what I've wanted from Katie, for her to see me as more. More than an agent assigned to protect her, more than a vessel that generates profound heat and desire and can provide the release she covets. Her trust will allow her to show me who she is beyond the surface, and I can't wait. I pull out and impale her, pounding the back of her core.

  Katie lets out a combination of moans, groans, and profanities that has me chuckling despite the intensity of our situation. "Fuck yeah. Again Anthony."

  OH. GOD. This Woman. Far be it for me to deny her anything at this point.

  ◆◆◆

  That morning was the turning point; everything seemed the same, but it wasn't. Our morning ritual, sharing coffee on the deck, we normally did in silence; the beauty of the stream and sun skimming over the hills warranted our concentration. That morning, however, Katie was inquisitive, asking more questions about the farm, Aunt Claire, which side of my family she was related.

  I told her about my mom, Abigail, Claire's sister, and how my father and I spent a lot of time here, with Claire, after her death. I told her about Uncle Jackson, holding my breath for when she connected the dots, and the journalist in her went a little off the rails. I didn't have to wait long.

  "Wait. Uncle Jackson is Senator Hart?"

  I nodded but didn't have time to add anything as Katie's questions spill out of her.

  "How are you on this case?

  "Isn't there some sort of conflict of interest since Jonathan Colby worked for the Senator?

  "Does the FBI know you're related?

  "How was it like growing up with such a powerful figure?"

  When she ran out of questions or out of breath, I'm not sure which had her stop; I answered all the questions about the FBI.

  "As far as growing up with a powerful figure as you describe him, he was just Uncle Jackson to me. I was on the farm most summers, and he'd come out here on weekends or when the Senate was in recess, and just hang with the family. He showed me the best fishing holes around here and taught me how to fish. He disciplined me when I did something stupid on the farm; his favorite punishment had me mucking out the stalls. And he told hilarious stories, adding voices to his characters. My friends and I would laugh for hours trying to retell them as good as Uncle Jackson."

  That morning is when Katie and I started to really know each other. Our morning conversation spilled over to lunch and then dinner. When we weren't at the table with our noses deep in our work, we were talking. While making a meal, during lunch, walking around the farm after dinner, we couldn't run out of things to talk about.

  Katie talked about Annie, whom I met her that first day in the FBI conference room. Annie is her best friend and rock. "I couldn't dream of taking a risk unless Annie was with me." She laughed. "She also tells me when I act like a bonehead."

  When I learn that her parents gave her free reign to the city while she was barely in junior high, I start fidgeting in my seat. Even though it's in the past, and she isn't traumatized by any events, my protectiveness bubbles up.

  "Are you okay?" She asked.

  "The city is a dangerous place, Katie. You know that, right?"

  She smiled and moved closer to me on the sofa. "Yes, of course. Annie and I were always careful. One time, we went to an EDM concert at the Amory, and we had to walk two full blocks from the metro to the field house. We walked really fast." Her smile grows wider as she leans toward me. I lean away and observe her.

  "What time did the concert let out?"

  "Hmm. I don't know, midnight?"

  "How old were you?"

  "Fourteen."

  I surge from my seat. "Jesus Christ, Katie. Do you know who lives in that area? Drug dealers and pimps." I'm pacing the room, my fingers gripping my hair, pulling, trying to temper my frustration and worry through the pain.

  "Fourteen," I say under my breath. FUCK! If she would do that, walking alone through Southeast DC, Murder Capital of the World, at fourteen, what would she do as an adult? I didn't want to think about the crap she could get herself into. My heart was pounding and blood rushed to my head. How easy I could lose her when I've just found her.

  I stopped to look at Katie, beg her to be more careful. Her expression of mischief faded, dulling. She got up from the sofa, wrapping her arms around me. "I'm sorry if I worried you with my story. We were fine. Nothing bad ever happened."

  I hold her tight as my heart calms. "Please, promise me you'll make better choices moving forward?"

  She chuckles softly, but promises. I sigh. God, I hope so. I don't think I can live being scared for her every day.

  Friday comes and my check-in with Jeff goes about as we expect. Nothing new in the case. Leads going cold, all the interviews are complete, doesn't give anything new to follow up.

  "What does that mean?" Katie asks.

  "It means we're stuck out here for a while longer."

  She frowns, sitting back in her chair.

  "What? That's such a bad idea, being stuck with me?"

  She smiles, but it quickly fades. "It's not you, you're great. But what's to stop this from going longer? One more week and the case will get colder. How much longer can we hide out?"

  I reach to take her hand. "I'll hide out with you as long as we need, Katie. Anything to keep you safe." And I mean it. I'd disappear with this woman; get away from DC, far away, where this can't touch her.

  She responds as if she read my mind. "I have a life, Anthony. I can't just walk away from that. Leave Annie? Never see her again? Never talk to my parents? I don't think I can do that." She picks up a pencil; it's one of those mechanical pencils that swivel to adjust the amount of lead you expose. She starts to spin it between her fingers, a habit when she's thinking through a problem in her head, discarding options, focusing.

  I watch her process our situation, seeing her brows squint, her lips purse as she's flipping and sorting things in her head. I'm fascinated by everything about her. When her face relaxes, I know she's close to choosing a direction, a path.

  "We need to go back to DC."

  Not what I thought she'd say, but I'll hear her out. "Okay. What's that going to do other than perhaps reveal where you are and get you killed?"

  "What choice do we have, Anthony? You said yourself, you want to do more to help the case, but you can't because we're here and the case is there. We have to be in DC so you can go to the scene, interview the witnesses, bring new eyes to the case. It's stalling. If it doesn't get a jump, they'll close the case, then where will I be?"

  I'm at her side in an instant. "I won't let anything happen to you, Katie."

  "You can't protect me forever, Anthony." I want to correct her. Tell her I will be there forever to protect her, but she'll either laugh at my grand gesture, discarding it as fantasy or see the truth and balk at my confessed emotion and I'll scare her away. So I stay silent.

  "As long as he's out there, he'll be looking for me. They have time; we don't."

  "If we go back to DC, you're making yourself a target."

  "So? He comes after me, and the FBI will be there. Case closed. Better than sitting here waiting for nothing."

  "No way. I won't let you do that."

  "Do you have a better idea?" She challenged me to find a way to catch the killer that didn't involve putting Katie in his crosshairs. "Not yet. But I will."

  I left the house
and stomped around the grounds, ending up at the stables, talking to the horses. "What is she thinking, guys? She's crazy, that's what she is. Certifiable. Wants to make herself bait? Hmpf!"

  I kick some hay, which might as well be air, so it just frustrates me more.

  Katie's right. They have time; we don't. The FBI hasn't turned up any leads and more cases will start to take priority. But I won't let her be bait. There has to be another way.

  By the time I return to the house, Katie is in the kitchen, slicing an apple using a butcher's knife. I shiver in fear as I watch the blade's square edge penetrate the fruit, slipping a little over the slick skin. I walk over to the knife block and pull out a paring knife. It's about the same length as the apple and hopefully will keep Katie from bloodying up the kitchen. Again. She already had two fingers bandaged. I kiss her before gently taking the butcher's knife away and giving her the smaller blade. "An apple doesn't need all of this," I say, pointing to the monstrosity in my hands. I wash the knife before putting it away.

  Katie observes me, not saying anything.

  I take a deep breath and face her. "If we do this, go back to DC, you will need to stay out of sight. No going outside for a walk, going to the store, having coffee with Annie. Annie can't know you're in the city. If they know who you are, they'll know how close you are to Annie. If it looks like she can help them, she could be in danger. Do you understand?"

  I watch her, the fear for Annie flashes in her eyes. She nods. "If I'm to stay out of sight, I can't go home, can I?"

  I shake my head. "You'll stay with me. Makes the most sense, I can protect you there. And it fits with what the FBI thinks. I've been on vacation after my undercover assignment. I'm supposed to be back in the office Monday. So we drive to DC, I get home this weekend and go into the office as scheduled Monday morning. No one will think anything of it."

  She agrees, mostly because it's a plan that adds to solving this and makes us active players. But I sense something else and I'm wary that her wild streak will put her in danger. I reiterate my rules.