Codename: Kryptonite

Chapter Twenty-three

Agent Mission Log Entry:

I was totally unprepared for the explosion, but I should have known it was coming. I mean, everything has a breaking point, right? Tension builds, but has to go somewhere.

I am fully aware that any relationship with POTUS is completely out of the question, and totally against the rules. Not to mention a really, really, bad idea.

He is a man of strong beliefs and intense passion.

And, I was completely unprepared to be the focus of all of that passion.

Gabriella thought both men were totally insane. Someone wanted one of them dead, and they sat here making jokes and laughing like they didn't have a care in the world. Laughing!

She walked over to stand in front of the sofa facing and looking down at Jon. "What the fuck is wrong with the two of you?" she demanded in disbelief.

Grinning unrepentantly, Jon countered with a question, "Who says there's anything wrong?"

"Is it okay to ask what sent you outta here loaded for bear?" Richie asked.

It was if he hadn't said a word. Gabriella's gaze never left Jon. "Uh, I'm pretty sure," she appeared to be carefully considering the possibility that she could be wrong, "I mentioned that there was someone trying to kill you." She sounded as if he'd forgotten to get milk at the store, but she really wanted to bite his head off. Was asking him to take this threat seriously really too much to ask?

Jon kept his voice even and controlled, carefully calm. "Gabbs, trust me. I'm fully aware of the gravity of this situation."

Snapping his head around to look at Jon, Richie's eyebrows went up and his mouth fell open. "Now? Really? You're gonna do this now?"

"Are you really?" she asked, ignoring Richie's question.

Richie began muttering loudly, even if no one else in the room seemed to listen to him. "David's never gonna let me live this one down. 'You know him better than anyone' he'll say." He shook his head, even as Jon and Gabby squared off at each other. "I had yesterday, and I had tomorrow; figures you'd do this today."

Jon stood up and stepped around the coffee table, stopping only once he was toe to toe with Gabriella. "I can't do it," he shook is head at her.

Richie perked up; maybe there was still hope of his winning the pool. "Yeah, yeah," he nodded. "Tomorrow would be way better."

Jon went on as if Richie hadn't said a word. "I don't like what you're trying to turn me into."

Richie's face fell as all hope was dashed. "Well, fuck." He stood up and stomped toward the door.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gabriella hadn't raised her voice either.

Richie paused at the door and looked back at Gabby hopefully. "That's it Gabby," he encouraged. "Hold out til tomorrow."

Jon grasped her upper arms, shaking her gently. "Today, I just watched as you walked outta here. Then hid here in the apartment like a little girl while you went out and faced who knew what."

Richie sighed in disgust. "For the record, Kidd - you owe me a hundred bucks." The door slammed behind him.

Gabriella shoved Jon away from her and took a step back trying to put some distance between them. "That's my job."

He wouldn't be deterred; he stepped back up to her and gripped her arms again. "I will not hide behind your apron strings, while you turn me into a pussy."

His closeness was affecting her in ways that she'd been trying to ignore for 17 days. She'd been trying so hard to think of him as a mission, but it was a losing battle. This wasn't a mission that stood before her; he was strength and determination, muscle and bone, sexual heat and desire, and pure masculine masterpiece. Disheveled blond hair, an arrogant male smirk, and beautiful blue eyes that dilated now with want, this wasn't really her POTUS - he was a man. A sexy, beautiful man.

Her breath hitched slightly and her tongue slipped out to moisten suddenly dry lips. "I wasn't trying to..."

She didn't get to finish her sentence. Her body so close to his had almost been more than he could stand, but that involuntary hitch in her breathing had told him he wasn't the only one waging a losing battle here. And that little bit of pink tongue he'd seen had been the last bit of temptation he could take. He pulled her in, and dipped his head to taste those lips for himself.

Spark. Electricity. Chemical explosion. All of the above. No words could begin to describe that kiss for Gabby. The smell of mint and male spice enveloped her as their lips met. Their tongues tangled as he slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her even closer. How was that even possible? They had been so close before, but now he held on tightly, as if trying to let her know there was no escaping this.

As if she wanted to.

A groan rumbled through his chest as she melted against him, her hands threading through his hair, gripping him to her as if she were afraid he might change his mind.

No way in hell.

This wasn't the no-nonsense-special-agent Gabby he'd been dealing with for the past 17 days. This was an energetic bundle of soft, passionate woman that couldn't seem to get close enough to him. Oh yeah, he liked melty Gabby, much much better.