Every tantalizing nibble of her bottom lip. Every hungry, ravishing swipe of her tongue across his. And the way Cassie had melted in his arms…
If Knox and his badge-wielding minions hadn’t shown up when they did, we would’ve done a helluva lot more than kiss.
But no matter how badly Archer wanted to strip the sexy lawyer down and take her in a way that would make her forget every other man before him—there was a part of him that felt grateful for the lights-and-sirens interruption.
Not because he hadn’t enjoyed the feel of Cassie’s lips and tongue dancing with his. It was the best damn kiss of his entire fuckinglife.He was glad things hadn’t moved past first base because it had happened in the front seat of a car.
In the middle of the day.
In the middle of her fucking driveway.
In the company SUV.
Cassie deserves better than to have our first time be in a damn car. She deserves a bed with soft sheets and pillows so fluffy they?—
“You said on the phone you have important information regarding Russell Montgomery’s murder.” Detective Knox planted his hands low on his hips.
Archer’s attention was pulled back to the present. Clearing his throat, he pushed the ill-timed thoughts to the side and slid his gaze back to the man he’d called to the scene.
With a shiny gold badge hanging from a chain around his neck, Knox was dressed in black boots, jeans, and a black puffy jacket over what appeared to be a maroon t-shirt. The perfect-haired bastard looked like every walking, talking T.V. detective come to life.
He also looked annoyed as hell.
“The woman you accused of killing Montgomery was threatened by an unknown source the day of his funeral,” Archer pointed out in a carefully controlled tone. “You don’t find that important?”
“I might, if there’d been an actual threat.”
What the fuck did he call the message painted on Cassie’s house?
Keeping his expression flat, Archer made a show of turning his head slowly toward the home’s vandalized porch. “I mean…” Rather than verbally point out the obvious, he held out a hand, gesturing toward the mess that greeted them upon their return.
“It should have been you.” Knox appeared unimpressed as he read the message aloud. “Thatcouldbe seen as a threat.” His blue gaze landed back on Archer’s. “It could also just be someone’s opinion. Can’t imagine residents of an upscale neighborhood like this one enjoy the excitement and publicity that comes with living next door to an accused killer.”
“I don’t give a shit about the neighbors. My only concern is Cassie’s safety, which hinges on finding therealkiller. Not that you or your people seem very interested in uncovering the truth.”
Something flashed behind the man’s intelligent gaze that made Archer wonder if the guy knew more than he was sharing. Before he could call him on it, Knox blinked it away, his scruff-covered lips curving into a condescending smirk Archer wanted to punch.
“Listen, Mr. Nash.” Knox held that smirk steady. “I know what you and your team do for a living. What type of men you are, and who you used to be.” His gaze intensified. “While I understand why you might see a threat where there isn’t one?—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Archer stopped the guy right there. “Who weusedto be?”
“You’re all former Navy SEALs, right?” Knox’s gaze slid to the driveway where the rest of his team stood waiting. “At least, that’s what it said in the article they wrote about you guys a couple months back. Five former SEALs who went from fighting terrorists overseas to suddenly handing in their walking papers.”His light blue stare returned to Archer’s. “Now here you are, still fighting the good fight by protecting the citizens of Seattle.”
That last line was pretty much a direct quote from the article the prick had referenced.
“You’ve done your homework.”
“Always do. And as Istartedto say, given your background, it’s easy to see how you might see threats that aren’t really there.”
The hell?
Archer took a menacing step forward. “I know you didn’t just imply that the only reason my team and I called you in on this is because we’re fucked in the head from our time in service.”
Cop or no cop, the asshole had better choose his next words very, very carefully.
“That wasn’t meant to an insult.” Knox raised a defensive palm between them, as if that alone would stave off an attack.
No likely, pal.