Simply Sinful (Simply 1)

Kane didn’t like the enthusiasm in her voice any more than he liked the reminder of the guy’s hands around her neck. He glanced over, taking in her cheeks flushed with excitement and the determination in her green eyes, and stifled a groan. Back on her feet, Kayla Luck was a force to be reckoned with.

What happened to the quiet woman who liked cozy restaurants, a traveling salesman, and books? Even as he wondered, he already knew the answer. She lurked beneath the intriguing woman in form-fitting jeans and a tight, sexy top. A steady rush of adrenaline pumped through his veins. Even this strong-willed version of Kayla excited him in ways he had yet to understand.

He’d never run into a woman who challenged him on so many levels. Who dared to assert her authority at the expense of his own. He might respect her independence, but he’d be damned if he’d let her risk her life to get it back. He shook his head. “No meeting. No way.”

She braced her hands on her legs and jumped up from her seat. “It’s not your decision.” She turned to his superior. “Is it?” she asked Reid.

“Ultimately, no.”

Kane shot daggers at his boss, but the man shrugged his shoulders. “The lady asked a question, McDermott. I’m just answering.”

Kayla’s smile widened. “Then I want in.”

“What the hell do you mean, you want in? This isn’t some action movie; it’s real life.” Exasperated, Kane ran a hand through his hair.

“Right. It’s my life, and you guys have shredded it to hell and back. I want to do this.”

“There is no this.” Kane glanced at Captain Reid for backup, certain the older man wouldn’t have patience for a civilian plan of action. But he looked more amused than annoyed, which only served to anger Kane more. “No.”

“Yes.” Kayla folded her arms in front of her.

Despite the serious circumstances, his gaze followed the movement. He took in the press of her forearms against her chest, the rise of her full breasts, visible in the V of her shirt. He knew damn well how that soft flesh felt in his hands, how sweet it tasted in his mouth. He swallowed, but his throat had grown dry.

“Sorry to interrupt this show, but we’ve got some decisions to make.” Reid paced the small area behind his desk. “First, we decipher the books.”

“I can do that,” Kayla said.

“So can Tucker,” Kane muttered.

“Why pull extra manpower on something I can do myself?” Looking too pleased with herself, once again Kayla glanced at the captain for confirmation.

“She’s got a point, McDermott. Besides, with you watching her every minute, what can go wrong?”

Kane hadn’t mentioned to his boss that he’d lost Kayla for one solid hour because of raging hormones and foolish trust. He wasn’t about to do so now.

“And then?” Kayla asked. “What if the guy calls again?”

“I handle it.”

She scowled at Kane.

“We’ll tap your cell and see what turns up,” Reid said.

“The last call came from a burner,” Kane said. He had no doubt the next one would, too.

The captain shrugged. “If he calls, improvise. Go with the moment.” He looked at Kane. “You need backup, let me know.”

In other words, if the opportunity presented itself and Kayla was still willing, let her in. Kane grabbed the bag of books in one fist, Kayla’s hand in the other, and headed for the door. He knew damn well his boss had a point. He usually did. Kane respected Reid’s judgment and looked up to the older man, but he disagreed with his call on this one. Violently disagreed. Kayla might be their best option for ending this thing quick, but he didn’t like setting her up as a target. Just the thought made him ice-cold all over.

He picked up his stride. Striding through the precinct, he ignored the stares of the other cops on duty.

“Where are you dragging me?” She stumbled over her feet in an effort to keep up.

Kane slowed his pace. “Home.”

“So you can yell in private?”

There were many things he wanted to do with Kayla. Yelling wasn’t one of them. He stopped midstep and glanced over his shoulder.