All Tied Up

“I, ah, better go, too,” she said. “I have to work tomorrow.”

Constantine narrowed his gaze on her, knowing he couldn’t allow her to leave, not until he knew more about her. But there was a deeper reason, one he felt on a personal level.

He glanced at his watch. “Tomorrow’s Saturday.”

“I still have to work.”

“Have one drink with me,” he offered. “I’m only here for the night. We won’t get another chance.”

The words lingered between them, true in more ways than she could possibly know, heavy with the implications they held. Her lashes fluttered, shielding her eyes from his view. He could almost feel her internal struggle. Almost taste her desire.

“One drink,” she finally agreed, fixing him with a smoldering hot stare. A stare that told him he could have more than a drink.

And Lord help him, he wanted more. This night could end only one of two ways. If she were on Alvarez’s payroll, he’d have her naked in all of two heartbeats. But if she weren’t working with Alvarez, which he strongly suspected to be the case, he’d be taking one hell of a long, cold shower.

***

SLIDING INTO the corner booth of the deserted lounge area, Nicole felt the flutter of anticipation in her stomach as Constantine settled in beside her.

“Tequila Sunrise?” he asked, flagging the waitress, who quickly found her way to the table.

Nicole nodded, surprised he’d noticed her drink, but pleased. Pleased to the point of feeling…aroused. Actually, everything about the man did that to her.

He ordered the drinks, and Nicole studied him. He had a strong profile, a straight nose, a solid set to his jaw that spoke of confidence, full lips meant for kissing. Her gaze slid to his hands. What was it about his hands? Strong with long fingers.

It had been forever since she’d had this kind of reaction to a man, and she wondered, why now? Why this man? Not that he wasn’t hot. He was. In fact, his body, his good looks all but screamed “sex.” Still, she’d met plenty of good-looking guys. Until this man, though, she’d felt pretty darn cold. Really, truthfully, work had ruled her world, and she liked it that way. It was safe, free of emotional baggage, free of distractions.

Nicole let a slow trickle of air slide past her lips as her eyes settled on the candle flickering in the center of the table. She didn’t know the answers. What she did know was that when a man could make a woman burn without even trying, she’d be in trouble when he turned up the heat. Maybe it was the setting. Or maybe her body was rebelling against the complete lack of male attention she’d imposed on it ever since her divorce.

She’d left her past behind, and sex had been a part of it. A part of the greed that had led her into a dark place she didn’t want to go back to. Her stomach clenched as she thought of the case that had changed her life. Of the murderer she’d gotten off only to see him kill again. It had been a wake-up call beyond her years—a crime in and of itself.

Only recently—after putting away as many criminals as she had—had she begun to look at herself in the mirror again. To accept the past and allow herself to live again. Even so, it didn’t stop her shame. Her total hatred of what she’d allowed herself to become. But it was long ago.

She was drawn to him in a way difficult to ignore. Maybe it was time to stop running and face the final part of letting go of the past. Maybe it was time to enjoy a little sexual exploration without fear.

“Finally alone,” Constantine said as the waitress departed, turning a mind-melting smile on Nicole.

Dark and deserted, the lounge certainly qualified as offering privacy. Apparently, the louder bar they’d left was the popular spot for the night.

Nicole commented, quick to busy herself in conversation rather than naughty fantasies about an upstairs hotel room. “What brings you into town?”

“Business,” he said. He paused, reaching for her hand and enclosing it in his.

The waitress set the drinks on the table. “What kind of business are you in?” Nicole asked, telling herself she cared about the answer, knowing she should. But she really didn’t want to talk at all. She wanted to kiss him. Or just go to his room. The thought, unbidden, confirmed what her body already knew. She had to have this man.

“I’m in imports and exports.” He paused, and his voice lowered, lifting her hand to his mouth, and fixing her in a sultry stare. “Unfortunately, I rarely find my way to Austin.”

She swallowed, staring into those sultry eyes and feeling lost, sinking deep into the haze of attraction. In the far corners of her mind, his words still registered. Hearing that she’d probably never see this man again delivered a tiny jab of disappointment, but it also offered freedom. Freedom to explore without fear of being connected to the U.S. Attorney’s office, prosecuting one of the biggest drug lords in existence. It was a rare chance to test the sexual waters again without a tomorrow to face.