Honor Under Siege полностью

brace herself on one arm, but managed only to col apse on her side

next to Cam, Cams hand stil inside her.

“Al right, baby? Cam kissed Blairs closed eyelids, then her mouth.

“Blair?

“Mmm, oh God, wonderful.

“Ready for that shower?

Blair snuggled a little closer and smoothed her hand down

Cams stomach, smiling against Cams throat as she felt her

twitch at the touch. “In a minute, she murmured, caressing

lightly. “Or maybe two, if you can behave that long.

“Ill do my best, Cam

groaned. “That should do

nicely.

* * * * *

Renée Savard stifled a groan and eased to the far side of the

bed, trying desperately not to shake the mattress. Her knee was

so stiff and swol en, she feared she might have to crawl to the

other side of the room where shed left her cane propped against

a chair two days earlier. Only two days ago, when shed actual y

been walking fairly comfortably unaided. Of course, that

was before shed thrown herself down on top of Diane Bleeker

and then sprinted fifty feet down a hal way and hurled herself

into the back seat of a limousine.

“Can you walk? Paula whispered.

“Im just taking it slow, Renée replied. “Go back to sleep, sweetie.

Paula pushed the covers aside and started to sit up. “Ill get

your

cane.

“Dont, Paula, Renée said more sharply than she had

intended. Knowing she must sound angry, she turned onto

her side and stroked her lovers arm. “Hey, Im sorry. But you

should stay in bed for a little while longer.

“Where are you going? Paula caught Renées hand and intertwined

their fingers.

“Its already 0600. The commander will be briefing

soon. “And I need to brief the security team, Paula

countered.

“The commander didnt take a bul et in the chest last night.

You know you should take it easy today.

“I was wearing a vest. The commander took a bullet in the

chest for real and that didnt keep her down for long.

“Youre every bit as strong and dedicated as the commander.

Renée pushed a pillow behind her back, drew Paula against

her side, and kissed the top of her head. “The

commander is amazingId fol ow her anywhere, do anything she

asked. But youre my lover, and I know what you did last night.

I know what might have happened if hed been using different

ammo or you took that shot in the neck. Those few minutes in

the limo last night when I wasnt sure how badly you were hurt

that was the worst kind of hel . God, sweetie, I was scared.

“Hey, hey. I know. Paula rubbed her cheek against the side

of Renées breast. “I know what it was like thinking you were in

one of the towers when they came down. I know, baby.

“So, Renée said shakily, “you get that I need you to take care

of yourself for a little while.

“Im sore, Paula admitted. “Every time I breathe it feels

like someones poking a sharp stick into my chest and out

through my shoulder blades. But Im not going to do anything

except sit at a table and talk. I wont take a shift.

“And after the briefing youll lie down again for three or

four hours?

“Two. Two hours and I wont mention to the commander that

youre having trouble even standing.

Laughing, Renée tilted Paulas face up and kissed her. “I

never realized you were so devious.

“I cant take you being hurt, either, Paula whispered, closing

her

eyes and pil owing her face between Renées breasts. “Maybe

you could just stay here for a few more minutes.

“Anything, Renée murmured. “Anything for

you.

* * * * *

Just before seven, Blair walked with Cam as far as the

guesthouse. A light rain fell beneath a gray sky and in the

distance the ocean was rough with angry chop.

“Winters coming, Blair said, and for some reason, that made

her feel melancholy.

Cam took her hand. “Lets get married at the Lodge in

Colorado. We can call Doris today and make arrangements.

“What? Blair gaped, then her eyes brightened with

pleasure. “What brought that on?

Cam brushed her thumb along the crest of Blairs cheek.

“We havent stopped moving for the last two months. I want a few

days with you when all that matters is being with you.

“You do? Blair glanced down the path to the guesthouse where the

current office of the Deputy Director of Homeland Security

was located, knowing that Cams agents waited for her inside

and that the work her lover was doing was critical to the nations

wel -being. She also knew that the work was essential to C a m

s wel -being. The last thing she expected was for Cam to be

thinking of anything except work.

“Im sorry, Cam murmured as if reading her mind. “Im sorry that I

havent made

it clear to you how much I need you.

“Cameron. Blair skimmed her fingers through Cams hair. “You

made that perfectly clear not more than an hour ago.

Cam grinned briefly. “That too, but more than anything I need you