Apparently I've written another festive fic. I have no idea how that happened, but I did say 'never say never'! Thanks go to my good friend East of Fenchurch who gave me the germ of an idea for this one.

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Star Crossed at Christmas

Chapter One

Alex Drake was lost, drowning in Gene's kiss, clinging on to his shoulders as though he were a piece of driftwood on a storm-tossed sea. The edge of the filing cabinet dug into her back and threatened to leave a bruise but she was blissfully unaware. Everything was him: his musky masculine scent surrounded her, the heat of his body enveloped her and the mouth pressed to hers was at once gentle and demanding, his wicked tongue teasing her, tempting her.
Moaning softly, she threaded her fingers through his silky mane and pulled his head even closer, returning the kiss with interest. He growled low in his chest as one hand travelled up her body to cup a breast and the nipple hardened against his palm.

Brrrring, brrring!

They sprang apart, eyes wide, hearts pounding.

"Jesus H. Christ …"

Gene sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly before answering the call and Alex tried to engage her brain, straightening her blouse as she glanced guiltily around her. What on earth had they been thinking? The door was ajar, the blinds wide open … anyone could have seen them. She breathed a shaky sigh of relief. Luckily, it was lunchtime and the place was deserted but they couldn't afford to get carried away like that again. One minute they were arguing ferociously, circling one another, neither willing to back down, and then she jabbed a finger into his chest and he grabbed her wrist, pinning her back against the aforementioned filing cabinet. The next thing she knew they were necking like teenagers and she honestly couldn't remember who'd made the first move.

Gene replaced the receiver in its cradle and looked up, his expression unreadable.

"Apparently my presence is required upstairs."

As he made to walk past her he paused for a second and the predatory gleam in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine.

"This isn't over, Lady Bols."

She watched his tall, elegant figure as he crossed CID in a few short strides and a little smile played around her lips.

"You bet it isn't, Guv …"

xxxxxx

"Found it. Freddie Scholes."

She laid the file on the desk in front of Gene and he opened it, nodding his approval as he scanned the photograph.

"That's him. Nasty little scrote. Let's drag the scrawny bastard in fer questionin' and threaten ter bang him up over Christmas if he doesn't co-operate."

He pouted at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever happened to goodwill to all men, Guv?"

"The scum of the earth don't count, Bols."

She toyed with her necklace, suddenly very aware of his proximity and the fact that the two of them were all alone in the records room. The taste of him still lingered on her lips and the subtle scent of his aftershave seemed magnified in the enclosed space.

"Softly, softly, though. We don't want Bains getting wind of it, not if Scholes is going to be any use to us."

He narrowed his eyes and stared at her thoughtfully.

"We know where he drinks most nights, I'll get Ray and Chris out to bring him in under cover of darkness. Using gentle persuasion, of course …"

She raised one eyebrow.

"Of course. We don't want any accusations of police brutality now, do we? Right, we'd better get back before we're missed, Guv."

As she turned away he moved like lightning, grabbing her hand and tugging so hard that she lost her balance and toppled over into his lap. She gasped in surprise.

"Gene! Someone might see …"

"Nah, nobody ever ventures down here unless they really have to. Now, where were we?"

As his lips worked their way slowly down the column of her neck leaving a trail of fire in their wake she lost all power of reasoning for the second time that day. His mouth captured hers and this time his kiss was possessive, demanding, their tongues entwining hungrily as his fingers popped a couple of buttons on her blouse. The sensation of his warm breath over her bare skin sent a shiver of raw desire through her and when his lips traced the rise of a breast, she heard her own moan of appreciation as if from a distance. One hand began a slow journey up her stocking-clad thigh and she melted into him, powerless to resist, feeling him growing hard against her hip.

"Guv? Ma'am?"

Alex shot out of his embrace with all the speed of a greyhound leaving the traps.

"Buggeration …"

Gene swore under his breath. As she turned her back, surreptitiously buttoning her blouse while pretending to search for another file, Viv's head peered around the corner.

"Yes, Skip. What is it?"

Gene's voice sounded gruff and Alex prayed her face wasn't too flushed but Viv glanced from one to the other, not appearing to suspect anything amiss.

"Just thought you'd want to know, Guv. Freddie Scholes walked into the station a few minutes ago, says he needs to talk to you."

Gene and Alex looked at one another in genuine surprise and then Gene stood, thrusting his hands deep in his pockets, and Alex hid a smirk, pretty sure he was still battling a hard-on.

"Well, well. Let's hear what he's got to say for himself, shall we?"

As they approached the interview room, Alex put a restraining hand on his arm before he could reach for the door handle. He raised an eyebrow, his penetrating silver-blue gaze holding hers.

"Somethin' ter say, Bols?"

She nodded, biting her lip nervously.

"Tonight, Guv. Me and you. I'll … um … be happy to cook. If you're free, that is."

He pouted, but she saw the twinkle in his eye before he leaned in closer.

"Hope that's rhymin' slang, Drake. And don't forget ter wear something slutty …"

xxxxxx

Alex inspected her reflection in the full length mirror nervously. Make-up understated but flattering. Hair freshly washed and styled. Short black velvet dress revealing a generous amount of both leg and cleavage without looking as though she'd tried too hard. At least she hoped so.
She couldn't understand why she was so nervous, it wasn't as though he was a stranger, after all. And therein lay the problem, she realised. This wasn't just any man, this was Gene. The Guv, her superior officer, the man she'd come to trust and rely on and even call a friend. Oh God, what was she thinking, attempting to seduce him? Not only did they still have to work together if things went pear-shaped, she could well lose the only person she could really depend on in this world.

She closed her eyes, recalling again the thrill of his touch, the barely restrained passion in his kisses, the delicious sensation of his powerful body pressed against hers, and the familiar pulse started up between her thighs. It was too late, she couldn't deny her body's overwhelming need for him any longer. The gradual build up of sexual tension between them had finally reached the point of overload and there was no going back now …

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Hope you're enjoying so far – if so, please let me know.