Deadly Desire (Riley Jenson Guardian 7)

"Kye Murphy. Werewolf, bodyguard, and gun for hire. Rhoan and I did a basic search on him awhile ago, but I need a deep one. I want it all-gossip, secrets, family, the lot."

"And why would you be needing all this?"

"Because he's turned up on a crime scene twice now, and each time he's gotten there before us. I want to know where, or how, he's getting his information."

"You could always arrest his ass."

"I have a bad feeling that would not be easy-and that's another reason why I need this information fast. He's hiding something, and I want to know what."

"Sounds like you've got a thing for this bad boy," she said dryly.

"All werewolves have a 'thing' for each other during the full moon phase, Sal. It's beside the point."

She sniffed. "I'll initiate it, but it'll take awhile to collect the information."

"Let me know when it's there."

"Will do."

I hung up and climbed into my car, then headed home to write up my overdue reports. Neither Rhoan or Liander were home when I got there, but I found a note on the fridge saying they'd gone out for dinner.

Which made my stomach rumble a reminder that it needed something more substantial than a burger. So once I'd typed up the report and sent it off to Jack, I grabbed my cell and rang Quinn.

"I was wondering when I was going to hear from you," he said.

The sexy lilt in his voice made want me to sigh in pleasure. "I didn't want to disturb any vital business meetings."

"All business meetings are vital, and they all drag on into boredom if there isn't a reason to take a break." His voice was wry. "Am I going to see you tonight?"

"That depends on whether you intend to pay for dinner or not. I gave my last spare cash to a street kid and now I'm broke until payday."

"And I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for you doing that. Only it probably won't make sense to the more logical of us."

"That's a rather catty remark from someone who wants sex tonight."

"Not when I'm paying for the dinner you obviously can't afford."

"True. Apology accepted then."

He laughed softly. "Shall I try and book a table at Wren's?"

Wren's was the latest "it" spot for all of Melbourne's high flyers and, as such, had a waiting list months long. Luckily for us, Quinn knew the owner and most times could get us squeezed in. We'd been there five times now, and I adored the food. Mainly because Wren's was rare in the world of fine dining-it actually served enough food to keep even a hungry werewolf happy.

"If you get us a table, I'll love you forever."

"If only you would," he said, with another laugh. The sound washed across my senses as sweetly as a caress and made my body tingle with desire. "What time?"

I glanced at my watch. It was just after six-thirty now, and Wren's was in the heart of Toorak, which was always a hassle to get to.

"I can be there by seven-thirty."

"You really are hungry."

"And maybe not just for food," I said cheekily. "I hope you're not wearing an expensive suit, vampire, because I fully intend to rip it off later."

"Be my guest. It'll be worth the loss."

I grinned. "See you in an hour."