A/N: We're getting so close to the premiere! Only two more weeks! I want to thank WishfulThinker66, FaithOriginal, Super Gran, and canadice for reviewing through the summer. Your kind and enthusiastic words have kept me motivated!
Enjoy! ;)
After a torturous spar session with Luca—something he always managed to make fun—Reagan decided they needed a water break. She still nursed a slight headache, but all of the physical activity was making her feel mostly normal again. She followed him into the break room, their conversation centered on what to have for dinner tonight, and he passed her a bottle of water from the fridge. The cool liquid quenched her thirst and she could already feel her body temp dropping.
That only lasted a minute though, as Deacon strode into the room, his determined steps saying he meant business. She wanted to blend into the background and hope that maybe he only needed them to meet as a group, but no such luck. He zeroed in on her and kept their dark eyes locked until he stood before her.
"Hey, boss. How'd your climbing eval go?" Luca asked.
Deacon didn't look at him. "Fine. Reagan, I need to talk to you."
Her chest exploded in a flutter of nerves and desire, which settled like an anchor in her low belly. She nodded and trailed after him, throwing a look of confusion at Luca. He mirrored it and shrugged.
What the hell could Deacon want? she thought to herself as they walked down the busy corridor. Did he find out about her night with Street? Because that wasn't his business. Not when he decided to date another woman right under her nose.
Reagan noticed the scent of soap in his wake, something spicy and clean. His short hair appeared damp and glistened under the harsh florescent lights. She hated resisting the urge to touch him; run her fingers through it and make it messy. He was always so well put together. She wanted to mess him up a little bit.
They reached Deacon's office and he stepped aside to let her walk by. She took in the small room with its single foggy window, tidy desk, and dual filing cabinets. She stopped in the middle of the room and felt her heart skip a beat when he closed the door behind him.
"Listen, if you're mad about last night, you have no right—"
She didn't make it any further, because his mouth was on hers and her brain couldn't catch up to what was happening. She leaned into him—damn her needy body—and clutched his upper arms as she allowed herself a moment to surrender. Deacon breathed deeply and pulled her closer, pressing his hard body against her own.
Finally, Reagan put a hand on his chest and lightly pushed him back.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Not caring," he replied, and moved in to kiss her again, but she urged him back once more.
"Explain."
He sighed and gently tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, stirring up those feelings in her chest all over again. "My whole life is 'to care.' Between my home and my job, I've always been careful. I've always made the best decisions as a team leader and for the people of this city. I've always done what's right, and frankly I'm tired of it."
"I'm still not sure where I come into this."
"You were right. We have something that we've started, and I think we need to see it through."
"What about the fact that you're my superior?"
"It's like you said, you're a temp. This work arrangement won't last forever."
"So…you're just going to throw caution to the wind and hope that Hicks and Cortez don't dismantle your team?"
"Not exactly. I have a proposal."
"For me? That's a little soon, don't you think?" she said, smiling sweetly.
He scoffed. "You know what I mean. I, uh, I'm not going to tell anyone about us. Because this is temporary, it's better if we just keep it between us for now. It's not worth risking our jobs. But there is one more thing."
Her eyes narrowed on him. "Okay…"
"When we're working, we're Cassie and Deacon—focused and professional," he stated, gesturing with his hands.
She nodded. "Easy. I wouldn't expect it any other way."
Deacon let out a shaky breath and grinned. His smoldering gaze traveled over her face and he reached for her. "Come here…"
As his lips collided with hers again, she knew she was giving in too easily. She wanted to resist and tell him to go to hell, that he'd caused her enough grief and embarrassment for one lifetime. But his lips were so soft and he smelled so damn good. And, fuck, she had to face it—he held her heart in the palm of his hand. He was her kryptonite and, like he'd expressed to her, she just didn't care anymore.
Deacon backed her up toward his desk, pulling off her athletic shirt as they went.
"I'm sweaty," she whispered against his mouth.
"I don't care."
"But I stink. I should take a shower…"
"I don't care," he repeated.
Reagan's backside hit the edge of the desk, and he immediately scooped his hands under her thighs and lifted her onto the smooth surface, pushing papers and pens aside. She gripped his shoulders and kissed him harder, needing more, craving it like an addict who'd gone too long without a fix.
He moaned and winced, drawing back slightly.
Reagan frowned and held a hand to his cheek so she could look at his lips. She hadn't noticed the small cut on one corner.
"What happened?" she asked, stroking it softly with her thumb.
"Just a little mishap earlier. I'm fine," he said, and returned to kissing her before she could ask any more questions.
She knew there had to be a story there, but let it go because there were other things on her mind now, like getting him inside her as soon as possible.
She tugged on Deacon's shirt and drew it up over his head. She took a second to sweep her hands over his muscular chest, savoring the warmth of his skin against the air conditioned coolness of her own. A small shiver traveled through him and she smiled. They kissed as she worked on unbuckling his pants. Then, he stepped back enough so she could peel off her shorts and underwear.
Deacon drew her to edge of the desk and moved between her legs once more. He lifted her thighs so that they wrapped around his waist, and then sank into the silky heat before him. She hissed out a breath as she took him in deep, loving how it felt when they were one.
They'd been together once before, but this time was so oddly intimate. The lights were bright, almost blinding, whereas the last time, she could barely see him in the dim bedroom. She should have felt self-conscious, but the way he was looking at her made her feel like the sexiest woman in the world. He held her hooded gaze, mere inches apart, and then tipped his forehead against hers as he worked up to a steady pace, thrusting without abandon. Her breath came in jolted huffs, and she had to bite down on her lower lip to keep from crying out when he brought her to the peak of oblivion. Her fingernails dug into his hard shoulders and he groaned into her mouth as he also found his release.
Suddenly, a knock echoed throughout the small room.
With wide eyes, Deacon stepped back and adjusted himself so he could zip up his pants. Reagan slipped off the desk and dashed around for her clothes, pulling on the bottom half. She tossed him his shirt and then smiled at the disheveled picture he made. His usually tidy hair stuck out in all directions from where she'd run her fingers through it multiple times. She quickly hurried over and matted it back into place. He thanked her and then motioned for her to hide under his desk, which had a hip-to-floor metal front.
Just as she scurried underneath, Deacon turned to answer the second knock at his door.
Captain Cortez smiled. "Almost didn't think you were in there."
"Ah, I was finishing up a call. What can I do for you?"
She motioned inside. "Can we talk for a minute?"
Deacon swallowed hard and glanced over his shoulder. Unable to see Reagan, he opened the door wider and backed up. "Sure…"
Luckily, Cortez left the door open and stepped in only a few feet. "I'm curious to know what happened at the end of your climbing evaluation today. I heard there was an incident between you and Street?"
Deacon casually neatened up the pushed aside files on his desk as he said, "Yeah, he got tripped up on his harness and almost fell, but I got him. We're good."
"The guys said you were bleeding."
He gestured to his lip. "I caught an elbow trying to grab him. I've had worse," he said with a half-smile.
Cortez scribbled a few things on the folder in her hand. "So it was just an accident."
Deacon nodded and sat on the edge of his desk and braced his arms on either side, long legs crossed out in front. He knew not to cross his arms because some saw that as a sign of insecurity, which could be interpreted as dishonesty.
"All right, I just wanted to follow up with you. Glad you're both okay."
Deacon got up and rounded his desk, trying to make it appear like he had work to do. He sat in the worn computer chair and gave her a relaxed grin. "Thanks. Me, too."
When Cortez was gone, Reagan crawled out from underneath the desk. Luckily, she was fully clothed.
"Is that really what happened?" she asked.
"You should probably go," he replied, and watched an expression of disappointment sweep over her flushed face. She probably thought he was dismissing her again, regretting the whole thing. He didn't want her to think that at all. "We can talk about it later. I want to see you after work."
The light came back into her eyes and he had to smile.
"I'd like that too, but I was making plans with Luca when you came to get me. I think he's feeling neglected."
Deacon wanted to laugh. She sounded like she was talking about a sad puppy waiting at home for her, which at times could describe their friend Luca.
"But I have an idea," she finished, flashing him a grin.
Reagan paddled after the two men on surfboards in front of her, her hands cutting through the sparkling water. The ocean was relatively smooth today, perfect for a beginner. Up ahead, Deacon laughed, most likely a reaction to one of Luca's usual quips. They crested the subtle roll of a wave and then stopped to sit up on their boards. She pulled up beside them and did the same, admiring Deacon's toned physique and hoping Luca wouldn't notice her doing so.
"Okay, it looks like we've got a set coming up. You remember what we said on the beach?" Luca asked him.
"Paddle like your life depends on it, then pop up, center your balance…" Deacon repeated. "Am I forgetting anything?"
"Have fun," Reagan said, smiling at the cliché.
"Yeah, and don't drown," Luca added.
Deacon laughed. "I'll try not to."
He used his legs to turn his board and started paddling again, keeping up with the building wave. Just as it crested, he popped up, held his stance for a solid second, and then promptly lost his footing and fell in.
Reagan and Luca cringed, but with a laugh when they saw him resurface. Deacon ran a hand over his wet hair and Reagan had to struggle not to remember doing the same thing to him earlier. The image of him with untidy hair had been the ultimate victory for her.
He paddled back and reclaimed his spot next to them. Luca reached out to give him an enthusiastic 'low five.'
"Alright, man! You did it! Even it was just for a second."
"It's a lot harder than it looks," Deacon replied.
"That's what she said!" Reagan and Luca yelled at the same time.
Deacon laughed. "You two really are alike. It's scary."
"You'll learn to love her, just like you guys love me," Luca said with a big smile.
Deacon glanced past him and shared an affectionate look with Reagan. "Yeah, I think I already do…"
Two hours later, when the sun began to set, Luca announced that he was starving, so he volunteered to order a pizza.
"Okay, I need just one more wave!" Deacon hollered as Luca headed in. The other man gestured to 'hang loose,' without looking back.
"You should stay and have dinner with us," Reagan said.
"You don't think he'll find it suspicious?"
"Not at all. If I don't insist, you know he will. Besides, you guys were hanging out well before I came along."
"Alright, point made. I'd be happy to stay for dinner."
She grinned triumphantly.
Deacon glanced at the shoreline and then back at Reagan, a twinkle in his dark eyes.
"What?" she asked, suspicious of what that look could mean.
He slipped off his board and swam the short distance to her, tugging on her leg until she fell off with a giggle. When she reemerged, he pulled her into his arms and let her wrap her legs around his waist while he treaded water. He kissed her exactly how she wanted to be kissed—what she'd needed all this time. It felt normal, like they'd been doing this forever.
Everything was falling into place, and she could not have been happier.