by Becky Harmon
She left the marines discussing the attractions they would be traveling near. Terjit Oasis seemed to be the one that had been visited and enjoyed the most. As hot as the summers were in Mauritania it wasn’t surprising that a lush, hidden body of water would draw tourists and locals alike. She heard some regret that their current situation didn’t allow for outside excursions.
What if she and Ellie were going sightseeing instead of working? Would they visit the oasis? She imagined Ellie in a bathing suit. It wasn’t hard after seeing her in her workout clothes. Remembering the curve of Ellie’s breasts and her muscular thighs had led to many hours of torture for her. She squeezed her eyes shut and quickly opened them to clear the vision as she pushed through the stairway door.
* * *
Ellie glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time in the last ten minutes. Chloe had hurried off to meet friends after dinner, but she had returned to her office. With a lot of diligence, she had managed to make a small dent in her stack of work. The time had passed fairly quickly up until about ten minutes ago.
Finally it was time for Angel to appear. She put a pot of water on the heater for tea and paced behind her desk. She knew she could look at the GPS locator and see exactly where Angel was, but she also knew Angel was never late for a briefing. She glanced up as the sound of footsteps carried into her quiet office.
Angel stepped into the room and Ellie caught her breath. She still wasn’t used to the way Angel’s presence dwarfed everything around her. She turned away and took a calming breath. When she turned back, Angel stood at attention in front of her desk.
Angel’s stance showed she was in professional mode tonight, and that was fine with her. She had started the teapot, but honestly she wasn’t sure how much more push and pull her fragile libido could take.
“Good evening,” Angel said softly, her voice conforming to the quiet room.
“Good evening. Anything new?”
“My second team has arrived and are beginning to double staff shifts immediately. No change outside the building, though.”
She nodded. She hadn’t realized she was moving closer to Angel while she talked.
“Are we ready for Monday’s trip?” she asked as she slid between her desk and Angel. She could feel the heat from Angel’s body, and it seemed to draw her closer.
“We are. I just met with our escorts and I’m happy to go over the details of the plan with you.” Angel’s voice was growing deeper with each syllable.
She placed a hand on Angel’s chest, feeling her rapid heartbeat. She closed her eyes, expecting Angel to pull away. When she didn’t, she forced her eyes open.
Angel was studying her face. She knew she shouldn’t, but she slid her hand behind Angel’s neck and gently pulled her forward. She felt the warning sparks and ignored them. As if no time had passed since the last time they kissed, their bodies instantly merged. She felt Angel’s hands slide across her hips and knew they were probably gripping the desk behind her. Angel was fighting to resist. She could see it in her eyes.
She guided Angel’s face closer until she could feel her breath on her lips. It was hot and fast and she breathed it in. When she thought she would explode from the anticipation, she finally pressed her lips to Angel’s. The immediate response steadied her. She could feel everything Angel was too afraid to say. Caressing Angel’s lips with her own, she deepened the kiss. Sliding her tongue into Angel’s mouth, she moaned as Angel’s tongue met hers.
Her body was on fire, and Angel was a wisp of oxygen stoking it hotter. The ridge of the desk cut into the back of her thighs as Angel’s body pressed into her. Finally Angel’s hands were on her, pulling her even closer. When Angel’s fingers slid under her shirt and across her back, she felt her legs grow weak. She hated the clothes that stood between them. She wanted Angel’s hands to be able to touch everywhere on her body.
With a groan, Angel broke the kiss, dropping her hands back to the desk. Her head hung limp over Ellie’s shoulder. Her words were strained and barely audible. “I can’t.”
The anguish in Angel’s voice dampened her desire. She wanted her so badly she had forgotten to respect what Angel had asked. She knew from Angel’s response that their desire was the same. They both struggled with the boundary of professionalism, but Angel’s was also one of integrity and honor.
She slid her hands down Angel’s shoulders and gripped the muscles in her biceps. She could feel Angel’s body trembling, and she wrapped her arms around her, squeezing her tight. Angel responded, wrapping her in an embrace that left no room between them. The desire she had felt moments ago still poured through her, but she relaxed into Angel’s arms. The strength of their connection was mind-numbing; she wanted to remain there forever.
All too soon Angel relaxed her grip and stood straighter, putting a small amount of space between them. She took Angel’s hand and led her to the couch. When Angel sat, she took a seat across from her. Immediately she missed the heat from Angel’s body, but she knew she needed to respect Angel’s dedication to her job. Especially since her own life depended on it.
She poured them each a cup of tea and waited while Angel took a sip. Then she sat back with her own cup and watched her. Space she could give her, but she couldn’t pull her eyes away. Angel’s hair fell across her face as she stared into the cup of tea.
“There are no answers there,” she teased.
Angel lifted her eyes and smiled. “If only there were.”
They stared silently at each other until she finally forced her eyes away. She knew she was a complication Angel didn’t need. She slipped off her shoes and pulled her feet under her.
Angel looked at the heels laying on the floor. “I still don’t know how you walk in those things.”
“With dignity and grace.”
Angel laughed.
She watched the strain in Angel’s face flow away as a genuine smile grew. She cherished her ability to cause Angel to lose control. From the breath-stopping passion moments ago to the easy laugh she had just heard. She was growing to like every part of her. She met Angel’s eyes and watched as they went from caramelized brown to dark chocolate.
Angel’s words were soft and filled with desire. “You rock my world.”
“You really can’t talk like that if you want me to remain at a distance. I’m at the edge of my restraint.”
Angel gave her head a shake. “When I’m away from you, it’s easy to convince myself I can be close, do my job, and resist my desire for you.” A few seconds passed before she continued. “But it seems I can’t. Nor do I want to.”
Ellie watched the struggle play out across Angel’s face.
“Stopping that kiss was the last thing I wanted to do,” Angel continued. “But then I remembered that you could be in danger, especially when we leave the embassy. I need my head to be clear and I’m not sure I can do it.” Angel rubbed a hand across her face. “I’m going to send Eric with you instead.”
She had met Eric and she had no doubt he was good at his job, but there was no way she was leaving this building without Angel beside her. She would say it, but she knew she needed to convince her too. “I need you beside me.”
“My head is not where it needs to be.”
“I have no doubt by Monday morning you’ll feel differently. There isn’t anyone in the world I would trust with my safety over you.” She wasn’t surprised by the words or the fact that she meant them with all her heart.
“Vince,” Angel said softly.
“Not even Vince. Your desire to keep me safe transcends all normal responsibility. I couldn’t feel safer with anyone else.”
Angel nodded. “Thank you.” A slow smile returned to her face. “About those shoes, do you think you could find something more appropriate for Monday?”
“It depends on my outfit.”
The office door burst open and a small girl ran in, jumping into Ellie’s lap. “It’s movie night,” she squealed excitedly.
She glanced
at Angel and almost laughed at the panic on her face. She wasn’t sure if it was the child or the thought of what she might have interrupted a moment ago if they hadn’t stopped.
“This is Sam’s daughter, Brittany.” She laughed at Angel’s raised eyebrows. “Her entrance is always a surprise. Just ask her father.” She squeezed the little girl. “She’s in charge of picking the movie tonight. What will we be watching?”
“Finding Dory!” Brittany exclaimed.
“Oh, yes, lots of talking sea creatures.” Ellie winked at Angel. “It’s a good movie. Maybe Agent McTaggart would like to join us.”
Brittany bounced excitedly on Ellie’s lap. “Would you? We could make space for you on the couch.”
Ellie raised her eyebrows in mock surprise. “Oh, I don’t know, Brittany. Do you think there’s room?”
Brittany nodded eagerly.
“That’s a big honor, Agent McTaggart. She doesn’t let just anyone sit on the couch with her.”
Angel grimaced. “I think I have work to do.”
Ellie laughed as she slid the little girl from her lap. “Go save me a seat.”
Brittany sprinted from the room.
“You could join us if you want,” Ellie coaxed.
Angel’s eyes narrowed. “A dark room with you?” She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Not even with a pack of children.” She set her empty cup on the table and stood. “I should get back to work.”
Chapter Twenty
Angel stepped around the corner from Ellie’s office and leaned against the wall. She had lost control, and this wasn’t a feeling she was accustomed to. Ellie did more than rock her world. She took away all thoughts and cares. She heard Ellie’s office door close, and she hurried to the stairs. Right now, her plan was to keep a solid distance between them.
As she walked she pulled out her phone to text Sarah and Eric. She was surprised to see that almost an hour had passed while she was with Ellie and she hadn’t even briefed her on the plans for Monday. She had missed the vibration of a text from Eric. Both he and Sarah were waiting for her on the roof. She sprinted up the stairs.
She pushed through the fire door and took in the scene. Sarah, Eric, and Miller were prone beside Rodriquez and Arden. She joined them, taking a position beside Miller as she pulled out her binoculars.
“What’s going on?”
“Another man has joined Shepherd. He arrived about thirty minutes ago,” Miller explained.
“Do we know anything about him yet?” she asked.
“No. Sarah was getting ready to head down and dig into it. I’ll take her to the communications room,” Miller said.
Angel pulled back from the edge and stood. “Let’s go. I want to know who he is.”
An hour later, she motioned to the other three to follow her out of the Communications Center. They had identified the man as Randy Barnes, another US citizen, and she was ready to get her team moving.
“Sarah, keep an agent with each of Eric’s but add a roving patrol through the night.”
“I think it’s time to pull Agent Connor in,” Miller added.
“See if she can meet us.”
Miller dialed and they waited while he spoke to her. Pocketing his phone, he informed them, “Agent Connor will meet us now outside the barracks.”
“I’ll go set up the roving patrol and check on my guys.” Sarah stopped at the foot of the stairs, turning toward the gatehouse. “I’ll catch up with you when I finish.”
Angel nodded. “Eric, go with her. From now until I return I want you guys to stay together.”
In the last couple of weeks, Angel had come to respect Miller and his competence. She made a quick decision as she watched Sarah and Eric walk away. “They’ll report to you while I’m gone.”
“I’ll keep everyone in the loop.”
They walked in silence through the double doors into the break room. Angel made a fresh pot of coffee and poured them both a cup. “I have to say that I’m at a loss with what they might be planning. They have to know we’re watching them and that making changes like that would definitely put us on guard. It’s like they want us to know they’re planning something.”
Before Miller could respond Agent Connor arrived. Angel quickly filled her in and asked for her assistance in increasing security.
“You can have both of my agents. Just tell us where you need us to be.”
She nodded. “We appreciate that.” Her phone buzzed with a text message and she glanced at it.
“What is it?” Miller asked.
“Sarah has additional information. Randy Barnes is married to Ronald Pigott’s sister.”
“Wait.” Connor held up a hand. “His company is installing the solar panel farm.”
“You’re correct,” Angel said with concern. “I think it’s time to brief the ambassador. Maybe she can be convinced to at least postpone her trip.”
Miller and Connor nodded, but neither one looked optimistic.
* * *
Angel pulled the copy of Randy Barnes’s picture off the printer and located Ellie’s GPS light on her tablet. She was in the conference room down the hall from her office that was converted once a week to the movie room. It had been over an hour since they had parted earlier, so Angel was hopeful that the movie would be ending soon. She absolutely was not going to pull Ellie from a group of children unless the building was on fire. Angel opened the door quietly, slipping inside.
She leaned against a rear wall until her vision began to identify shapes inside the room. Ellie was seated in the middle of the couch with children on both sides of her. Several more children sat on chairs around them and a few lay on the floor. As her eyes adjusted to the lack of light, she was surprised to see Ellie turned in her direction instead of watching the movie. When Ellie started to stand, she quickly motioned her back down.
Ellie leaned down and whispered something to the child beside her. The child scurried toward Angel. She recognized Brittany and bent down to hear the message she was coming to give. Instead, Brittany took her hand and led her back to the couch. The spot Brittany had vacated was too small for her so she dropped to the floor in front of the couch.
Her stomach gave a flutter as her back came in contact with Ellie’s legs. Warmth quickly spread through her body. She pulled her legs up in front of her and casually rested her arms across her knees, forcing herself to focus on the swimming characters on the screen in front of her. The pressure of Ellie’s hand on her shoulder was gentle and for a moment it settled her. Then she felt the slightest of touches as Ellie’s fingertips reached the skin beneath her hair.
Goose bumps erupted down her legs, making her toes curl inside her boots. She stared stoically but unseeingly at the movie screen, the photograph of Randy Barnes folded and forgotten in her pocket. The stroking fingertips pleaded with her to give in to the ecstasy they promised. She closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment to forget what they were facing outside the embassy.
All too soon, she felt the children around her begin to move, and she opened her eyes to the glare of the overhead lights. The movie was over. She quickly stood, hoping she didn’t look as guilty as she felt.
The mischievous smile on Ellie’s face told her she knew exactly what she had done. She wanted to be annoyed with her, but it took all of her strength to stop her stomach from spinning cartwheels. Taking a deep breath, she pushed aside her physical turmoil.
“Can we talk in private?” she whispered.
Ellie nodded, walking toward the door. She followed at a distance, giving Ellie time to say good night to each child. In the hallway, Ellie took her arm, leading her through the crowd of parents. The sound of the office door closing behind her reverberated in her head. They were alone again.
Focus.
She stopped in front of Ellie’s desk as Ellie continued to the other side.
“What’s going on?” Ellie asked.
“There’s been another change outside.” She pulled the photo from her pocket. �
�Randy Barnes has joined the first man on the wall. Another US citizen.”
“Randy Barnes? That name doesn’t sound familiar.” Ellie stepped around her desk and took the photo from her.
A flash of recognition crossed Ellie’s face, and she held back her response, giving Ellie time to explain.
“I want to see him,” Ellie demanded.
“No.”
“From the roof.”
“No.”
“I want to see his face in real time. Not a printout.”
“How do you know him?” she pushed.
“Let me see him, and then I’ll tell you.”
She forced out a breath of air. Against her better judgment, she gave in to Ellie again. “Fine, but you have to do exactly as I say while we’re on the roof.”
The flash of satisfaction that crossed Ellie’s face was a brief irritation. The truth was she needed to know exactly what Ellie knew. She had already learned the hard way that Ellie would be more forthcoming if she yielded first. She wasn’t sure she had ever met anyone as hardheaded as Elizabeth Turner.
She pulled open the door to find Sam sitting in Chloe’s chair. He stood when they stepped out.
“I saw you at the movie,” he said looking at her and then at Ellie. “So I assumed something was going on.”
“You…you should have knocked,” Ellie blurted.
Angel held back a chuckle at the slight blush spreading up Ellie’s face. Of all the times, they had been behind closed doors this was an innocent one.
“I didn’t mind waiting.” Sam held out a folder to each of them. “I put together some notes from my last visit. A little insight for your trip on Monday.”
Angel nodded. “Thank you. Every tip helps. Especially when you aren’t sure what you’re facing. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow if I have questions.”
“Sure, anytime. Is everything okay?”
Angel pulled the photo from her pocket. “Do you know this man?”
“He looks familiar. Should I?”
“His brother-in-law owns the company installing the solar panel farm.”
She heard Ellie’s gasp but didn’t look at her. Instead, she watched Sam study the picture.