“Yea—yes, Rico!”
She clamped down on me harder, and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer. Her hand grabbed mine and directed my movements, and damn, if that wasn’t hot. Kara had really surprised me in that aspect, and I’d discovered that it was a major turn-on to watch her participate in her own pleasure. She knew what she liked, and she wasn’t afraid to say it. It was how we’d gotten to this point after I’d issued the challenge to give her the best sex of her life and she vowed to test it.
Kara threw her head back on my shoulder and gasped, our folded fingers sliding back and forth across her clit. I picked up the pace again, determined to follow her, my release building rapidly. My nose buried in her hair, the sweet scent of her flooding my senses, the edge finally rushed up to meet me.
19
Kara
We spent Monday catching up on Friday’s jobs and cleaning up the office. Bless Rico’s heart, he’d had someone come in and clean most of it up. We just had to reorganize and make a report for the insurance company.
And he’d had security cameras overnighted. While I organized and made lists, he installed them.
I had to admit, they were pretty fancy. They blended in with the shelves of tools. “They stream directly into the cloud,” Rico explained as I studied one. “So, even if a thief comes in and finds them and disables them, they can’t get to the recordings to erase them.”
Rico beamed at me.
“This is amazing.” I looked around my clean, secure office before throwing my arms around Rico. “Are you sure you’re going into the right line of work?”
He furrowed his brow at me. “What do you mean?”
I indicated the security cameras. “I mean, you were all over this. I know you don’t want to go into law enforcement, but Rico, you have a unique perspective.”
His arched eyebrow prompted me to continue.
“You used to be…” Damn, how did I say it without sounding judgmental? “Sort of a delinquent, or criminal, right?”
I winced when he stepped back and studied me, but he nodded in agreement. “Not sort of. I did some shady, shitty stuff.”
“But you don’t anymore.” I took his hand and squeezed it hopefully. “Yet, you have some insight into that world. Why don’t you consider going into security? You could set up security systems, figure out where the vulnerabilities are, that whole shebang. Lots of businesses want to go high tech with their security. Why not?”
His jaw dropped. “Kara, that sounds perfect. I would never have thought of that! I could take some computer classes and some criminal investigation type.”
I shrugged. “You don’t necessarily need a full degree. Just increase your knowledge base. Hell, you could even teach some self-defense classes.” I’d be the first to sign up.
He snorted and shook his head. “Half the women in town would sign up just to learn from a Kingston.” He said his last name in a mocking voice and used air quotes.
I gave him a fake jealous look. “Maybe I’ll sit in on those classes.”
He whirled me around the office in a tight hug. “I was okay with doing welding. But this makes me excited. This feels right, Kara. And it’s all thanks to you.”
The kiss he gave me curled my toes. “If that’s the thanks I get, I’ll have to come up with more bright ideas.” I bumped my forehead to his. “Think of it as thanks for fixing up my office.”
I looked around again, reminded that my personal space had been horribly violated, and I felt anger bubbling up again. “Did they get him?”
Rico shook his head. “No. And there’s no physical proof that we can use for a human court. All we have is smell. He was smart about it, which likely means this isn’t his first rodeo. No fingerprints. Nobody saw him. No stray hairs, even. Jury would’ve been able to home in on actual physical evidence if there was any.”
That was a scary thought. I sighed. “I doubt he’ll come back and try something like this again. He knows we’re on to him.”
Rico didn’t seem as sure. “I’m going to go fix that thermostat at Beth’s office,” he reminded me. “What else is on the agenda?”
I double-checked the app. “Actually, we have a light day today. One cancellation and Beth is the only other job. I think I’ll use the time to go to the grocery store. You’re eating me out of house and home.” I winked at him to show I didn’t mind one bit.
But his face blanched. “Oh my gosh, I’m such an idiot. I wasn’t even thinking. Dragons eat a lot.” He pulled out his wallet. “First of all, stop paying me.”
I arched an eyebrow at him. “Um. No. You’re working. I’ll pay you.”
Rico grinned cheekily. “Kara, babe. I’m only working here because I want to. I made it to my six weeks. I have an allowance now that is probably quadruple what you pay me.”
I knew what he meant but didn’t pass up the chance to tease him. “So, you’re too good for my money?” I drew up in pretend outrage. “How dare you!”
Rico’s face fell, then he squinted his eyes at me. “Your face says angry, but your emotional mood is teasing.”
“My emotional mood?” What in the world? He could sense something like that?
At my expression, he clarified. “We aren’t bonded yet, but I can sort of… feel your feelings.” He shrugged. “It’s a perk.”
I dropped the act. “Oh, fine then. I won’t pay you. Are you sure, though?”
He nodded. “Yes. And I’m going to talk to my family about letting me switch from working for you to going to school. I’ve got to do a lot
