The brick wall anchored them and he took advantage, letting his hips grind hard against hers. A sound, half moan, half plea, escaped her throat and desire consumed him.
Kayla leaned her head back against the wall, drawing deep, unsteady breaths. He cupped her chin in his hand and looked into her glazed, green eyes. He wanted her. There it was. The stark truth, he thought. No lies, no deception, no case hanging between them…unless something she did placed it there.
He’d crossed the line and there was no turning back.
He’d never have believed he’d be so tempted to compromise his principles for a woman, never have believed he needed one night so badly. She aroused him beyond sanity, beyond reason, and he needed to possess her, all of her.
He traced the line of her jaw, then held her face between his palms. “I want you.” His voice rasped in her ear, the words vibrating between them.
Her hands reached for his chest, curling into fists against the heavy jacket. “Why?”
Of all possible replies, that one took him by surprise. So did the fact that he knew exactly what to say. “Not because you’re beautiful, even though you are.”
Her cheeks turned a shade deeper than before, and he brushed his thumb over her reddened skin. “And not because your body would tempt a saint, even though it would.” His 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 his 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.
Kane shook his head, unable to believe he was taking everything he’d learned about Kayla in order to make his case, and using it to make her his instead.
One night. With every second that passed, he needed that more and more. The light in her eyes, the…acceptance, he thought, struggling for the correct word. He needed everything she possessed. After taking it, he’d deal with how badly he’d betrayed both his job and himself.
“I had fun with you tonight and everything about you intrigues me. Enough?” he asked too harshly.
A satisfied smile caught hold of her lips. He wanted a taste of that satisfaction but refrained for now. “More than enough.” Her arms slipped around his waist.
“I take it that’s a yes.” His heart beat faster at the thought.
“That’s a yes…for the right price,” she said coyly.
He froze in place, then forced a smile. He’d taken her out tonight to bait and trap her. He’d gotten temporarily distracted by a rush of hormones, but it seemed he was about to get what he came for.
He ignored the swell of disappointment that came when he looked into those fraudulent green eyes. “And what would that be, Ms. Luck?”
She touched her icicle-like hands to his face and grinned. “Hot chocolate, Kane.” She smoothed her fingertips over his brow, and her light laughter caught him by surprise. “What did you think I wanted?” she asked.
“I don’t know, but you could show me.”
Her eyes opened wide before she brushed a warm yet hesitant kiss over his lips. Arousal hit as fast as his sense of relief.
Before he could change his mind, he grabbed her hand and started back down the street. His hotel room, the hotel room paid for by the department, was a few blocks away.
He’d face himself and the repercussions of his actions tomorrow.
Tonight was about Kayla.
Chapter Three
Kayla walked into the recently decorated lobby of the hotel where Kane was staying, trying not to feel like a woman about to embark on a one-night stand. She glanced around at the potted, but obviously fake plants and the bored clerk yawning behind the desk. It was a respectable place, but she wondered how many men brought women to a hotel room for a quick fling?
She stopped halfway to the elevator and grabbed the hard leather of Kane’s jacket.
He turned toward her. “Second thoughts?” he asked.
“Just a reality check. I don’t know anything about you.”
“You know what’s important.” He brushed a fingertip down her cheek. Her skin tingled and her heart rate soared. “What more is there?” he asked.
“I don’t know, maybe you’re not really a salesman. Maybe you’re a…”
“Serial killer?” He jumped in with a disarming grin.
“Married or involved was more like what I had in mind,” she said on a nervous laugh. “But yours is a valid consideration, too.”
“Well, I can set your mind at ease on that score. No bodies buried anywhere in my past. No spouses, either, present, ex or intended.” He wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. Well, it would have been comforting if not for her body’s immediate reaction. Her nipples tightened and dampness pooled between her thighs.
So much had pushed her to this moment. A lifetime of being treated as a sex object and not a person with feelings. Years of ignoring her own desires because she feared picking the wrong man, one who wanted her body but not the whole person. She glanced at Kane. There might never be another man who valued her. If he’d been vague about himself, that was okay. He’d be gone too soon for it to matter.
He was unattached and sexy, dynamic…and hers, for the night at least. She smiled at him. “Well, I guess that settles things.”
“Does it?” He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. Tight jeans that molded against muscular thighs and showcased his obvious erection.
She licked her dry lips. “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
“You were quiet for so long I was about to ask you the same thing.”
Kayla drew a deep breath and extended her hand.
A sexy grin edged the corners of his mouth, and he intertwined his fingers in hers. “One stop first.” He crossed to the
