Tempt Me

“I absolutely do.” He took another sip and placed the glass onto the counter, meeting her gaze. “Kayla’s boyfriend is dealing drugs from her apartment. Dante has proof. And we have a strategy that will guarantee me my daughter and get Kayla out of my life for good.”

Mia’s eyes lit up at his words.

She, of all people, understood the importance of his news. She knew how much Bailey meant to him, how much Kayla’s threats were eating away at him. The fear of losing the one person in his life who meant the world to him, who defined him, who he’d do anything for had petrified him even if he’d done his best not to show it.

“Kayla can be darn persuasive when she sets her mind to convincing someone about her point of view,” he said.

He shook his head at the memories of her telling him she was pregnant, explaining through tears how much she wanted a family and how she loved him. He’d bought her act.

“I don’t want her anywhere near a judge. And now she won’t be.”

Mia clapped her hands and squealed with glee. “What’s your plan?”

“I’m going to call her and ask to meet. Explain I have some terms I’d like to discuss with her. Let her think I’m coming around to her way of thinking, that maybe she’ll see a payday. At which point I’ll lay out my evidence, tell her that, as we speak, the police are searching her apartment and arresting her boyfriend. And just happen to be outside the restaurant waiting to bring her in for questioning. She won’t see Bailey again. Ever,” he said on a low growl.

“Oh, Austin.” Without hesitation, she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around his waist, and held him close. “I’m so relieved for you.”

Despite everything that had passed between them, despite her having pulled back, she was here for him now. He ran a hand down her silky hair. He bent his head and inhaled her fragrant scent, the hint of citrus and freshness he always associated with her causing his dick to harden as want filled him.

“Mia,” he groaned.

She tipped her head up, meeting his gaze, her lips offered up to him—even if that wasn’t her intent.

Intent or not, he needed a taste. One last taste if that’s what it turned out to be. He captured her lips with his, gliding his tongue over the seam, waiting for the breathy moan sure to follow, and when she gave it up, he slid deeper inside. He kissed her hard, grasping her face and turning her first one way, then another, anything to devour all of her.

She rose onto tiptoes, pressed her body into his, her breasts smashed against his chest, her arms coming to wrap around his neck, her fingers curling up and into his hair. His hands dropped to her waist and he pulled her into him, his cock rubbing sensually against her stomach. He throbbed painfully and it must have been his thick erection that sunk into her consciousness, because she jerked back, stepping out of his arms.

“No. I don’t want to send mixed signals,” she said, dismay and unhappiness etched on her face as she spoke through her puffy, well-kissed lips. “And we shouldn’t do that again… I just wanted to let you know how happy I am for you about Bailey. I didn’t mean—”

“I know,” he assured her. “I did it. Because I can’t resist you. But I will try harder. And you can consider this helping me celebrate. Nothing more.”

Except it was. Kissing her was everything.

Chapter Nine

Mia decided to beat Austin to the kitchen early the next morning. She wanted to fuel him with coffee before his meeting with his ex-wife. She’d set her alarm knowing what time he usually came downstairs, but she hadn’t planned to find it so difficult to get out of bed. No sooner had she sat up than nausea swamped her and she lay back down until the wave passed, staring at the ceiling and praying to feel better.

She tried to sit up again, this time with more positive results. Nothing more fun than a stomach bug, she thought wryly, but she pushed on and managed to shower, feeling semi-okay once she’d dressed.

Her cell phone rang just as she was ready to go to the kitchen. She didn’t recognize the number but it had a New York area code. Her stomach churning even more now, she answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Mia? It’s Kate Collins, the Manhattan district attorney. I assume you received the summons to appear?”

“Oh, hi, yes. I did. I’m surprised you didn’t call me first.”

“I’m sorry about that. I was in court on a case and we had to get this moving. I’d like you to come to the city for some trial prep.”

Mia swallowed hard. “Sure. Whatever you need.”

“Great. I’ll be in touch with the day and time.”