Woo hoo! 100 reviews! The bunnies got drunk and typed this while I was sleeping. Mine was much more rational. Please keep it up…I honestly only have the vaguest outline here. The reviews and questions and suggestions really do feed those story bunnies.

DISCLAIMER: Sleep I need, Auggie I want, Debts are really all that I own!

Souvenir – Chapter 10

As she lifted her hand to knock, a flood of uncertainty washed over Annie. Was this a mistake? Was her sister right, again? Before she lost her nerve, she let her hand fall against the big door. For a moment, she had the irrational urge to pull a 'ding-dong-ditch' like when she was 10. Great, a trained CIA operative and she was terrified to have door open.

Too late, the lock began to unlatch and the door slid open. Oh God, he was at the door in a pair of jeans and nothing else. Holy crap. She had known he was built, but had never really allowed herself to enjoy the view. It was impressive. He was all sleek muscle and she wanted to run her hands across his broad shoulders and down those very nice abs. If they ever did a 'Men of the CIA' calendar, she would choose him for every month. His voice startled her out of her lustful thoughts.

"Annie?"

His face was a mixture of surprise, and oh God, hope. What had she done? Before she could even come up with a reason to be there, he grabbed her hand to pull her in. His face dropped. He had grabbed her obviously naked left hand. Slamming the big door behind him, he leaned on it with an air of studied casualness.

"Can I help you?"

His head was tilted and he had crossed his arms over his chest, making those muscles bulge. Before she could lose herself in the view, his tone cut across her like a knife. He was pissed. Shit. Danielle had been absolutely right again. This was a huge mistake. He was sardonic and distant. She knew that voice. It was generally directed at some hapless agent screwing up a piece of tech equipment or moving stuff in his office. It was the tone that sent Stu looking for her to keep him from verbally eviscerating the agent and everyone else for the day. It was usually accomplished with a few words and a touch. The whole tech support crew knew the only person who could calm pissed Auggie was Annie. When did that happen?

"OK, subtle is not working."

He had caught her drifting again.

"Why are you here? To return something?"

His voice had dropped a few degrees more and he held out his hand. His jaw was set and he was trying too hard to seem relaxed. Oh Crap. He thought she had come to say no and return the ring. His shoulders had rolled back and he was literally bracing himself for that blow.

"No, Auggie, I. I…don't know what to say…."

His head jerked at the word 'no' and he cut off the rest of her words with a word.

"Stop. Damnit. Do not let me down easy. Truth, Annie. I think I deserve that much."

He held out his hand again looking for the ring. Instead she placed her hand in it and placed the other over his mouth.

"Shh, listen to me. I didn't come here for that. I came because I don't know wh…"

The rest of her words were cut off. He had grabbed her hands and pinned them behind her between herself and the door. She was pushed against it in a move that made her head spin. His face was hard, his eyes snapping anger. This wasn't sweet funny Auggie, this was Special Forces Anderson. His body pushed against hers and he growled as he spoke. He was predatory, pushed to the limit and she was turned on by it.

"You came here to get advice from your best buddy, didn't you? Well, he's not here. The man who asked to marry you is. Because Annie Walker, that's what I am. A man. I am not your brother, we are not 9 and this is not our secret hiding place. I am a man, who wants you, who wants to spend his life with you. I am not your uncle or advisor here. I am not a eunuch. If you expect me to be the guy who hashes it out and watches as you marry another man, you are in the wrong apartment. I want you for me. Only me. Mine."

His head descended and he kissed her before she could even catch her breath. It was not a sweet kiss; it was hard, and deep and possessive. He angled his head and ravished her mouth, tasting and owning each inch. Pulling away only to growl "mine" again, he leaned his whole body into this kiss. She could feel the vibrations of the word 'mine' down to her toes, making heated stops along the way.

Heat. Boiling, rolling flowing lava like heat. This was Danielle was talking about. That vision of Auggie around a table with family in 25 years now included his hand caressing hers, while his smile promised a night of passion undimmed over the years. That was what she meant. As Annie leaned back into the kiss and began to kiss him back with equal fervor, he pulled his lips away, leaving her to whimper at the loss of them. He found that spot just below her ear on her neck that had always been sensitive with perfect accuracy.

"Mine"

Giving a slight nip and then applying soothing, sucking kisses to the spot, he relished the sigh and softening of her whole body toward him. Good. She needed to understand. Now for the really tough part. He pulled her away from the door and gave himself the gift of wrapping his arms around her properly. He exalted inwardly as she melted toward him and returned the embrace.

He untangled her arms from around his neck, hating the loss of her soft curves. She had smelled wonderful and she fit in his arms perfectly. As a soldier, he would dream of a woman and a moment like that. But he didn't want a dream that would end in the harsh glare of the desert sun. Holding her with one arm, he pulled his door open. Planting one last swift hard kiss on her mouth, he pushed her toward the door.

"You came for some answers. That was mine. Are you in or out Annie? Because I am in, I am all in. Make the decision, pull the trigger. Let me know. Because now you know, don't you? I want you. I want you wearing my ring. Mine"

He pushed her out into the hall and slid the door closed. Leaning back against the door again, he pulled huge gulps of air into his lung. He had just taken the hugest risk of his life. He was trembling, and more terrified than since he had woken up to darkness. Because this darkness could be permanent.

Annie walked out of his building in a daze. "Mine" That fiercely possessive Auggie was a revelation. She now knew he wasn't doing this to be the nice guy. He really wanted her, for her. A honk made her jump. Her sister was sitting in the mini-van with the two girls in the back. Annie climbed in. They waved distractedly at her, their attention mercifully taken by the DVD they were watching and listening to with matching headphones. At Annie's questioning look, Danielle laughed.

"How the hell do you think we have conversations otherwise in the car? Well, I guess your buddy wasn't available"

"What?"

"Oh come on. I know what thoroughly kissed looks like. Besides the little hickey on your neck is a dead giveaway. I am guessing he wasn't looking to be your pal here? Based upon how dazed you look, there is heat?"

"Heat?"

Annie was incapable of more than one word answers. He had literally kissed her senseless. She ran her fingers over the spot on her neck and heard him growl "mine" again in her head. He had almost hummed the 'm' and it still vibrated down her spine to think of it. She was going to have to keep extra panties at work now. Just hearing his voice would send a rush of moisture southward.

"Annie? Annie? We're here and we are not alone"

Danielle's voice held a note of urgency. The trained agent slapped the dazed woman down. Sitting in front of Danielle's house was Jai in a small sports car.

"Annie, they aren't waiting. Make the call, one way or another. But I think you know your answer now, don't you? After he leaves, pack a bag and here are your keys. But call me tomorrow morning. We have planning to do."

Tossing the keys back to her sister, she pushed her out of the van in front and drove it around back. Her girls were too young to see their aunt toss away a prospect like that.

Jai unfolded himself to his full height beside the car as Annie got out. After years of being an agent, he could read body language. He was not going down without a fight. He would play his one last ace now.

Yes, I am evil. Jai will not just disappear. Now you know what drunk, happy bunnies do. I don't think any of us want to see disappointed, hung over bunnies.

Still with me?