Radclyffe - Honor Guards

"Uh-huh." Stark lifted her head, a perplexed expression on her face. "And your point is?"

Laughing, Renee reached up and brushed the hair from Stark's forehead. "You're going to wear me out."

"Is that even possible? Is there like some magic orgasm quota, and once you hit that number, you can't have any more?"

In a swift movement, Renee lifted her hips and rolled Stark over onto her back, following in one fluid motion until she straddled her. With her palm in the center of Stark's chest, she leaned forward, her breasts swaying in silent invitation. "If there is, I'm going to get there pretty fast, especially if you keep after me the way you have been."

"Jeez, you look so sexy when you sit on me like this." Stark lifted both hands and cupped Renee's breasts, brushing the tight pink nipples with her thumbs.

Surprised yet again, Renee arched into Stark's hands with a groan. "I love the way you touch me."

"That's good," Stark said, her throat dry and her stomach already simmering with need. "Because I can't seem to stop."

Renee dropped forward, catching herself with her palms on either side of Stark's shoulders, her breasts pressed into Stark's hands, her face inches above her lover's. She rocked her hips over Stark's stomach, slicking the soft skin with the warm, silken evidence of her desire. The tantalizing friction teased her already stiff clitoris, and her thighs trembled. Her eyes, glazed with urgent pleasure, found Stark's. "I don't want you to ever stop."

Before Stark could reply, Renee raised her hips and slid higher on the bed until she knelt just above Stark's face. Curling her fingers into Stark's hair, she held her head down while she lowered herself carefully to Stark's mouth. "One kiss."

With a groan, Stark wrapped her arms around Renee's hips as she took her into her mouth, thirsting for her passion. The wild heat and sweet scent overwhelmed her, and she closed her eyes to immerse herself in the wonder of her lover's desire.

Renee's stomach tightened at the first soft touch of Stark's tongue, and when the sharp pull of Stark's lips around her clitoris sent fire streaking along her spine, she pushed herself away and collapsed onto the bed, panting. "Okay. That will have to do until tonight."

"Oh my God," Stark exclaimed, rolling onto her side toward Renee and sliding one hand down Renee's abdomen, seeking entrance between her thighs. "I'll die, I mean it. I can't wait until tonight."

"You have a fabulous mouth," Renee gasped. "And I'm going to be thinking about it the entire day."

Stark stared in shock as Renee jumped from the bed and hurried naked toward the bathroom. Half a second later, she catapulted up in pursuit, shouting, "I'm going to make you pay for this!"

Outraged, delighted, and indescribably in love, Stark followed the beautiful sounds of her lover's laughter.

0800 11Sep0l

Report: Team One aboard American Airlines flight 11 has departed Logan Airport en route to Los Angeles. 81 passengers and 11 crew members.

0805 11 September 2001

"That's it, then," Cam finished. "Egret has no public appearances on the docket for the rest of the week, and her personal calendar is flexible. Standard shifts the rest of the week. She has a luncheon scheduled with the board members of the American Teacher's Association in DC on Saturday. Mac will go over those assignments tomorrow."

When she and Mac left the conference room to review reports and intelligence updates, the remaining agents began to gather their notes. The conversation was desultory as the night shift prepared to go off duty and the day shift sorted out their assignments.

Stark, the day-shift leader, looked toward Cynthia Parker. "You've got the lobby this morning, Cyn."

"Sure," Cynthia Parker replied. "I'll head down to relieve Foster as soon as I grab a cup of coffee."

Glancing at Felicia, Stark said, "You feel like joining me in the gym for a workout?"

"You go ahead. I'll join you as soon as I check my e-mail messages."

"No problem. See you there." Stark's nerves still jangled with an undercurrent of excitement and lingering arousal. An hour or so pumping iron sounded like just the antidote she required to clear her head.

0814 11Sep0l

Report: Confirmed - Team Two aboard United Airlines flight 175 has departed Logan Airport en route to Los Angeles. 56 passengers and 9 crew members.

0815 11 September 2001

"Everything looks to be routine, Mac," Cam said after a swift survey of the printout's that had come in from the various intelligence agencies. "I'm going to check in with Egret. We may be going out-—I'll let you know."

"Sure, Commander." Mac rose as Cam left the room and crossed to the desk where Felicia sat studying her computer monitor.

"We haven't had much of a chance to talk lately," Mac said. When Felicia glanced up, a curious question in her eyes, he shrugged. "I know you're not interested in anything serious between us, but how about a friendly lunch sometime?"

"Do you really think that men and women can do anything that's just friendly?"

"I don't know," Mac answered honestly, "I'm not sure that I even want to where you're concerned. Maybe I'm hoping you'll change your mind when you discover what a nice guy I am."

Felicia couldn't help but smile. "Mac, I already know that." She studied his clear blue eyes, his handsome face, his gentle mouth. "Lunch would be nice."

0821 11Sep0l

Report: Confirmed - Team Three aboard American Airlines flight 77 has departed Washington Dulles International Airport en route to Los Angeles. 58 passengers and 6 crew members.

0822 11 September 2001

"Hey," Blair exclaimed with pleasure, reaching out for Cam's hand and drawing her into the loft. She pushed the door closed and curled an arm around Cam's neck, pressing close to kiss her. "Mmm. This is a nice surprise."

Cam tightened her arms around Blair's waist and buried her face in her soft, fragrant hair. Silently, she just held on, filling the empty places inside with the comforting sense of her lover. Blair smelled of sunshine and sweet wildflowers.

"Cam?" Blair stroked Cam's neck and shoulders. "Darling? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Cam replied, straightening. She kissed Blair once more, allowing the gentle heat of Blair's mouth to soothe the last sharp edges of her longing. "Just missed you."

"Then come to me, Cameron," Blair urged. "It's all right."

Cam smiled, the shadows in her eyes lifting. "I know, and I will. I'm still trying to judge how best to balance everything, that's all."

Her arms around Cam's waist now, Blair nodded. "I understand. But I miss you, too, every night when I close my eyes. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me from calling you is knowing that it will make things harder for you if I do."

"I love you." Cam kissed Blair once more. "So, if you're not already scheduled, how do you feel about joining me for a walk and breakfast somewhere?"

Delighted, Blair nodded. "Sounds perfect." She indicated her T-shirt and cotton pajama bottoms. "Let me grab a fast shower and change."

"Go ahead. I'll read the paper and wait."

0835 11 September 2001:

Federal Aviation Administration has alerted the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) that American Airlines flight 11 has been hijacked.

0837 11 September 2001

The radio on Cam's belt crackled as Mac's voice sounded in the quiet loft.

"Commander, I think you should come downstairs."

Tossing the newspaper aside, Cam stood swiftly, alert to the concern in Mac's voice. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure, but I just received word that a commercial airliner has been hijacked in the Northeast corridor."

"I'll be right down." Cam crossed swiftly to the bathroom, opened the door, and called inside, "I need to check something with Mac. I'll be back."