Every Breath You Take

by Taylor Lee

  After he hung up, Jake heaved a sigh.

  “Damn, I hate to go black on Dan. He’s as straight as they come, but that fucking department especially with Roberts at the top can’t be trusted. Hell, if it wasn’t for Dan and Mark Peterson, we wouldn’t be anywhere near solving this mess. I trust both of them, but no one else. This is too important to take a risk.” He turned to Brady. “I put the word out to Denny. As you know he’s got men on the ground now. I told him to quadruple it. I want every one of us backed up at least three deep.”

  He glanced at the group. “When I say we’re going deep, that doesn’t begin to describe it. From this point forward only operatives that Brady or I have vetted personally will be involved. There’ll be no outsiders, period. Lexie, even you won’t know who they are. Tiffany, you may recognize a few of them—they’re all ex-military. And Peter, fucking spook that you are, you’ll probably know them intuitively. Having razor-sharp instincts is the only way you could have done what you’ve done over the years and still be alive.”

  Peter grimaced. “Dammit, Jake, I’ll understand if you need to shut me out of the strategic discussions.”

  Jake shook his head. “No Peter, you saved my life. More importantly, you saved Lexie’s life. My gut tells me you’re one of us. I trust you, man, and I admire the hell out of you.”

  Peter sighed. “Thanks, Jake. Loyalty is a foreign concept to me. My life has depended on my ability to be disloyal, at least on the surface. But, thank God, like you I still know how to distinguish between good and evil. I know the real article when I see it. And, you, my friend, are the real deal. I will tell you that I have never worked with a more elite group of men—and women. I’m honored to be a part of this team. Thank you.”

  Jake smiled but his eyes confirmed his seriousness.

  “Like you, Peter, the only way Brady and I have survived as long as we have doing the things we’ve done is by trusting our guts. They’ve never let us down. We both agree. You are one of us.”

  Lexie broke the silence that followed.

  “So what do we do now, Jake?”

  He shrugged. “That’s easy. We decide what kind of a disguise you two will wear tonight when you go into the District to meet with your sources.”

  Jake ignored the surprised glance Lexie and Tiffany exchanged. He looked down at his watch.

  “Let’s meet back here at 2100 hours.”

  He grinned at Brady. “That’ll give you time to get something to eat—or take a nap—if you wish. Meantime I have some things I need to discuss with Lexie.”

  Jake grabbed hold of Lexie’s hand and pulled her up close to him. He glanced at Tiffany then lifted Lexie’s chin between his finger and thumb and winked at her.

  “Oh, and one more minor thing. I’ll be choosing the costumes you two wear tonight.”

  Chapter 14

  “I’m impressed, Jake. You were masterful. After what happened, after what you men went through? I don’t know how you do it. How you stay so calm, so… controlled. I would be freaking out!”

  Lexie gazed up at him. Even as she said the words, she knew that Jake was still upset. If others missed it, she didn’t. The fierce gleam in his dark eyes said it all. He had to have been terrified when he thought the Kkangpae had her and Tiffany. It would be a long time before she would forget the fear on his face when he leapt off his bike and charged toward her.

  Now, Lexie saw another emotion in his tight expression—one she was familiar with. It was lust fueled by rage.

  “Gotta tell you, Darlin’, I may look calm, but, honey, the last thing I am is calm or controlled.”

  Confirming her insights, Jake stroked her cheek and gave it a light pinch. He grinned when she startled. “I know you know this, baby, but adrenalin and testosterone are a powerful combination. They also provide one of the best ways to come down after a scare like we had today.”

  He smiled at her but his eyes were hard, his voice taunting. “If your partner can take it, that is.”

  Lexie tossed her head dismissively. “Take what? A hot man?”

  “No, Darlin’, a man so hot he’s dangerous.”

  Lexie flounced away from him. Leaning back against the vanity, she crossed her arms over her chest and scoffed, “Sorry, Big Guy. Hate to break it to you, but we female adrenalin junkies have our own ways of coming down from a fear-inspired high. Guess they didn’t teach you that in ‘caveman’ school. Too bad. They shoulda warned you. A bitch in heat can be as dangerous as any old he-man high on testosterone.”

  Jake quirked a questioning brow, then the beginning of a genuine smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  “Hmm, now that you mention it, ‘caveman school’ didn’t have much to say about the female side of the equation. They weren’t that sophisticated. The classes were pretty basic, elemental. You know the drill. ‘Man get itch. Find woman to scratch it.’” He shrugged. “That was about the extent of it.”

  “I see. That’s good to know. It’s important that I know the level of ‘education’ my student has had. I wouldn’t want to overwhelm you—too much. At least to start with.”

  Lexie put her hands on her hips and tossed him a quizzical look pretending to be serious. Ignoring the twinkle in his eyes, she frowned.

  “It’s like this, Big Guy. I’ve been thinking about doing a little special ops mission of my own.”

  Jake nodded thoughtfully. “You have, have you? Hmm, that sounds interesting.”

  She shook her head. “Only it’s going to be different than your kind of an operation, Jake.”

  He began edging toward her. “I see. How will it be different, honey? I need to understand the nature of the operation before I decide if I will agree to participate.”

  Lexie guffawed.

  “Oh, you’ll participate. I can assure you of that. But you’re right. You need to understand the parameters. To begin with, in this operation, you will not be commander. I will be.”

  “Hmm. Mm hmm. Well that does present some interesting considerations. Tell me what that means—should I choose to participate?”

  Lexie gave a flippant nod.

  “It’s simple. It’ll be the same as when you’re the commander. Essentially, it means you do what I tell you to do, when I tell you to do it and how I tell you to do it. Oh and by the way? You can begin by calling me Ma’am. And just to be clear as to who is in charge, I will be calling you soldier boy.”

  Jake gave a hearty laugh, the web of laugh lines around his eyes deepening in delight. “I see. And what would make this soldier boy want to obey you? Ma’am.”

  She sidled up a little closer to him but still kept five feet between them.

  “It’s like this, Jake. I have a feeling given what I’m planning to do to you, the last thing you’re gonna want to do is stop.”

  Jake’s eyes were dancing. “Now, Darlin’, I mean Ma’am, I don’t want to be impudent but I have to ask. Is that a threat or a promise?”

  Lexie huffed. “Both, Big Guy. A threat and a promise.”

  She glanced down at the bulging arousal tenting the front of his trousers and threw him a sly grin.

  “Well one thing is clear. At least that part of you wants to a member of my team”

  Jake hooted with laughter then made a visible effort to be serious.

  “Ah, Darlin’. I mean, Ma’am. I have to tell you. That particular member is not a good judge of my willingness to participate in your interesting mission. Hell, that’s like asking a back alley drunk if he wants a free quart of moonshine. You think he won’t stick up his hand and reach for the bottle? That my darling temptress is equivalent to this member raising his ‘hand.’ I can assure you if it was up to him, he would bury himself in your body and stay there until the end of time!”

  He started to move toward her, but Lexie stopped him.

  “Uh uh. I’m not done yet. You need to know that this s a very special mission. It’s… an invitation only event.”

  “I see. All righty then, how does one get an
invitation?”

  “That’s the problem. Only one invitation will be issued and that is going to the only guy who is select enough to be on this team”

  Jake huffed out a pretend sigh of relief. “Well, thank god for that. Okay, Ms. Commander, when do we start? I don’t want to put the pressure on you. But, I can only control this unruly guy for so long.”

  Lexie planted her fists on her hips and frowned at him.

  “Let me tell you Big Guy. I suggest you pull out some of that infamous control of yours, because I have been counting the minutes until I got you alone. And guess what, Jake? We’re alone now and we have about two hours before we join the rest of your team. And believe me, on my team, I can take as long as I want to get started. Plus I can do anything I please with that hot body of yours.”

  Ignoring his chuckle, she tossed her head and sashayed over to the closet.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I didn’t realize that I’m still wearing the dress I chose for the meeting. I need to change into something more ‘appropriate.’”

  Jake raked his eyes over the tight red sheathe skimming her body and shrugged.

  “Don’t want to be insolent, Ma’am, but that hot little number sure as hell works for me.”

  “Uh uh, soldier boy. This is way too many clothes for what I have I mind.”

  She reached around to the back of her dress and slowly eased the zipper down. She waited for a moment then with a little twist she shimmied the silky fabric over her chest, then her hips and finally let it sink to the floor. Jake’s eyes widened and he gave an audible gasp.

  Lexie liked to feel sexy from the inside out. She always wore sexy underwear, but this morning she’d wanted to wear something spectacular under her favorite red dress. Seeing the eager flash in Jake’s eyes, she was glad she’d prepared so well.

  A lacy white shelf bra barely contained her lush breasts. A matching thong with two slender ties held the abbreviated center panel in place over her bare mound. Lexie gave Jake an impish grin and adjusted the garter belt holding up her laced topped silk stockings. It was one of Jake’s favorite ensembles. Unfortunately none of her lingerie lasted long. They usually ended up in tatters on the floor, ripped from her body in the heat of their lovemaking. Lexie never had to remind Jake to buy her more. It was one of his favorite gifts, the sexier the better.

  Pressing her fingers against her full bottom lip, Lexie debated then decided to leave on her stiletto heels. Glancing over her shoulder at her reflection in the mirror, her smile widened. She couldn’t hold back a soft laugh at the expression on Jake’s face. Lust didn’t begin to describe it.

  She sauntered over to him within reaching distance and glanced down at his visible erection.

  “Hmm, soldier boy. From the look of it, you definitely are ready for me.” She lifted her chin. “Or at least you think you are. We’ll see.”

  Jake’s expression darkened. His voice held a distinct edge.

  “I should warn you, Lexie. Commanding a mission isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It isn’t just about giving orders. Some team members are disruptive. They have minds of their own. Many times they don’t want to obey the leader. They go off on their own, pursue their own agendas. A good commander knows how to take them in hand. Are you up to that, Darlin’? Don’t know if you’ve noticed but I do outweigh you by more than a hundred pounds.”

  “You may be right, Jake. And yes, I have noticed how big you are. But I’ll take my chances.” She gave him an impish grin. “Here’s my first order. You may not touch me. I, however, can touch you. Any way and anywhere I please.”

  Jake’s eyes flashed and he didn’t hold back a low growl when Lexie moved up next to him.

  She ran her fingers around his collar stopping at the front inching past the two open buttons. She casually unbuttoned the next button.

  “But, first, soldier boy, I’m going to even the odds between us. You have too many clothes on this hot body of yours.”

  When she pressed up against him, he muttered a soft expletive and reached for her hips.

  She pushed his hands down. “Uh uh, soldier boy. Remember? No touching.”

  She began unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time allowing her fingers to trace across his skin as she bared it.

  Her voice dropped, an awed murmur. “I love your chest, Jake, and your arms.” She lightly pinched the muscles on his shoulders and scraped her fingernails over his powerful biceps. “You are scary strong. You know that?”

  He grumbled. “Doesn’t seem to be doing me much good. Given that I’m not permitted to touch.”

  When the final button was undone, Lexie pulled the shirttails out of his trousers and eased the shirt off his body.

  She wiggled her butt in delight and ran her hands over his shoulders and across his rock-hard belly.

  “Mmm. God, Jake, your body is beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Ma’am. Glad you like it. Your subordinate aims to please.” His eyes were dancing.

  Lexie dragged her fingertips through the curly hair black hair on his chest and tugged on it. She circled one flat brown nipple with a pointed fingertip then caught it between her fingers and pinched it to a hard peak. At his moan, she leaned down and bit the hard nub while playing the other nipple between her fingers and thumb.

  “Careful there, Darlin’. You’re playing with fire.”

  When he reached for her hands, she shook her head.

  “Uh uh. Don’t touch!”

  She quirked a saucy brow and added a sultry warning.

  “Oh, and soldier boy? I’m not playing.”

  Chapter 15

  Jake jerked his chin and gave a harsh snort.

  “How are you going to enforce that ‘no touching’ rule?” He added belatedly. Ma’am.”

  His eyes had a wicked glint. “One more thing, Ma’am. As far as I know, I’m the only one in this duo who has handcuffs—and other restraints…”

  She smiled. “Ah, but if you start getting all macho on me, I won’t do this.”

  Tugging at his belt buckle, she unhooked the clasp and slowly pulled the belt through the sturdy loops. With a teasing grin, she draped the leather strap around his neck and tugged on both ends. Pulling him closer to her, she whispered, “See, soldier boy, there are all kinds of ways to restrain my prey.”

  “So I see. I’ll have to remember that belt trick—when our roles change.”

  Grasping the waistband of his trousers, Lexie slipped her hand inside. Knowing that he typically went commando, she reached for his burgeoning shaft.

  “Oh myyy. It’s a very good thing that your trousers are as strong as they are or this guy might have broken through.”

  Jake scoffed. “In defense of it, rubbing your hot little hand up and down it doesn’t do anything to decrease its size.”

  “Hmm, you’re probably right, but let’s dispense with the trousers, shall we?” She giggled. “Maybe a little air will cool him down.”

  As she pulled his pants over his hips and down to the floor, she sunk to her knees in front of him.

  She looked up at him and grinned when she saw his face flush and his eyes flash.

  “Okay now, soldier boy, step out of these pants.”

  Jake kicked off his boots and stepped out of his pants. He jerked off his socks then drew himself up to his full height and stood before her in all his glorious nakedness. Heat rushed over her, flooding her core with powerful sensations. Lexie choked at the desire streaking up her body. She swallowed hard then gamely tried to keep her voice steady.

  “That’s… that’s good. Just how I like my subordinate. Naked before me.”

  Jake groaned, a dark flush staining his cheeks. His erection was huge and inches away from her face.

  He choked out a gruff response. “Jesus Christ, Lexie. I sure hope you know what you’re doing. I was damn near ready to explode before we ever got to this room. Now, I’m a walking time bomb with a hell of a short fuse.”

  “No, no, soldier boy! Remember? I told you
your part in this mission is to do what I tell you to do. Right now I’m telling you to control yourself. Or… I won’t do this.”

  She ran her tongue around the swollen head of his shaft. She licked at the pearly drop of pre-cum beading on the end of his engorged member.

  “Yum,” she murmured. “I love the taste of you, Jake. But one taste isn’t enough. I want more!”

  Jake groaned. “You are a greedy little wench. But I gotta warn you. You may have gotten in over your head.”

  Lexie looked up at him. He was red-faced with exertion. His breaths were coming in short pants. His strong muscular thighs were trembling. He’d squeezed his eyes shut as if the sight of her pointed tongue licking his weeping slit was too much. A feeling of enormous power flooded her. She knew now why Jake loved watching her come. The intimacy was profound. So was her sense of power. That she could bring this level of ecstasy to this overpowering man was exhilarating.

  As if taking pity on him, she teased, “You may brace yourself on my shoulders—if you can’t hold yourself up. I wouldn’t want you to fall over.”

  As she spoke she closed her fist around the base of his thick shaft then gradually pumped up and down its formidable length. Jake’s thighs tightened and his groan deepened. His voice was raspy.

  “Damn Lexie. I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to handle this.”

  “Sure you can. You’re a tough guy, right? You need to grin and bear it. Besides, soldier boy, I’m just getting started.”

  She licked up and down his prodigious staff. Nipping at the tight silky skin over the iron-hard rod beneath, she used one hand to slowly pump up and down.

  Her excitement flared at his escalating moans. God she loved him. Like his unquenchable thirst for her, she could never get enough of him.