“Are you trying to be a jerk or does it come naturally?” she asked.
His lips twitched, but he kept his attention on the screens. “Naturally.”
And just like that, they were back to a frosty silence.
Being in the windowless space was starting to take a toll on her. She couldn’t get her heart rate to slow and the muscles running down her back ached from anxiety. After finishing the water, she asked where the bathroom was.
“Corner.”
There was no way she could walk toward the back of the room. “I’ll hold it.”
He pushed back in his chair. “I’ll stand guard.”
“You’ll hear me peeing.”
He laughed. “Your secret will stay with me.” Then, he rose. “C’mon, Easton. Bio break.”
She didn’t budge.
“Do I have to carry you again?”
She shoved out of the chair and marched toward the back of the room. Panic took hold. She made an abrupt U-turn and beelined back to him. And despite their contempt for each other, she clung to him while her body shook.
And he held her in his arms like she was his. Like he cared for her more than he cared for himself. On the inside, she melted a little. But, she could not stand that he was seeing her at her absolute worst. “I’m going to ask Captain Perry to reassign the case.”
“Like hell you are.”
She tipped her face toward his and he kissed her. One long panty-searing kiss. She slid her tongue into his mouth and was rewarded with his. Her knees gave way and he held her flush against him. The kiss went on and on while she soared higher and higher. The desire in her belly exploded into full-blown passion. She raked her fingers down his back and grabbed his muscled ass.
Then, she pushed him away. Gasping for breath, she stared into his eyes. “Oh, God,” she whispered. “That shouldn’t have happened.”
“You are the most dangerous woman I have ever met,” he murmured.
Peering into his eyes, she asked. “Why do you say that? Because I pack heat?”
“You just are,” he said and clasped her hand. As if walking on air, she went with him toward the back of the room. She loved how his grip was firm, but not tight. Holding his hand felt…right. She loved how good he was at distracting her from her phobia.
“You got this.” He opened the door and closed it behind her.
“You’re not leaving me, are you?”
“I’m right here.”
The windowless room was clean and bright, so she focused on that…and on their sweltering kiss. When finished, she washed her hands. Her emotions were out of control, something that rarely happened. This man was definitely bringing out the worst in her.Or maybe the best.
When she opened the door, she said, “Thank you.”
“Let’s finish looking for Gloria Stanton. Can you do that?”
She nodded. On the way back to the console, she eyed the St. Andrew’s cross and the row of kink toys hanging on the wall.
His personal playroom.A sudden rush of envy made her heart squeeze.He’s so out of my league, sexually.
They returned to their seats and worked as if that kiss had never happened. But it had, and it wasn’t something she’d soon forget.
The real thing was way better than her dream.
When they couldn’t find Gloria Stanton’s credit card in The Dungeon’s database, Emerson concluded that she hadn’t been a member.