Body Heat

oppressive outdoor temperatures instead of enduring the heat rising off the pavement.

No sooner had Brianne carried the drinks to the table and settled herself into a chair than Kellie pulled a box of condoms out of her purse.

Brianne glanced down and swept them under the table. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure you cover all your bases. I know you’ve had little time for anything lately since you work all day and night-”

“You manage to fit in plenty of extracurricular activity,” Brianne said wryly.

“What can I say? I’m resourceful.” Kellie grinned. “Not to mention, I don’t work nine-to-five during the day. I’m serious. You can’t be too careful these days.”

Brianne shook her head. “Of course I know that.” She glanced down at the box in her hand, shaking them. “There’s a lot of those suckers in there,” she muttered.

Her friend glanced at her too innocently over her iced coffee. “So, use them.”

Brianne’s skin prickled at the thought, a renewed awareness and memories of Jake’s kiss and searing touch arousing her all over again. And he was so good at that, she thought, mentally transported back to last night.

“Hello?” Kellie waved a napkin in front of Brianne’s face. “I take it you plan to? Use the condoms, I mean.”

Brianne blinked, focusing on her friend. “Are you sure you don’t want them for yourself?” A smile tugged at her lips.

Kellie laughed. “Don’t need them. I’ve got my own collection at home. They’re latex and the best protection on the market. Plus they’re made for extra sensitivity and have lubrication. Believe me, you want to give one a shot.” She wiggled her eyebrows enticingly.

Brianne glanced out the window, her thoughts on exactly what her friend had alluded to-making love with Jake. “Did I tell you the place where I’m staying has a private rooftop whirlpool?” She took a sip of the frothy, cold drink, hoping to douse the flame of desire.

“No, but wow. You are in for one awesome summer,” her friend said.

“Mmm.” One group of people, then another, walked past the window. Apparently lunchtime had come for the working people of New York, Brianne thought idly. But she wasn’t paying much attention-her thoughts were on herself and Jake on that rooftop.

Suddenly a figure caught her attention, then just as quickly slipped out of sight behind some people exiting a building across the street. The figure wasn’t too familiar, since she’d only seen the man once before. It had been this morning, after she’d walked out of Victoria’s Secret. He’d been the leering one-the one whose gaze had lingered too long, as if he could see through her clothing to the new underwear she was wearing beneath. She’d brushed it off earlier, but what were the chances of her seeing him twice in one day?

A shudder of uncomfortable awareness and revulsion rippled through her.

“What’s wrong?” Kellie asked, following Brianne’s line of vision outside.

“Did you…” Brianne started to ask her friend, then stopped. What was she going to say? Did you see that guy twice today? And if she had, so what? Victoria’s Secret was only a block or two from here. The fact that someone had seen Brianne two times that morning didn’t make him someone to watch out for.

She shook her head and laughed. “Forget it.” Shadowy figures and fear. Brianne had to admit she rarely suffered from anxiety anymore, but sometimes it appeared in ridiculous ways. Her parents had died in a risky situation, a violent storm, but they’d always indulged in some situation or other that put her nerves on edge. She was so unlike her parents, she’d have thought she was adopted if she didn’t know differently.

But she was their child and sometimes, as a result, her anxieties resurfaced. “Free-floating anxiety,” an analyst she’d seen at the hospital had explained to her. Amorphous anxiety with no basis in the factual situation going on around her now. So what if she’d seen a man twice? That didn’t make him a stalker.

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

Brianne nodded. “Absolutely. Now, what were you saying?” Shaking off the feeling completely wasn’t easy, but with even breathing and a change of subject, Brianne was able to at least feel some semblance of control over her feelings. And that was enough to steady her.

Kellie shrugged. “I said you’d also mentioned a mirrored exercise room in the penthouse. I think you’re set, Brianne. You’ve got all you need for a darn good summer. All you need to do is let yourself go.”

She inhaled deeply. All you need to do. As if it were so simple, when she’d been single-mindedly focused on her job and her brother for so long. Buying the sexy garments wasn’t the same as actually wearing them. She knew that now. And buying the revealing underwear definitely wasn’t the same as having Jake see her in them. She thought of Kellie’s words again. Let yourself go. Yes, it was time to concentrate on her needs for a change.

Her needs and Jake’s. That was all she needed to do.

SHE’D SEEN HIM, Louis thought. She’d looked into his eyes and known he’d been admiring her. How could he not appreciate a babe who was into sexy duds? How could he not consider the possibility of screwing such a hot creature-and screwing Lowell at the same time?

Now, that he couldn’t resist. He took a drag, then ground the butt on the pavement with his heel. He didn’t think she’d noticed him when he’d walked past the coffee place, but he’d have to be more careful next time. And there would be a next time. Because Lowell had been snooping around, asking questions again. Louis had known within minutes, something Lowell probably knew would happen.

Cat and mouse, Louis thought. So let the games begin. And those games both started and ended with Brianne Nelson. Detective Lowell’s woman…but not for much longer.

CHAPTER SIX

JAKE HADN’T DONE surveillance detail in too long. After an afternoon watching a gourmet shop with nothing to show for his effort, he was stiff and frustrated. The only reason the place remained open and hadn’t been closed down for good was the lack of proof that linked the pills to the restaurant. They’d gotten a warrant and searched the place based on the circumstantial evidence at the scene, but they’d come up empty. No surprise there, Jake thought. Ramirez was good, and once those kids ODed, he’d clean out fast. But Jake believed the crook was arrogant enough to resume business later.

In theory, the drugs could have come from anywhere. Nothing connected the recent OD to Ramirez-at least, not yet. They were awaiting the toxicology report.

On his way home, Jake had stopped by Frank’s place for a visit. He’d played street hockey with Frank’s son and shared coffee with Iris, his wife. When Frank was alive, his time with them always reminded him of his failed marriage and all he’d missed out on-kids, a wife who understood him. Since the shooting, the visits had become an emotional ordeal, and all he felt was guilt.

Tonight Jake looked forward to turning his attention to Brianne. She not only attracted him sexually but she made him feel good, something he needed after the day he’d had. During his surveillance watch, he’d wracked his brain to come up with an idea, a place he and Brianne could go. He wanted to get them out of the apartment and into the real world, but he wanted an outing that would be memorable for Brianne.

After an entire day of thinking, he still was at a loss. She’d be back soon, and he had no idea what kind of evening to suggest. Post-therapy, of course. He’d promised her he’d be on his best behavior, and he meant to keep his word.

He walked across the apartment, Norton by his side. After the daily walks and feedings, Norton had grown to trust him more. He still preferred Brianne, something Jake understood, but he no longer whined for hours on end when left alone with an on-leave detective for company. And Jake, having too much idle time on his hands until Ramirez made a move, had begun to appreciate Norton’s silent companionship.

He sat down carefully on his sister’s velvet sofa, hoping the denim wouldn’t rub off on the off-white material. Rina had said not to worry the last time he’d complained, so he settled himself in more comfortably, crossing one leg over the other, waiting for Brianne.

Need and awareness pulsed through his veins and, impatient, he picked up one of the magazines on his sister’s marble table and began flipping through the pages. Photos of New York City at night captured his attention, and his gaze settled upon the article’s title, “Sexy City Nights.”