Honor Under Siege

never forget about them. She peered over her shoulder toward the dunes

where two of her first team security agents stood with their hands at

their sides, facing out toward the ocean as if she and Cam were not

there. Of course, they had seen everything while continuously scanning

the length of beach, the water, and the air.

“Id say that lit le lapse is a very good sign. Cam brushed a strand of

damp blond hair away from Blairs cheek and resisted the urge to kiss

her again. Blairs deep blue eyes were shadow free, a rare occurrence,

and even though shed been up before dawn, shed slept through the

night. That, too, was unusual since the armed assault on Blair in her

penthouse apartment. Cam loved to see Blair

so relaxed and secure that she forgot she was being watched. She

wished she could keep that from ever changing.

“When your eyes go from gray to black like that, Blair murmured, “I

know youre thinking serious thoughts.

Cam shook her head. “No. She tugged Blair against her side

and

started to walk, keeping her arm around Blairs waist. “Just thinking I

love you.

“That sounds serious. Blair slipped her hand into the back pocket of

Cams jeans and squeezed her ass. “In fact, we should probably do

something about it ASAP.

“Okay.

Blair laughed. “Youre too

easy.

“I thought you liked me that

way.

Blair caught Cams hands and turned to walk backwards, swinging their

joined arms lazily between them. The wind whipped her hair around her

face, and her cheeks burned with the cold. She felt wonderful. “I like

you every way you come, Commander. Hard and fast, slow and easy.

Any way at al .

“Jesus, Blair. Have a heart. Cam tilted her head in the direction of the

agents who fol owed along the invisible perimeter of their protection

zone. “They cant hear us, but theyl have a hard time pretending not to

notice if I throw you down on the beach.

“I thought you had bet er control than that, Blair

teased.

“So did I, Cam mut ered darkly. Everything shed thought shed known

about herself had abruptly changed slightly less than a year before

when shed been assigned to protect the first daughter of the United

States. Cam had fal en in love

with her the first instant shed seen her, her blond hair damp from the

shower, her sapphire eyes sparking with anger, her sensual body

blatantly seductive. Blair hadnt wanted protection, and shed done

everything she possibly could to avoid the constraints of twenty-four

hour a day observation. Shed been wild and wil ful, a beautiful feral

creature who defied taming. Cam had fought her desire, but ultimately,

she had surrendered to her heart. “You changed al that.

“Funny, Blair said, returning to Cams side and snuggling against her

again. “I

was just thinking the same thing about

you.

“I

love

you.

“I love you. Blair kissed the edge of Cams jaw. “Your throat sounds

better. Does it stil hurt?

“No, Cam said quickly. Her voice stil became hoarse when she talked

for more than a few minutes, and swal owing was an exercise in

masochism. But she didnt want to remind Blair of the injuries shed

sustained during an armed confrontation that shed promised she wouldnt

take part in.

Abruptly, Blair stopped walking and stepped slightly away. “Why

do we constantly have to cover old ground? You know I can always tel

when youre trying to protect me from something.

Cam winced. “Sorry. Youre right. I need more practice at

disclosure.

“Apparently. Blair sighed. “I suppose we both do. Its just that the very

things I

love about you make me crazy,

too.

“Dit o. Cam laughed and then started to cough. It hurt, and she couldnt

hide it. The finger marks on her throat had faded, but the bruising

inside persisted. “Damn. The cold air is get ing to me.

“I told you not to come out here, Blair snapped. “Damn it, Cameron. She

hated

it when Cam hurt. She hated feeling helpless under any circumstances,

but it was worse when it was Cam and she couldnt do anything. She

picked up her pace. “Lets get you inside. Il make some tea or

something.

“Tea? Cam rasped, trying desperately not to laugh

again. Blairs glower could not hide her smile. “Wel

, something.

They climbed through the dunes toward the multi-level glass and wood

house where theyd been staying for the past few weeks, the two Secret

Service agents keeping pace behind them. Blair stif ened at the sight of

a woman hurrying down to meet them.

“Hi, Paula, she greeted her new chief of security. Paula Stark was an

athletic, dark haired, dark-eyed woman close to her own age. She had

proven herself capable of protecting Blair in dire circumstances more

than once, and Blair trusted her. More than that, she cared for her.

That kind of af ection probably wasnt wise; she was not supposed to