She took a small bite and managed to swallow the flaky pastry.
When she pushed it away, he tugged it back in front of her.
“Uh uh, sugar. The threat stands. Eat at least half of that or I’ll feed it to you.”
The smile died in his eyes. His expression was stern.
“Lexie, you need to eat, whether I am here or not. You need your strength. How the hell can you do that grueling practice you drive yourself through unless you have fuel – a lot of it?”
She frowned, wondering how he knew about her practice, then gave up. He seemed to know everything about her. On some level, she was comforted until her overwhelming need for privacy kicked in.
She shook off his arm and lifted her chin.
“I’ll eat it. You can stop hovering. It annoys me.”
He stood up, a wide grin cracking his face.
“That’s better, sugar. I prefer you spitting tacks at me. Hell of a lot better than being agreeable. That makes me nervous.”
He sunk down in the chair beside her and pierced her with an expression that she couldn’t decipher.
He sighed. “I owe you an apology, Lexie.’
She looked up in surprise. She couldn’t tell if he was serious or teasing her. The frown creasing his brow signaled the former.
“Look, Lexie, I acted like a horse’s ass yesterday. I have to admit I was mad as hell that you didn’t trust me enough to call me, to tell me about the fucker who’d been in your room.”
She hesitated. “It wasn’t that I…I didn’t trust you. But I knew you were mad at me for how I…left the restaurant.”
He scowled. “Yeah. You’re right. I was. But I didn’t have to take it out on you.’’
When she didn’t answer, he said, “I’m sorry, Lexie. Hell, darlin’, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve never acted this way before with a woman. Like some possessive, over protective asshole. You’ve got me tied in knots, Lexie. I don’t know how to describe it. Christ, sugar, most of the time I wanna hold you and never let you go. The rest of the time I want to turn you over my knee and paddle your bare butt.’’
Lexie gasped. She stared at him in shock. He was smiling at her through hooded eyes, but the smile didn’t erase the troubled look in his eyes. Grasping for distance, anything to stifle the sensations his provocative words triggered, she struggled for a saucy smile.
“You, Jake? At a loss for words? No Grandma Winnie Mae’s words of wisdom? Uncle Bobbie Joe’s corny admonitions?”
He quirked his lips, frowning as though deep in thought.
He gave her a diffident shrug. The teasing glint in his eyes confirmed that he’d found his usual equilibrium.
“I don’t know, sugar, about the closest I can come is my Uncle Clem. He always said Aunt Silvia made him as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Lexie shook her head and groaned, but couldn’t hide her smile. She warmed seeing his answering grin. She took another bite of her scone and washed it down with the spicy latte, surprised at how easily she swallowed.
He nodded at her in approval, then shot her a wicked grin. He said with a low chuckle, “Damn, I was kind of hoping you wouldn’t eat that scone. Something about feeding you is downright intriguing.”
She gnawed on her lips and looked down at her clenched fists. He was teasing her, but she didn’t miss the suggestive undertone in his voice – or her reaction.
Certain that she was blushing, she took another swallow of coffee, then said in a firm voice. “It’s nearly eleven. We should go.”
Jake nodded in agreement. He stood up and moved to the living room. He checked the window locks and the sliding glass door, and then headed to the bedroom. He looked over his shoulder with an apologetic shrug.
“Sorry, sugar. Fifteen years of training.”
Coming out of the bedroom, Jake studied her with a quizzical frown.
“Didn’t want to try the bed, Lexie?”
When she didn’t answer, his voice was soft, husky. “You should. It’s a hell of a comfortable bed.”
He raked his eyes over her body and winked at her.
“Lots of times I wished I could spend the whole day in it.”
Chapter 12
“Is…is this the morgue?”
Jake’s heart squeezed seeing her frightened stare at the low stucco building. Damn, given how tough she was it always surprised him to get a glimpse of her vulnerable side, the frightened little girl hiding behind the hard- bitten woman who faced the world with a fierce glare.
“No, Lexie. This is where my office is.”
He opened the door to the jeep and helped her down. When she tried to pull away, he grasped her elbow tight and moved toward the building.
Several officers coming toward them stopped and stepped aside, saluting him. He returned their salutes with a curt nod and eased her through the tempered glass doors. Punching a code on the keypad, he waited until the heavy doors opened, then guided her inside.
A young soldier jumped up from behind the guard desk. He flushed and spun a smart salute to Jake. His voice was high pitched, nervous.
“Good… good afternoon, I mean… morning, sir.” He looked at Lexie and flushed brighter. “And… you too, ma’am. Welcome.”
Jake’s voice was curt. “Thank you, Private Moran. Did Dr. Chang arrive?”
“Yes. Yes, sir! He is in your office. Should I bring you coffee, sir, or sodas? Sir.”
Jake caught her gaze. When she shook her head, Jake nodded to the young soldier standing stiffly behind the desk staring at Lexie.
“Just water, Private.”
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir,” the private said with a start.
Jake softened his gaze. “At ease, Private Moran. Bring us several bottles of water and then see that we are not disturbed.”
The soldier bounded out from behind the desk, accidentally bumping a stack of folders showering a flutter of paper to the floor. He groaned and fell to his knees, grabbing at the papers.
Jake couldn’t hold back a grin. He shook his head at the embarrassed soldier and murmured to Lexie, “See the effect you have? Glad it’s not just me that you make nervous as hell.”
Taking pity on the scrawny soldier crawling behind the desk after the flyaway papers, Jake said, “Relax, soldier. It’s not every day that you see one of the most beautiful women you’re likely to meet.”
The private looked up from the floor and gave him a shaky smile. “No, no, sir. Thank you, sir, for understanding.”
Private Moran turned to Lexie, and visibly swallowed, his Adams’ apple bobbing in his bony neck. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I … I didn’t mean to stare.” He finished with a rush. “But Colonel Gardner is correct. You are one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
Lexie graced the young man with a soft smile and whispered, “Thank you, Private Moran.”
Jake was still chuckling as he guided her into the room at the end of a long hallway.
~~~
Lexie hesitated at the doorway. She looked up at Jake. His expression was serious, all traces of teasing humor gone. She saw him for what he was, a respected soldier, a commander. His gaze was solemn, but kindness
