Page 68 of Between Love and Honor

She started to say more but then closed her mouth.

“I know you’re frightened for your parents, but I’ve used the ploy multiple times, always with success. It’s all going to work out. All you have to do is—”

“Trust you,” she interjected. “I know. And I do.”

She was suddenly in his arms kissing him with the fervor of a woman clinging to a lifeline. For his part, he let her have her way with his mouth, sighing with encouragement while he dragged his fingers up and down her back to soothe her. If this was her way of unleashing all of her pent-up emotions, he sure as hell wasn’t going to complain.

He was going to complain about the loud knocking on the door, however.

Except it was his boss.

“Agent Segar,” the secretary called. “We need to strategize a response to Ronoff.”

Quinn shivered at the mention of the Russian’s name, but her eyes were focused and her cheeks flushed when she pulled away from him. Even more encouraging, there was a ghost of a smile on her lips.

“She’s right,” Quinn whispered. “I’m sorry for being such a twit.”

He lifted her chin with his fingers. “If being a twit always ends with you kissing me senseless, then I think I can put up with it every now and then.” He kissed the tip of her nose and reached for the doorknob.

“Ben.” She wrapped her fingers around his arm.

“Whatever happens, I need you to know that I love you too.”

His heart stuttered to a stop before beginning to pound again. This time he didn’t bother hiding his smile.

She grinned shyly back. “I loved you thirteen years ago,” she admitted. “And I never stopped. I never will.”

Words failed him. He leaned in to brush a swift kiss across her mouth instead.

“Agent Segar!” The secretary’s tone was becoming a lot more urgent.

Swearing in aggravation, Ben linked his fingers through Quinn’s and pulled open the door. The secretary wore an annoyed expression while the president looked bemused.

“We need to talk about this before Ronoff reaches out again,” the secretary stated.

He began to follow her back to the Situation Room when Quinn tugged on his hand.

“I think I’ll leave this to you Yanks,” she said. “I’m too emotionally involved to be objective.” She stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go find Josslyn. Maybe there’s some cake left upstairs.”

Reluctantly, he let her fingers slide from his. There was no doubt she wasn’t objective. And he would definitely think more clearly without her there. But he still felt bereft when she walked away from him. As if he were not completely whole. The feeling should have scared the hell out of him.

Except it didn’t.

Quinn practically curtsied to the secretary. “Ma’am. If you’ll excuse me.”

“I’ll have someone escort you upstairs.”

Caracas hustled forward. “I’d be happy to.” He aimed his smarmy smile at Quinn. “It just so happens I love cake. It would be my pleasure to help you hunt for some.”

Ben growled low as he took a step toward the other agent, but the secretary already had her hand up to stop him as though she had eyes in the back of her head.

“Stand down, Agent Caracas,” she ordered. “Fortunately, you’re not the only one here who enjoys a slice of cake. I happen to know Dorothy does, too.”

Dorothy firmly placed her hand on Quinn’s back and was steering her toward the residence before Caracas knew what hit him. Quinn glanced over her shoulder, shooting an amused grin in Ben’s direction. He relaxed a bit seeing her smile.

She loved him.

He’d waited years to hear her say the words. And now she had. It was like a weight had been lifted from his heart.

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