She Who Dares, Wins (14 page)

A
T THE OFFICE
the next afternoon, Katie could barely keep her eyes open. After four cups of coffee and two meetings, she was beat. She'd gone straight from the airport to the office. Other than the twenty minutes she'd spent freshening up and changing clothes in her private bathroom, she'd been working nonstop.

“Thank you for consulting on those cases,” Mar said as she walked into Katie's office. “You are always so good at seeing these situations from an objective viewpoint. I hadn't even thought about bringing in Jackson on the Bryer case, but you're right. His security skills would come in handy. That is, if I can get him away from the CIA. I thought when he left that place he'd be done, but so far he's spent more time consulting there than here.”

Katie's office was next to Mar's, and they were even decorated in the same art deco style, as the women shared similar tastes.

“So, are you going to tell me about it?”

Katie jolted. “What?”

“The man, whoever he is. You met someone while you were on the case there, didn't you?”

Mar's profiling abilities had really improved. Pretty soon no one would be able to keep a secret around the office.

Did she wear her emotions that easily? Katie had always thought she was good at hiding things. She wouldn't lie to her friend, but she also didn't feel like discussing Mac quite yet. She needed to talk to him about some things. Find out where they really stood. To be honest, she wanted to find out if he missed her as much as she did him just twenty-four hours after they'd parted.

“I was busy with the case—you know that.”

Mar nodded. “It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I've been there.” She smiled at Katie with so much understanding that it almost made her cry.

Katie sighed. “When I do want to talk, I promise you are the first ear in line.”

Mar tucked a file folder under her arm. “Any time. Now, why don't you go home and get some rest. I can tell the jet lag is killing you. Take tomorrow off—you've earned it.”

“No, that's not necessary. I just need a good night's rest tonight. I feel like I've missed too much work already. The longer I'm gone, the bigger the backlog.”

“Go home. That's an order,” she said with a wink.

Katie didn't need to be told twice. She grabbed her bags and zipped out the door.

Her condo was a two-bedroom loft with fantastic views of downtown Austin and a great kitchen, so Katie had no complaints. But it never really felt like home. It was the place where she slept and sometimes watched
television. It was already furnished, so the only things that belonged to Katie were her clothes, a few pictures of her family and the electronics.

There was also a fully loaded gym downstairs, but she was too tired to work out.

It was nearly five, so Katie had stopped to pick up a chicken salad from the French bakery and a chocolate croissant she couldn't resist. After placing the food on the wooden dining table, she flipped on the television. But she couldn't stand the idea of eating alone.

Picking up her phone she dialed.

“Katie?”

Mac's voice made her hands shake. “I miss you,” she said over the lump in her throat.

“I miss you, too. Did you get my messages? I thought you were going to call me when you landed.” He sounded worried and she felt guilty.

“I'm sorry. I—I was upset and stopped to see my family. I just wasn't thinking. And I'm sorry for being a coward and sending you a text. I promise it was only because I didn't want to break down like a total wimp.”

“Katie, you're never a wimp. How's your dad doing?”

Leave it to Mac to be so thoughtful.

“He's good. Mom is taking great care of him whether he wants her to or not. I'm really sorry I'm calling you so late.”

Mac chuckled and the sound calmed her.

There was a long pause.

“I told you to call me any time of day and I meant it. Katie, tell me what's wrong.” The man was so perceptive, and always seemed to know what was going on in her head.

“It's tougher than I thought it would be,” she said. “I hurt, Mac.”

There was another long pause. “I know, trust me. I haven't been able to think about anything but you since you left. But we can do this. We'll make it work.”

She sighed. “Thank you. I needed to hear you say that. I wasn't sure at first. I thought it would be easier to make a clean break, but I can't do it. We have to try, Mac. What we have is—”

“Amazing and special and we aren't going to throw it away. I don't want you to give up, baby. We will find a way.”

“Mac, I want to fight for this, but I need to know…” She couldn't quite get the words out.

“Katie, never doubt how much I care about you. I'm ready to chuck all my research so I can be with you. If there weren't so many people depending on me, I'd be on the first plane out of here. But I have to get through this critical point. There's too much riding on this next stage. But I can't stand being away from you, baby. It's the toughest thing I've ever had to do.”

A tear slid down her cheek and she took a deep shuddering breath.

“Oh, Katie, don't cry.” His voice was hoarse with emotion.

“I don't cry.” She shoved the offensive water from her face. Well, she hadn't cried until she met Mac. He'd opened her heart, and now she felt everything.

“Besides, if I did cry it would be a happy tear.” She cleared her throat. “I just needed to know you wanted me as much as I do you.” She shoved her food away. “Mac, I need you so badly right now.” Her body still craved his touch. That was the toughest part of this.

There was a choked sound as Mac coughed on the other end of the phone line. “Turn your computer on, Katie.”

This time it was she who was surprised. “Mac?”

“Do it, Katie. That's an order.”

She smiled as she picked up the computer. “You know I don't take orders very well,” she said huskily.

“You will tonight, baby. I'm going to make love to you.”

Katie couldn't believe how he could do that over the computer, but agreed to play his game. She needed him, even this way. As she moved to the bedroom her body heated from her head to her toes, and her panties were already damp.

“Put the computer where I can see, and undress for me,” Mac told her.

“Mac.” Katie looked up the ceiling. Now it was all a little too real. She felt silly, but positioned the laptop so the camera was on her. She adjusted the volume and disconnected their phone call.

“Katie—” his voice was husky again “—I need to see you. All of you.”

She shook her head. “I'll do it if you do.”

“I promise,” he said, “but you first.”

Katie tilted the computer screen so he could see her. Taking a deep breath, she undid the buttons of her blouse. She slipped it off her shoulders and stood there in her bra and jeans.

“All of it, baby.”

This time she smiled. “I took off my shirt. You take off your pants and underwear. I want to see your cock.”

Mac laughed. “Well, thanks to what you just said I'm hard as a rock now.”

Katie's insecurities about their long-distance relationship fled with her newfound power. Her words could make him hard.

“I want you to hold your cock while I strip, Mac.”

“Katie, if you keep talking like that I'm going to come before we ever get started.”

She laughed.

Soon he was devoid of his pants, his huge cock waving like a stiff flag in front of her. “I wish I could taste you. Slide my tongue down that huge shaft and—”

“Stop it.” Mac ordered, then bent down so she could see his smile. “Strip for me. No more talking.” He winked at her to take the fire from his gruff words.

She gave him a little salute and attacked the clasp of her bra. Her nipples bounced up, perky with need. She imagined Mac's hands on her. Eyes closed, she moved her hands to her breasts, pinching the nipples the way he had.

“Katie, I'm going to explode right here and now. You look so hot. Your mouth. Your nipples. I want to taste you. Take off your pants. I want to see if you're wet for me.”

Katie's hands shook slightly as she slipped off her jeans. Had she ever needed a man so much in her life?

No. The answer was simple. Mac was it for her. She took the panties down with the jeans and stood before him completely naked.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

Every time he said that, her heart plunged to her toes and back up again.

“Now put the computer to your left on the bed so I can watch you, and then lie down.”

“Watch me what?” She did as he asked.

“Look at me, Katie.” She did and she saw his cock in his hand so hard and ready for her. A drop of cum leaked out.

“Rub that with your thumb,” she said. “Pretend it's me. I want to taste you so badly, it hurts right now.”

This time Mac did what she said, groaning slightly with the action. “I want to be inside you,” he said.

“Me, too. I want you pounding me senseless. I need it.”

“Touch yourself, baby. Slide your fingers into that hot pink flesh and rub that nub like I would if I were there.” His voice was husky with need and his words made her entire body shake.

Katie's fingers slid down to do what he asked. The second she touched herself she gasped. Her body was so tightly wound it begged for release. She no longer cared he was watching, or that they were thousands of miles apart. Her fingers slipped in and out of her body, alternately rubbing the nub and sliding a finger into her pink folds. She thought of his fingers, the way he touched her that stoked a fire so deep, she burned with desire.

Her eyes closed and her breathing quickened.

She heard a moan and realized it was her.

Her back arched and she whispered, “Mac.” Turning so she could see him, she gasped.

“I know, Katie. I know.” The look in his eyes told her he felt the same way. She watched as his hand slid up and down his cock. The sight tightened her lower belly and she felt the moisture in her folds increase. She had
never thought watching a man pleasuring himself could be so hot.

Mac pumped his cock faster and faster and she imagined it inside her. Pounding her senseless.

“Pinch your nipple with your other hand, Katie. It's my teeth and tongue sliding around, sucking.”

Her hand slid to her breast while her other one continued to rub faster and faster. “Mac,” she gasped as she pinched. Her body shook with an orgasm so strong he saw stars for a minute.

“That's right. Keep going,” he encouraged.

She opened her eyes to see him moving his hand even faster, his look so intent on her that she knew he was thinking of his cock deep inside her.

Katie wanted to stop and watch him, but she didn't. She stayed right with him, her hands keeping time with his. “I want to be sucking you right now,” she whispered. “Your cock hitting the back of my throat, to feel you exploding in my mouth. Let me taste you now, Mac. Come for me,” she cried on the verge of another orgasm.

Katie's back arched as the sensations poured through her body, and she watched as Mac's seed poured from his body onto the towel he'd laid on his thighs.

Her body shuddered and his did the same. Watching him this way was every bit as hot as being there with him. Okay, maybe not as good, but close enough. They'd enjoyed each other and the miles apart didn't matter a bit.

Mac opened his eyes and smiled at her. “That was amazing,” he whispered.

She nodded, not trusting her voice yet.

“I miss you.” His smile was still there, but she saw the sadness in his eyes.

She shoved a tiny tear away with the back of her hand.

“Are you crying? Don't—this is good. We can survive this. It'll be tough for a little while, but like your mom said, it's meant to be, so we'll find a way.”

She cleared her throat and sat up. Grabbing her shirt, she wrapped it around her. “I told you I don't cry,” she said. “I was overcome with the orgasm. That's all.”

“Oh, yeah. That's right. You're my tough girl. So what are you doing tomorrow night about this time?”

That made her laugh out loud.

The laughter helped expel some of the tension she felt and she was grateful for his wonderful sense of humor. It was one of many things she adored about him. This was definitely worth fighting for, and as her dad had said, Katie was a fighter. She'd never back down from a challenge, and that was exactly what this was. It was up to Katie to find an answer.

She smiled at her man.

“I think I have a date with you.”

Two weeks later

K
ATIE TOOK A DEEP BREATH
as she stepped through Stonegate's doors. The meeting with her colleagues was in an hour and she prayed she had everything in order. Mac hadn't helped, what with him being a frequent distraction, but in a good way.

They'd agreed to leave their webcams on when they were home. He'd even left his on when he was in the lab. A few times a day she'd click on the window and watch him work. He'd smile almost as if he knew she was watching, but he wouldn't say anything. It was as if she was a voyeur, and she had to admit she kind of liked it. She'd grown quite comfortable with their video sex chats, too. Mac, always the creative one, had come up with some amazing ideas.

There were also the flowers. Every day he sent her a dozen roses. Her condo was full of them, and she was running out of space. But each time she walked in her front door she was assailed by the smell and it sent her straight to the computer to chat with Mac.

However, nothing substituted for the real thing. Katie unlocked her office and walked in. She had some time before the rest of the gang showed up, but she needed it to get herself settled. She'd never done anything like this proposal. The past few years had been about solving other people's problems. They'd bring her a case and she would take care of it.

This time she was the one with a problem. It was insane what she wanted to do, but she had to try. For her, there were no other options. Katie pulled open her laptop and checked her figures again. She'd also done a couple of maps to show specific areas where they had cases around the world. All of this would prove why opening a branch of the agency in Europe was a necessity.

It wasn't long before people straggled into the office. Mar stopped by to say good-morning.

“You've been working so hard I thought maybe you could use this,” she said as she set down a cup of coffee with a chocolate doughnut.

Katie didn't know if her nerves could stomach the chocolate heaven sitting on her desk, but the coffee was appreciated. “Thank you. I have to admit I'm a bit nervous today.”

Mar sat down in the chair across from her. “I've known you for a very long time, and I've never seen you nervous. Tell me what this special project is about. Maybe I can help.”

Several times in the past week Katie had wanted to share her thoughts with her friend, to get Mar's opinion on some key points, but first she'd had to make sure she had all her facts straight. Still, she didn't know how the
others would take her news, and it would help if she had Mar on her side.

“Do you have time before the meeting for me to explain it to you?” Katie asked.

Mar crossed her legs. “Katie, I always have time for you. Tell me.”

Katie brought up the video presentation she'd put together on her computer and turned the laptop toward Mar. Moving to the other side of the desk, she hit Play.

“I think it's time we opened a branch of Stonegate in Europe.” Katie began her presentation.

“We've had more than twenty-seven cases we've closed in London, France, Ireland, Scotland and Italy in the last six months. It takes an enormous amount of travel time to cross the Atlantic and, as you know, the first few days on a case are critical. Having someone on the ground who can be at these locations within a few hours would make a huge difference in the time it takes us to complete our investigations. Beyond those two points, it depletes our human resources here. We're taking valuable time away from the cases we have on this continent by sending key personnel to other countries.”

Mar leaned forward and Katie knew she saw the logic. She'd counted on that.

“I'd like to open a branch of the agency in London,” Katie concluded.

Mar's eye's opened in surprise and her hand flew to her chest. “You? Really? Katie, why would you want to leave? I know it's been an adjustment for you moving from New York to here, but I thought you were happy.”

“Wait, Katie's leaving—what's going on?” That was Chi, the lawyer of the bunch. “You guys,” she said to Makala and Patience, who were walking behind Chi, “Mar says Katie's leaving the agency.”

There were audible gasps and soon all of Katie's friends were in her office staring at her with surprise.

Moving to the other side of her desk, Katie waved her arms in front of her. “Hold on, people. This isn't what you think. I was only running my proposal by Mar.”

She held up a hand in a stop motion to keep them from all speaking at once. “For the record, I love it here. Working with you guys has been the best experience of my life. I mean that. I just had this idea when I was working the case in London, and I wanted to run it by you.”

Mar motioned for them all to come forward and watch the presentation on the laptop.

“It makes a lot of sense,” Chi said when it was over. “I'm all for anything that cuts down on our traveling overseas. I logged twenty days out of last month, but the preliminaries of the investigation could have been handled by someone else.”

“I agree,” Mar chimed in. “I think it's a fantastic idea to open a new branch in London. My question, when you walked by, was why Katie would uproot herself again to do it.”

Katie looked to the ceiling for answers. There were none there. These were her business associates, but they were also her friends. She chewed on her lip for a few seconds.

“Oh, hell. It's a man,” Makala blurted. “Look at her twisting fingers, and I've noticed her flushed cheeks
the last week. I thought she was coming down with something, but she's in love.”

“Wait a minute.” Katie pointed a finger. “No one said anything about love.”

There was another collective gasp, and she realized she'd already said too much.

She'd thought about telling them that the move was a way for her to make a real break from her crazy family, but that seemed senseless now.

She cleared her throat. “Yes, I'm interested in someone who lives there. I'm curious about this connection we have and I want to see it through. He's American, but he can't come here right now, as his job won't allow it. So I thought maybe I could set up shop there.”

Patience and Makala sat down on the sofa against the wall and Chi took the other chair.

“I have to play devil's advocate here and ask what will happen if things don't work out with him?” Makala never shied away from asking the tough questions.

Katie shrugged. “I'm not moving there only for the man. I actually love London. Honestly. It's a place where I could see myself living the rest of my life, no matter what happens with—” She'd almost said Mac's name. “The man I'm seeing.”

“You can't have known him very long,” Mar interjected. “You were there for a little over a week.”

Laughing, Katie pointed at Mar's huge diamond engagement ring. Jackson had proposed during a trip to Baja last month, and Mar had accepted. They had the kind of relationship Katie hadn't ever thought would be possible for her, but now she wanted that with Mac. “And a few months ago when you met Jackson, did you want to see where that relationship led?”

Mar laughed with her. “True. Very true. I assume your man isn't locked up in some CIA jail. I have to tell you it's not the easiest way to start a relationship.”

“No, he's not. Thankfully he has nothing to do with the CIA, or our business for that matter. We honestly couldn't be more different in that respect. But like I said, he can't move here because of his job, and…” Katie paused. “I know it sounds crazy, but I will regret it for the rest of my life if I don't at least try to see it through with him.

“But I'm being honest about opening the new branch, too. I don't know how Chi's been doing it all this time, with the back and forth travel. And what she says is right—we need someone on the ground who can get to our clients in those critical moments. If you guys don't approve of me as the one to do this, then we need to find someone.”

For now she left out the part that she'd leave the agency one way or the other. She didn't want to give them an ultimatum. While she was doing what was right for her relationship with Mac, this was a good move for the agency.

Mar stood. She turned toward the other women in the room. “I think Katie is the perfect candidate to do this,” she said. “She knows every aspect of this business—the way we work with our clients, the actual casework, and she was the one who helped set up all the new billing procedures when I first took over. She'll need an office, living space and equipment. And we'll need at least one assistant, maybe two to help with the paperwork. Chi, I think you should look into finding a lawyer in London we can work with, too. I had no idea you'd been gone
so much. I mean, it seems like you're never here, but twenty days? That's insane with your workload.”

“I have some friends who could help with preliminaries and sit second chair if we go to court,” Chi said. “I agree. It's a great idea. I think it would take a lot of pressure off many of us. And she'll have access to all of our equipment here.”

“Makala and Patience, can you guys check into setting up a lab over there? Our kind of lab, and we'll need to staff it with the right sort of people to run it. You guys could oversee it from here and consult on any of Katie's cases.”

“Got it,” Makala said, picking up her phone, “but when you're looking for office space, make sure we have plenty of room for the lab. I'll get you the minimum on the dimensions in a bit.”

Patience, the SIA forensic archaeologist, rubbed her hands together. “Some of the best FAs in the world live in England.”

“You're the best in the world,” Katie interrupted her, but she was grateful for her excitement.

“Well, that is sort of true.” She smiled. It wasn't a lie. People all over the world came to Patience for help. She had been regarded as number one in her field for the past five years. “But these guys are almost on the same level. This could be really good for us,” she said.

Mar put a hand on Katie's shoulder as a show of support. “I'm going to vote yes. So what do you say?”

There was a resounding yes all around.

“Well,” said Chi, “I have one stipulation. I want a second bedroom in whatever flat we have for the agency. I'm so tired of staying in hotels and eating out. I'd like to be able to fix my own food.”

Katie felt as though all the wind had been let out of her sails. She'd been so ready to fight harder, and they were handing it to her on a silver platter.

“I can't believe you won't be around here.” Makala gave her a sad smile.

“I'm going to miss you all, too. And I'll be back here every few months. I have ongoing cases here, too.”

Mar hugged her. “So when are we going to hear about this guy? We'd planned two hours for this presentation. I say we put it on hold and go to lunch, get the juicy details.”

“I'm in on that,” Chi said.

“Me, too,” quipped Patience.

“And I'm getting a Bloody Mary.” Chi laughed. “Been a long week.”

“I hear ya, sister,” Mar said. “Jackson's been consulting with the CIA, and I can't wait for him to get home. The days drag by when he's away.”

“You are so whipped,” Chi teased. “Pining after a man. I didn't think I'd ever see the day. And you—” she pointed to Katie. “I'm not drinking the water around here anymore.”

Mar gently punched Chi in the arm. “I can't wait till it happens to you. I live for that moment.”

“Never going to happen,” Chi responded. “I've sworn off men. I told you that.”

Mar snorted. “Yeah, right. We'll see about that. Besides, if Katie can move to London for a man, anything can happen.”

“Hey.” Katie laughed. “That's so—well, you do have a point. I can't believe I'm doing it, either. But as we always say around here, what's life without a little risk?”

 

A
T THE RESTAURANT
across the street from their office, the five women raised their glasses.

“To Katie's new life,” Mar toasted her. “May it be better than she ever dreamed.”

They clinked glasses.

Katie was hit by all the emotion. She would miss these women. The past year they'd become such a big part of her life. They were always there for one another. It was like a big family, without the zany dysfunction.

“Oh, what's wrong?” Mar asked. “You suddenly look so sad. This should be a happy time for you.”

Katie cleared her throat. “Trust me, it is, but it just hit me what a big part of my life you've become.”

“Don't be an idiot,” Makala said in her direct way. “We aren't going anywhere. And you'll be videoed into the meetings every week. And I have a feeling each of us will be finding a way to visit you in the next six months or so. Now, we are curious about this man of yours….”

“Okay, okay. I'll tell you about him. Well, we met in a bar.”

Mar clapped her hands. “That was how Jackson and I began—it's a very lucky start.”

Katie smiled, nodded at her friend and continued with her story. She left out the sexy parts, but talked about how after the case they'd realized they had strong feelings for one another. She was worried that her professionalism might be called into question, but honestly, that was when the relationship had become serious. Thankfully, none of them seemed to care.

“Hmm,” Makala said.

“Are you going to psychoanalyze me?” Katie asked worriedly.

“Girl, I say if you find someone to love in this world and they love you back, it's all good,” Makala interjected.

Katie shook her head. “No, I
like
him—a lot. That's it. Maybe some day we'll have that kind of relationship. Right now it's about seeing if we can have something ongoing. Two weeks after I move there, he may be done with me for all I know.” That last bit had been difficult to say.