With my hand on her back, I steered Kayla out of Fenway Park and into the dimly lit Boston streets. Under ordinary circumstances, I’d call the date a hit, but she was no ordinary woman, any more than she was my real date—a fact I had to keep telling myself.
As we turned the next corner and walked down a street nestled between a double row of buildings, a heavy breeze whipped around us, and the temperature seemed to drop even further. I rubbed my hands together. “I’d kill for a…”
“Cup of hot chocolate covered with whipped cream,” she said, finishing my sentence but not the way I’d intended. Scotch or whiskey was what I’d had in mind. Something that burned like hell and shocked my system into remembering I was on assignment and not out with an intelligent, sexy woman. One I wanted to see again and not behind prison walls. And that wouldn’t be happening.
I needed solid proof to take back to headquarters. Time to make my move and get out. We’d both be better off.
I’d gotten nowhere with subtle questioning earlier, which meant I’d have to take a more direct, seductive approach. I dreaded the idea as much as my overheated body craved it. Not even the sharp wind biting at my face and reaching into my bones numbed the burning heat Kayla aroused inside me.
“I was thinking more along the lines of coffee,” I muttered. “But anything hot will do.”
“No kidding.” She nodded in agreement and clutched at her forearms with her hands. She was obviously cold but had no intention of voicing a complaint. Definitely a woman after my own heart. No, not my heart. I’d walled that off years ago. I’d learned early on if I made anything other than my job my priority, I risked losing focus.
As a self-reliant kid, I’d honed the instincts that kept me alive. I’d only asked my uncle for a place to crash to avoid social services and foster care. And the man had agreed as long as I made myself scarce. Basic survival was what I understood best. Sex fell under that heading; caring did not.
But I had a job to do. Time to stop stalling.
She was cold? The least I could do was warm her up. I looked over, and my gaze connected with hers. Wide-set eyes stared back, and golden strands of windblown hair touched her reddened cheeks. Intense need kicked in strong. I had to taste her. That it might make or break my case had nothing to do with my fierce hunger. I cupped my hands over hers, feeling the ice-cold of her skin, and I drew her back into a hidden alley.
The crowds rushed past us, unconcerned with anything except finding warmth. I understood that need. I ran my hands up and down her arms, and a light tremor shook her.
One step, and I’d backed her against a dark brick building. Desire rushed through me the moment my body came into contact with hers.
“Kane?”
I looked into her questioning eyes but had no answers. None I could reveal to her and, worse, none I understood myself. Which suited me fine. I didn’t need to understand; I needed to feel. Her lips on mine, her body, slick and wet, molding around my cock, producing friction so intense it was unbearable. Not that I’d let things get that far or—if the informant was right—she wouldn’t. Not without payment.
But looking into those trusting eyes, I damn well knew if she called a stop tonight, it would have nothing to do with money. She was no prostitute, but I needed proof, and to get it, I had to carry things through. One sampling of those full lips and I could attempt to close the deal. Once she backed off, I’d make some excuse and take her home. A cold shower, and then I’d file my report and forget all about her.
I tightened my grip on her arms. She didn’t protest, not when I pulled her toward me and not when my lips came down hard on hers. Her mouth was warm and welcoming, and a hint of sweet wine still lingered inside. One taste made me hungry for more than a stolen kiss in a back alley. One sampling set my blood on fire.
The brick wall anchored us, and I took advantage, letting my hips grind hard against hers. A sound, half moan, half plea, escaped her throat, and desire consumed me.
She leaned her head back against the wall, drawing deep, unsteady breaths. I cupped her chin in my hand and looked into her glazed, green eyes. I wanted her. There it was. The stark truth. No lies, no deception, no case hanging between us…unless something she did placed it there.
I’d crossed the line, and there was no turning back.
I’d never have believed I’d be so tempted to compromise my principles for a woman, never have believed I needed one night so badly. She aroused me beyond sanity, beyond reason, and I needed to possess her, all of her.
I traced the line of her jaw, then held her face between my palms. “I want you.” My voice rasped in her ear, the words vibrating between us.
Her hands reached for my chest, curling into fists against the heavy jacket. “Why?”
Of all possible replies, that one took me by surprise. So did the fact that I knew exactly what to say. “Not because you’re beautiful, even though you are.”
Her cheeks turned a shade deeper than before, and I brushed my thumb over her reddened skin. “And not because your body would tempt a saint, even though it would.” My other hand brushed the underside of her breast, tracing the rounded, full contours hidden beneath the layers of clothes.
She tipped her head to the side. Her face fit perfectly in my hand. “Then why?” she asked.
“Because you’re smart and I respect that, because you’re gutsy and I admire that.” Her eyes sparkled, glowing with a life of their own at each word he spoke.
I shook my head. I must be crazy, taking everything I’d learned about her in order to make my case and using it to make her mine instead.
One night. With every second that passed, I needed that more and more. The light in her eyes, the…acceptance, I thought, struggling for the correct word. I needed everything she possessed. After taking it, I’d deal with how badly I’d betrayed both my job and myself.
“I had fun with you tonight, and everything about you intrigues me. Enough?” I asked too harshly.
A satisfied smile caught hold of her lips. I wanted a taste of that satisfaction but refrained for now. “More than enough.” Her arms slipped around my waist.
“I take it that’s a yes.” My heart beat faster at the thought.
“That’s a yes…for the right price,” she said coyly.
I froze in place, then forced a smile. I’d taken her out tonight to bait and trap her. I’d gotten temporarily distracted by a rush of hormones, but I was about to get what I came for.
Find out what happens next in Simply Sinful!
Emma Montgomery wants to see all her grandchildren happily married.
And she’s not above manipulating some creative introductions. These classic sexy romances travel from New York City to the hometown of Ashford, but they all feature Carly’s trademark family-centric cast of characters, and each story will reveal a secret that could make or break a relationship.
Read the full series if you love:
- Police/Cop
- Romantic Suspense
- Opposites Attract
- Bodyguards
- Disguise/Pretend
- Forbidden Love
- Small Town
- Blue Collar
- Workplace Romance
- Holiday Romance
Get all five books in this simply classic Carly series filled with hot heroes, sassy heroines, a meddling grandmother—who could ask for anything more? This bundle includes separate paperback editions of the five Simply Series novels.
PAPERBACKS INCLUDED IN BUNDLE