Guardian Angel (18 page)

"It will only tear us apart in the end," Alex cried out, still denying the powerful force running through her body. "We'll be destroyed."

"Will we?" One large hand cupped her nape in order to massage the tension away. "We can't be destroyed, Alex. Don't you know that?" Jared's tongue snaked a burning path up her throat and along her jaw to her earlobe. There his teeth settled gently on the fleshy skin and pulled. "We're invincible together."

No, we're not, she thought to herself with eyes squeezed shut, forcing herself to reject the molten lava flowing in her veins. There's too much against us. Her thoughts weren't spoken out loud because, knowing Jared, she knew he would only brush her fears away. Fear. What a strange word for her to use. Alex hadn't known fear one day of her life except... no, she mustn't think about that! She gasped when Jared's mouth had worked its way down to her breast.

"We're two of a kind, Alex," he murmured. "Cold on the outside, but underneath is enough dynamite to blow up the whole damn state." His hand wandered over her flat stomach, then lower until he found her warmth. Alex's hips arched against the teasing fingers seeking that high plane that only he could take her to.

She was powerless to argue any further. Moaning softly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled her fingers in his hair. The tension in her body was growing with each moment and by the time Jared's body lowered to claim hers, she was ready to scream out her frustration. His thrusting body soon brought her higher than he ever had before, and she could only snuggle up to him so that she wouldn't be alone in this glittering netherworld. Jared grunted softly when Alex's teeth sank into his shoulder but not once did he slow or halt the rhythm that brought them close to fulfillment. When it came, Alex could only cry out Jared's name and cling to him with a merciless grip. A moment later he shuddered and gasped out her name.

She wasn't sure how much later it was when she slowly returned to reality. Jared's damp body was curved tightly around hers and she could detect his breathing returning to normal.

Alex thought back to those moments when nothing mattered but her cravings for Jared's body. That's all it could be—physical desire. Even in the beginning she had tamped down any stirrings she had for him, knowing nothing could come from it. And now? Could they share more than just passionate moments in bed? Could they share love? Because now she was only too aware that she had committed the ultimate crime of falling in love with her boss.

No! The word screamed through her mind. Don't do this to yourself!

Her sudden tension had communicated itself to a drowsy Jared.

"Alex, what's wrong?" he asked while rubbing her back with a comforting hand.

"Nothing," she lied, glad the darkness hid this still new knowledge from him. She was beginning to wonder if she hadn't been fighting these feelings all along.

Jared fell into a deep sleep, keeping a possessive arm over her waist, but it was a long time before Alex drifted off into a troubled slumber.

A scant few hours later Alex was vaguely aware of a comforting warmth leaving her. She slowly opened one eye and saw Jared dressed and tucking his shirt into his jeans. Turning, he noticed her and walked over to squat down next to the bed and drop a swift hard kiss on her lips.

She could taste the minty flavor of her toothpaste on his mouth.

"Sorry I woke you," he whispered, brushing the stray strands of hair from her face.

"What time is it?" She found it hard to focus her eyes.

"A little after four." Jared grinned at Alex's painful groan. "I have to drive home and change my clothes before going into the office. Do me a favor, don't stand me up for lunch today."

"I won't eat any breakfast so I can order a large meal," she promised, yawning deeply.

His fingers curled lightly around her neck. "A few pounds here and there wouldn't hurt. Go back to sleep, love. I'll come by your office at eleven thirty."

The last thing Alex remembered before she drifted back to sleep was her blankets being tucked firmly around her shoulders so that she wouldn't get cold. Then she was left alone to sleep and dream beautiful thoughts.

After that night Alex and Jared's relationship took an
other turn. Even though she now knew she loved him and realized he held at least some affection for her, she still was very careful around him at the office.

Although Jared now spent an average of three to four nights at her apartment and they lunched together at least once a week, she refused to acknowledge the fact that many would view her as his mistress.

When Jared had to fly to Chicago, Alex may have been given a separate room, but she didn't sleep alone. There may have been a snowstorm outside, but inside she slept in the warmth of Jared's arms. On the flight back to Los Angeles, Chris eyed them curiously but wisely kept his thoughts to himself.

Alex's demeanor softened and even her wardrobe re
flected her new self. The clothes she had bought on her impulsive shopping spree showed less severe lines, al
though the jackets were still cut a little fuller to accommo
date her shoulder holster when she wore it.

The days passed and Alex could only watch and wait to see where time would bring her in regard to Jared's life. She feared the day when he would no longer want her, but she wasn't about to sit and wait for the worst to happen. She would enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.

CHAPTER EIGHT

One Friday evening Jared came by to take Alex out for dinner.

"What exciting destination do you have in mind, Mr. Templeton?" she asked lightly, knowing her ice-blue light
weight wool dress would suit any occasion.

"You'll find out soon enough," he merely replied in a mysterious voice.

Out of unconscious habit, Alex walked over to her small desk in the living room, unlocked the top drawer, and reached in for her gun. Seeing her intent, Jared swiftly crossed the room and placed his hand over hers to stop her.

"You're not on duty tonight, Alex," he said quietly. "This stays home."

She looked up at him, surprised by the intensity in his low voice. She didn't like carrying it any more than he liked her having it on her person, but those letters threat
ening Jared's life were still fresh in her mind.

"I may not have a black belt in karate, but I would do what I could to defend you," he said with a faint hint of self-mockery in his voice. He took her hand out of the drawer and closed and locked it.

"I never doubted it, Jared," she said honestly.

He smiled wryly. "I do. You forget I saw that mugger you took care of."

Dinner was at a small exclusive seafood restaurant in Beverly Hills, where the clientele was ensured privacy. Alex and Jared had dined there several times before know
ing they could have a quiet dinner and not be bothered by any aspiring members of the press. Since Jared's business dealings with Rashid had been publicized, he had been given little private time of his own. After dinner they drove to a nearby club for dancing.

Alex hated to admit she felt self-conscious when she went out with Jared, although there was no reason for her to. All the time she had grown up she had socialized with many young men and women on the same social level as Jared, if not higher. Naval and diplomats' children all shared one thing in common; they had to grow up fast in order to survive the rigors of life in Washington D.C. Yet this was different. She could compete with him on a social level when it came to background, but she still considered herself a working woman even if her profession wasn't the normal nine-to-five job.

It was all right when they were alone in her apartment or even when they met for lunch, but dinner was a more intimate meal to her way of thinking. She was fearing the day when he'd realize he was making the grave error of sleeping with an employee and abruptly stop their affair. She hated the word, but what else could she call it? She couldn't deny how much it would hurt. She had seen it happen to Jared's mistresses in the past, so why wouldn't it eventually happen to her?

When Jared's arms slipped around her while they danced, she felt secure. She had been feeling extremely tired lately and it seemed as if the evening was already catching up with her.

"Tired of my company already?" Jared teased lightly, catching her trying to stifle a yawn.

"I'm sorry," Alex apologized. "I don't understand it, we went to bed early last night." She turned red as she realized the implication of her words.

He chuckled in her ear, all the time enjoying her dis
comfort. "Tell me about it. I got a good-night kiss and you were out like a light. Talk about feeling rejected," he teased.

She laughed softly at his woebegone expression. "Poor baby," she mocked affectionately. "I guess I'll just have to make it up to you, won't I?" Her fingers were buried in the soft hair at his nape and gently rubbed the slightly rough skin. It didn't take long to see a reaction. To rein
force her dance-floor seduction, Alex's body moved in perfect time to Jared's, making sure to brush against every vital part. Her face nuzzled his throat and the tip of her tongue snaked out to steal a taste of his salty skin.

It wasn't very long before Jared took her hint. He guid
ed her off the dance floor and over to their table, where he picked up her purse and coat. "Let's go." There was no mistaking the message in his husky voice.

Although Jared drove out of the parking lot, he steered the Maserati in a different direction from the freeway that led to Alex's apartment.

"Are you kidnapping me, sir?" Alex asked throatily, snuggling up to him and teasingly placing her hand on his thigh.

"Sure am."

"Hmm, will there be a demand for ransom?" She bent her head and playfully nipped at his throat while her hand wandered up his thigh.

"No." His voice was thicker now. "Damn it, Alex, if you keep that up, I'm not going to be able to drive!"

She gurgled with laughter. "We could always check into a motel," she suggested, her fingertips drawing lazy circles along his inner thigh. "At this rate that could be an excel
lent idea, not to mention a real time-saver."

"Not with what I have in mind," he rasped. "Now try to keep your hands to yourself for a little while longer."

"Five minutes?"

"Twenty."

"Fifteen," she compromised.

"Twenty," he repeated. "And that's with pushing the speed limit."

Alex laughed; the wine from dinner and the brandy she had consumed at the club had released her inhibitions. "I can see it now," she declared theatrically. "But, officer, I couldn't help it, this crazy woman had her hand in my lap!" She continued laughing. "Hmm, wouldn't that look good on your record, although I don't think it's exactly against the law."

"It's called creating a public nuisance," Jared told her.

"Your five minutes are up," Alex announced, holding her arm up to look at her watch.

"Good, then you only have fifteen more minutes to wait."

By then she was filled with curiosity as to their secret destination since Jared wouldn't give her any hints.

The car traversed the quiet streets of Brentwood until it slowed in front of a pair of stately wrought iron gates. Jared depressed a switch under the dashboard and the gates slowly swung open.

As the car moved along the winding driveway, Alex knew where they were. The tightening of her stomach muscles told her.

"This is your house," she said unnecessarily.

"Give the lady a cigar." Jared stopped the car in front of the house and switched off the engine. He half-turned in the seat. "Care for the fifty-cent tour?" he asked quietly.

Alex nodded. In the darkness all she could make out was the outline of a two-story Tudor-style house. Right away, she could sense the lack of warmth and comfort the ranch house radiated.

"What, no butler?" she asked flippantly when Jared unlocked the front door.

"Staff’s night off," he explained.

"Naturally," she murmured, stepping inside.

The interior was spacious and attractively furnished, obviously by a decorator's hand, but it still lacked warmth. Jared took her into a small drawing room and poured two brandies.

"It's a lovely house," Alex volunteered, feeling the need to say something.

Jared's lips quirked with a wry smile. "A little overpow
ering?"

"A lot overpowering."

There was a brief, companionable silence while they each sipped their drinks.

"Care to see the rest of the house?" he asked in an all too casual voice.

There was the faintest hint of a smile on her lips. "I thought you'd never ask."

Jared reached over and took the balloon glass out of her hand and set it on a nearby table. His hands circled her wrists and pulled her to her feet.

"Now that you've seen the downstairs—" He drew her out into the hallway and toward a curved stairway.

"I've only seen your hallway and drawing room," she reminded him, looking around and seeing several other closed doors.